How to live in a ‘house for now’ without going mad

I've written lots in the past about the fact that unfortunately Dove Cottage isn't our forever home, and we will (fingers crossed) be moving on in the not-too-distant future. Therefore we don't think it’s wise to invest too much money into somewhere we won't be staying long-term - hence why I've lived with THAT kitchen and bathroom for five long years.

Sometimes it feels like my creativity and style is being stifled because its just not worth making all the changes I'd like to. But there are lots of things you can do to make your home somewhere special, without shelling out for things that aren't necessarily going to be a great return on your investments.

So here's my top tips for making the most of your time and money whilst living in your 'home for now' – without losing your mind.

1. Invest wisely

Decide what you should spend money on, and what perhaps won’t be worth the investment if you’re moving on quickly. Be realistic. I know first-hand that it’s not fun living with someone else's interior decisions, but is it really worth spending thousands on a new kitchen if you're planning on moving on within the next couple of years? There's always things you can do to improve the look of rooms without ripping everything out - my £50 room revamp series covers exactly this - you can find posts on easily transforming a kitchen and bathroom on all budgets.

Choosing smaller, cheaper projects that will enable you to add your own touch to your home without wasting too much investment – I transformed our downstairs loo for under £125, and I love that something so bold is hiding behind that door!

2. Spend on ‘forever furniture’

Some advice I wish I’d of been given when moving in (read the interior regrets that continue to haunt me on a daily basis here!) is to invest in the things you’ll keep forever, Spend your money on pieces of furniture you know you’ll still love ten years from now, and can come with you when you move on. Items such as sofas, beds and dining tables can transform the look of a room, so spending a little more on getting these things right will always be worth it.

3. Try your hand at something new

Be open to trying new things, and learning new skills - you'll be surprised at what you can do yourself without the need for an expensive tradesman. I recently laid a new floor in our bathroom – it’s made a world of difference, and I'm already eyeing up where I can have another go elsewhere in the house. Obviously this should be done within reason, perhaps leave re-wiring an entire house to the professionals!

Always having a project on the go keeps me sane. Even if it’s something small, I’m always planning changes and updates to my home, which keeps me excited about living here.

4. Be realistic with your time

If you’re doing work yourself, there's no way you'll get projects done in the time a team of tradesmen can, so don't get disheartened when things aren't changing as fast as you'd like. Small updates as and when can keep a space looking fresh, and will mean you can adapt things as you go, according to your tastes and needs.

Choosing projects that you can dip in and out of easily is another great idea. For example, upcycling furniture, and small crafts are perfect for when you have a spare hour or so, and I couldn’t recommend it enough – transforming old or unwanted furniture into something special is the perfect way to put your own stamp on a room.

5. Always have a project on the go

This is what keeps me sane. Even if it’s something small, I’m always planning changes and updates to my home, which keeps me excited about living here. Without this I think I’d start to feel a bit ‘stuck’ somewhere that I couldn’t put my own touch on, and even more deflated that it didn’t look like some of those dream homes on Instagram. I've recently made 'accessories-only' revamps to both my bathroom and hallway - a much more affordable way of putting your own stamp on somewhere without investing lots. 

6. Keep future buyers (or your landlord!) in mind

When you know you’re not going to be somewhere forever, successfully selling your home is always a consideration. Just bear in mind that future buyers (or your landlord!) won’t always have the amazing interior vision you do, so be prepared for the fact that you may need to paint the walls back to white when your home goes on the market. I’ve got this in mind for our dark and bold downstairs loo (as much as it will break my heart to paint over it!), so I think my point here is perhaps the leopard print carpet should wait until your forever home.   

What tips do you have for making a house a home without investing too much?

Thanks for reading,

Sam Xx