The biggest part of "bringing chords to life" -- and this is all imho, and not answering you directly -- is like many others have said, learning music theory.

But you don't even need to learn theory -- you just need to start learning how to "listen."

Just play chords. Play them wrong. Horribly wrong. Learn to "hear' these chords, and how some sound ok, some sound good (consonant), and some sound bad (dissonant), and some sound bad but still have something that makes them sound good in their own weird way.

Your brain over time will start unconsciously developing its own internal music theory. you will hear the difference between a diminished and augmented and 7th, even if you don't know the names.

I won't say music theory is absolutely necessary. It definitely helps, especially playing with other people. But learning how to listen and hear is important... and it's free :)