Ultimate Home Styles: 16 Ways To Add Character To Your Home

Published on: 04 March 2019 Last Updated on: 18 December 2024

If you have experienced house envy after scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram, you are not alone. In fact, beautiful homes with immaculate interiors crowd our feeds and can leave us feeling a little down in the dumps about our own dwelling. In this article, you will learn about different home styles to add character to your home.

Interior decorating and remodeling can get expensive. However, there are a few ways you can add style and character to your home without breaking the bank.

Timeless, cost-effective changes will bring you the most long-term enjoyment. It can be tempting to hop on board with every home decor trend, but you should ultimately choose styles that make you feel happy in your home. These sixteen inexpensive interior design ideas will add beauty to your home that will withstand the test of time.

16 Home Styles To Add Character To Your Home

Here are some of the most effective ways you can add character to your home:

1. Make A Grand Entrance

The feeling you create when designing the entryway of your home will carry through the rest of the house. For homes with a garden in their front yard, water features for your garden will definitely create the mood for a grand entrance.

On the other hand, if you want a functional and cozy vibe, dress up your entrance with a storage bench and a mirror. Adding a chandelier overhead will create an air of elegance and luxury. This will be a spot in your home that you see every day. Hence, decorate it in a way that welcomes you each time you walk through the door.

You can even replace your coat rack with a vintage armoire to conceal the clutter and add character to your entryway.

2. Accent Your Home With Reclaimed Wood

Not into the farmhouse look? Reclaimed wood can still take your space to the next level without making it look country. This eco-friendly trend is popping up in homes everywhere as shelving, furniture, and accent panels.

Basically, reclaimed wood adds color and eye-catching detail to your living spaces. Shiplap is trendy right now, and staying consistent with the type of wood you incorporate into your space will help you avoid the country look. Kitchens with white tile walls can benefit from dark wood shelving, as it contrasts wonderfully with bright colors.

Currently, reclaimed wood is a trend in interior design. However, the beauty it adds to the home is undeniable when done in moderation.

3. Do A Hardware Update

If you are looking for a simple and affordable way to add character to your home, start by replacing door knobs and cabinet handles with unique and interesting hardware.

On the other hand, if you are doing urban kitchen renovations, you can include this idea because it is simple to do in a small space. Swap boring brass doorknobs with any hardware that catches your eye and matches the vibe you want to create.

Often, you will find great pieces of hardware floating around in salvage shops at affordable prices. It’s a little thing that changes your space in a big way. Unique pieces can add character and style to your home without stealing the spotlight.

4. Cut A Rug

Rug

Rugs are very diverse in style and price. They can cover up unsightly stains on your carpet, tie a room together, or add a pop of color. Rugs in neutral colors can serve as the base for the rest of your decor. Timeless Persian and oriental rugs never cease to be conversation pieces.

Generally, most rugs are durable and will bring you enjoyment for many years. They can easily be rolled up and stored away if you want to swap them out throughout the year. A rug instantly adds a little spice to your home and warms up the room.

5. Add Molding

Molding

There’s nothing like DIY molding to add flair to any room of your house. Beadboard and crown molding can add interest and detail to flat walls, creating a sophisticated look. White accents can brighten up a room and contrast beautifully with dark walls.

You can add beadboard to the bottom half of your walls or panel out an entire wall to make your bedroom feel luxurious. The molding looks great in any room of the house.

Moreover, you can even accent your cabinets with it, use it to decorate the side of a staircase or trim your windows. It inherently has a fancy look that can take any space from okay to amazing in a cost-effective way.

6. Try Out Wallpaper

Wallpaper has come a long way in the past few years. Styles and patterns have evolved to be classy, elegant, and bright. There are countless styles available to match any motif that isn’t reminiscent of Grandma’s house. Textured or patterned wallpaper works wonders to create works of art out of ordinary walls.

Also, you can add oriental wallpaper to the DIY molding panels. This will create a unique wall that speaks to rest and relaxation. Interesting florals look great in the bathroom, while tonal solids lend to peace and calm in the bedroom. Metallic and marble wallpapers can be a pleasant surprise to guests entering your dining room!

7. Add Character With Antiques:

Target and Home Goods may be able to furnish your home with the trendiest ceramic pineapples and widely reproduced paintings. However, there’s something about one-of-a-kind antiques that is timeless.

Of course, there isn’t anything wrong with buying trendy knick-knacks or the like. However, the vintage pieces from antique shops and thrift stores will add much more interest to your home. Also, it will make your home feel more unique.

This doesn’t mean that your home has to look “old” in order to be stylish. Like a museum, pieces are carefully curated and displayed to tell a story. The pieces flow together and speak to one another. You can even mix curated antiques with on-trend finds to create an original look that’s all you.

