8 Ways to Add Character and Charm to a Builder-Grade Home

15.09.2023 - 12:15 / thespruce.com / Ashley Chalmers

Incorporating vintage elements into a space has been a rising trend for quite some time, but if you're in a new home that is all bare walls and right angles, it can be hard to pull this style off convincingly. Often in new, builder-grade homes, even the best antique pieces aren’t going to feel quite right if there’s no natural character to your space.

Luckily, there’s hope to be found. With a few easy tweaks, you can get the vintage look of your dreams, all by adding a little bit of character and charm to your home. We turned to the experts to find out their top tips for creating a charming, lived-in space full of vintage, antique feel in a freshly built or redone home.

Reed & Acanthus

Monika Nessbach, the founder and chief interior designer of Designbar, says that one of the easiest ways to inject some charm into a space is to swap out the builder-grade finishes for something with more character. 

“Swap standard doorknobs and cabinet handles with vintage-inspired pieces, inviting a touch of yesteryear elegance,” she says. “A mixture of substrates—polished brass, brushed nickel, matte black—adds a layer of charm that's utterly captivating.” 

Berkeley Place

Old homes are often lit with a beautiful, soft glow, while many builder-grade homes come equipped with more straightforward and clinical overhead lights. Nessbach says changing these is the perfect way to add some character. 

“Vintage-inspired chandeliers, pendant lights with character-rich shades, and even unique floor lamps add layers of visual intrigue and whimsy,” she says. 

Laura Chappetto Flynn, the owner and lead designer of Element Design Network, agrees. “We have seen million-dollar spec homes and the lighting is the same as the builder-grade homes