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By Jasmine Birtles, financial expert from Moneymagpie.com
Selling your home in the current economic climate couldn’t be more difficult. Avoid the expensive and stressful business of moving and try some home improvements instead. You can add value to your property cheaply and have some fun while you’re at it.
Redecorate - Dos and Don’ts
DO stay safe. Always read the labels on paints, solvents, or other products and follow the guidelines. When using tools always read and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
DO measure the room. Record the dimensions of the whole room including any windows and note the location of any plugs. Take the measurements with you when you shop.
DO create a focal point. Each room should have a focal point which the rest of the room is centred around. It can be anything you like – a fireplace, a bed, a window. See websites like art.com and easyart.co.uk for huge selections of canvas prints, tapestries and posters.
DON’T be boring. Use a variety of textures – smooth, rough, shiny, matte - to stop a room looking dull.
DON’T choose paint from a colour chart. Go to B&Q and ask for samples then test them on a small section to see how they look in natural light.
DON’T overcrowd a room. Simplicity is the key.
What else?
Get insurance: If you’re going to undertake any major DIY projects check your home contents and building insurance to see if you’re covered for accidental damage. It’s also really important to tell your insurer about these changes or you may not be able to claim.
Buy some new furnishings: Liven up your bathroom with new towel bars and other fixtures. A new shower curtain, toilet seat and set of towels will have a real impact.
Dyeing to redecorate your home?
Renovate your home by giving new life to your old household textiles. You don’t have to splash out on new sofa covers just because they’re faded – dyeing is a great option. Old towels and cushions will look brand new just by changing the colour.
Machine Fabric Dye
For larger items, such as dresses or furniture throws. One pack of Machine Dye will dye 600g of fabric to full shade. Follow a simple step-by-step process of four washing cycles at 40°C to: prepare the fabric, dye the fabric, wash off excess dye and clean the machine.
Hand Fabric Dye
For smaller items, such as scarves, shorts & vests or delicates. Suitable for cotton, linen, viscose, wool & silk. One pack will usually change 250g fabric; cotton, linen or viscose to full shade and wool or silk to a lighter shade. It takes 60 minutes.
Knit your own cushion covers and curtains
Londoners can get free knitting classes at the Peter Jones store in Sloane Square. Beginners and seasoned knitters alike can join in and there are workshops, drop-in sessions and even knitting coffee mornings to enjoy. Selected John Lewis stores also hold haberdashery classes which are a bargain at £10 for two hours. Go to the haberdashery department of your local store and ask about any upcoming classes.
Create more space
Mirrors: Using mirrors, which reflect light, is a very easy and cheap way to create the illusion of more space. Next have some fabulous mirrors of various styles and finishes so take a look here.
Light: Remove any heavy curtains from the windows and replace with light, pastel coloured blinds. Go to eBay for some amazing bargains on blinds.
Floors: If you have a wooden floor underneath your carpet get rid of the rug and the room will instantly seem bigger. Use a sander and some varnish to make it look presentable.
Put up shelves: Again this is a simple way to create more storage space at very little cost and you can do it yourself quite easily. Click here for a guide to putting up shelves. You can buy some really attractive shelves that can be decorative as well as functional.
Loft conversion: This will add both space and value to your property. Check with your local planning office before you start the conversion – you’ll have to get building regulations approval and conform to fire regulations (which may involve installing fire doors and alarms). Choose your builder carefully. There are plenty of people specialising in loft conversions, but get quotes from two or three and make sure they are a member of the Federation of Master Builders.
Get stuff for free
Get stuff for free: Go to Gumtree and in the ‘Stuff for Sale’ section click freebies. It gives you a list of free things in your area. You will have to collect the items but it’s a small price to pay for a free sofa or dining table!
You can also try Snaffleup. You can search without signing up and the search gives the location of the items. This way you can see which items are realistic for you to go and get.
Use the right people
Make sure you know whether your builder is dodgy before you cough up any money. RatedPeople offer a free service helping you find recommended tradesmen in your area. Simply sign up, describe the job/trade, then get quotes and choose the one that fits your needs. Once they’ve completed the task you can rate them yourself.
If you’re looking for some help with your home improvements go to Jobsgrapevine, which is a free forum where odd-job men, plumbers and the like advertise their skills.
… or do it yourself!!
Labour is the most expensive part of any kind of renovation so one of the biggest ways to save is to do some of the donkey work yourself and then get professionals to finish it. If you’re not confident about retiling your bathroom, for example, remove the old tiles yourself, prepare the surface for the new ones, the just pay for someone to fit the new ones.
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