How to Turn Your Cookie-Cutter Home Into a Custom Creation

In many subdivisions, old and new, houses are built in the same design and look very similar to each other. Buying one is often cheaper than building a custom home but you may not want it to always look like every other house in the neighborhood. If you have a cookie-cutter home, here are some ways you can turn it into a custom creation.

Replace the Facade

While this isn’t always possible if you live in a homeowners association or have other restrictions on how the exterior of your home can look, replacing the facade can be one of the most drastic changes you can make to help your house stand out. This is usually a project to tackle when it becomes necessary to replace siding, but if you have the funds and want to do it after buying the house you can. For example, you can change siding into brick or brick into stone.

Photo by Dallas Builders Association

Get New Doors and Shutters

A home by the shore gets winds. Something as simple as new shutters or a new front door can completely change the way your home looks from the outside. If you want, you can even get custom doors, including beautiful wrought iron products in NJ. Additions of other items to your front porch such as decorations, chairs and potted plants can complete the new look.

Photo by Bespoke Fine Interiors

Make Changes Indoors

There are a number of changes you can make indoors, too, that turn a generic interior into something that is wholly your own. Adding or removing walls, changing closet layouts and rearranging appliance placement can bring a home more in line with your needs. Painting the walls a different color as well as adding or removing carpeting is another way to change the look of the interior. New lighting or windows are other customization options.

Photo by Westlake Development Group, LLC

Build An Addition

A full addition is another option you have for elevating a house above its original floor plan. Even in homeowners associations, additions are usually allowed so long as they are approved first. Decide where the addition will be and what you want it to entail, such as a larger living room, an extra bedroom or a sunroom. Be certain to hire a good contractor and have all necessary permits in place before you begin work.

Photo by STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

Not everybody wants a house that looks exactly the same as every other one in the neighborhood. Fortunately, the options to customize your home are nearly endless. Make changes little by little and soon you will have a beautiful home that stands out from the crowd.