Living in a newly-built home has some undeniable perks. But new homeowners often find that these builder-grade homes — which are houses that contain the same finishes a builder put in — can feel a bit cookie-cutter. That's why we tapped designers for tips on how to make a builder-grade home look custom.
Builder-grade homes are common in suburban areas, especially in new developments. Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer of Living with Lolo, a luxury interior design and construction firm, says that these homes are meant to “appeal to the widest possible buyer at the lowest cost.” Builders will often opt for basic materials, simple layouts, and neutral finishes in order to keep costs low. The good news: It's basically a blank slate, so you get to add personal touches that reflect how you want the home to feel.
There are plenty of ways to add character to a builder-grade home. Things like new lighting fixtures, interesting tiles, and new flooring can add charm and even increase resale value if you ever decide to move. And if you're not quite ready for major projects like retiling a shower or installing new floors, there are plenty of other easy designer-approved upgrades you can make in the meantime.
Design Upgrades to Consider
If you’re weighing what you want to change first in your builder-grade home, look to these picks from our pro designers.
Jessica Holwick, lead interior designer at Restart Renovation and Design, notes that builders save money “by using a lot of cheap carpet,” as she says. She recommends swapping out the flooring for something that’s a lot more stylish. Think: plank or even hardwood flooring.
Lerner would change all the lighting first. She says, “Builder-grade lighting is often flat, poorly scaled, and overly reliant on recessed cans. This can make a home feel cold and unfinished.” Instead, she suggests changing this stark feel by “layering light.” “Replace generic fixtures with properly-scaled pendants, sconces, and chandeliers, and add dimmers everywhere,” she advises. “Even a modest lighting upgrade can dramatically shift how a home feels and functions.”
More Expert-Approved Tricks
After you tackle the flooring and/or lighting, what should you move onto next? Holwick recommends heading right for the kitchen and baths. In your kitchen, consider new cabinet styles and colors that retreat from that “vanilla” look. Holwick also suggests updating bathrooms with new custom vanities, along with fresh lighting and new mirrors.
“Changing out the shower tile to something more bespoke, such as a zellige or even adding tile to the vanity wall, can really help change the look from builder-grade to more custom,” Holwick further says.
Lerner would change out millwork and surfaces. “Builder-grade homes typically use minimal trim, hollow-core doors, and basic cabinetry,” she says. “Upgrading to solid-core doors, adding more substantial baseboards and casing, and refacing or replacing cabinetry with better proportions and finishes adds instant architectural depth. Additionally, swapping out generic countertops and backsplashes for natural stone or higher-quality materials also makes the home feel more intentional, unique, and lasting.”
Why You Should Upgrade
So, your original goal was to save money when you purchased your builder-grade home, as opposed to that midcentury masterpiece you had your eye on that costs a small fortune. Why would you want to pour more dollars into your affordable home?
“A home should support how you live, not just meet minimum standards,” Lerner points out. “Updating a builder-grade home improves comfort, flow, and durability, allowing the space to reflect your habits and priorities rather than a developer’s checklist. Thoughtful upgrades also tend to age better and have more character, which matters for both long-term enjoyment and future resale.”
These updates don’t need to break the bank. Paint is an effective and character-infusing way to add color to your walls without spending a lot. Swap out the lighting with lights purchased from major retailers, or even score secondhand fixtures that will make your spaces look more unique. And when you’re ready, you can invest in things like natural stone countertops and new flooring. Until then, make changes little by little before going all-in.
Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer who frequently covers home design and decor for national publications. She has worked as a full-time freelance writer for over a decade, and has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, writing home tours, interviewing top designers, and beautifying her own home. She holds a master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and when she's not writing, you can find her at thrift stores and flea markets, running, or exploring local trails in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and corgi, Dolly.
