How to Make a New Build Feel Like Home
Blank canvas? Let’s make it feel like home!
Getting the keys to your brand-new home is an exciting moment… but once the handover is done, it can also feel a little overwhelming. One minute you’re thinking “We did it!” and the next, you’re staring at a fresh, empty space wondering where to start.
One minute you’re celebrating finally getting the keys, and the next you’re staring at a fresh, empty space wondering where to start.
The good news? That feeling is completely normal.
With the help of interior designer Tarina from @oh.eight.oh.nine, we’re sharing simple styling tips to help take your home from brand new build to warm, cosy and beautifully lived in – without the stress.
By focusing on a few key layers first, you can instantly soften your space, add personality and create a home that feels welcoming from day one.
1. Rugs to anchor your space
If your new build feels a little echoey or unfinished, a rug is one of the quickest ways to change that. Rugs help ground your furniture, define open-plan living zones and visually pull a room together.
Tarina’s top tip? Go bigger than you think. Ideally, your main furniture pieces should sit on or close to the rug so the whole space feels anchored and balanced.
Rugs are also a great opportunity to bring in colour, texture or subtle pattern, while still being practical for everyday life. For pets, shorter piles are your best friend, and for little ones, soft flatter textures are ideal.
Shopping Tip: Tarina’s affordable favourites include Miss Amara, Freedom Furniture, Rugs of Beauty and Adairs.
MARKBLÅMME Check Rug $199 | Nyla Forest Rug $85 | Terracotta Pierre Rug $162 | Cardamom Meadow Rug $199 | Diamond Pearl Rug $189 | Coral Silk Feel Rug $99
2. Window treatments to instantly soften your home
It’s amazing how much of a difference window treatments can make. Without them, even the most beautiful home can feel a little bare.
Sheer curtains are Tarina’s go-to for creating a soft, relaxed feel. They diffuse natural light beautifully, soften harsh lines and instantly make a room feel more polished. Roman blinds are perfect for a more classic look, while plantation shutters offer a clean, structured finish.
Styling Tip: Extend curtain tracks wider than the window frame and mount them higher (or closer to the ceiling) to create the illusion of bigger windows and higher ceilings.
Shopping Tip: Whether you’re after budget-friendly ready-made sheers from Freedom Furniture, semi-DIY options from Blinds Online by Tuiss, or fully customised window treatments from The Blinds Gallery, there’s a stylish solution for every budget.
3. Lighting and ambience = game changer
Builder lighting is functional… but creating ambience is where your home really comes to life.
Rather than rushing your lighting choices, Tarina recommends thinking about how each space will actually be used. Soft bedside lighting, statement dining pendants, warm table lamps and floor lamps all play a role in shaping how your home feels.
Materials matter too. Linen or glass shades create a softer glow, while more solid materials can direct light for focused areas like dining tables or kitchen islands.
And one of the easiest upgrades? Swap cool globes for warm lighting. It’s a small change that makes a huge difference.
Shopping Tip: Here are four of Tarina’s current favourite lamps under $50 — stylish, affordable and such a steal!
Nina Ceramic Table Lamp $49.95 | Rumi Table Lamp $35.00 | Billie Table Lamp $35.00 | Emelia Check Table Lamp $49.95
4. Artwork that adds personality
Artwork is one of the most powerful ways to transform a house into a home. It adds visual interest, helps define your style and gives your home personality beyond the basics.
Tarina suggests prioritising statement pieces in high-impact areas like your living room, dining room, master bedroom or theatre, then layering more affordable pieces through hallways or secondary spaces.
And remember… not every wall needs something on it. Sometimes less really is more.
Shopping Tip: Tarina loves Olive Et Oriel, Urban Road, The Print Emporium, Gioia, Arthouse Co and Desenio for affordable large-scale prints.
5. Soft furnishings for warmth and texture
Cushions, throws and bedding may seem like finishing touches, but they’re often what make a space feel inviting.
Layering different textures, shapes and tones adds comfort and dimension, whether your style leans coastal, modern, minimal or mid-century.
Tarina’s go-to formula? One patterned cushion, one plain and one textured. Easy, balanced and effortlessly styled.
Shopping Tip: Eadie Lifestyle, L&M Home, Macey & Moore, Adairs and Weave Home are Tarina’s top picks.
6. Greenery to bring your home to life
Nothing softens a new build quite like greenery. Plants, florals or even well-styled artificial stems can instantly add colour, texture and life to your home.
A large plant in an empty corner, fresh florals on the dining table or realistic ‘real touch’ stems can all make a huge impact without blowing the budget.
Styling Tip: For faux options, search ‘real touch’ when shopping for more natural-looking stems or plants.
Shopping Tip: For more realistic artificial plants, search ‘real touch’ styles like fiddle leaf or magnolia stems. Tarina’s favourites include Freedom Furniture, Adairs, Myer, Early Settler and Temple & Webster.
7. Personal touches that make it yours
This is the final layer… and arguably the most important.
Styling makes a house look beautiful, but personal touches are what make it feel like home. Think candles, favourite books, framed memories, collected travel pieces or meaningful décor that tells your story.
These don’t need to be overdone – often the most subtle details are the most powerful. A favourite scent, a stack of coffee table books or a simple framed keepsake can instantly bring warmth and familiarity into a new space.
Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t just a styled home… it’s a home that feels like you.
Creating your dream home doesn’t need to happen overnight.