All too often we are bombarded with the same sorts of looks for our humble abodes when we pick up interiors magazines. White high gloss kitchens are all the rage, oak veneered laminate flooring is in fashion, and who could forget the white wall minimalist look that seems to have been on trend for the past decade. When we finally climb the final rung of the property ladder and we find our dream home, we might want to shun the norm. Instead, we have more confidence to buck trends and do something a little more unique to express our personalities.
Not every homeowner will adore the open plan kitchen diner look but many will succumb to its charms because of the pressure from the magazines and friends. Instead, consider going for what you truly love and what you want to surround yourself with for the rest of your days. Your forever home needs to be personal to you alone. Forget about what the magazines dictate to you and follow this guide to add uniqueness to your home.
The Garden
We don’t often start with the outside of our homes when we consider renovations and giving our pad a makeover. However, the garden that we have can become a real haven of tranquility. If you are keen to add uniqueness to this aspect of your home, think about water features, al fresco dining, and room for the kids to play. Forget about the rectangle patch of lawn in front of a patio surrounded by some planted borders Instead, go rogue!
Consider planting some elliptical borders in the centre of your lawn. Go for plants that aren’t the usual bog standard bedding. Pansies and violas look great but they are a little twee. Instead, opt for the sculptural dogwood and consider come banana palms if you live down south. Alternatively, you could cordon off a section of patio to become a smallholding allotment. Growing your own veg might be something that you’ve yearned to try but haven’t gotten round to yet.
If you fancy something unique, consider adding tiers to your garden. Building up mounds or steps within your back yard can give your garden more height and interest. A garden could have a theme or be a place that you simply want to relax in. Make it fit for purpose and add your uniqueness when you design it.
Kitchens
The kitchen has become the heart of many homes across the nation in the twenty first century. Many people adore the open plan look but others still cling onto the separate more formal layout of a kitchen and dining room. To add a touch of uniqueness to your kitchen, consider more salubrious appliances. Maytag fridges are the ultimate in style and calibre being American style and catering for even the largest of gatherings. DCC do Maytag fridge repairs so you never have to worry about finding parts or having a specialist to call on should things go awry. You might also want to look into custom built wine coolers or integrating boiling hot water taps. Think about how you use your own kitchen and make it fit for purpose.
In terms of units, shaker style and white gloss are so mundane nowadays. If you’ve always fancied the two tone, petrol blue and green units, go for it. Yes, they might not be everyone’s first choice, but this is your room and your home. Couple your cabinetry with your own choice of flooring. Mediterranean tiles or red brick reclaimed Mitnon tules are a real change from the usual laminate or lino. Splashbacks don’t have to be tiled. How about industrial steel or futuristic perspex alternatives?
If you are keen to go completely unique, think about getting your cabinetry custom built. With a specialist designer, your kitchen can be a real one of a kind piece. You might want cherry wood worktops, Formica units, or London plane cabinets that have a real rustic feel. Plenty of designers use reclaimed materials meaning that your kitchen would be like no other in the world. This can also boost your eco-credentials and tap into your desire to be sustainable.
Adding something unique to your home isn’t too challenging. However, to make your entire humble abode a homage to your loves, passions, and personality takes some commitment. If you want all vintage Danish furniture in the living room, do it. If you want a fully wallpapered formal dining room complete with eighteenth century dining table and picture rails, go for it. This is your forever dwelling so make it the home of your dreams.
