How to Make a New Build Feel Like Home Instantly
Getting the keys to a brand new home is such an exciting moment, but it can feel a little overwhelming too. At my own key handover last year, I got halfway through the walkthrough and suddenly felt like I might be sick. Perfect timing, I know!! I excused myself, hid behind my car for a minute to regroup, then went straight back in to finish everything off with my Homebuyers WA site supervisor.
Nothing was wrong, it was actually the opposite!! In that moment, everything finally felt real. Years of saving and planning had paid off and I was standing in a beautiful new home… a complete blank canvas. I had a clear idea of how I wanted ‘home’ to look and feel, but I also knew how much goes into bringing it all together.
So if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed at handover, you’re definitely not alone… even the professionals feel it too. My goal here is to guide you through that next stage so you can confidently take your home from empty, to a space that feels warm, considered and truly yours.
If you focus on a few key areas first, you can create impact straight away while enjoying the process of other decisions along the way.These seven styling elements instantly soften a new build, add warmth and help it feel like home from the moment you walk in.
1. Rugs to Anchor the Space
One of the quickest ways to make a new home feel less ‘echoey’ and more considered is by adding a rug to ground your furniture. Rugs help define the space and visually pull everything together, especially in open plan areas.
When choosing a rug, go larger than you think. Ideally, your main furniture pieces should sit on or at least close to the rug so it feels anchored and in proportion with the rest of the space.
Don’t be afraid to use a rug to introduce a bit of colour (or pattern) and create a subtle feature within the room. Just make sure you’re choosing something that works for your lifestyle as well as the look. For homes with pets, I would recommend sticking to shorter piles and avoiding loop textures so little claws don’t catch and damage the fibres. For young children, something soft and flatter in texture works best as they tend to spend a lot of time playing, crawling and sitting on the rug.
Some affordable places I like to shop for rugs include Miss Amara, Freedom Furniture, Rugs of Beauty and Adairs. Here are some of my favourite styles that are super budget friendly, but have a designer look.
|| MARKBLÅMME Check Rug $199 || Nyla Forest Rug $85|| Terracotta Pierre Rug $162 || Cardamom Meadow Rug $199 || Diamond Pearl Rug $189 || Coral Silk Feel Rug $99 ||
2. Window Treatments to Soften the Home
Window treatments have a big impact on how a space feels, and without them a home can feel quite bare or incomplete, no matter how nice everything else is.
Sheer curtains are always my go-to for a soft, relaxed feel. They help soften the sharper lines of a new build and diffuse natural light in a really beautiful way. Roman blinds work well if you’re leaning towards a more traditional aesthetic, while plantation shutters are perfect for a clean, structured finish.
Whichever direction you go, they instantly make a space feel more considered and complete. Depending on your budget, you can source ready-made sheers from Freedom Furniture, semi-DIY options from Blinds Online by Tuiss, or go for fully customised window treatments, which is always my personal preference, from The Blinds Gallery.
Sheer Curtain Tip:
Extend the track wider than the window frame so the fabric can stack back onto the wall rather than cover the glass. This allows more natural light to come through. Mounting the track under the cornice or directly to the ceiling will also elevate the entire room and create the illusion of more height.
3. Lighting and Ambience to Set the Mood
Builder lighting is usually practical, but it doesn’t always create a cosy feeling. This is where your feature lighting comes in!!
Try not to rush into selecting your pendants straight away unless you’re sure of what you want. It’s okay to take a little time to understand how you will actually use the space. For example, if you want a reading light beside your bed, opt for something softer and more diffused rather than anything too harsh or heavily textured like wire, ribbed or rattan finishes- the shadows will drive you bonkers!
The same goes for your main feature lighting. Think about what suits the space and how you want it to feel. This might be an oversized statement pendant over the dining table, a linear fitting, or even two/three smaller pendants styled side by side.
Another point to factor in is the material of your lighting. What it’s made from will naturally impact how it casts light throughout the space. For example, my oversized dining pendant (above) is made of gypsum, so it directs the light downwards rather than allowing it to filter through the shade. This works well over a dining table where you want more focused light. If you’re looking to softly light a room and create more of an ambient glow, materials like linen or glass are a better option as they allow light to pass through and disperse more evenly.
Beyond your main lights, adding table lamps or floor lamps and switching to warm globes can completely change the atmosphere, especially in the evenings. It shifts the space from feeling bright and functional to calm and inviting… Even just one or two lamps in the right spots can make a big impact.
Here are 4 of my favourite current lamps under $50.00- such a steal!!!
|| Nina Ceramic Table Lamp $49.95 || Rumi Table Lamp $35.00 || Billie Table Lamp $35.00 || Emelia Check Table Lamp $49.95 ||
4. Artwork to Add Personality and Interest
In my opinion, artwork is one of the biggest elements that transforms a house into a home, and it’s often where I like to start when designing a space. It creates visual interest, helps tie your colour palette together, can emphasise a particular style or theme and most importantly, adds that layer of personality that bare walls can lack.
