In a world where renovation costs are constantly soaring, driven by inflation, labour shortages and rising material prices, many homeowners are coming up with budget-friendly ways to breathe new life into their homes.

Katie Brown, 35, and her partner Robin McGill, 38, have taken on this very challenge in their own property, transforming their outdated kitchen cabinetry for a remarkable £250, saving themselves thousands of pounds in the process.

When the couple bought their semi-detached Victorian property in Kettering in 2020, they knew that it would need updating.

‘It was structurally sound and had some of its original features,
such as the tiled hallway flooring, but it was really dated,’ says Katie. ‘I don’t think it had been touched since the 90s!’

Their plan was to slowly update the home themselves in their spare time, balancing their day jobs and caring for their two-year-old son William, while documenting their DIY venture on Katie’s Instagram account @sweethomeketteringa.

‘We’ve mainly painted and decorated, reintroducing Victorian features, such as picture rails in the living room, bigger ceiling roses and restoring fireplaces in all the bedrooms, along with new flooring,’ says Katie, who admits they were both complete DIY novices when they bought their home, with Robin even struggling to put up a shelf initially.

‘To keep costs down, we attempted most of the projects ourselves, reusing and recycling materials where possible and learning new skills along the way,’ she says.

And when it came to the outdated kitchen, their do-it-yourself approach was no different.

‘Originally, we thought we’d have to rip out the kitchen because we
weren’t fans of the style,’ says Katie.

‘But after seeing other homeowners updating cabinet door fronts on social media, we decided to cover the dated wood carving detail on the doors with a flat piece of MDF that was more to our style.’

‘It’s a solid wood kitchen with soft-close drawer mechanisms. It didn’t make sense to rip it out and replace it with something potentially worse,’ says Robin.

The couple started by identifying which cupboards weren’t required – there were too many cluttering up 
the room – ripping out as many as they could and then patching up the side panels.

Next, they measured up the front panels, ordering them ready-cut from cutmy.co.uk, and attaching them using a no-nail adhesive from Wickes.

After priming and caulking
the edges, they finished them in Rust-Oleum’s kitchen cupboard paint in Pinewoods. For the splashback and worktop, the couple initially wanted to keep the timber and replace the tiles.

However, on inspection they realised the tile edging was superglued on to the tiles and the worktop, and removing the tiles would cause significant damage. The cost of new worktops, as well, was enough for them to adjust their plans.

‘Instead, we painted them using Rust-Oleum’s Porcelain and Happy-as-a-Clam kitchen tile paint. It’s a great paint brand, you don’t even have to add a sealant,’ she says.

Using Frogtape, Katie marked out the zigzag pattern and restored the grout lines using a grout pen.

The couple did hire professionals to sand down the worktop, which had a thick orange varnish, but Robin added a top coat of Osmo oil himself to save money.

‘We won’t need to sand it down again, just re-oil it occasionally,’ he says. ‘But it’s not a labour intensive job – it only took about ten minutes.’

For the dated glass cabinet doors, Katie applied a ribbed glass film to modernise the look.

‘It was super-easy,’ she says. After cleaning the existing glass, she measured and cut the film to size, sprayed the sticky side with a soapy water solution and positioned it using a squeegee to remove any bubbles underneath.

Robin then trimmed off any excess film. ‘I think it only took about 15 minutes in total,’ says Katie.

Next on the job list was replacing the old carpet with a new child-friendly and room-appropriate flooring. ‘The carpet was laid directly on top of an uneven and cracked concrete sub-floor. If you rolled a marble it would roll all over the place,’ says Katie.

After receiving a quote for £800 to re-screed the floor, the couple opted to give it a go themselves, following YouTube and TikTok tutorials.

‘It wasn’t that difficult and only took us about two hours,’ says Robin.

They replaced the carpet with 
a good quality vinyl flooring purchased on sale from the local Kettering Carpet Supply – always mindful of their budget.

‘Our main aim was to create something bright, fun and inviting, but also hard-wearing and easy to clean and maintain having a young family,’ says Katie.

‘Each project has taken time, as we generally complete them pay-cheque to pay-cheque. Plus, we do around 95% of the work ourselves fitting it around work and family life. We love putting our own stamp on 
our property.

