Easy ideas to add character and charm into your home whether it’s builders grade or dated. Take it from blah to beautiful with these tips!
Whether your home is old or new, it may lack charm that feels warm and inviting. Our home is older, but lacked character that is typical for our neighborhood, style of home and age. Through the years and several owners, it had been stripped of its integrity. I was determined to add charm and a few additional details to strip away any cookie cutter thoughts.
15 Ways to Add Charm to Your Home
Replace Hollow Core Doors
Replace hollow core doors with two panel shaker or six panel wood doors. Not only will it take your home back in time, but it will offer more insulation for heat, air and sound.
Replace Entry Doors
Replace the front door. Shop new or find your local architectural salvage.
Update Door Hardware
Whether you’re seeking new or old, straying away from builder’s grade door knobs can add significant interest to a hallway lined with doors. We integrated Brass Door Knobs throughout our home.
Update Lighting
Replace lighting for a quick fix. Our lighting is a collection of new purchases {mostly in natural brass that ages over time} and estate sale finds in the neighborhood of original brass and crystal fixtures. Check out my post on 5 Must Have Lighting Design for tips and tricks.
Add Window Treatments
Add curtains and window treatments. I love plantation shutters, though they don’t fit with the style of our current home and block a significant amount of light. But oh, the charm! Even the addition of curtains helps define a space and immediately adds a touch of elegance. You can learn how to hang curtains here!
Update Faucets
Faucets are another quick fix to add charm. Most can be installed in 15-30 minutes and immediately transform a small powder room. Replacing a builders grade faucet with something you love can instantly elevate a space.
Remove Carpet
Reveal wood treads by removing carpet, staining the treads and painting the risers for a classic staircase.
Add Window Planters
Never underestimate curb appeal. Window planter boxes are easy to make and are so charming!
Add Mouldings
Trim it out! Even increasing the width from 3″ to 5 1/4″ trim around the perimeter of your floor can make a difference. Add shadow box trim, wainscoting, crown moulding – it all adds character!
Add Shutters
Wood shutters are another easy way to add character. We even diy’d these several years ago!
Add Planters
Planters nestled between garages or on a porch take just a few minutes to plant and position, but soften a home. They also draw attention to architectural detail.
New Floors
Willing to go the extra effort? Change your flooring. Our home was filled with linoleum and carpet, but most homes in the 60’s and 70’s had at least some wood. We decided to have traditional sand and stain wood floors installed throughout the main level and the hallway upstairs to add charm and the feeling of original integrity. For the mudroom, we added brick floors, which were frequently used 100+ years ago. You can catch a glimpse of them from 4 different rooms, yet they are in one of the smallest rooms in our home.
If it’s not in the budget, learn how to paint tile or how to paint concrete floors. You can even do peel and stick laminate or wood vinyl. This indoor outdoor stair runner is still one of my favorite projects!
Bookcases
Whether you want to fill them with books, storage or things you love, bookcases are timeless and add depth to a home.
New or Refreshed Windows
Replacing your windows may be expensive, but the result is oh so beautiful. We were lucky to have “lead” diamond windows, but having them or paneled windows can be really charming.
Landscaping
Love home and garden inspiration? Tour our Neutral Living Room and our Modern Living Room, too!
Who can resist beautiful landscaping? Make your home feel picturesque by incorporating stone paths, a line of daffodils or soft, lush landscape.
Check out my 10 Easy Updates for more ways to update your home.
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originally published April 2016
What would you do with a dated stairway with old carpeting WITHOUT wooden stairs underneath? If we have to use carpet again, what would be an up-to-date look?
If you send a picture (to show what you have above and below), that would help.
I love patterned carpet.
Great tips, Julie! We’ve been adding character to our plain 80’s ranch one room at a time.
I love your porch floor too 🙂
Looking forward to seeing you in less than a week!!
Thank you! I look forward to meeting you!
All projects look wonderful. I have a question about how you painted the kitchen cabinets, how did you do the A?
Love your blog.
Thank you, Annie! The “A”? Above the bed in my daughter’s room? If so, that’s just from RH Baby and Child.
Our kitchen cabinets in our new home were sprayed with furniture paint, but in our old home we painted over dark stained wood using liquid sandpaper first. Hope that helps! If you have any more questions or I misunderstood the “A”, let me know!
Great ideas!!!!
Thank you, Teresa! Have a beautiful weekend!
Julie, Where did you find the bookcase baskets?
Thanks
You can shop my home, including the baskets here. Enjoy, Maria!