wood beams add character to your home

There are some rooms you walk into and think to yourself, โ€œWow, this room is amazing!โ€ But, what is it that sets a room apart from others? Furniture, rugs, and accessories can make a big impact on the overall look of a room, but itโ€™s the architectural features and unique details that make a room interesting. A room with character has its own personality. It invites you in and makes you want to stay awhile, exploring the details in the space. If you want to discover how to add character to a house, I’ve rounded up 12 of the best ways to update your home and make it stand out with personality and charm.

When we talk about older homes, we often describe them as havingย so much character. In the past, houses were generally built much smaller, and home builders understood the importance of adding architectural details to a house to enhance its beauty. Today, new build homes have become larger and grander, yet they often lack the features that add so much character and visual interest to a home. If you’ve recently bought a new construction home, and have been feeling like it’s missing something or lacking character, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are tons of affordable ways to enhance the look and feel of your home, and infuse it with your personal style. Even the smallest changes can make a huge difference in making your home feel more interesting and unique.

What defines “character” for a house?

Character in a house is defined by the unique combination of qualities that make it stand out and feel distinct from other homes. It’s what transforms a standard house into a space that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the people who live there. This character can be expressed through architectural details, unique materials, and even furnishings. It might be a charming nook or a beautiful fireplace. Ultimately, what gives a house character is its individuality and interesting features, making it not just a place to live, but a home full of life and personality.

How to Add Character to a House

Here are 12 simple ways you can add character and charm to any room in your home.

Paint an Accent Wall

Paint is an interior designerโ€™s most powerful tool. It’s one of the least expensive and perhaps most impactful ways to completely change the look of a room. Painting one wall in the room a dramatically different color than the others is an easy way to create a focal point and draw your attention to a certain part of the room. Accent walls are perfect for highlighting artwork, or creating a dramatic backdrop for furniture. In a master bedroom, an accent wall behind the bed is the perfect way to add drama. In a living room or dining room, an accent wall can be an effective way to introduce color or highlight artwork on the walls.

bedroom teal accent wall
Source: @avestyles c/o @decoristofficial
entr foyer accent wall
Source: @marycasachic on Instagram

Install Wallpaper or Murals

As a designer, I have really grown to love wallpaper and murals over the last few years, and their ability to add character to a space. In case you were wondering about the difference between the two, murals have a single large design that spans the entire wall, whereas wallpaper is a repeating pattern. Either can be used for an accent wall, or throughout the room, but I know some of you out there are still hesitant about using wallpaper in your homes. Rest assured, todayโ€™s wallpaper is nothing like the overly floral, busy eyesores of years past.

Wallpaper is a great way to add playful pattern, geometric lines, or texture. I particularly love using wallpaper in bathrooms, kid spaces, laundry rooms, and as an accent wall in bedrooms. There is a wallpaper out there that works with every style, and many of today’s wallpapers are easy to install and removable, so give it a try!

wallpaper mural entry
Source:All About Home Design
Source: Hi Sugar Plum
dining room with wallpaper
Source: Threshold Interiors NYC

Add Decals to Your Walls

Check out the adorable navy blue nursery picture below. Would you believe that those lovely blue flowers on the wall are actually decals, and not wallpaper? Like wallpaper, decals are a fun way to add some character to your room. Not only can you create a stunning accent wall with decals, but they are easy to install and completely removable! You can purchase these gorgeous blue floral decals here.

blue floral wall decals
Design by: House of Hanes Interiors

Polka dots and triangle decals can be used to make a classic pattern that looks great in any room. They are easier to install and remove than wallpaper, but can give you a similar repeating pattern look.

black triangle wall decals stickers

Install an Architectural Feature Wall

An architectural feature wall is a little more permanent than paint or wallpaper, often using panels, moulding and/or trim to create texture, shapes, or a pattern. Installing grids, shiplap, wainscoting, or reclaimed wood planks to one or more walls in your room can drastically elevate the style of the space, and create a magazine-worthy look. These walls may take more time to create, but trust me, the results are worth it! Just take a look at these stunning examples.

teal accent wall
Source: Dettaglio Design
Source: Within the Grove
Source: Style at Home Design by LVZ Design
Source: Happy Together by Jess

Add Wood Beams

Wood beams do an excellent job of adding a cozy, warm feeling to a room. They’re also a great way to add a natural feel to your space, which is a key element of good interior design. There are some amazing faux wood beam products out there today that make installing beams a breeze, and they cost way less than real wood beams.

wood beams add character to your home
Source: Farmhouse Living

We installed a faux wood beam in our kitchen last year, and were amazed by the character it brought to the space. Everyone thought it was real, but it was just a simple poly foam beam from Home Depot. Easy to install and easy on the wallet!