‘My main advice for those who want to give it a go themselves is to focus on preparation. Don’t skip the small steps because you’ll regret it later,’ 
she says.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.

This week, we’re in Rutland, in the East Midlands, meeting 37-year-old Kat Sanders, who lives with her husband Joe.

Back in 2015, the pair bought a tired barn conversion from Joe’s grandparents for £350,000, just outside Oakham.

After completing a full refurbishment of the Victorian property, which housed cows before it was converted into a house in the late 1980s, Kat and Joe managed to double their property’s value.

Ten years after first moving from London, Kat and Joe are still relishing their idyllic countryside life.

Here’s what Kat had to say about their property journey…

Tell us about yourself!

I’m a mum of three and a part-time teacher and content creator. 

Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area?

It’s in Rutland in the East Midlands, a beautiful area in the countryside surrounded by open fields. I love living here, I’m definitely made for country living! 

We’re both from the countryside, I’m from Worcestershire, and never felt London was home, so the move felt right and it was where we were supposed to be.

When did you move in?

We’ve lived here since May 2015.

How much does your property cost? And how much, roughly, was the cost of renovating?

We bought it for £350,000 and have spent upwards of £130,000 renovating. It’s now worth around £700,000.

How much was your deposit?

£90,000.

What is the monthly cost of living here now, both mortgage and bills?

Approximately £1,700 per month.

How did you save up for your deposit?

We saved up for the deposit through the sale of a previous house, and we lived with family for a year when we got married to save some extra money.

What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging?

We actually found the process really easy – we used a mortgage broker.

Can you share details on your mortgage (rate/term)?

We recently switched to 4.5% for 25 years.

Where did you live before this – were you renting or living with family?

We initially rented in London, and then lived with family before buying.

What made you want to buy rather than rent?

I liked the security of buying, and being able to renovate the house was important to me.

How did you find this property? What made you choose it?

The house was already in the family. It was lived in by my husband’s grandparents and was originally a barn on their farm. The amount of space we had was amazing. It’s got a big garden that looks onto fields, and a wood at the back. It was a lot to look after so when we bought it, it was a disbelief, and a bit of relief too.

How have you made the property feel like home? What’s the inspiration for your interior decor style?

A complete renovation has truly made it feel like home! I take a lot of inspiration from Instagram interior accounts.

My dad is also good at DIY so I watched him. It’s just ingrained in me to give it a go. You just go on YouTube and look it up if you’re stuck. I always think, what’s the worst thing that can happen?

I also buy a lot second-hand. I’m conscious of waste and our throw-away culture. I do get offered a lot of furniture, but I don’t take it unless I need it. Second-hand adds history and lasts for me.

When it comes to design choices, I don’t have a system – I just think: “Do I like it and is there a place for it to go?” These days I’m more adventurous with colour, moving from greys to neutrals and greens. I would describe my home as classic with a modern twist.

I guess you could call it modern country style. It’s not hugely traditional but has touches of a traditional English home. There’s even an original fireplace from when it was a barn – I’m not sure why a barn needed a fireplace – and we have a stable door too.

What’s your favourite room and why?

My favourite room is definitely the kitchen living space, we spend most of our time in this room and rarely use the living room.

It’s big enough to have the whole family in without feeling cramped, and it’s lovely and light due to the bifold doors and roof lantern. I love panelling – it adds character, and a lot of that was ripped out of the barn, which was a shame.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

I would love an extra bedroom upstairs and more storage, but otherwise, yes. 

Do you have plans to change the property?

I have a bathroom renovation that I’m planning. We have a tiny bath that needs to be replaced with a shower. I’ll also be reworking the garden this summer with an outdoor kitchen.

Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with?

As an old property, there’s always something, from leaks to animals getting in.

What do you want people to know about buying a home?

If you have the option to save for a deposit by living with family, it’s a great way to reduce the mortgage.

What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term? 

I’m always on the lookout for the next project, but this definitely feels like home. It would need to be a very special property to get us to move.

Shall we take a look around?

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Would you dare to paint your dining room neon green? What about pop a bathtub in the garden? Maybe you’re a DIY genius who can transform your kitchen for under £1,000?