9. Statement Lighting

The type of lightning that you use in your home depends on the type of home you have. For instance, if you have a minimalist home, you can use a suspension lamp. However, if you have a more ornate home, you can use a chandelier or a light with intricate details to display. Moreover, to create a visual interest, you can use a sculptural floor lamp.

10. Bold Paint And Wallpaper

One of the ways to make a bold statement is to use both paint and wallpaper, where the paint is of a similar shade. Also, you can add a color that complements the color scheme of the room. Additionally, you can also make this area a focal point of the room, which can be a backdrop for artwork or furniture.

11. Personal Art Displays

One of the best ways to showcase your artwork display is to create a gallery wall. Here, to create an eclectic look, try to create a mix of different frame styles and colors. Apart from that, also use picture lights to add focus to your art displays.

12. Customized Shelving

Different designs of shelving are available, which you can add to your walls. Here, if you want to display small items, consider using small shelves. On the other hand, by using larger shelves, you can display larger items. Moreover, ensure that the items on your shelves complement their proportions.

13. Mix And Match Textiles

When you are mixing and matching textiles to decorate your home, try to use large-scale patterns inside the dominant pattern. Also, to add accents, use smaller patterns. Moreover, you can break up patterns with neutral variations or color blocks to create contrast.

14. Greenery And Plants

The most obvious way to add greeneries and plants as home styles is to create a plant wall. For instance, you can attach plants to a vertical structure, which will allow the plants to grow vertically. Moreover, add more plants to your shelving units to create visual interest.

15. Statement Furniture Pieces

If you add a statement furniture piece, place it in a central location where everyone can see it. Also, you must ensure it is accessible. Apart from that, you must also ensure that the statement piece contrasts with the rest of the color of the room. For instance, if your room has a light color, use a dark-color piece, and vice versa.

16. Architectural Details

Some of the major architectural details that you can add to your home include paneling, accent walls, cornices, picture molding, etc. Moreover, you can also add reclaimed wood on the beams of your ceiling or on your tables. Also, make sure to balance every object in the room to add more space.

Pick The Best Home Styles Now

Whether you want to liven up your home with unique wallpaper or simply change out a few knobs on your kitchen cabinet, adding character and style to your home doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult.

All you need to make are small changes. These can go a long way, and over time, you will create the home that you have always dreamed of. Simply work with the charm and character that your home already possesses and take it to the next level with these design tips!

Do you have more home styles to suggest for new-age homes? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.

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Soumava Goswami

A passionate writer and an avid reader, Soumava is academically inclined and loves writing on topics requiring deep research. Having 3+ years of experience, Soumava also loves writing blogs in other domains, including digital marketing, business, technology, travel, and sports.

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Disinfection and Cleaning Strategies for Reopening Commercial Buildings

