A Custom Home Designer’s Guide to Upgrading a Standard Builder-Grade Home

What does your home say about you? Every interior design element, from materials to layout and artwork, should represent your style. Whether you’re looking to enhance an existing home or stretch your budget on a new build, personalizing a builder-grade home ensures it aligns with your family’s needs and aesthetic. In this insider guide, we’ll explore how to make your home truly yours with high-end upgrades that strike the perfect balance between beauty and function.

1. Update Your Builder-Grade Kitchen with a Stone Backsplash

If you’re looking to elevate your kitchen with a simple yet stunning upgrade, our Charleston interior design team often recommends extending your stone countertops up the backsplash for a seamless, high-end look. This approach eliminates grout lines, making cleaning a breeze and giving your space a polished, cohesive feel. While the material may be a bit more expensive upfront, the overall cost becomes comparable when you factor in the price of tile and labor for installation. 

The result is a sleek, modern kitchen that adds both visual impact and long-term value to your home. Whether you opt for quartz, marble, or another natural stone, this upgrade gives your kitchen a custom design that’s both luxurious and timeless.

2. Upgrade Your Countertop Edges

Most builder-grade countertops come with a standard bevel or eased edge, which is functional but lacks a bit of character. If you’re looking to elevate the design, consider upgrading to a more refined edge, like a demi-bullnose or ogee profile. These edges add a touch of sophistication and polish, giving your countertops a custom, high-end feel. 

To ensure the edge complements your space, consult an interior designer who can guide you toward the perfect choice that blends seamlessly with your style and furnishings. This small upgrade can make a big difference, creating a unique yet timeless aesthetic for your home.

3. Include Intentional Lighting in Your Interior Design

Lighting plays a crucial role in the function and ambiance of your home. It’s not just about brightening up a space—it’s about creating the right mood for every occasion. With an intentional lighting plan, you can easily shift the atmosphere depending on what you’re doing, whether it’s cooking, working, lounging, or entertaining. While guests may not always pinpoint the reason, they’ll feel the difference when they walk into your home. Here are a few of our interior designers’ favorite ways to add intentional lighting to your space:

• Task lighting: Brighten areas where you need extra visibility, like the kitchen or home office, with focused lighting. Consider under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen for extra illumination while prepping meals.
• Ambient lighting: Use soft, general lighting to create a warm, inviting atmosphere in living areas and bedrooms.
• Accent lighting: Highlight features like artwork, plants, or architectural elements to add drama and depth to your space. Wall sconces are perfect for adding style and extra lighting in hallways, living rooms, or bedrooms.
• Layered lighting: Combine different light sources to allow for mood adjustments, whether you’re cooking, relaxing, or entertaining.

Carefully layering your lighting will enhance your space’s functionality and create a welcoming environment for you and your guests. Want to go deeper into lighting design? Check out our guide to interior lighting plans for your custom home for expert tips on layering light, choosing the right fixtures, and creating the perfect atmosphere in every room.

4. Plan Strategic Outlet Locations and Types

When planning your home, think about where you’ll need power by mentally “walking through” each room and considering your daily routines. This will help you anticipate where to place outlets for convenience and efficiency. Consider both the type of outlet and its location, including:

• USB outlets: Ideal for charging phones, tablets, and other devices right where you use them.
• Closet outlets: Perfect for storing your chargeable vacuum or other appliances, keeping everything tidy and accessible.
• Pantry outlets: If you plan on storing appliances like blenders or coffee makers in your pantry cabinets, include an outlet for easy access without cluttering your kitchen counters.
• Floor outlets: If you plan on centering furniture like desks or sofas in a room, floor outlets can provide power without disrupting the flow of the space.
• Nightlight outlets: Add these in hallways or bathrooms for convenience and safety without cluttering the space with extra lamps.
• Microwave outlets in the pantry: For a seamless kitchen design, adding a microwave outlet in your pantry keeps appliances hidden but still within reach.

By planning strategically for power, your space will be functional and streamlined, creating a builder-grade home that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.

5. Choose Unique Vanity Mirrors to Customize a Builder-Grade Home

When it comes to bathroom vanity mirrors, don’t settle for builder-grade options. Take the time to select mirrors that are unique and align with your personal design style. You don’t have to spend a fortune to make a statement—there are plenty of beautiful options that won’t break the bank. Whether you go for a custom design or a carefully chosen piece, this small detail can make a big difference, elevating the overall look of your bathroom and giving it a more polished effect.

6. Opt for Panel-Ready Appliances

Panel-ready appliances are a great way to create a streamlined, cohesive kitchen aesthetic. While there are a number of considerations when choosing to go with a panel-ready fridge—it’s not always the best fit for every design—a panel-ready dishwasher is a fantastic upgrade that offers a similar effect without the extra cost. The price is nearly identical to standard dishwashers, but the result is a hidden cabinet-front seamlessly integrated into your kitchen that elevates the space entirely. It’s a small investment for a big impact, and we always recommend it as a worthwhile option for enhancing your space.ki

7. Upgrade Trim and Mouldings

Window and door casings, baseboards, and shoe moldings don’t have to be limited to the standard craftsman or traditional “speed base” options. Take the opportunity to enhance the depth and character of your space by selecting intricate or layered trim packages that add definition and elevate the overall aesthetic. And the best part? You don’t need to splurge to achieve this look. With the help of your interior designer, you can select affordable trim profiles that still provide visual interest and a custom, high-end appeal without significantly increasing costs.

Upgrade Your Builder-Grade Home with Custom Details

Transforming a standard build into a builder-grade home that reflects your style and meets your needs is all about thoughtful upgrades and high-quality finishes. Whether you’re refining your kitchen with custom backsplash, rethinking your lighting plan, or adding tailored trim work, these enhancements make a world of difference in creating a home that feels uniquely yours. 

At PRD Custom Homes & Interiors, we build homes that are designed to be lived in, and built to stand the test of time. If you’re ready to transform your builder-grade space with the help of an experienced custom home designer in Charleston, PRD Custom Homes & Interiors offers interior design and custom home renovation services tailored to your vision.