If you’ve got a knack for interior design, it’s time to put your talent in the spotlight.

In partnership with Metro, the ufurnish.com Home Awards 2025 are launching today, showcasing the homeowners, influencers, innovators, retailers and manufacturers transforming living spaces across the UK.

Last year’s winners included artist Daniel Bland and his Wonderland-esque hallway, and interior designer Sally Wort, whose yellow-drenched back garden, gave us us some serious interiors (or, rather, exteriors) envy.

From jaw-dropping before-and-after renovations to effortlessly stylish spaces on a budget, the awards recognise outstanding talent across 20 categories covering interiors, gardens, furniture innovation and home accessories.

Whether you’re adept with a drill, a keen gardener, or simply enjoy a good home makeover, this is your chance to open the door to your unique home.

Need some inspo? We’ve rounded up nine winners from last year’s awards to get those creative juices flowing.

Or at the very least, it’s a page of very pretty homes, which we love all the same.

Best dining room

Anna Jacobs (@AnnaLyseJacobs) wanted the dining room in her rental flat to look organic while exuding a New York loft-style edginess.

She utilised turquoise green lampshades from IKEA to soften the bright green paint and upcycled the dining table she was given by her landlord with black marble paint, saving it from the dump.

The end result? A ‘delicious’ space to eat in. We can’t disagree. Feast your eyes on that!

Best hallway

Daniel Bland’s (@BlandDesign) moody hallway is something we’d never get tired of looking at. Look at that painstakingly hand-painted checkerboard tile effect floor, how the glossy black paint on the bannister and stairs bounces off light, the gallery wall leaning up to the ceiling utilising unused space and guiding the eye. Those crystal-like pendant lights are sculptures within themselves.

Best garden

Sally Wort’s (@SallyDoesSassy) garden makes us happy with its playfulness. From the bright yellow table cloth on the picnic bench, to the disco balls hanging from above, novelty lettuce bowls, leopard print going from inside to outside and the waterproof covering ensuring that nothing gets wet, this is the perfect setting for a summer garden party.

Best interior Instagram

There’s a frame in Hannah Clarke’s (@Little_Edwardian_Semi) living room that says: ‘Yes Oui’. Yes to what? We can only assume DIY, colour, pattern and life, of course!

Even better is that Hannah’s tutorial-filled Instagram encourages many to embrace her brand of colourful maximalism and to create visually exciting and budget-friendly spaces of your own.

Best nursery and children’s bedroom

Augustine Atobatele’s children’s room (@Studio_Augustine) is as beautiful as it is functional. Part-sleep space, part-play space, and filled with hidden storage. Did you notice the subtle nod to Spiderman with the spider-web climbing frame built into the bed?

Best on a budget

Claire Douglas (@ClaireDouglasStyling) proves that bespoke and stylish can be budget-friendly. Claire kitted out a chic home by scouring Facebook marketplace for rare finds, foraging for branches and buying home accessories from charity shops, showing home styling on a shoestring budget doesn’t need to be boring.

Best living room

Glen Handley’s (@Inside.Number.Twelve) space showcases both glamour and earthy charm. Soft, textured furnishings, like the rust-checkered rug, enhance the cosy vibe, while the earthenware and cacti usher in more natural elements. The gallery wall and dripping gold paint coffee table add an artistic touch, and the sea green sofa ties it all together.

Best bedroom

You’d never believe it, but this cozy guest room designed by Rachel Byrne (@RaysMoneyPit) was once a garage. Now a sanctuary of rest, the calming green walls set a serene tone while pops of color add vibrancy and warmth.

Best bathroom

The bathroom is often considered an after-thought when it comes to decorating, which can lead to a lack of personal touches, outdated aesthetics and an overall less inviting space.

Not Nikki Shore’s (@Weeny_Victorian_House_In_Ware) art-deco, forest-inspired ensuite. This green and pink oasis proves the power a little pizzazz can bring to a room, no matter the area of your house.

Get involved

Do you have a stunning home transformation to share? Or do you love discovering beautiful interiors?

