DIY fanatic completely transforms three-bed house in three weeks & did it on the cheap thanks to Dunelm & Ikea bargains
IF MONEY were no object we'd all be splurging on homes big enough to rival even the most luxurious celebrity mansions.
But just because us regular folk are forced to make do with what we can afford, it doesn't mean we can't achieve the ultimate house goals.
She said: "I spent a lot of time on Pinterest and DIY on a budget to get ideas. I knew I was on a tight budget so I looked at up-cycling on forums like the Frenchic page which really helped.
She even provided a summary of the colours she used throughout, and where she purchased some items after being flooded with requests by keen group members
Lindsey estimates the whole house cost her roughly £2500, but she still has some extra bits she needs to do.
She said: "I have a loft conversion that still needs doing, carpet, paint and light fittings. I need carpet in one of the small bedrooms and some flooring in my utility then it’s more about the little decoration features like pictures/blinds and curtains."
"I think the most difficult part was the endless painting, every room required 2-3 coats on ceilings walls and the skirting boards and door frames it felt never ending. But once you complete one room it gives you that motivation to do the next and then the next."
Lindsey admits that she's "super fortunate" to have "incredible friends and family" that have offered their time and help for free, and admits she "wouldn’t have got it completed without them".
What Lindsey used:
Kitchen
- Frenchic cupboards - Cool Beans x 2 tins
- New handles - Amazon 12 for £12
- Tiles - Frenchic Dazzle Me x 1 tin
- Tap - existing stainless painted with Frenchic Black Jack tester pot
- Countertop - DC Fix Oak
- Ceramic sink - Facebook Marketplace £60
- New range oven - Facebook Marketplace £150
- Floor - discount flooring herringbone parquet
Frontroom
- Walls - Dulux Egyptian Cotton
- Floor - same as above
- Fireplace - Frenchic Black Jack tester pot
- Sofa - Sofa Club
- Light - Ikea
Dining room
- Walls - Wickes Pure Cotton Silk
- Floor - same as above
- Table and chairs - gifted
- Light - Ikea
- Rug -Ikea
Bedroom
- Walls - Wickes Pure Cotton Silk
- Fireplace - Frenchic Black Jack
- Light - Ikea
- Carpet - Onlinecarpets Mink
Bathroom
- Tiles - Frenchic Dazzle Me, same tin as kitchen
- Bath panels - Wickes £100 for side and end
- Walls - Dulux Egyptian Cotton
- Floor - stick on tiles from Dunelm 4 packs at £11 per pack
Hallway
- Lights - Ikea
- Paint - Wickes Silk cotton
- Stairs - Ronseal Brilliant White
- Carpet - Same as above
For anyone else looking to save some cash while still achieving the look they want, the thrifty DIY-er says to to always check out selling sites because "you can find some real bargains".
She said: " Upcycling can bring unwanted items back to life! Also budget for things like sand paper, polyfila, extra paint brushes and tools because that really adds up and you don’t think about all of the little things."
But most importantly, she says to "just enjoy it really, enjoy the process".
And added: "Interior design has been a passion of mine for some time and because of the feedback I’ve been thinking about whether to venture into this as a hobby and see if I can help other people on a budget."
Meanwhile a mum with ‘ugliest house on the street’ reveals amazing transformation & people think she built a new one.
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Plus we reveal the best home transformations you can do for under £30, from hotel-inspired bathrooms to stunning kitchen makeovers.