9 Ways to Add Personality to a Cookie Cutter Home

by Rabecca Ranaldi

When you think about your dream home, what picture comes to mind? Probably a mansion? A literal palace? Or are you picturing more of a simple structure full of life and personality?

Most of us have ideas of what our dream home looks like. However, not everyone can afford to fully achieve that ideal. A huge number of American households continue to move in to mass-produced cookie-cutter homes in the suburbs — these are rows and rows of houses with the same interior and exterior layout and style.

If you own or are planning to buy this kind of house, we’ve got some gorgeous ideas to share on how you can personalize and add charm to a cookie-cutter home — even your neighbors will turn their heads!

1. Revamp the house’s trim work to fit your style

Cookie cutter homes usually come with plain trim work along with its floors and windows, but not every homeowner will like how they look. Don’t settle for boring trims when you can customize them by painting over with your favorite color or totally replacing them for good. There are numerous types and styles of trim out there; we’re sure you’ll find one that suits you well!

2. Paint your front door or the whole exterior

If you really want to stand out in a sea of lookalike homes, consider painting your front door. Or why stop there? Paint the whole house exterior instead! It’s totally up to you how far you want to go and how much you want to commit to this, but if you’re interested, we recommend going for colors that aren’t seen much in your neighborhood. For example, if the standard color is neutral, go for vibrant tones.

3. Create unique accent walls

Your interior doesn’t have to be bland. Put your aesthetic taste on display by creating an accent wall, a.k.a. feature wall. There are tons of ways to do this, so here are some ideas:

Add a pop of color on just one wall. It’s up to you if you want to paint it or use the inexpensive yet trusty wallpaper — just pick a design that matches your character
Play around with your accent wall’s trims and molding
Go for a classic look for your feature by adding a wainscot

4. Spruce up your space with lovely light fixtures

Lighting is such an important element to consider when you want to achieve that homey feel and ambiance, so don’t feel sorry when you’re removing the boob lights that came with your cookie cutter house. Instead, incorporate who you are by installing beautiful light fixtures anywhere you want – the living area, foyer, kitchen island, dining table, or even the front porch. What’s great about this is that you don’t have to restrict yourself to just one style. Give each room a distinct personality with different light fixtures that look either modern, eccentric, quirky, etc.

And while you’re at it, make sure to choose the right color temperature for your home. If you want to energize everyone at home, go for a cooler color temperature. But if you want to relax and get cozy with the family, go for a warmer color temperature.

5. Rethink your knobs and handles

When you buy a cookie cutter home, chances are your knobs and handles look the same as those of your neighbors’. Quit using these common hardwares and get something that fits your style, whether it’s vintage, traditional, or contemporary.

6. Make your outdoor space truly yours

The entirety of your property should be able to mirror your taste, which means that your front or backyard must have a touch of ‘you’. Apart from decking it with outdoor furniture and decoration, your yard should also be able to support your family’s lifestyle. If you have a pet, set up a playpen for them outside. If someone in the family is a green thumb, give them space to grow their garden. If another likes to cook, allocate an area for grilling and dining.

Don’t get intimidated by the idea of redesigning your yard for your needs and wants because a quick Google search is all it takes to see multiple ways to do it on a budget.

7. Rework your ceiling’s paint

Turn your dull ceiling into an eye-catching ‘fifth wall’ by painting it with vivid color. Just use the color theory to figure out which color should be applied.

8. Place stunning window curtains or drapes

When you’re done letting natural light in, ensure that your family gets the privacy they need from prying eyes through window curtains or drapes. There are a variety of textures and designs readily available in the market, so you’re sure to find one that works well with the rest of your house’s look. If you can, try to avoid plastic blinds as they tend to look characterless.

9. Decorate with your mementos and heirloom items

Your home should be filled with things that spark happiness. It’s time to bust out those family photos, frame them, and hang them on a wall to remind you and your loved ones of those good memories. If you love reading, why don’t you display your most treasured books on a custom shelf? Additionally, if you receive a piece of family heirloom like a prized painting, using it as decoration will surely add more charm to your cookie cutter home.

While some of these ideas require more extensive work, most can be DIY-ed by you and your family. We hope this inspires you to spruce up your place, because with dedication and perseverance, you, too, can turn your cookie cutter home into your dream home.

Rabecca Ranaldi

As an Associate Broker at EXIT Realty Mountain View - I help home buyers and sellers along Colorado’s Front Range including Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, and Peyton. As your Local Resource, I am happy to help!

Associate Broker for Exit Realty Mountain View