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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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