Room by Room Interior Design Tips for New Construction Homeowners

You just moved into a brand-new home. Before you rush into buying furniture, slow down. Live in the space. See how you actually use each room.

Faith Phillips, VP of Retail Store Experience at La-Z-Boy, puts it simply: “Determine the focal point of each room: the traffic flow; the purpose or usage of the room.”

Living Room: Your Daily Hub

This space carries the most activity – design it with intention.

Seating matters.

Interior designer Lindsay Pennington recommends multiple zones:

• TV-watching area

• Entertaining space

• Quiet reading corner

Her must-have: an upholstered ottoman for texture, extra seating, and a comfortable footrest.

Color & pattern are back.

Choose colors based on natural light and room scale, then add pops of color with:

• throw pillows

• blankets

• rugs

• artwork

“One must take into account the style of the house, the size of the rooms and personal taste,” says designer Lori Miller.

Anchor pieces win.

Neutral, timeless items – like a beige sofa – create a flexible backdrop as trends evolve.

• Use correctly sized rugs to help define zones and maintain proportion.

• Avoid furniture sizing and placement mistakes that overpower or underwhelm in the room.

Kitchen: Create Seamless Flow

New construction homes often feature open layouts. Keep design consistent from room to room.

White kitchens stay timeless.

Pennington suggests painting cabinets white or off-white for a bright, unified look.

Add contrast with:

• lower cabinets

• the island

• hardware in striking metals

Tie it all together through complementary tones that match adjacent rooms.

Infuse personality.

Phillips says consistency drives that “model home” feeling where each space flows into the next. Try:

• patterned drawer liners

• bold matching dinnerware and glasses

• upgraded tools (wood + stainless steel)

• fresh hardware or pulls

Dining Room: Make It Multi-Purpose

Today’s dining rooms need to work beyond the holidays.

Design for everyday life.

Pennington recommends:

• a reading nook or kids’ corner

• a simple wooden table for meals, work, or crafts

• a cabinet or buffet for storage + serving space

Throughout the Home: Details That Deliver

Lighting strategy.

New builds often have minimal lighting. Add:

• layered lighting with lamps, pendants, and sconces

• LED bulbs – warm for ambience, cool for tasks

• dimmer switches for flexibility

Smart home integration.

Blend tech smoothly into your décor:

• hidden charging stations

• automated lighting and music hubs

Storage solutions.

Builder closets and pantries often need upgrades.

• Add organization systems that improve function and enhance aesthetics.

• Consider unique or thrifted pieces for personality.

Your Home, Your Story

Trends aside, the most meaningful homes include personal pieces – family heirlooms, items with history, and objects that reflect what matters most to you.

A new construction home gives you a blank canvas. How you furnish it tells your story.

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