Whether you’re an entrant or a design enthusiast, this is your chance to celebrate the best in British home design, and vote for your favourite spaces in the Public Vote Category.

‘I’m thrilled to be partnering with Ufurnish for their awards,’ Metro’s editor-in-chief, Deborah Arthurs, said as the 2025 entries opened. ‘Ufurnish brings a fresh, innovative approach to the world of furniture and design and is a great fit for Metro and our audience, who are incredibly engaged with our interiors content and loyal readers of our successful Homes & Property sections. Our readers are always looking for new ideas and, as we expand our 360 coverage across all our platforms, we’re excited to bring them even more of what they love.’

Meet the judges

Deborah Arthurs – Editor-in-Chief of Metro and home & interiors enthusiast.

Barbara Chandler – One of the UK’s most respected interior journalists.

Roddy Clarke – Design writer for The Financial Times and Forbes

Max McMurdo – TV presenter, author and Dr of Sustainable Design

Eva Sonaike – Luxury homeware designer

Jayne Dowle – Award-winning homes and gardens journalist

Nicki Bamford-Bowes – Interior and furniture designer and BBC’s Interior Design Masters contestant

Deirdre McGettrick – Founder of interior technology platform ufurnish.com and founder of the ufurnish.com Home Awards.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Always fancied renovating a house but don’t want the price tag that comes with it? Well, the Irish government might be able to help you.

A 2023 policy means that thanks to funding from the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, people are being paid up to €84,000 (£69,650) to buy abandoned houses on offshore islands.

The funds go towards refurbishing the non-occupied, derelict properties, with 23 qualifying islands to choose from.

With a combined population of a mere 2,734, you can be pretty certain that your noisy hammering and drilling won’t cause much of a disturbance in these parts.

The grant aims to welcome more inhabitants to the islands and increase housing quality, as well as better access to health and education services.

Make no mistake, though: these run-down properties will need far more than a lick of paint. To be eligible for a sizeable pot of cash, people must be willing to purchase a building constructed no later than 2007.

The property also needs to have been vacant for at least two years.

So, it might make for a lengthy process (or a great Grand Designs episode) should you be tempted to make the move and switch your everyday hustle for more remote surroundings.

It remains unknown how many people are looking to take on the renovation challenge specifically, but the scheme itself has received over 10,000 applications. So far, 6,713 of these have been approved.

This will see people tackle projects ranging from old church ruins on rocky hilltops to deserted cottages in quaint villages.

How to qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

The Irish government states that to qualify for the grant, you must:

• Have proof of ownership or evidence of active negotiations to buy the property in question. This includes evidence of engaging with an estate agent or the property’s owner in which you are seeking approval in principle for a grant
• Live in the property as your principal private residence or make it available for rent
• Be able to prove that the property you are interested in has been vacant for two years at minimum and that it was built before, or including, 2007.

You will also need to provide the necessary documentation. This includes an independent report confirming the property is structurally unsound and dangerous, or confirmation that it is on the Derelict Sites Register.

The local authority might request additional documents while processing your application.

They are likely to prioritise applications in areas where the level of home vacancy or dereliction is high.

Which properties are eligible?

The grant covers vacant properties in ‘cities, towns, villages’ and rural parts of the country.

As for the qualifying islands, these include five in the county of Donegal: Árainn Mhór, Inis Bó Finne, Toraigh, Gabhla, and Inis Mhic and Doirn.

The latter, Doirn, had a population of just one single person in 2011. But by 2016, it had grown…to five.

Coney, an island in Sligo, qualifies, as do six islands in Mayo. These are: Clare Island, Inis Bigil, Collanmore, Inishlyre, Inisturk, and Clynish.

Galway has four qualifying islands: Inishbofin, Árainn (Inis Mór), Inis Oírr, and Inis Meáin.

Finally, Cork completes the list with Bere, Cléire, Dursey, Heir, Long, Sherkin, and Whiddy.

How much money could you receive?

Should your application be successful, you could receive thousands to put towards the creation of your new life.

The highest amount available is just under £70,000, which would certainly take the pressure off funding a renovation in the rural landscape.

However, the standard Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant offers up to €50,000.

