How to Add Architectural Interest to Your Home

Most homebuyers look for property with "character." Character is an unappealing quality of a house that makes it unique. Character can look different for different people; some love leaded windows, others seek secret rooms. However, almost every homebuyer searching for character will appreciate certain architectural details that help a house appear unique.

Fortunately, many of these architectural features are relatively easy to make yourself. If you've chosen a house without character, you can give yourself the dream home by completing the following improvement projects focused on adding architectural interest.

Furniture Hardware

Furniture hardware refers to any wooden work produced in a factory, although it often relates to baseboards and trim. Improving furniture hardware in your home is a relatively quick and simple process that will enhance the appearance of your house for decades. Moreover, all you need to install furniture hardware in your home is a miter box (or miter saw) and a hammer.

Your first step could be adding crown molding to rooms that will hide imperfections at the wall-ceiling junction while simultaneously increasing your home's value by creating a grand appearance. If you want to go further, you can replace baseboards and room trim with carved variants available in large home improvement stores and completely accessible through local woodworking shops. Carved furniture hardware is more expensive, but it adds timeless appeal that's definitely unique.

Solid Wood Doors

Most modern homes are built with hollow-core interior doors that are lightweight and inexpensive. However, hollow-core doors tend to wear poorly, developing scratches and holes that are impossible to patch. A character-rich option is solid wood doors which not only look beautiful after years of heavy use but also help improve the home's insulation and reduce noise between different rooms.

If you want to undertake an advanced woodworking project, you can make solid wood doors much cheaper than buying them from a big store. You'll need several different tools including a cutting table and miter saw, a router table and router, various clamps, and the appropriate door hardware. With patience and skill, you can gift your home a new set of doors infused with architectural interest.

Real Wooden Floors

There are many cheaper alternatives to flooring that mimic wooden floors, but there is no perfect substitute for the real thing. Most people can easily tell the difference between a real wooden floor and fake items like tile, laminate, or vinyl. If you have the budget, you should pay for real wood which will not only increase your home's value but also provide unmatched warmth inside the spaces. If you replace flooring, it might be worth checking whether these improvements reduce your home insurance costs.

Paneled Openings

Open-concept spaces are gradually going out of style—largely due to the pandemic, which highlighted the real value of individual rooms. Nevertheless, you'll probably want your common areas to look connected, meaning you can join rooms like the kitchen, dining room, and living room using paneled openings. A paneled opening is a hole in the wall surrounded by trim, usually resembling baseboards to provide a finished and classic look.

Removing a wall is potentially risky, so you should only begin this character-building project if you have experience in demolition or work under the supervision of a professional. You can be creative with your opening, choosing shapes and trim that match your home's style and interior.

Vintage Handles

Perhaps the easiest way to add character to your home is to replace any hardware with unique vintage options. Many antique shops, flea markets, and swap meets are full of stands with old and interesting hardware such as crystal door handles or ornate cabinet knobs. If you can be patient, you're sure to find great deals on excellent vintage hardware.

Before starting any home improvement project, you should consult with your homeowner's insurer to ensure that your project doesn't increase your insurance premiums. After that, you can invest your heart and money into creating a character-filled home worth living in.