Do you feel that your home looks generic and boring?
Many homes these days are mass produced as cheaply as possible, and most of these homes in newer neighborhoods are identical or nearly identical, which makes a lot of homes generic, predictable, and boring.
Here are six common reasons why your home might look generic and boring, along with solutions to make your home more interesting and unique.
photo courtesy of Builders Design flickr.com/photos/buildersdesign/10592788224/
#1 Lack of Color and Texture
The inside of new homes are typically a sea of beige (or sometimes gray and/or white) with beige carpets, beige tile, and beige walls.
Unless you want your home to be generic and boring, you should replace most, if not all, of the beige with colors that reflect your personality and style.
Don't be afraid of offending potential buyers with a fun color when you go to sell your home (which might not be for several years or decades) because they hate beige also. If you are always concerned about what potential buyers would think of your home, then you are mentally not the owners of your home but tenants of the new buyers.
Most people only think about painting their walls, but you can also paint your cabinets, doors, ceilings, and furniture.
Also incorporate colorful accents such as throw pillows, area rugs, and artwork to add visual interest and create focal points that draw the eye.
In addition to only neutral colors, there is usually no interesting textural items inside your home, such as brick, distressed wood, metal, glass, and fabric.
Texture adds depth and dimension to your decor and creates visual interest.
Mix smooth and rough textures with shiny and matte finishes to add balance in your space.
Consider adding texture through elements such as area rugs, throw blankets, decorative pillows, and textured wall treatments to add warmth and richness to your home.
#2 Lack of Architectural Interest
In order to make homes more affordable, new home builders often strip out all of the architectural interest.
To add architectural interest back into your home, consider adding crown molding, replacing your light fixtures with something more interesting, framing your windows, replacing your faucets with ones that are prettier, and removing (very carefully) your sheet glass bathroom mirrors and replacing them with framed beveled mirrors.
Also consider your architectural lighting, which is probably very basic.
Poor lighting can make even the most well-designed space feel dull and uninspired.
Insufficient or improperly placed lighting can create shadows and dark corners that detract from the overall ambiance of your home.
To brighten up your space and create a welcoming atmosphere, incorporate a variety of lighting sources such as overhead fixtures, table lamps, floor lamps, and wall sconces.
Layering different types of lighting allows you to adjust the mood and functionality of your space according to your needs.
#3 Lack of Landscaping
Most new homes come with a bare minimum landscaping.
Some new homes come with no landscaping at all.
To make your home less boring, add foundation plantings that are evergreens so you always have something green in your yard.
Once the evergreens are in place, add a few focal points, such as ornamental trees, sculptures, or a water feature.
Add some hardscape elements such as pathways, retaining walls, and decorative borders to define spaces.
Don't forget the mulch to make your landscaping look tidy. Make sure to use a mulch color that complments the color of your home. Avoid mulch colors that are very bold, such as red that has been dyed.
Landscape lighting is a bonus to really take your landscape over the top and make it the envy of your neighborhood. Luckily, solar landscape lighting is extremely easy to install and is getting more and more inexpensive to purchase and uses no electricity.
#4 Too Much Matching
In case you did not get the memo, matching furniture sets are, and have been, out of style.
Furniture that is mass-produced and lacks character can contribute to a generic and uninspired look in your home.
Instead of opting for basic furniture pieces, invest in furniture that reflects your unique style and personality.
Look for statement pieces with interesting shapes, textures, and finishes that add personality and flair to your space.
Mix and match different styles and eras to create a curated and eclectic look that is uniquely yours.
Consider adding a few vintage and/or antique pieces for added flair.
If you already have matching furniture sets, consider mixing the different piece between different rooms in your home.
Matching is boring, so create a unique furniture collection that you love.
#5 Predictable Accessories
Unless you want your home to look just like your neighbors' homes, avoid decorating your home with accessories that are mass produced and have large quantities on sale at a favorite neighborhood decor store.
Be unique and different.
Trends only last 3-5 years, so do not follow decorating trends that will be out of style in just a few years, assuming you caught the trend at the beginning or middle of the trend cycle (hopefully not the end).
Outdated trendy decor items are very boring.
Everyday items painted unique colors can help make a boring home truly unique, so consider spray painting your boring accessories a fun color.
When your space lacks elements that reflect your personality, interests, and lifestyle, it can feel cookie-cutter and impersonal.
Infuse your home with personal touches such as family photos, artwork, and mementos that tell your story and create a sense of belonging.
Incorporate items that showcase your hobbies, travels, and passions to add depth and authenticity to your space.
Also, it seems like most homes have predictable white faux wood blinds on their windows. Decorate your home with something different like shutters, bamboo shades, and/or curtains.
#6 Lack of Natural Elements
Often a home will follow all the rules but still look sterile and dull.
It just feels like it is missing something that makes it feel generic, basic, and boring.
Often the thing that is missing is natural elements that infuse a home with warmth and character.