Ultimately, it depends on the magnitude of the renovation you’re willing to take on, as the more derelict properties – AKA the ones desperately in need of new life – can fetch you more, meaning you have a greater chance of restoring it fully.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

From the outside, the detached three-bed 1950s home in suburban Cheltenham looks like the rest on the street. But as you walk through the front door, things are a little different.

There’s no TV on the walls, no sofa in the sitting room, and upstairs, the primary bedroom contains only a settee, wardrobe and lots of floor space.

That’s because since 2020, Phil Campbell and his wife Kathy Farmer, both 64, have spent nearly every night sleeping in a ‘treehouse’ at the bottom of their garden.

Their nighttime routine starts early; instead of slouching on the sofa watching Netflix after dinner, they light a fire in their living room, sit on the floor because it’s good for the spine, chat and listen to music, and then around 8pm, Phil makes his way down to the bottom of the garden, ‘lighting the path’ for Kathy and warming up the bed, ‘like a human electric blanket’. She joins him an hour or so later and they both fall asleep in minutes.

Sleeping under the stars was Kathy’s idea in response to the pandemic; they’d heard they should get as much fresh air as possible to protect themselves from the virus, so they put a camping bed in the treehouse and in June began their nighttime adventure.

Kathy explains: ‘At first we did think – what if we get hypothermia and don’t wake up in the morning. But then we just thought “Oh well”.’

‘We decided we’d sleep out until Christmas Eve. But the 24th came and went and we decided to do it a bit longer,’ Phil adds. ‘Everyone asked what was wrong with us, but there’s nothing wrong! We’re stepping back into nature. The dog sleeps in the house, though. It’s the most expensive kennel in Cheltenham. She gets too excited at night otherwise, guarding, and getting on and off the bed.’

The only time the couple have slept inside is when they are taking care of their baby granddaughter overnight.

Their outdoor bedroom is a lovely spot, despite the fact that it is open to the elements on two sides. Even in the cold depths of winter, their snug fairy-light adorned treehouse is welcoming. Phil and Kathy are lulled to sleep by the babble of the river that runs along the foot of their garden and the sound of the wind in the trees, and are woken by the dawn chorus.

They never need an alarm clock and every morning they get up feeling rested and replenished. (Although Phil does sometimes wake as early as 3am so they have a little moonlight chat before Kathy drifts back off to sleep.)

‘It’s amazing to wake up to the sounds of nature. You see the squirrels chasing each other and baby deer playing,’ Phil says.

Kathy describes sleeping at the bottom of the garden as a nightly ‘mini holiday’ because away from the house they can let go of the cares and chaos of the day and immerse themselves in deep rest.

‘It’s improved our sleep patterns and given us more energy. But most importantly for me, it gets rid of agitation and repetitive thoughts,’ she explains. ‘The things that I used to think about have just gone. I used to be terrible for going round and round stuff. Now, things that used to bother me, I just breathe them off. I think it’s the fresh air – the extra oxygen. You just leave everything in the house.’

Their unique nocturnal arrangement came out of a period of illness for Phil. He’d had sepsis, metabolic syndrome, at 22 stone, was overweight. Then, in 2020 he was donating blood when tests revealed he had polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer that causes the bone marrow to produce too many red blood cells. He was surprised but unruffled; apart from a number of nosebleeds, he had no symptoms.

‘Producing too many red blood cells can be dangerous – it can lead to heart attack, stroke, death. But you have to be positive with things like that. I’m a very upbeat person. The body receives what the mind believes. I just didn’t take it on board,’ he explains.

He was told to have therapeutic phlebotomies, whereby the blood would be drained off regularly, possibly for the rest of his life. Meanwhile, he and Cathy had already been making lifestyle changes; breathwork and meditation, but they started sleeping outside and doing lots of cold water therapy; ice baths, cold showers and wild swimming in local lakes, and they trained as Wim Hof Method instructors.

Phil remembers: ‘I was needing the therapeutic phlebotomies every two weeks, then four, then six. It was going down and down. The doctor said, “whatever you’re doing, keep doing it”. Then, on July 9 two years ago, I was out for a birthday lunch with my daughters and the consultant haematologist called to tell me the cancer had gone completely.

