Like an artist with a blank canvas, a person moving into a new home has a chance to create something that reflects their character. Whether you pursue a common theme or add a few quirks to individual rooms, some added personality will make a home seem more fitting and welcoming.

Unless you customized every facet of a newly constructed home, the residence you're moving into reflects the style of the previous owner. A few simple steps will help make the home fit in better with your own preferences.

When planning what you will do to personalize your home, take the layout into consideration. Adrienne Breaux, writing for the home design site Apartment Therapy, says you can determine how well certain furnishings or items will complement or contrast with the architecture and layout of the room. You'll also want to plan out how people will be walking through the space, so you can allow this traffic to flow comfortably.

Make a note of any awkward spaces that need special attention. The magazine Country Living suggests counterbalancing any asymmetrical rooms, such as those with a built-out cupboard or fireplace. If you don't want this feature to be the focus of the room, you can add an eye-catching piece of furniture or art to the opposite side of the room.

Don't write off any spaces simply because they're on the small side. These areas can be converted to reading nooks, home offices, and other useful purposes.

A new coat of paint will go a long way toward giving the home a personal touch. Laura Gaskill, writing for the home design site Houzz, says giving the front door a new hue is a small commitment which offers an interesting new look for the exterior.

If you're not sure what color you'd like to paint the walls, you can change the color of a single wall to see how you like it. Leaving the single wall of color can also create an accent wall, which breaks up the monotony of neutral colors and helps keep large rooms from seeming too imposing.

Some unexpected contrasts can easily liven up a room. Country Living says items with interesting textures and colors will work well against a neutral color scheme. Jennifer Jones, also writing for Houzz, says homeowners who want to create a bolder look can use bright colors on furniture, walls, and shelving.

What you display on the walls will play a big part in your home's character. Breaux recommends putting up interesting pieces of artwork. Gaskill says one large piece of art can easily become the focal point of a room. Family photos are also an easy way to put your personal mark on a home.

Plants can create an interesting display and add some pleasant aromas to the home. Buy some flowers to display in vases, or invest in houseplants that will last for a long time. You can also consider setting up a garden so you can enjoy a rotating display of cut flowers.

Countless layouts and styles have been created in everything from home shows to magazines. Breaux says one way to set your home apart from these staged displays is to layer items and create vignettes. You might arrange several items of personal significance together on top of a chest or table.

Several small upgrades can be accomplished with minimal effort or expense. Gaskill says these include changing the kitchen faucet, adding new knobs and handles to cabinets and drawers, hanging new curtains and light fixtures, and setting up an outdoor space to enjoy on a summer evening.

You shouldn't overlook your need for storage space to hold everyday items. Country Living says it is possible to store some items in such a way that they add to a home's appearance, such as dishes and glasses displayed in a dining room cupboard. Shelves offer another way to display interesting items, while items such as window seats allow you more space to stow away your belongings.

Consider setting a theme for a room. If you set a maritime theme for a bathroom, you might paint it a color that invokes the ocean or beach. You can then keep an eye out for items that fit the theme, such as maritime paintings, seashells, and ships in bottles. If you are feeling particularly ambitious, or if your home is on the small side, you might want to extend the theme to the entire home.

Certain oddball items can easily become a conversation piece. Consider how something might be reused in a different way, such as furniture or artwork made from reclaimed materials.