Five Simple Tips to Enhance Your Home’s Personality

May 26, 2014 Editorial Staff

Siri Stafford

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(Family Features) Your home can say a lot about you. A state-of-the-art kitchen outfitted with a double oven likely means you enjoy cooking and entertaining friends and family. Likewise, a backyard complete with play sets, a treehouse or a basketball hoop is a sure sign your house is also a hangout for the neighborhood kids.

My house is more than just a haven for my family. Its a real life scrapbook, art gallery and personal sanctuary, said Michelle Hinkley, mom to three young boys and the lady behind the home and lifestyle blog www.4men1lady.com. As much as I want it to be functional, I enjoy spending a little extra time finding ways to keep our home uniquely us.

If youre thinking about ways to add some personality to your space, consider these five simple (and wallet-friendly) improvements:

1. Paint your front door.First impressions start at the front door. Consider your homes exterior and outdoor surroundings as youre selecting a new hue, but when narrowing down your paint palette, also focus on the tints that best reflect your familys vibe.

A bright green door is both welcoming and fun, while a shiny black finish adds glamour. Even a crisp, white hue can be anything but boring, offering a clean backdrop for potted plants and accessories that change with each season.

2. Replace a fixture.

If cooking is integral to your personality, consider updating one of your kitchens most frequently used appliances: the faucet. Todays kitchen faucets come equipped with a variety of features and make for a relatively simple DIY project.

The Delta Trinsic kitchen faucet, for example, features a magnetic pull-down wand that locks the spray head in place when its not in use and optional Touch₂O Technology, which allows users to turn water on or off with a simple tap. Like any good accessory, choose a finish that complements your personality and room, from the warm and inviting tones of Champagne Bronze to always in-style chrome.

3. Install new hardwareSmall details can make a big impact. Customize furniture, closets or built-ins with stylish drawer pulls. Styles range from the whimsical, hand-painted options available at craft fairs to more substantive handles and pulls available at your local hardware store. Take your time selecting pieces you love for a look thats both unique and functional.

4. Start a collectionShowcase your personality by decorating your space with small items or collectables. A collection of sea glass bottles or vases, for instance, could pay tribute to a favorite vacation spot, while ceramic animals in bright colors show off your quirky and creative side. To create a cohesive focal point, focus on collecting items similar in colors, materials or textures.

5. Build or craft somethingIf youre really daring, try creating some inexpensive home decor for your space. Sites like Pinterest.com are great resources for compiling inspiration; many blogs also offer step-by-step guides for a variety of projects for the home. Whether youre creating a one-of-a-kind piece of art or building a coffee table from scratch, your next project could be a fun opportunity to help truly customize your home.

Check out this tutorial from Michelle Hinkleys blog to learn how to create personalized canvas art for your space or for other unique crafts that help add character to your home.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (craftsmen house)