Cleaning and Disinfection have never been more important than amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And, with quarantine restrictions beginning to loosen, many businesses that were shuttered during lockdown will start resuming operations. As this happens, the biggest challenge for commercial building owners is being able and ready to return buildings to use swiftly and safely. Reducing the risk of exposure by cleaning and disinfecting is an integral part of reopening commercial buildings as the safety of occupants remains a key priority. With this rising demand for clean environments, commercial buildings will have to come up with safe and effective cleaning strategies that will assure occupants of their safety even as the threat of the virus continues to linger in our minds. With so much uncertainty surrounding the spread of the coronavirus and how people can protect against it, it's not worth it to take any risks. You can find professional cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting services at www.excelpestservices.com. Cleaning and disinfecting commercial buildings for reopening will involve developing a plan, implementing the plan, as well as maintaining and revising the plan. Develop Your Disinfection Plan: There's no one-size-fits-all cleaning and disinfection plan as commercial buildings are structured differently and for different purposes. You will need to evaluate your building to determine the surfaces and materials that make up that area. This will guide you in choosing the appropriate cleaning and disinfection method suitable for each. Implement Your Plan: Once you have the right cleaning and disinfection plan for your building, it's time to put it into action. We have mapped out a few key strategies that will help you navigate this issue and ensure optimal cleaning and disinfection service. Without further ado, let's get started: Wear appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment): Whether you are contracting a cleaning service or using in-house janitorial staff, the cleaning crew must wear appropriate PPEs like gloves, masks, goggles, and so on. That's because they are at a higher risk of being exposed to COVID-19 (given that it can stay on surfaces for days) and the toxicity of cleaning/disinfecting products. Not wearing PPEs also means asymptomatic carriers could spread pathogens to clean areas. It's also important for the cleaning crew to receive training on the proper use of PPEs, cleaning equipment, and cleaning products to ensure efficiency. Apply normal routine cleaning on visibly dirty surfaces: It's important to clean surfaces and objects with soap and water before disinfecting. And, be sure to clean soft and porous materials according to the manufacturer's instructions. Determine what you need to disinfect: While some surfaces and materials are cleaned with just soap and water, others must be disinfected. Scientists have proven that coronavirus can also live on various surfaces for up to a couple of days. People can contract it by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their eyes, mouth, or nose. Start by disinfecting high-touch surfaces as they are the main source of spreading pathogens. This includes doorknobs/handles, elevator buttons, restroom facilities, trash can lids, faucet handles, floor surfaces, light switches, tables/countertops/desks, handrails, and so on. Additionally, areas unique to your building may also require disinfecting. For instance, retail occupancy will require disinfecting shopping cart handles and payment touchpads while offices will need to disinfect computer monitors, keyboards, conference tables, etc. Soft and porous materials in high-traffic areas like carpets, upholstery, and curtains can be germ reservoirs and will need to be disinfected as well. Use EPA-Approved cleaning/disinfectant products: Not all cleaning products are suitable for removing pathogens, particularly traces of COVID-19, from building surfaces. It's important to look at EPA's suggested products as they are both effective and non-toxic. If EPA-approved disinfectants are not available, you can use a diluted solution of household bleach or 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). Use products effectively: It's important to follow the directions on the label with regards to the application method (concentration and dilution), contact time, as well as any other precautions to take when applying like good ventilation and appropriate PPE to wear. This will ensure the effective and safe use of cleaning and disinfecting products. Avoid mixing cleaning and disinfection products as this can result in very dangerous fumes that could cause serious injury or even death. Avoid over-disinfection: It is possible to over-disinfect surfaces while trying to ensure no pathogens are left behind. And although these products are great at removing pathogens, their overuse can have serious side effects in humans. Disinfectants can pose an immediate risk to some people, including those who are asthmatic or suffer from migraines, allergies, suppressed immune systems, or immune disorders. They may experience symptoms like headaches, nausea, and vomiting, irritability, difficulty breathing, mood swings, memory loss, seizures, etc. Outdoor areas require normal routine cleaning: Many outdoor surfaces will not be touched; as such, disinfecting them is a waste of supplies. However, some areas like bars and restaurants will require disinfecting. Pools and other water play areas must also be well-maintained, for example disinfecting with chlorine or bromine. What about an unoccupied building? Properties that have not been occupied for over 7 days will do with normal routine cleaning, meaning there's no need for disinfecting. That's because the coronavirus cannot survive on surfaces for longer than this time. But once you reopen, you will have to develop and implement a disinfection plan to keep everyone safe. Work in zones: It's important to separate areas in the building by how likely they are to contain pathogens. Then start with low-risk zones moving into high-risk areas to help avoid cross-contamination. Maintain and Revise the Plan: Once you reopen, it's important to maintain the above disinfection strategies to minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19 and other pathogens. This should be done in conjunction with other safe practices like social distancing, wearing masks, frequent hand washing, and more. Be sure to revise and update your cleaning and disinfection plan based on the current circumstances (level of COVID-19 exposure in your building) and updated guidance by the local and federal governments. Read also: 10 Tactics To Maintain Clear Windows 5 Hotel Housekeeping Tricks You Need To Clean Your Bathroom How Cleaning Helps Us Feel Better and Why We Don’t Do It

