5 Tips and Tricks for Transforming a Builder-Grade Home
Let's make home feel like you!
Photographer: Kat Alves
Some builder grader homes are very basic because they are trying to appeal to a large mass of potential buyers and others add some more touches or upgrades when targeting a specific buyer. With that in mind, if you purchase a builder grade home and you wish it reflected you and your taste do not fret, we can help you create a space that speaks to you and your style.
Tip #1: Embellish with Elegant New Lighting
Some changes you can make to the home to help personalize it to your style is change out the light fixtures especially hallway and bedroom flush mount lights that look “builder grade.” You can add decorative hanging lights or ceiling fans to make it work for you. In the bathrooms instead of a bath bar light above the mirror that casts awkward shadows onto your face bring the lights down to the sides with wall sconces or suspend pendants on either side of the sink to bring the light down to better cast over your face. You can also change the mirror out to one with integrated LED lighting.
Tip #2: Dramatize with Wall or Ceiling Details
Adding texture, color, and patterns will help to improve your space and make it feel more welcoming. For the walls simply changing the paint color can make a big change or you can add wallpaper or architectural details with a geometric patten made from wood stripes, ship lap or even board and batten. For the ceiling that can be painted a different color, wallpapered, trimmed out to create a coffered design style and more. Some simple changes can elevate a space and make it feel completely different.
Tip #3: Sophisticate with Shutters or Drapery
On the windows instead of builder grade blinds you can make the room more custom and cozier by adding drapery panels that can add more texture, pattern, and color to the overall design. If you prefer a more traditional style plantation shutters can be used as well and even painted a different color than the wall to make them pop. Even more decorative roller shades can enhance a space and provide more lighting and privacy control options.
Tip #4: Enhance with a Custom Home Exterior
For the exterior of the home to help it be set apart from your neighbors the garage door can be changed out to a different design and color. The front door is another fun spot to either change the color or change the door all together with a new style that fits your personality and make the home different from the rest. Updating the plants in the front yard can set off your curb appeal. Even the exterior can become more your style and feel more like your home with some updates.
Tip #5: Beautify with a Backyard Makeover
For the backyard most builder grade homes are empty lots with either no grass or no concrete patio area either. The backyard can truly become your hidden oasis with landscaping, adding a concrete or paver patio area that can either be covered or exposed to allow for your entertainment needs. Adding a built-in BBQ and small kitchen can add to the versatility of the space. Maybe a firepit and relaxing patio furniture would be the perfect fit for your family and some decorative string lights to help create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. Creating levels in the yard helps to delineate different zones and uses so maybe an elevated deck makes sense or a lowered area for the kids and dogs to play or even creating a raised garden space to grow fresh vegetables and fruits. The backyard can become a great way to make a builder grade house a beautiful home for you and your family to enjoy for many years.
French doors, updating a countertop or adding backsplashes, changing the paint color, light fixtures, flooring, and more can quickly make a space meant to attract many buyers into being your haven. Everyone has different tastes and styles so enjoy your uniqueness!
If you would like a professional’s opinion about transforming your builder-grade home into a beautiful dream, then let’s chat about the options!
See you soon,
Emily Roose, Allied ASID
President/Interior & Product Designer
www.emilyrooseinteriors.com
emily@emilyrooseinteriors.com
615.416.2438
About the Author:
Emily Roose, Allied ASID
President/Interior & Product Designer
Emily Roose is an interior, furniture, and lighting designer. She has won numerous awards regionally, nationally, and internationally. She was in an HGTV contest in 2018, has been featured by Dwell Magazine, Tahoe Quarterly Magazine, Elle Decor, Cottages & Gardens, Mountain Living Magazine, Abode2, and many more. Emily started her full service interior design firm in 2018 servicing the Lake Tahoe region and is now servicing the Nashville, TN and surrounding areas. ERI specializes in residential new construction & remodels, commercial, hospitality, multi-family developments, home staging, & product design. Ms. Roose is a self-proclaimed sustainability nerd, is passionate about creating spaces that are healthier and enhance the overall well-being of those who use the spaces. She is studying Biophilic design and is working her way through the NCIDQ tests to achieve her national license. Emily is a single mom to a 4-year-old energetic boy and a dog mom to an equally energetic female husky malamute who is 5 named Aurora. Other than designing Emily loves to dabble in landscape photography, painting, sketching, reading, listening to all sorts of music, loves the outdoors, and enjoys cooking. If you want to speak with Emily about interior design services, ERI is taking on new clients now of any size, style, budget, and location. ERI is now headquartered in Nashville, TN! Emily is designing throughout Nashville, Tennessee and the surrounding areas, along with Georgia and Lake Tahoe, California. Emily is always interested in collaborations as well with other professionals, brands, and manufacturers.
Interior Designer: Emily Roose of Emily Roose Interiors
Photographer: Janet Raye
