Most new subdivision homes all look the same.
Sure, your neighbors' homes may have one more bedroom than yours, but they are basically all the same.
Everyone has beige or gray walls and carpet and basic boring light fixtures.
Why not be unique and show your personality?
Here are a few ideas for adding unique elements to your home to make it one of a kind.
photo courtesy of Brent Eckley flickr.com/photos/96831183@N08/29447888350/Vintage and Antique
You could shop at your local home improvement store, department store, home decor store, or the craft store down the street for decorative items to go in your home, but that is what most of your neighbors do.
Consider shopping for one of a kind vintage or antique items instead for a unique style.
A vintage item is typically considered something that is over 50 years old. Once an item is 100 years old, it qualifies as an antique.
Vintage items are often less expensive and have loads of character compared to new store bought items.
Luckily, there are vintage pieces to go with most all decorating styles.
1960's items tend to complement contemporary and modern spaces while 1940's items tend to complement more traditional spaces.
You can look for vintage and antique pieces at antique stores, flea markets, garage sales, and your parents' attic.
When decorating, don't be discouraged by the current condition of the vintage piece.
Consider its overall shape and whether you could paint it, restain it, reupholster it, or rewire it to give it a new life in your unique home.
Unexpected
Decorate with something unexpected to be unique.
You can add huge oversized artwork, a modern item in a traditional room, or one bold colored object in a monochromatic room.
The unexpected element doesn't have to be expensive, it just needs to be something that makes people stop and take notice.
Ban the Beige
Remove most of the beige from your home bit by bit in order to have a unique home.
One of the easiest ways to start decorating is by painting the walls.
For a more modern art gallery look, consider painting over the beige a bright white.
Paint
When selecting a paint color, be bold, be unique, and don't be scared - its just paint.
You don't have to paint your walls a single color - consider painting them in stripes, plaid, or harlequin patterns.
You can also paint your kitchen or bathroom cabinets - consider painting them black, gray, navy, or red.
Baseboards and door trim do not have to be white - they can be black, tan, dark brown, or any color you select (they often look best when they are the same color throughout your home to create consistency).
Don't Forget Your Ceiling
The ceiling is often the most forgotten place in the home.
Let me guess - yours is white?
Consider painting it an accent color or decorating it some other way.
Architectural Elements
Add architectural elements to your home to make it one of a kind and unique.
You can add crown molding, a chair rail, stone elements, reclaimed wood floors, and more.
Don't forget about decorating with vintage architectural pieces such as vintage corbels, reclaimed wood, old doors, and vintage ironwork.
Far Away Places
The next time you are in a far away place, bring home a unique decorative item to remind you of your trip.
The item may become an interesting conversation piece in your home.
Make sure the item is large enough to demand attention where it is placed in your home.
Even a small collection of items from different trips displayed together on a shelf can make for a really interesting and personal vignette.
First Impression
When someone visits your home, their first impression is the exterior of your home.
Don't settle for the 2 trees and 6 bushes that the builder put in your front yard (that are the same trees and bushes that your neighbors have).
Plant additional colorful bushes, flowers, and trees to give the exterior of your home character, just like the unique interior.
Even small changes like new house numbers, a new mailbox, or a bold front door color can make a big difference without spending a lot of money.
Rugs
Adding an area rug is one of the easiest ways to add color, pattern, and personality to a room.
Most builder grade homes have basic carpet or plain floors, so a bold or patterned rug can instantly make a room feel more unique and pulled together.
Gallery Wall
Instead of hanging one or two pieces of art on a wall, consider creating a gallery wall with a collection of frames in different sizes.
You can mix artwork, photos, mirrors, and even interesting objects mounted on the wall.
A gallery wall is a great way to show your personality and tell your story.
Consider creating paper templates of all of your frames before attaching them to the wall. Tape the templates to the wall so you can determine the best layout before attaching the actual frames to the wall since a paper template is much easier to move.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper has made a huge comeback in home decorating.
You don't have to wallpaper an entire room - consider doing just one accent wall.
There are many peel and stick wallpaper options available now that are easy to install and remove, making it a low commitment way to add a lot of personality to a room.
Plants
Adding plants to your home is an inexpensive way to add life, color, and personality to any room.
Large floor plants can fill an empty corner, while smaller plants can be grouped together on a shelf or windowsill for an interesting display.
Don't be afraid to use interesting and unique pots and planters to add even more personality.
Lighting
Lighting is one of the most overlooked decorating tools.
Swap out your basic builder grade light fixtures for something more unique and stylish.
Add floor lamps and table lamps to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The right lighting can completely change the mood and feel of a room.
Books & Collections
Displaying a collection of books, records, vintage cameras, or anything else you are passionate about is a great way to show your personality.
Group your collection together in one place for more impact rather than spreading items throughout the house.
A well styled bookshelf can be just as interesting as a piece of artwork.
MIrrors
Mirrors are one of the most versatile decorating tools available.
A large mirror can make a small room feel bigger and brighter.
An interesting shaped or framed mirror can serve as a piece of artwork on its own.
Consider leaning a large mirror against a wall instead of hanging it for a more casual and relaxed look.
Texture
Adding different textures to a room is an easy way to make it feel more interesting and unique.
Mix smooth surfaces with rough ones, shiny with matte, and soft with hard.
Consider adding a chunky knit throw, a jute rug, a velvet pillow, or a reclaimed wood shelf to add warmth and texture to an otherwise flat looking room.
Repurpose Items
One of the most unique ways to decorate is to repurpose everyday items in unexpected ways.
An old ladder can become a blanket rack.
A vintage suitcase can become a side table.
An old window frame can become a picture frame.
Repurposed items add a lot of character and are usually very inexpensive.
Rethink Everything
Rethink the way you have decorated in the past.
How can you rearrange your accessories to make the arrangement more unique and pleasing?
How can you decorate with an item in a way other than its originally intended purpose?
How can you switch items from one room to the next to make both rooms more unique?
How can you make your bed in an interesting one of a kind way?
How can you embellish an everyday item to make it more unique?
Can you decorate with normal things in abnormal places (such as interior furniture in a covered exterior space)?
