How To Decorate A Cookie-Cutter Townhouse To Feel Like You

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There are plenty of good reasons to buy a cookie-cutter townhouse — maybe it's got a great price, is in a family-friendly location, or is in a neighborhood full of your loved ones. But buying it for its personality and charm? Well, that's probably not on your list of good reasons.

Cookie-cutter houses are blocks of homes that all have the same (or super similar) facades, layouts, and landscaping. You'll find them across the United States, primarily in suburban areas. Some were built just after World War II; others are brand new. The uniformity is great for builders — it's an easy way for them to quickly produce tons of housing during times of high demand. But that monotony is off-putting to anyone who wants their home to be an extension of their personality. They'll need to have a little gumption and design brilliance to make this average space feel one-of-a-kind.

Good news — we know you've got the gumption. Even better news? We've got the design brilliance. After all, there's always a way to work with what you've got, from adding bold patterns and tons of textures to rethinking color or lighting schemes. Whether your style skews shabby chic or retro fabulous, there are tons of ways to infuse your personality into your cookie-cutter home.

Your front door is your first opportunity to show the neighborhood that there's some personality lurking beyond your walls. You can throw a splash of paint on it to differentiate your place. If you're not sure about a long-lasting change, keep it unique and fresh with a rotating cast of seasonal wreaths or a personalized welcome sign. Along with adding character, this is a bonus for guests — they won't get lost in a sea of similar homes if you can always say "It's the house with the yellow door" or "Look for the sunflower wreath."

Switching out the basic builder-grade molding that's likely in your home for more decorative options immediately elevates its character. Whether you go with a beefier baseboard, charming crown molding, elegant casing around doors and windows, or layered trim details, these little changes go a long way. Everything will feel a bit more polished and personal, like a home that's been loved for a long time.

Generic hardware is one of the hallmarks of cookie-cutter or tract housing, since builders can get discounts when they buy in bulk. So making changes to your doorknobs, faucets, handles, and latches is a small change that can make a giant impact. Swap out boring black faucets for vintage-inspired brass, for instance, or switch out standard cabinet pulls for ones with ceramic designs. These are fun things to keep an eye out for if you're a thrifter — there may be tons of eclectic doorknobs, dresser knobs, and cabinet pulls at your favorite antique shop.

Warmer lighting can instantly transform a cookie-cutter home, giving it that cozy, lived-in feel that will make you (and your guests) feel at ease. The first step is swapping daylight lightbulbs for warmer toned bulbs. Then, look for places you can layer lighting so that you always have an option for ambient, task, and accent lighting. Cabinet and staircase track lights, wall sconces, statement chandeliers, lamps of various heights and sizes, and candles are all sources you can utilize to add dimension, warmth, and personality to every room.

Texture adds dimension and depth to any space, making it essential for creating character. Think about ways you can layer textures all over your home. Bedrooms can sport breezy linen curtains, cloud-like poofy bedding, and a fur throw, for example. Or you can add character to your bathroom by pairing textured shower curtains with fuzzy bathmats and woven storage baskets. No matter the room, don't be afraid to play around with different textures to maximize coziness and inject your personality everywhere.

Cookie-cutter homes tend to be quite uniform and bland in color, since that's a cheaper way to build. Adding more color and patterns inside is a surefire way to separate it from the crowd. If you tend to stick to muted color schemes in your design, remember that there's a beautiful place between "beige everything" and "a rainbow threw up in here." Accent walls in rich tones like navy or emerald, boldly patterned wallpaper in small spaces like backsplashes or shelves, or big vases in earthy tones are all ways to elegantly incorporate color and character into your space.

Switching up your ceilings is a solid trick to giving your home an older, lived-in feel instead of cookie-cutter modern. Adding exposed wooden beams or making other structural changes would be stunning, but also a pricier option (and one that can be tricky if your ceilings are low). If beams or vaulted ceilings aren't in the cards, think about adding some striking wallpaper to the ceiling to enliven the whole space, or find a fun ceiling medallion to make a statement light even more intriguing.

Sick of having the same layout as the whole block but can't hack down any walls to change it up? Look for areas where some built-in cabinetry could help transform the space. You may not be able to go back and change the cookie-cutter design, but you can create a little breakfast nook, put built-in bookshelves into an otherwise dull closet, or add a custom storage bench to an entry way. It makes spaces both practical and inviting, and allows you to use your space in a way your neighbors aren't.

You know what really adds timeless character to a home? Filling it with curated items that people can't just buy at big box retailers. Head to your local secondhand shops, antique stores, or join the best Facebook groups for obsessed thrift shoppers to find pieces that speak to you. Remember that vintage shopping isn't synonymous with shabby or broken down. In fact, many older items are made with better materials than today's goods. Develop your own personal style and stick to it as you shop — it'll help you find cohesive, tasteful items that will make your home the perfect blend of modern and unique.

When you can't tear down the cookie-cutter walls, give them a personality of their own. A thoughtfully designed feature wall can introduce just the right amount of visual interest, elevating the room without overwhelming it. Elements like 3D wall panels, shiplap, wainscoting, or exposed beams in geometric patterns can instantly make a space feel intentional and customized rather than one of many lookalikes.

Don't let your personal mementos sit in storage. Instead, use them to add character and tell stories in your home. While we love a great photo collection, remember that they're not the only possible personal touches out there. You can frame Grandma's silk scarf, make a gallery of the kids' artwork, hang a map from your hometown or a favorite getaway, throw hand-knit blankets over your couch, display dad's coin collection — if it's something personal that makes you smile, finding a way to incorporate it into decor will add tons of love and charm to your home.

When you want to pull out all the stops to make your cookie-cutter house stand out from the crowd, go ahead and give it a fresh coat of paint that's much different from your neighbors. For a more subtle but still impactful change, think about outdoor decorations that can set it apart. Decorative lighting sconces, outdoor window boxes for seasonal blooms, an inviting bench out front, or Nature Anywhere Glass Solar Lights for the driveway or walkway are all interesting ways to help your house feel more like your home.

Your cookie-cutter home may not have the stone fireplace or concrete countertops of your dream, but that doesn't mean you can't decorate with natural materials to inject warmth and texture into your place. These rich, natural elements blend the outdoors and indoors so expertly that you'll forget your place is just like the neighbor's. Rattan furniture, wooden accents, stone picture frames, and jute rugs are all pieces that can be easily incorporated into your home decor and give the space some organic character.

Flooring is critical for shaping the personality and character of a room. Just think about how many times you've been taken in by some rich hardwood floors or 'oohed' and 'ahhed' at retro kitchen tiles. Tons of new builds rely on soulless gray vinyl for floors, stripping places of personal charm. But tearing them up isn't always an option. Instead, jazz up tired flooring with interesting rugs. Embroidered runners, plush carpeting, bold area rugs, quirky kids mats, all in a variety of shapes and sizes — each will showcase your style and make the space your own.