A couple of months ago, I ran a poll on my socials asking what people would prefer to do: a) buy a new house, b) build a new house, c) buy a fully renovated home, or d) buy a fixer-upper and renovate it themselves.

The clear favourites? A fully renovated home or a fixer-upper.
And it got me thinking. What is it about an existing home that feels so much more appealing?

Of course, the thought of building can be overwhelming. Between navigating approvals, finding skilled trades who are also available (a rare and wonderful combination), and trying to make sense of the budget, there’s plenty to think about before you’ve even chosen a front door.

But one comment kept coming up, and it had very little to do with construction - “I want a home with character. You just don’t get that with a new build.”

Now, I completely understand the appeal of an older home. The beautiful proportions, the timber floors, the little details that someone took the time to consider. I’m usually admiring the cornices while everyone else is checking how many bedrooms there are. But the idea that a new home can’t have that same warmth and personality? That’s where I have to disagree.

As a transitional designer, much of what I do involves bringing traditional details and contemporary living together. There’s no reason you can’t have a kitchen that functions beautifully, storage that actually accommodates your belongings, AND rooms with depth and character.

The trick is to think about these things early, while they can still be incorporated into the design.

 So, here are six areas I would focus on to get the character you deeply desire.