Have you just purchased a new home that is all white, beige, gray, or cream on the inside?
Does it look very similar to your neighbors' homes?
Would you like for your home to look a little different than all of your neighbors' homes without spending a lot of money?
Here are a few interior designer tips, tricks, and ideas for some relatively inexpensive ways to personalize your new home. 
photo courtesy of Editor B flickr.com/photos/editor/6148335002/
Doorbell
Your doorbell is the first thing people touch when visiting your home, so why not upgrade it?
Most home improvement stores will have a minimal selection of doorbells, but there are many online retailers that sell unique doorbells.
For instructions on replacing a doorbell, see the article How to Replace a Doorbell Button.
Paint
Painting your boring beige walls is usually the most inexpensive yet dramatic decorative update you can do to personalize your new home.
Your builder probably painted the walls in a watered down cheap flat paint, so your walls will most likely need painting within a year.
Select a paint in a sheen that is slightly more glossy than flat paint so it is more cleanable. Eggshell and satin are good choices.
Try a paint color that is not close to the primary colors of red, blue, and yellow. Fun color ideas include peacock blue, lime green, orange, and navy.
If you are having problems deciding on a paint color (or color scares you a bit), select a color 2 shades darker than the color you currently have.
For a fresh look, paint your walls bright white.
Don't forget to paint your ceiling, especially if you have crown molding.
Ceilings can be painted with flat paint since nobody touches them.
Light Fixtures
Builders sell homes by making them affordable, so they usually put in the cheapest light fixtures possible in order to save money.
Upgrade your light fixtures since lighting is not only functional, but a focal point in a room.
Opt for larger light fixtures that are more stylish and less generic when personalizing your new home.
Most major home improvement stores have a large selection of light fixtures at inexpensive prices.
Since many stores carry only a small portion of their lighting offerings in the store, check out their website or other online sources for more lighting options with a higher chance of your neighbors not selecting the same fixtures.
Cabinet Knobs and Pulls
Add knobs and pulls to your cabinets since they are not only jewelry for your room, they also protect the cabinets from the constant abrasion from your hand opening it.
Inexpensive cabinet knobs and pulls can be easily found at hardware stores or online.
Consider selecting a metal colored knob and pull to compliment the other metal colors in your room.
Don't be afraid to mix and match two or three types of coordinating cabinet knobs and pulls for a custom look.
Framed Mirrors
Replace your plain bathroom mirrors with framed mirrors when personalizing your new home.
Once you remove the mirror (be very careful), replace it with the largest framed mirror that will fit centered on each faucet.
You can find decorative framed mirrors at hardware stores, accessory stores, and furniture stores.
The mirrors in each bathroom should be identical, however you should use different mirrors in different bathrooms in your home to make it look more custom.
Landscaping
Your new home most likely came with only a minimal amount of plants and trees.
To personalize the outside of your home, increase the size of your flower beds, add extra shrubs & trees, and plant some flowers to add welcoming color.
You do not have to add to your landscaping all at once. Consider adding several flowering shrubs or a tree per year and eventually you will have a lush landscape.
See the article How to Give the Exterior of a New Home More Character for more information.
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