How did you add character to a newish, very generic style home?

[InTheBlu]

We recently bought a house that was built about 20 years ago. After years in Victorian and Edwardian houses its so practical; it has a separate downstairs cloakroom, a garage, rooms that you can actually fit wardrobes into, but... I really miss the character of having an old house. Wise MNers that have similar houses what have you done to add character? The ideas I have had so far are to replace the floors with lovely oak flooring, add a wood burning stove with a proper fireplace, replace the doors, handles and coving with something a little less 'B&Q', but I'm running out of ideas a bit. Do you have any wisdom to share?

Definitely doors and door furniture. I think that makes a big difference.

I wouldn’t be fighting the style of the house so would stick to a more modern style door even if you go for something more fancy. I would add some cool artwork and some interesting modern furniture and soft furnishings.

Art and wall decor will make a huge difference.

Not a big job, you don’t have to spend £££ if you use somewhere like Etsy to source stuff.

Very quick way to add character

I wouldn’t be fighting the style of the house

This is great advice ^^

You can't really recreate that Victorian/ Edwardian feel in a modern house, it just won't sit right. Much better to go for something that plays to your new house's strengths. Think design or style not character!

@InTheBlu

If you replace with oak floor maybe also go for more character in your skirting boards. We're doing that but only by chance because our flooring guys accidentally threw ours out.

Examples Oak Skirting Board Specialists

www.loveskirting.co.uk/skirting-architrave-c12 they offer modern and traditional looks. Different kinds of wood too.

It's not the age of the house that matters, its the style its built in, just because it is a new build does not mean it necessarily looks contemporary there are a lot of new houses built in the heritage style, lots of Arts and Crafts designs seem to be popular at the moment.

If it is a 'modern' looking modern house then I would go with a fairly minimalist scandi style with real wooden flooring and solid wood doors and contemporary art work work. Doors and door furniture make a massive difference, I really hate these hollow doors in new houses that feel like paper, a door need to feel heavy and solid, that alone will make a massive difference to how the house feels, it gives a house some gravitas, same goes for the front door. Ditch anything that is builders grade, cheap skirtings, get rid of artex etc.

If your house is the more traditional style I would go for the 'modern heritage' look mixed in with some really contemporary pieces for contrast. wood or tiled floors in a contemporary pattern look fabulous and in my opinion no house has character be it old or new unless it has a fireplace or wood burner.

We have very similar houses! Ours is still a work in progress, but I'd say: embrace modern. Go sleek and clean, it definitely helps - but I do find that contrasting it with bits and pieces of reclaimed wood/furniture helps to make it feel cosier and adds contrast.

Upgrading the flooring immediately made everything look less generic, as did good window dressings (mostly blinds for us).

Built in furniture does double duty of adding storage and adding character

Just plonk a bust of Queen Victoria on the breakfast bat and hey presto !!!!! 😀

Thanks so much for your suggestions everyone, its so helpful. That's such a good point @ZaraCarmichaelshighheels, its much as you described; a fairly recently built house, but built to try and complement the 100ish year old houses surrounding it. You've completely hit the nail on the head of what I've been struggling with! If it was one or the other it would feel easier somehow? We've actually started removing and replacing all the coving as what was there was so cheap and nasty. My DH thinks I'm mad but I think it will make a huge difference to the feel of the house. And new floors, doors and a fireplace are definitely on our hit list too. Thanks so much again everyone.