Whether your home is a blank-canvas new-build or a charming period property, you can draw plenty of inspiration from this beautifully remodeled house in north Amsterdam. By cleverly combining and contrasting old and new elements, this home showcases a distinctive style. Here are ten ways to unlock the potential of your own space.

1. Capture the view with creative glazing

Consider using an oriel window—a bay window that juts out from the main wall without touching the ground—as an ingenious design feature. Ideal for modern homes, it offers a sleek aesthetic while serving as a window seat, perfectly framing the view of the garden. It’s the ideal spot to curl up with a good book.

2. Craft a focal point with artistic joinery

Adding character to a new property can be as simple as incorporating bespoke joinery. These recessed bookshelves not only save space but also feature a unique geometric design that transforms them into a standout feature of the home.

3. Flip the script with colorful flooring

Who says color has to be on the walls? This home uses a playful apple green floor, while the walls remain a crisp white to enhance the height and airiness of the angular ceiling. Here, wall color would be a distraction, but on the floor, it works beautifully.

4. Revitalize your kitchen with reclaimed charm

Utilizing reclaimed timber for kitchen units provides a custom-made feel on a budget and introduces color and texture into an otherwise neutral space.

5. Merge indoor and outdoor spaces

Integrating lush greenery into your home instantly fosters a connection with the outdoors. This design places plants in front of the windows leading to the garden, seamlessly blending interior and exterior spaces and enhancing the sense of unity with nature.

6. Rethink your bathroom’s spatial dynamics

This tiny bathroom maximizes its space by fitting a built-in bath under the eaves. A salvaged piece of furniture serves as a vanity unit, adding character to the white room. A clerestory window allows natural light while ensuring privacy.

7. Personalize with handcrafted elegance

Infusing homespun charm and handcrafted items into your space can transform a newly renovated house from a sterile environment into a personal and welcoming retreat.

8. Conceal clutter with ingenious storage solutions

This home maximizes every inch of space, including the often-overlooked area beneath the staircase. Handleless doors and drawers create a streamlined and subtle storage solution.

9. Embrace the boldness of charred timber

Black timber cladding is gaining popularity among architects. By using Shou Sugi Ban, a traditional Japanese technique that chars the wood for protection against the elements, this design adds a distinctive, modern look to the property.

10. Harmonize history and modernity

Create a dramatic effect by contrasting new elements with existing features. In this home, a sleek birch-plywood staircase with a linear handrail is juxtaposed against exposed original brickwork, adding textural interest.

Conclusion: redefining home renovation

Drawing inspiration from this Amsterdam home demonstrates that thoughtful renovation is about more than just aesthetic appeal—it’s about creating harmony between the past and present. By embracing innovative ideas like blending indoor and outdoor spaces or incorporating unique materials and personal touches, homeowners can transform any space into a distinctive reflection of their style. Whether your goal is to modernize or preserve tradition, the key lies in carefully balancing the old with the new, crafting a home that not only looks beautiful but also feels authentically yours.