New build homes are incredibly popular and more and more of them are appearing across the UK. One of the biggest criticisms of these kinds of properties is that they often lack character, which means it is down to the owners themselves to customise the space and give it the personality that they are looking for.
There are many different ways to do this, but many are reticent to make any major efforts in case they damage the walls. This is because they are often made from more flimsy materials than traditional properties, and so they could be faced with some expensive repair bills.
In this article, Stag Painting and Decorating share some of the best ways for you to decorate your new build home by adding character with confidence that you will not damage the walls.
Don’t Rush Into Anything
A new build home can feel a little bit like a blank canvas, which means many homeowners are itching to put their stamp on it the minute they get the keys. However, this is not always the best course of action. The new building materials, such as the timber in the walls and fresh plaster, will need time to dry out and this does not happen overnight.
As the walls dry, you may notice small cracks starting to form in the wall – it’s perfectly normal, but it can damage any decorating efforts that you have made in that time, and it can make it more difficult for the building company to fix any problems that emerge.
In fact, many builders recommend leaving things for 6-12 months before you start doing things like hanging wallpaper.
This means you should give it plenty of time before you start making any meaningful changes to the property. If the white walls are proving too boring for you to live with, then feel free to get the paintbrush out if your warranty allows it but avoid going much further than this until the property has had a chance to settle.
Painting Your Trimmings
You might think that painting things like your skirting boards would be a straightforward task, but this is different in a new build. This is due to the fact that new woodwork absorbs more paint and or stain than older timber.
It can often mean that your first coat does not give the finish that you were expecting, so you need to make sure that it is cleaned and properly prepared before you begin, and you are ready to give it a second coat if necessary. As the property ages, things like this will take on a more even and weathered surface that will respond to any paintwork better.
Start With the Big Things
When you have a whole property to style and decorate, it can be difficult to know where to start. It is tempting to tackle the easy stuff first, but the recommended route is to focus on the tougher and messier jobs at the start.
For example, a whole kitchen update could lead to scratches, dust and tile grout being trailed across your new carpets and ruining any freshly painted surfaces. Concentrating on your garden before you fill your house with beautiful fluffy cream carpets can also help to minimise any stains that make their way indoors.
Once these heavy-duty tasks are out of the way, it is then much easier to move on to other things that are less likely to be susceptible to damage.
Add Character in an Instant
Whilst new build homes might seem a little soulless, it will not take much time at all to add a sense of character to them. Even if you have had to put a hold on things like wallpapering, you can still add personality to every single room.
Not only will furniture and accessories introduce colour, but they can also bring pattern and texture without any risk of damage. Framed art, family photos, trinkets and vases can all bring character from any age or part of the world without any difficulty.
Hanging Frames and Mirrors
Putting pictures or mirrors on the wall can seem like a daunting task. As soon as that hook starts to be hammered into the wall, there is a risk of untold damage, so it is important to get it right.
It is essential that you locate any electrical wires and cables or pipework that is hiding in your walls, as there will be nothing worse than drilling a screw straight into them. Tools like a stud finder can make this much easier to identify and you can then plan the best place to locate your picture frame.
Plan Your Layout
To minimise the work that you need to do, it is important to plan your layout before you start. Try drawing a bird’s eye view perspective of your room and sketch out where you want your furniture to sit.
When you are happy with the layout, you can then plan things like feature walls depending on where your sofa or television is likely to be. By doing this in advance, you get a better idea of what it is going to look like and won’t need to worry about trying to cover up a costly mistake.
Read Your Warranty Carefully
New build homes come with a warranty just like any other new product, so you need to be aware of what it says. There may be restrictions on how long you have to wait before you can paint or wallpaper your walls, so it is important to adhere to this. If you don’t, then you could void your warranty and leave yourself with some much bigger problems.
Any home can have character, whether it is 100 years old or 100 days. It is all down to planning and a sense of personal style. Just remember that when you first move in, you may not be able to make all of the changes that you want in one go, so plan a timeline to be aware of what is practical and how you can build in your personality without causing any harm.