‘I returned to the table and told the girls: “Great news. I haven’t got cancer anymore.” They said: “What cancer?” and the table erupted. I hadn’t told them because I needed to deal with it on my own. But I had a positive mindset.’

Phil is no longer in treatment and he attributes his miraculous recovery to his lifestyle. ‘I am fitter and healthier now at 64 than I was at 50. Around us, we see people going backwards and breaking down, but we’re not’, he explains. Two of the friends he made during treatment passed away.

Cathy has also lost three stone since they adopted their alternative lifestyle. She barely changed her diet, apart from forgoing cream and coconut oil, and she believes breath work has helped the melt the excess away.

‘When you talk to people our age, they talk about retirement, what pills they are on, death and wills,’ Phil says, laughing. ‘And you think – wow. What’s that about? All we want to do is have fun.’ 

The pair, who have five children between them, are indeed young at heart. Quick to laugh and full of levity, their unconventional lifestyle has confounded friends and family – who have proven to be the beneficiaries.

Phil explains: ‘Nine years ago they bought a big TV with 600 channels. I was so excited! I set it up, flicked through them and thought – there’s nothing I want to watch. So I took it off the wall and gave it away to my son.’ And Kathy’s daughter now owns their bed.

When Metro asks if they slept in the treehouse during the 60mph winds of Storm Darragh that hit just before Christmas, they reply that they don’t know the names of the storms because they don’t watch or read the news – but yes they did. And it was toasty. 

The cold exposure means their bodies have adapted and they don’t feel chilly all winter unlike the rest of us. Phil, for instance, gave up wearing shoes years ago. ‘You feel better for it,’ he says simply.

While Kathy insists he wear them while walking the dog so she doesn’t have to deal with muddy footprints in the house, he goes to the supermarket, restaurants and even London barefoot. And during their chat to Metro on a grey midwinter day, they sit happily in t-shirts, cradling a mug of ceremonial cacao. (Delicious).

They set up their branchy boudoir through trial and error. After a few soggy nights they abandoned the camp bed and built a platform from pallets and a mattress towards the back of the treehouse to keep them dry before adding a sheepskin to keep the rising damp and cold at bay. The coolest nighttime temperature they have experienced was -12, but they were unaffected.

Kathy explains: ‘People say, “Oh don’t you get cold?” But there’s nothing to stop us walking back up to the house. We’re not idiots.’

What about the nighttime micturition? Phil has a bottle and Kathy either returns to the house or does a nature wee. They wake refreshed and do meditation and breathwork in bed while Phil gets Kathy a coffee. And then they get on with their day, running their breathing workshops and cold water therapy business Tribal Breath.

‘We don’t take our lifestyle too seriously; we’re just having a barrel of fun with it. We don’t try and force it on anyone else. It’s just a good laugh,’ Kathy says. They love doing the Five Tibetan Rites (yoga-like exercises) In the fields in the early morning, Phil topless and Kathy in a sports bra, and on holidays in the UK they enjoy skinny dipping when no-one else is around, although they call it ‘chunky dunking’.

Will they ever return to the comforts of a domestic bedroom? Or will they still be sleeping under the stars in their nineties? Yes – they both nod. ‘Someone will tell us we have to come inside. But they will come and get us, I expect,’ Cathy says. ‘Maybe it will be the men in white coats,’ Phil adds. 

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January is here and with it comes the winter chill, which has me struggling to leave my bed, let alone my home, to brave the cold temperatures outside. 

I have been clutching at my hot water bottle, layering my thermals underneath every knitwear I own, and blasting the central heating. But, there has been one winter saviour that has piqued my interest – a heated electric blanket. 

Dunelm has launched an unmissable winter sale, and the Cosy & Warm Electric Blanket has been included in the offer. 

The Cosy & Warm Electric Blanket has been reduced by 30%.  It is available in three sizes, including single, double and king size, which vary in price, but are all reduced. The single electric blanket has been reduced from £22 down to £15.40, the double size version has been slashed from £30 to £21, and the largest king size now fetches £23.80 reduced from £34. 

