5 Expert Tips for Transforming Your Builder-Grade Home

Do you dream of a beautiful custom home but live in a cookie-cutter neighborhood? You don’t have to move to get the designer look. In fact, many premium properties are still featuring builder-grade or outdated finishes and styles. So often people will move to a bigger house thinking that will get them the feel they are after, just to have the same white walls and tired furniture. I’m going to be sharing basic tips on how you can get the custom, designer look where you live right now, as well as “level up” changes you can make for a bigger impact.

 Tip #1: Embellish With Lighting

Basic: Replace ALL YOUR LIGHTING! I can’t stress this enough. Bathroom vanity lighting, ceiling lights, the pendants over your island or in your entryway, should all be switched out with something more individual. Take down and donate that brushed steel, big box store, boring stuff that was there when you moved in. Trust me, if you spend just a few hundred dollars on a dining room chandelier and some interesting pendants, your entire room will look more luxe, custom, and unique, even if you don’t change a thing else. It’s like wearing the same jeans and tshirt you’ve had for years but then adding new accessories. Instantly your whole outfit is elevated. And if you can afford something pricier, it’s worth it. Seriously, lighting is like the designer handbag of the home.

Level Up:  Have an electrician install recessed lighting if you don’t already have it. Add a few wall wash lights in strategic places, art lights, sconces in the hallway or by an entry table, and under cabinet lighting. Any areas with accent lighting look upgraded and give a wonderful feel to your home. At Teresa Cannon Design we always include a lighting plan to highlight artwork and architectural features with each room design.

Tip #2: Refine With A Rug

Basic: If you don’t have a rug in a non-carpeted bedroom, living room, or family room, placing one under the furniture will make your room more cozy and comfortable. If you have one already, make sure it is big enough, and consider replacing it if it is not. Most homeowners use a rug that is too small for their space. It’s easy to see why this is so common, as 5x7 rugs and 8x10 rugs are sold everywhere and they look so huge in the store! But an 8x10 area rug is only appropriate for a small bedroom or under a small table. It might work in an entryway or foyer as well, but even in a modestly sized living room, a 10x12 is more likely the right fit. When the furniture is on the rug, instead of around the rug, the space instantly looks more polished and high-end. Yes, it will cost a little more to buy the bigger size, but the difference is so drastic and such an improvement, it is well worth the expense.

Level Up: Consider investing in a custom-sized rug that’s tailored to your exact room dimensions and furniture layout. A well-fitted rug anchors the space and becomes more intentional and elevated. For richness and depth, choose a natural fiber such as jute, wool or even silk. These high-quality pieces bring texture, warmth, and a sense of luxury that mass-produced rugs simply can’t match.

Tip #3: Dramatize With Wall and Ceiling Details

Basic: Adding wall details beyond basic drywall can truly transform your home. Simple options like moldings, paneling, and wallpaper bring architectural interest and personality to a space. Try adding crown molding, wainscoting, or picture frame moldings painted in the same color as your walls for a subtle, sophisticated look, or go bold with a contrasting trim color. Wallpaper is another powerful way to add drama. Try it in a powder room, hallway, or office for a pop of pattern, or use a mural to create a striking focal point in any room.

Level Up: Don’t stop at the walls... look up. Ceilings are often overlooked but offer major design potential. Consider adding coffered or beamed ceilings, or even wallpaper above for unexpected charm. Whether subtle or statement-making, ceiling treatments add depth, texture, and a custom feel that takes your home from basic to bespoke.

Tip #4: Enhance The Exterior

Basic: Landscaping that is well-designed can change the look of your home’s exterior drastically. Skip the straight row of hedges across the front of the house, and pull your plant beds out in a more sweeping shape. If you are looking for that custom home look, avoid choosing 10 different flowering plants and buying one of each. Instead, choose no more than 4 different species and arrange them in multiples. Just as you would hire a designer for the interior of your home, and not just a furniture installer, consider hiring a landscape designer, and not just someone to plant your plants. It will make a big difference in the overall result.

Level Up: Your front door is the perfect place to add character to your home and improve the curb appeal. Wood, etched glass, iron -the options are endless. This is the first thing you see when you come home and the first impression for guests. Choose something that sets the tone and vibe you want throughout your home.

 Tip #5: Cook Up A Kitchen Upgrade

Basic: Replace that short, 4-inch backsplash with a pretty tile that runs from countertop to ceiling. Even a simple white subway tile will look amazing wrapped around a window or continuing behind the range hood. It’s a small change that makes a big visual impact, and feels more custom.

Level Up: Removing a few upper cabinets can open up the space and create room for something more intentional, like open shelving or glass-front cabinets that showcase your style. Take it a step further by reimagining the layout entirely. If your kitchen still has the same layout it came with, it might be time to bring in a designer who can create something that fits your home and your lifestyle beautifully. A thoughtful kitchen makeover doesn’t just look better—it works better, too.

 
Teresa Cannon Design will turn your cookie-cutter home into a tailored, sophisticated space you will love. When you are ready to get started, click here.

Until next time,
Teresa