How to Improve Your Living Conditions in a Small Living Space

Living in a small space requires you to be innovative and well equipped to ensure that you have a comfortable place to stay. There are a lot of things you can do to make this happen. However, to ensure that you make the most of your space, you need to avoid adding clutter to your house. If you are going to add anything to your space, ensure that you get some items out of your house that you don't need. This is essential given that if you were to clutter your space, your goal to improve your space wouldn't be realized. Once you have your system for keeping clutter out, here are a few things to consider for improving your living conditions. They include: Invest in the Right Furniture: Furniture is one of the most important home additions especially when it comes to improving your living conditions. When working with a small space, your furniture choices are very crucial. You need to consider how they'll fit into your space. Since this is a small living space, consider going with medium or small-sized furniture that is not too bulky. This will help you ensure that you use your space well without taking up too much space. Additionally, you should consider using alternative seating options like floor pillows and ottoman. This will also help you improve your living conditions. Tweak Your Lighting: When it comes to small spaces, you need to ensure that you invest in bright lighting options. These lighting options will help illuminate your space and make it feel bigger than it is. Adding light will incredibly improve your living conditions and allow you to enjoy your small space. This can be achieved by adding more or brighter light Fixtures. The best part about this is that you have a lot of options to consider. You could invest in led lights that you can dim or make brighter when you need to. Add Mirrors: Mirrors are important and can be used in different parts of the house to add character to your space. When working with small spaces mirrors help make your room look bigger and enhance your living conditions. The best way to ensure that you get the best out of this is by investing in larger mirrors. These mirrors will work great for your living room and bedroom. Diversify Your Storage Options: When it comes to small spaces, storage is one of the things that prove to be quite tricky. Without enough storage, you find that your space becomes cluttered and doesn't result in better living conditions. This is why you need to reconsider your storage options. Make use of your high ceilings and the empty spaces on your walls. Install cabinets and shelves that will help you take advantage of this space and get some extra storage space. This will significantly improve your living conditions while in the small spaces. Go with Light Wall Colors: There are different ways to improve your wall spaces and make your room more lively. One of them is incorporating warm wall colors on your wall. This is a great way to ensure that you improve your living conditions. You could consider going with pure white on your walls or warmer colors. With this, you can be sure that your small space can accommodate you. Improve Your Home’s Air Quality: Air quality in the home is one of the things that gets forgotten when working on improving your living conditions. Given that you are working with a small space, you need to ensure that you pay attention to this. You don't have as much space for air circulation as you would in a larger space. To make working with better air quality in your space, consider using air purifiers. They will help you ensure that your space has amazing air circulation throughout. If you're in the market for quality air purifiers, check out Hisoair.com to get the best deals. Add Decor and Greenery: Adding decor to any space is a great way to add character and improve the overall conditions of the space. With this in mind, you should consider investing in decor items. Decor items will vary depending on your personal preference and the style you are going for in your home. Additionally, adding greenery is also a good way to ensure that you improve the conditions in your home. Invest in indoor plants that are either real or faux depending on the commitment you are willing to put in. Remember real plants will require regular weeding and watering while faux plants are not as demanding. Incorporate Some Texture: When adding texture into your home, you have different options to consider. You have the option of going with area rugs, pillow covers, and throw blankets to achieve this. Adding texture into your home will give it character and improve your small space significantly. Additionally, consider adding some patterns as well to add to your space. Multi-Functional Furniture for Maximum Efficiency When you’re working with limited space, multi-functional furniture is a must. Get a sofa bed, and you’ll have somewhere comfy to sit during the day that also doubles as a guest (or your) bed at night! The best two for one when it comes to furniture? Or maybe an ottoman with storage so you can hide blankets, books, or anything else you want out of sight. Tables and desks that fold away or extend only when needed are another great way to save some space. Think About Room Dividers Does your living room feel like it’s in your bedroom or maybe your kitchen? Or does it feel like a mixture of all three with too much hoarded furniture? This is why I ordered room dividers! In such a small space, I needed one room to feel separate. So, if you have a bookshelf, you can even find a room divider somewhere. We justify the use of whatever type of solution to the problem that can make certain places within the studio apartment feel not as squished. Whether it is a proper divider, long curtains, or just a bookshelf, whatever feels better! Stay Organized with Vertical Solutions How much wall space do you have? If you’re not using your walls, you could be missing out on some great storage opportunities. Floating shelves or hooks can keep things off of the floor and out of the way. Maybe your kitchen needs an easy storage fix. So, why not try some hanging shelves for spices or mugs? Or, if your counter always seems to be cluttered in the bathroom, add shelves above your sink or toilet. What room do you think this would work best in? Utilizing wall space will save floor space and keep everything organized with a modern look. Try these tiny home fixes and upgrades, and you'll see that even the smallest dwelling can feel spacious, comfortable, and all yours. You can Manage It! Living in a small space can be a bit complicated given that you don’t have a lot of space to work with. However, this doesn’t mean that you should live in a cluttered space just because you live in a small space. This is why you need to invest in additions that will help improve your living space. They will help you improve your living conditions and enjoy your small living space. Take your time to incorporate these aspects into your home with ease. Read Also: How To Increase The Value Of Your Home How You Can Choose the Ideal Ceiling Light for Your Living Area Unique Furniture to Transform Your Home The New Trend: Drawer Boxes

Roof Repair: Should You Hire Roofers Or DIY?

