Many people dream of owning a period property one day; this is largely because they tend to have the kind of unique features that make a house feel like a real home; things like marble fireplaces, bay windows and antique fixtures.

However, for a lot of buyers, this type of property is simply not within their price range; instead, many tend to opt for new-builds, which are usually far less expensive. The problem with these houses is that they usually lack any distinguishing design features and so can be rather bland-looking. The good news is that there are plenty of things that you can do to make a new-build more visually interesting.

Change the internal doors

Switching up the internal doors can transform the appearance of a property. If, for example, you want to give your home that rustic, country-cottage feel, then ledge and brace doors made from timber are the perfect choice. You can take this look a step further by replacing the standard doorknobs with cast-iron handles.

Alternatively, if you're fortunate enough to have bought a house with solid-wood doors, then it might be wiser to simply give them a makeover, rather than replace them. In this case, sanding and re-painting them in a colour that is in keeping with your personal tastes is a fantastic way to inject some personality into your property. 

Install a new window

One of the most effective ways to make a lacklustre room more interesting is to have a leadlight fitted. As this source explains, leadlights are a type of decorative window, consisting of coloured panes of glass held in place by 'came' strips which are made from lead. The vivid hues and striking style of leadlights make them the ideal choice for anyone who wants to give their home a twist of originality.

You can use almost any image and shade combination that you want; however, do bear in mind that highly complex patterns will probably be more expensive.

Replace the fixtures and fittings

Oftentimes, it's the little details that make the greatest difference to the overall appearance of a room.  Something as simple as replacing a plastic light switch cover with a mosaic or antique brass cover can instantly give a room more character. Likewise, using copper curtain poles instead of drab wooden ones is an easy way to inject some personality into your space.

Light fittings can also have a dramatic impact on how a house looks. Removing standard fittings and replacing them with, for example, an industrial pendant light or a vintage chandelier, can revamp even the drabbest of rooms. 

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