Building a new home in Raleigh should feel exciting — not like a never-ending list of decisions you hope you don’t regret later. Yet so many homeowners tell us, “I wish I’d changed this before we moved in.”

The truth is: a handful of smart upgrades made during construction can make your home feel more custom, more functional, and more “you” from day one.

As designers working throughout the Triangle — from Village District townhomes to North Hills new builds and ITB communities — these are the upgrades we consistently recommend before the drywall goes up.

“For us, Roux MacNeill was an insurance policy that paid major dividends. Their guidance allowed us to avoid major pitfalls in design, selections, and quality.”

- Sammy K.

1. Upgrade the Lighting Package

Builder lighting is meant to meet code, not create a mood. Raleigh homes get beautiful natural light, but they also need fixtures that dim smoothly, layer well, and define each space.

Adding wiring for pendants, sconces, picture lights, or stair lighting during construction is significantly easier (and less expensive) than adding it later. Even if you want to install your final decorative fixtures after closing, get the wiring in now.

Pro Tip: Bigger lighting = bigger impact. It always looks more expensive than it is.

For great examples of quality, layered lighting, take a look at our Modern Mountain project in our Portfolio.

Modern bedroom with colorful accents — *Photo by Anna Barzin*

2. Elevate Your Trim & Moulding Package

One of the quickest ways to make a new build feel less “builder-basic” is upgrading the trim.

Think: taller baseboards, cased openings instead of drywall returns, paneled dining rooms, or more substantial interior doors. These details create the architectural character people fall in love with in neighborhoods like Oakwood and Hayes Barton — and they translate beautifully to new construction too.

In our Moody Modern project, trimwork abounds, including in the home office. Take a look at the full project at this link.

Home office with dark gray walls, custom millwork, yellow velvet chairs, and artwork by Zoe Bios and Paper Cut Project — *Photo by Cat Nguyen*

3. Choose Real Wood Floors Instead of LVT

We see LVT (luxury vinyl tile) used constantly in new Raleigh builds — especially the wood-look planks. And while it’s marketed as “practical,” it simply doesn’t look, feel, or age like real wood.

A better approach:
Choose true hardwood or an engineered wood with a real wood top layer. Both deliver warmth, authenticity, and long-term value that Triangle buyers truly respond to.

Real wood elevates the entire home — especially in the entry, great room, and kitchen.

4. Splurge on Inset Cabinets — and Take Them All the Way to the Ceiling

Cabinetry is one of the defining features of a home, and the builder’s standard options often look flat and generic. If your home leans classic or traditional — as many ITB Raleigh homes do — inset cabinetry is absolutely worth considering.

Inset doors sit flush with the frame, giving the kitchen and baths a refined, furniture-like look that instantly feels custom. Yes, they cost more — but visually, they’re transformative.

And one of our biggest recommendations:

Take your upper cabinets and tall cabinets all the way to the ceiling.

Nothing makes a kitchen feel more unfinished (or dust-prone!) than cabinets that stop short by a foot or two. Full-height cabinetry adds storage while giving the room a more architectural, intentional presence.

Our Southern Proper Project has amazing inset cabinets in a light blue tone - check out the entire project here!

Traditional-style kitchen featuring light blue Farrow & Ball inset cabinets, exposed face-frame detailing, and brass plumbing and hardware with a natural living patina, from our Southern Proper project — *Photo by Anna Barzin*

5. Upgrade Countertops (Skip the Speckled Granite)

As designers, we can spot builder-basic speckled granite instantly — and it dates a home immediately. It also tends to look busy and inexpensive, even in brand-new builds.

A better option?
Quartz, marble, or a higher-tier granite not only look better but also hold up beautifully. Because the visual impact is so significant, this is often one of the best places to allocate your budget.

For families: Quartz (like Silestone) is durable, low-maintenance, and forgiving.
For the ultimate “bomb-proof” surface: Dekton or other sintered stones are incredibly heat- and scratch-resistant and can even be used outdoors.

Our Frenchie Modern Project features one of our favorite countertop materials — natural Calacatta Gold. Explore the full kitchen gallery in our portfolio.

Transitional glam kitchen with Calacatta Gold marble counters and backsplash, leather stools, brass lighting, and a custom plaster hood with brass strapping, with Jim Thompson Wedding Parade wallpaper visible in the back vestibule — *Photo by Anna Barzin*

6. Choose Higher-Quality Plumbing Fixtures (And Mix Finishes Thoughtfully)

Plumbing is one of those areas where you feel the difference daily. When a fixture is made of solid brass, it has a weight and substance that instantly reads as quality. These fixtures also tend to have better, more authentic finishes that age gracefully and feel timeless.

What can date a home quickly?
Choosing the same finish everywhere — kitchen, all baths, laundry — especially when that finish is trendy black or brushed gold.

We’re not afraid of black or brass at all, but we use them intentionally. For a more timeless baseline, polished nickel and chrome are excellent choices:

Polished Nickel: A warm silver tone that pairs beautifully with brass and marble.
Chrome: Clean, crisp, and eternally classic in bathrooms.

And don’t feel obligated to repeat the same plumbing style in every bath. A child’s bath, powder room, and primary suite can (and should!) have different personalities.
Thoughtful mixing creates a richer, more collected home.

Dark, moody powder bath featuring metallic Jim Thompson starburst wallpaper, mixed metal finishes in brass and nickel, and a grey cantilevered stone console sink — *Photo by Anna Barzin*

Final Thought: Start With the Upgrades That Matter Most to You

Builder-grade isn’t “bad” — it’s just designed for the average buyer. Your home, whether it’s in the Village District, North Raleigh, or anywhere ITB (Inside the Beltline), deserves more than average.

If you’re starting the new-construction process and want help navigating selections, avoiding costly missteps, and creating a cohesive, elevated home, we’d love to guide you through it.

→ Explore our full Interior Design Portfolio
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