When you think about your dream home, what picture comes to mind? Probably a mansion? A literal palace? Or are you picturing more of a simple structure full of life and personality?
Most of us have ideas of what our dream home looks like. However, not everyone can afford to fully achieve that ideal. A huge number of American households continue to move in to mass-produced cookie-cutter homes in the suburbs — these are rows and rows of houses with the same interior and exterior layout and style.
If you own or are planning to buy this kind of house, we’ve got some gorgeous ideas to share on how you can personalize and add charm to a cookie-cutter home — even your neighbors will turn their heads!
1. Revamp the house’s trim work to fit your style
2. Paint your front door or the whole exterior
3. Create unique accent walls
Your interior doesn’t have to be bland. Put your aesthetic taste on display by creating an accent wall, a.k.a. feature wall. There are tons of ways to do this, so here are some ideas:
- Add a pop of color on just one wall. It’s up to you if you want to paint it or use the inexpensive yet trusty wallpaper — just pick a design that matches your character
- Play around with your accent wall’s trims and molding
- Go for a classic look for your feature by adding a wainscot
4. Spruce up your space with lovely light fixtures
Lighting is such an important element to consider when you want to achieve that homey feel and ambiance, so don’t feel sorry when you’re removing the boob lights that came with your cookie cutter house. Instead, incorporate who you are by installing beautiful light fixtures anywhere you want – the living area, foyer, kitchen island, dining table, or even the front porch. What’s great about this is that you don’t have to restrict yourself to just one style. Give each room a distinct personality with different light fixtures that look either modern, eccentric, quirky, etc.
And while you’re at it, make sure to choose the right color temperature for your home. If you want to energize everyone at home, go for a cooler color temperature. But if you want to relax and get cozy with the family, go for a warmer color temperature.
5. Rethink your knobs and handles
When you buy a cookie cutter home, chances are your knobs and handles look the same as those of your neighbors’. Quit using these common hardwares and get something that fits your style, whether it’s vintage, traditional, or contemporary.
6. Make your outdoor space truly yours
The entirety of your property should be able to mirror your taste, which means that your front or backyard must have a touch of ‘you’. Apart from decking it with outdoor furniture and decoration, your yard should also be able to support your family’s lifestyle. If you have a pet, set up a playpen for them outside. If someone in the family is a green thumb, give them space to grow their garden. If another likes to cook, allocate an area for grilling and dining.
Don’t get intimidated by the idea of redesigning your yard for your needs and wants because a quick Google search is all it takes to see multiple ways to do it on a budget.
7. Rework your ceiling’s paint
8. Place stunning window curtains or drapes
9. Decorate with your mementos and heirloom items
Your home should be filled with things that spark happiness. It’s time to bust out those family photos, frame them, and hang them on a wall to remind you and your loved ones of those good memories. If you love reading, why don’t you display your most treasured books on a custom shelf? Additionally, if you receive a piece of family heirloom like a prized painting, using it as decoration will surely add more charm to your cookie cutter home.
While some of these ideas require more extensive work, most can be DIY-ed by you and your family. We hope this inspires you to spruce up your place, because with dedication and perseverance, you, too, can turn your cookie cutter home into your dream home.
