New builds may have a beautiful, pristine feeling (not to mention the knowledge that everything just works), but it can also be a challenge deciding how to decorate such a blank slate. You have incredible creative freedom – but sometimes that means your options are overwhelming.
If you find yourself preparing to move into a new build, try some of these decorating tips to narrow down your options and capture a comfortable but modern feeling.
#1 Neutral Colors
Color is always going to be the first place you start when decorating, and for a new build, neutral tones work wonders. They help maintain the bright, airy feeling of a new build without feeling blank. Consider colors like duck egg blue or dove grey.
#2 Customize Your Fixtures
One of the great things about planning to move into a new build home is talking to the builder about customizing certain features so that you don’t have to change them later. Fixtures are a great example. Expensive to replace, they also have a major visual impact on your home, in many ways defining the style of the house, from the door handles to the light fixtures.
One way you can make sure your new build has the exact fixtures you want is working with a custom home builder like Blythwood Homes, which specializes in dream homes located in master-planned, adult lifestyle communities.
#3 Window Dressings
Window dressings express so much of the personality of your home. Tailor the window dressings to the kind of light you get in the space. If there’s a lot of sun, lighter coloured dressings won’t fade. Lightweight fabrics tend to hang well, so make good use of them. One of the benefits of a new build is that you won’t need to rely on heavy window dressings to keep out drafts in the winter. Lean into the perks!
#4 Putting Furniture “In Conversation”
There’s a technique to arranging your living room that makes sure your sofa “talks” to your chairs. It’s a way of designing a living room that facilitates hosting and creates a sense of intimacy and balance. There are two ways to make sure your seating area is great for conversation:
- U-shaped design, with an open space across from the sofa and an armchair on both left and right wings, facing inward; excellent for a living room that also features a TV.
- H-shaped seating area, good for entertaining spaces that places the sofa on one side balanced by two armchairs side by side, facing the couch.
#5 Find the Right Place for Mirrors
Mirrors can be a great asset if you want to bring more light into a room, but they can also backfire easily. Unless mirrors are placed with care and thought, they can wind up reflecting random objects, over-emphasizing clutter or that one piece of furniture you’re debating replacing. Mirrors should be replaced to reflect a great view or bounce more light into the room. Be careful about their placement.
#6 Putting it All Together
In creating your custom look, you will be visiting several suppliers for flooring, cabinets, ceramics, plumbing fixtures, stair railings and fireplace design. Once you complete this whirlwind tour it is best to assemble all your samples in one place and do a final review. Moving into a new home is an exciting time. Don’t get overwhelmed by the decorations. Try out these tips when you first move in to maintain a welcoming, modern feeling.