There is a lot that we need to prepare for while living in this world. Growing up, most of the things we did were focused on preparing us for the future. Our education is a prime example of such a plan, and it has given us a lot of opportunities as we grow older. Now that we are adults, we learn to face problems before it even starts. It can be anything from our daily lives, like planning ahead of our week. Calculating each moment of our lives in order to manage it better has been one of our continuous goals. However, there are so many moments in our lives that we cannot prepare for at all. For example, the weather these days is truly unpredictable. How Does Unpredictable Weather Affect The Roof? It can rain in the morning, and then the sun will scorch you in the afternoon. It might be summer on normal days, but the air feels like it is winter. There are a lot of weather anomalies that are happening every day in our world right now. It affects all o ur lives, even in the littlest way possible. Your schedule, for example, can be affected by unexpected bad weather. Canceling your plans seems like the best option, even though you don’t want to. Some of your plants in the garden can also be affected. Not every vegetation is hard enough to stand the unpredictability of the elements. The weather can also affect our house. See how it works here: abc.net.au. There is nothing more important in managing a household than cleaning the house itself. It is one of the most tiring things you can do during your rest days. Yet, it is a very important task since it keeps our home livable. Cleaning our own homes should be an integral part of every household. It acts as a productive activity for children before they go out and play. The parents can also plan out how the house will look like from the inside out. It can also be considered as bonding time for the whole family if you want it to be more enjoyable. You can even use this time to check for any kind of repair needed around the house. One of the most vulnerable parts of the house is the roof. It is very obvious since it protects the entire structure from any harm above. It also helps ventilate your whole house along with the ceiling. However, most roofs are always under siege by the elements. The unpredictability of the weather does not help maintain our roofs either. Click here to see why cleaning every season is important. Should you clean your roof? Probably not. This leads to more damage and can affect the interior of your household. This leads to more problems, which can be really bothersome at any point in our lives. However, you can always look for solutions. You can always hire a professional roofer to solve these problems. They are usually well-trained and can spot a problem on your roof with ease. Roofers can repair and help maintain the quality of your roof. Some companies even offer a free roof inspection for their clients. If needed, they can help you install a new roof as well, especially if the damage is extensive. Hiring them may cost you money, but it will save you all your time and effort. You don’t even need to worry about the repair anymore, as they will do it for you. Check out the dome of the roofing experts around your area and see which ones you like best. Why Should You Pay Special Attention To The Condition Of Your Roof? Before you do anything rash, remember that doing the roof repair on your own can be a bit challenging and dangerous. On one hand, it saves you a lot of money since you do not need to pay for the labor anymore. You can also customize your roof to your heart’s content. However, you need to have the talent and skill to repair your own roof. Accidents may happen and can lead to more expenses for your family. Always choose the best equipment and materials for your roof repair. Most websites these days offer reviews on different products for your roofing needs, so try checking that out as well. As usual, it will depend on your choice whether you will hire or do it all yourself. The only aspects that should always matter are your safety and security. Related: How Often Do You Need A Roof Inspection? Disadvantages Of DIY Roof (...or any) Repair Doing roof repairs on your own can seem like a good idea at first. After all, it saves you money, right? But before you grab that ladder and start working, consider some of the drawbacks of going the DIY route. Safety Always Comes First First off, safety should always be a top priority. Roof repairs can be dangerous. If you're not experienced and do not have the right (professional) safety gear, you’re putting yourself at risk of falling, especially when dealing with high or steep roofs. Then, there are unpredictable slippery surfaces, uneven footing, and handling tools at heights, which make the task even riskier. One misstep, and you could end up with injuries that lead to hospital bills, which would definitely be more expensive than hiring a professional in the first place. They are not DIY Quick Fixes (...IT IS A ROOF!) Another important factor is time. Roof repairs aren't quick fixes. Especially for someone who isn't trained. What might take a professional a few hours could take you all weekend, or worse, a week. The time that could be spent on more productive activities might be wasted on a project that becomes more complicated than expected. You Require A Certain Skill Additionally, you require a certain advanced level skill level. Roof work isn't as simple as patching a hole or replacing a tile. There’s a science to understanding the structure, how water flows, and ensuring everything is sealed properly. Without the right knowledge, you may unknowingly create bigger issues, leading to leaks or even structural damage over time. What About the Tools? Let’s not forget about materials and tools. If you’re doing the repair yourself, you'll need to purchase all the materials and specialized tools needed for the job. However, professionals usually get discounts on these supplies, and they already have all the tools, which could save you a lot of money in the long run. In the end, while the DIY route may seem appealing, the risks often outweigh the benefits. Your safety, time, and the quality of the repair are all factors that deserve careful consideration. So, before you commit to fixing your roof alone, weigh your options carefully. Read Also: 5 Signs The Roof In Your Edmonton House Needs A Repair Roofing Painting Contractor Leads: Four Questions To Ask Before Hiring One What Are The Services Offered By Roofing Companies?

Ultimate Home Styles: 16 Ways To Add Character To Your Home