Dress Up Your Ceiling

People often overlook their ceilings as a way to bring character into the room, but there are so many ways you can transform your plain ceilings into something exceptional. If you happen to have a tray ceiling in your room, as many newer homes do, you have a prime opportunity to do something special. Here’s an example where wallpaper was added to a tray ceiling to bring in beautiful color and texture (wallpaper is Thibaut โ€“ Raffia in Teal)

wallpaper in tray ceiling
Source: The Guest House Studio

Just like with wood beams, adding wood planks to the ceiling brings in a cozy, warm feel. Great for farmhouse, coastal, and California Casual decorating styles!

wood plank ceiling in entry way
Source: Graystone Custom Builders

Here is a plank ceiling feature we installed for a client above their dining table. It created a beautiful backdrop for their chandelier, and added instant character to the space. You can get a similar effect with a ceiling medallion.

Coffered ceilings add dimension to your ceilings, and traditional character to every room. I love a true coffered ceiling, but it is a challenging and expensive feature to add after a room is already built. So, one option is to add moulding and trim to create a faux coffered ceiling. You can even add planks or bead board in between the coffers for some extra charm. Check out these great examples!

add character to every room with faux coffered ceiling
Source: Charleston Crafted
add character to every room with coffered ceilings
Source: Luster Custom Homes

Install Window Trim

Builder-grade homes often don’t have trim around the windows. Installing trim around a window gives a finished, sophisticated look which instantly adds character to a space. Don’t just take my word for it, check out these great before and after pics!

Source: Make It & Love It
add craftsman window trim to add character
Source: Thrifty Decor Chick

Add Picture Ledges

Picture ledges are easy to install and can be used to create a beautiful gallery wall in any room. They look more permanent than a picture hanging on the wall, which adds more allure to the room. Yes, you can buy them, but they are also an easy DIY project. Here’s a tutorial for how to build them from Thrifty Decor Chick, and here are some white picture ledges you can buy from Amazon.

diy picture ledge
Source: Thrifty Decor Chick
picture ledge gallery wall
Source: NativeNW on Etsy

Statement Light Fixtures

When people buy a house, they rarely think to change out the lighting. Adding statement lighting in a room is another way to add character and charm to a space. No need to hire an expensive electrician, because replacing light fixtures is a DIY job. However, if working with electricity makes you uncomfortable, a handyman will be able to tackle the task. So, swap out those builder-grade chandeliers, bland pendant lights, and overused boob lights for something that makes a stylish statement. You wonโ€™t believe the difference a light fixture can make for the entire room! Take a look at these before and after pictures from Young House Love to see the difference a light fixture makes.

changing out builder grade light fixtures
BEFORE – Source: Young House Love
change builder grade light fixture before after
AFTER – Source: Young House Love

Window Seats & Banquettes

Who doesnโ€™t love the idea of a cozy window seat for reading, or a cute banquette area for eating? Building in a banquette not only saves space, but is a fun feature that adds a ton of character in the kitchen. If you have the space, window seats are a great option for adding storage and charm โ€“ especially in kids rooms! Here’s a great example of a window seat that makes the entire space feel more cozy and adds a ton of storage in the room.

farmhouse breakfast built in nook banquette
Source: Sanctuary Home Decor
window seat in bedroom
Source: One Kindesign
window seat with drawers
Source: Jenna Sue Design

Built-Ins

Built-ins are one of my favorite ways to add character to a house, and I’ve added several in my own home. Any blank wall can become a stunning architectural feature with built-ins. From mudrooms, to entertainment centers, to coffee stations, to benches and libraries, built-ins are the best way to not only add loads of storage but also tons of character! Here are a few examples of gorgeous and functional built-ins.

built in coffee station bar
Source: Fox Hollow Cottage
painted built-ins for office
Source: Scout Nimble

Here is the built-in we designed and built for our daughter’s room. Those extra drawers allowed us to remove a large dresser in the room and make everything feel bigger.

daybed with trundle under window
Source: Welsh Design Studio

Check out all of the built-ins in this next room! I see a closet, bench seating, and bookshelves around the bed. No need for any furniture in this space!

built in closet window seat and shelving around bed for boys bedroom
Source: All About Home
built-in mudroom with wood bench and shiplap
Source: Acquire Design

Paint Your Interior Doors

People donโ€™t often think about painting their interior doors, but a painted door can be a great way to add color and interest to a room. Check out my post on painting interior doors to see some great ideas and inspiration. You don’t even have to paint the doors throughout your entire home. You can paint one side of the door in specific rooms to add a pop of color in the room, and make.a statement. Life is short and paint is easy to change, so consider adding some color and a personal touch to your home by painting your doors!

painted interior doors
Source: Little House of Four

Historic homes are loaded with character, but today’s new build house is often lacking the features that add architectural interest and character. If your home feels like itโ€™s missing something, or if โ€œblahโ€ is a word you use to describe your space, itโ€™s probably lacking the little details that add character. In this post, Iโ€™ve shared 12 ideas for how to add character to a house that you can use them to enhance every room in your home. And the best part is that all of these are DIY projects that you can implement over time to create a home that reflects your personality! After all, your home should be a reflection of the special people who live in it!


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