Last Updated on September 22, 2025 by teamobn
When people talk about a ‘flipped’ house, they’re referring to a property that has been renovated in a generic, impersonal, or even rushed way. It’s laden with builder-grade features and typically has an all-gray color scheme that’s lacking much-needed warmth.
There is actually nothing wrong with most flipped houses. When they have been renovated to a high standard, they suit most people’s needs fine. It also means one less outdated or worn home on the average street.
However, if you’ve purchased a flipped house and want to authentically call it home, here are some helpful tips for ditching that flipped look.
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Transform the Colors and Paint
Many house flippers opt for neutral colors, such as gray and pure white, because they appeal to a range of tastes and offend none!. Few people can look at white or gray walls and say they don’t like those colors. In essence, they don’t stand out for all the wrong reasons.
However, as these colors are synonymous with a characterless, flipped home, your home’s colors and paint may be among the first things you change to inject much-needed warmth and style.
Steer away from cool whites and grays and, instead, explore soft neutral tones and warm whites for the majority of the walls in your home. If you’re interested in adding accent walls or feature walls, experiment with interesting and eye-catching colors like muted greens and rich tones. Alternatively, apply an exciting mural wallpaper that adds character, style, and whimsy to a space.
Tip: If you’re on a budget and want to tone down the ‘flipped’ features without spending a great deal of money, keep the paint the same and change one wall in each space by adding wallpaper or a different paint color.
Adjust the Lighting
Most flipped homes have stock-standard flush mounts and, occasionally, chandeliers in main spaces. While these forms of lighting suit both flipped and non-flipped homes, they are a missed opportunity for more style and character. Swap out those builder-basic options for character lighting options, like vintage, sculptural, and artisan-made.
Tip: For a more budget-friendly option, shop around at garage sales and thrift stores, and only swap out the lights in the main areas of your home.
Alongside replacing the main lights, play around with layered lighting. Don’t just rely on your overhead lights to do all the work. Inject warmth and personality into your home with table lamps, floor lamps, and sconces.
Choose New Hardware and Fixtures
When remodeling a home to flip, most builders purchase the most cost-effective brushed nickel hardware and fixtures to look sleek but not cost them a great deal of money. Such fixtures and hardware are functional and match the neutral gray color scheme throughout the home.
However, on your mission to make your house feel more like a home, hardware and fixtures can be a quick and easy upgrade. Explore matte black, antique bronze, and brass options that add warmth and style to any space. Shop around for unique cabinet pulls that suit your personality and goals, not just what’s available with the cheapest per-unit price.
Invest in Custom Solutions
On your mission to turn a flipped house into a personal sanctuary, it’s only natural to want features in your home that not everyone has. That’s where custom millwork comes in. You can transform stock-standard features into unique, one-of-a-kind talking points.
For example, you can install unique crown moulding for character, or even shiplap wall panelling for a more exciting entryway, laundry, or bathroom. If you have a standard, dull fireplace mantel, consider upgrading it to a custom mantel that adds more personality to the room. 
Change the Flooring
Picture a flipped home in your mind, and gray vinyl or laminate is likely what comes to mind. It’s a go-to product for its durability, price, ease of installation, and neutrality. It’s also practical for homeowners because it’s easy to clean and suits most home decor.
However, these materials undoubtedly lack warmth and personality. The good news is that such flooring can easily be changed. Consider your preferences and goals to guide the decision-making process.
For example, you may prefer to keep the vinyl in the shared spaces but change the bedrooms to carpet for warmth. Alternatively, you might wish to swap out the vinyl in shared spaces for real wood, tile, or even stone.
Tip: If you’re on a budget, inject your personality into the flooring through rugs with color, texture, and patterns, which can soften the space.
Enhance the Landscaping
If a flipped home doesn’t stand out due to its neutral colors and lack of personality, it certainly will in its landscaping. Most flipped homes have bare yards, a few small shrubs, and mulch. The good news is that this minimalistic landscaping gives you a blank slate to add your own stamp.
You can dig out new gardens, install garden beds for more comfortable gardening, and plant mature greenery. If you’d prefer to keep your yard low maintenance, explore hardscape features, like garden paths, patios, decks, and pergolas. You can easily transform a boring backyard into a personal haven for relaxing, socializing, and enjoying time with family.
Tip: Rescue ‘as is’ plants from nurseries if you’re on a tight budget for landscaping. They are often a mere fraction of the price of other plants because they may require nurturing back to health. Most discount plants thrive once they’re established in their new home.
Rely On Furniture and Decor
After buying a flipped house, not everyone has money leftover to complete a full renovation. The good news is that you don’t have to. Most flipped homes are perfectly comfortable and livable as they are. Instead of refreshing the paint or lifting the flooring, let your furniture and decor do all the work.
Mix old and new furniture to break up that ‘brand new everything’ look that a flipped home can have. Don’t forget to incorporate textiles like layered bedding and patterned pillows. They can make your home appear more lived-in. Finally, swap those ‘live, laugh, love’ prints for more original art or photography that’s more ‘you’.
Wrapping it up…
To personalize a “flipped” house and move beyond its generic, all-gray aesthetic, focus on transforming key elements. Start by swapping cool grays and whites for warmer neutrals, accent walls, or vibrant wallpaper.
Upgrade builder-basic lighting with vintage or sculptural fixtures, and incorporate layered lighting with lamps and sconces.
Replace standard brushed nickel hardware and fixtures with matte black, antique bronze, or brass options.
Invest in custom millwork like unique crown molding or shiplap for added character.
Consider changing out gray vinyl or laminate flooring for carpet, wood, or tile, or use colorful rugs to add warmth.
Finally, enhance curb appeal with thoughtful landscaping and infuse personality through a mix of old and new furniture, textiles, and original art.
It doesn’t have to take much time, effort, or money to inject character into your new flipped home. Try some of these tips above and let your personality shine through.