I usually prioritise focal pieces in the main areas such as the master bedroom, living, dining and theatre. These are the spaces where you notice artwork the most, so it’s worth investing here. From there, you can be more mindful of budget in secondary areas like hallways, study, guest and activity rooms, where more affordable pieces still work beautifully.
Wall sculptures, planters, hooks and mirrors are also a great way to break things up and add interest without relying solely on artwork, especially if you’re wanting to avoid a repetitive feel throughout the home. If you are wanting to create more impact, a gallery wall can be a great option. It adds interest and works well in these transition spaces without needing to fill every surface.
Styling Tip: A common question I get asked a lot is whether you need to decorate every wall in a long hallway or entry. The answer is no. You can be selective with where you place artwork, and more often than not, less is more. Leaving some walls bare allows the pieces you do hang to stand out and receive the attention they deserve.
Shopping Tip: Some of my favourite artwork stores are Olive Et Oriel, Urban Road, The Print Emporium, Gioia and Arthouse Co. Desenio is also great for affordable prints- they’re always on sale and have lots of large format sizes too.
5. Soft Furnishings to Layer Comfort and Texture
Cushions, throws and bedding might seem like smaller details, but they play a big role in softening a space and adding comfort. Even if you’re aiming for a more minimal look, a couple of refined cushions or a bolster can instantly layer your bed or sofa and make it feel more inviting.
Using a mix of heights and shapes helps create a subtle point of difference. It’s also important to consider textures that align with your overall interior style. For example, raffia, rattan, macramé, rope and fringed finishes tend to emphasise a more coastal look, whereas velvet, piped or leather cushions lean more towards a mid-century feel.
Another thing I always keep in mind is colour placement. Try to tie your cushions back to tones already used in the space, whether that’s artwork, a rug or surrounding finishes. It helps everything feel more cohesive, rather than feeling like it doesn’t quite belong.
Styling Tip: My go-to cushion combination is one patterned, one plain and one textured. It keeps things balanced without feeling overdone.
Shopping Tip: My favourite places to shop for cushions are Eadie Lifestyle, LM Home, Macey & Moore, Adairs and Weave Home.
6. Greenery to Bring in Life
One of the most popular housewarming gifts is a potted plant- symbolising growth, new beginnings and prosperity. Luckily, adding greenery is also one of the easiest ways to make a home feel more relaxed and welcoming. A large plant in the corner of a room, or simple florals on a dining table can go a long way for little cost.
Plants and florals help break up hard surfaces and bring a natural softness into a space. They also add movement, colour and a sense of life that new builds often lack in those early stages. Beyond aesthetics, real plants can improve air quality and create a calmer, more grounded environment, which is exactly what you want your home to feel like. If you’re not a green thumb, there are some really great artificial options now that still give you a similar visual effect when styled well.
Styling Tip:
Removing some of the lower green leaves from floral stems can instantly make arrangements feel more curated, almost as if they’ve been styled by a florist.
Shopping Tip: If you’re after realistic looking artificial plants add in ‘real touch’ to the plant type you’re wanting to purchase. For example ‘Real Touch Fiddle Leaf’ or ‘Real Touch Magnolia Stem.’ A few of the best places to buy artificial plants from are Freedom Furniture, Adairs, Myer, Early Settler and Temple and Webster.
7. Personal Touches to Make It Yours
This is the final layer, and the one that makes the biggest difference emotionally.
Personal touches don’t need to be overdone. In fact, keeping them subtle often feels more elevated and considered.
Think about pieces you actually use or genuinely love. This might be your favourite coffee table books stacked on a surface, a candle you reach for daily, items you’ve collected over time, or even your kids’ drawings framed and displayed in a meaningful way.
These details are what start to tell your story within the home. They add a sense of familiarity and comfort that can’t be achieved through styling alone.
For example, we often collect florals or shells from places we travel to, then style them when we get home. It’s a simple way to bring those memories into our everyday environment, and it instantly creates a more personal and warm feeling.
Scent plays a big part in this as well. I still remember the candle I bought when we first moved into our home, and every time I smell it now, it takes me straight back to that stage when everything felt new and exciting. It’s such a simple detail, but one that can hold so much memory.
These are the elements that take a home from styled to truly lived in.
I hope this gives you a little more clarity on where to start and helps take some of the overwhelm out of those early stages 🤍 A huge thank you to Homebuyers Centre for once again sponsoring this post and making the ‘Shop The Look’ content completely free for you. Everyone loves to save some coin, and we love affordable home improvements, so thank you to the HBC team for making it possible.
Enjoy the month of May!! xx
Oh Eight Oh Nine 