Cosy & Warm Electric Blanket

Whether you layer under the duvet, or on top, an electric blanket is a popular choice to warm the bed before you get in and keep the chill at bay. Available in three sizes, the electric blanket features three adjustable settings to control the temperature to suit your needs and comfort.The blanket is also fitted with elasticated straps to secure to the bed. Plus, it is machine washable.

BUY NOW FOR £21 (WAS £30)

Dunelm’s Cosy & Warm Electric Blanket is ultra soft, durable, and practical for the cold weather. 

The blanket has been crafted from ultra soft polyester, which cushions the heating device inside. It is accompanied with a remote control that offers three adjustable heat settings you can control with ease to suit your preference. Rest assured mine will be on maximum heat. 

Dunelm has thought of every minute detail as this electric blanket also features elasticated straps so you can hook to the corners of your mattress to keep it in place and evenly warm your bed. 

The blanket is available in three sizes; the single measures 65cm x 135cm, the double spans 120cm x 135 cm, while the king size version spans 142cm x 150cm. 

The best part isn’t just the fact the electric blanket is on sale, but it is machine washable, which makes it super easy to clean.  However, it is not safe for tumble drying. 

Just in case you need a little convincing, maybe the fact this Dunelm buy has garnered glowing reviews from shoppers, and has even been hailed a ‘life saver’ in the winter will hone the point this is a winter essential not to be missed. 

One review read: ‘Keeps me lovely and warm during this cold weather, heats up very quickly.’

While another customer gushed: ‘This product has proven above and beyond for me it’s a life saver as I can’t stand it bare of getting into a stone cold bed when I’m ready to sleep.’

A separate shopper added: ‘Great blanket, warms up quickly, easy to fit to bed and stays put all night. Controls are also easy to use.’

It’s unknown how long the offer will last, but one thing is for sure – you will want to shop quickly to snap up this bargain buy before it’s too late.

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If you want a home that says ’emo’s not just a phase, it’s a lifestyle,’ then boy do we have the place for you.

On sale for a guide price of £195,000, this West Lothian semi-detached property comprises three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a good-sized kitchen and living space, and a large garden with shed and garage storage space.

But its decor is something of an acquired taste, following a theme described by one Redditor as ‘disco goth’.

Alongside an all-black exterior, the inside of the home features metallic purple and black paint throughout, alongside high-shine black ceiling and wall panels and an especially impactful black glitter kitchen.

This bold look has prompted visceral reactions online, with the listing posted numerous times on the r/SpottedOnRightmove subreddit.

‘This might actually be the worst thing I’ve ever seen,’ commented Memes_Haram. ‘Genuinely looks like if the Addams Family’s house was remade on the Sims by a goth teenager taking inspo from emo Tumblr pages.’

Another user, swapacoinforafish, wrote ‘I would feel so claustrophobic living here,’ and El_Rompido called it a ‘nightmare’.

‘You can’t deny they weren’t 100% committed to the vision,’ added CorduroyMcTweed ‘It’s just that the vision was “someone assassinated Tim Burton with a glitter bomb”.’

Others questioned the numerous fire extinguishers in the garden, along with the fact two of the home’s bedrooms were decorated in a more traditional style, with white walls and wood furniture.

‘Where the “normal” rooms are the work of the rebellious teenager,’ joked Consistent-Salary-35.

There were some who had a much more favourable opinion though, including Disastrous_Candle589 who wrote: ‘Loving this. If this was for sale near me I would definitely be going round for a viewing. Not sure if my husband would be able to drag me out though.’

‘Good on them. Better than bloody grey ffs,’ commented rinkydinkmink, while SmallCatBigMeow said: ‘That is a lot of house for less than £200k. Nice little project for someone.’

They could be right too, as the listing notes that comparable houses in the same Broxburn neighbourhood have recently fetched between £245,000 and £276,622.

Prime Property Auctions also claims it has a ‘great yield potential’ for landlords of between 7% and 8%, in part thanks to its ‘prime location’, in easy reach of Livingston and Edinburgh.

Yet whether you plan on moving in or renting it out, you haven’t got long to place your bid.

The deadline for immediate offers via the Prime Property Auctions website is 5pm today (January 16, 2025) and this will be followed by an ‘upcoming timed online auction’ which requires a previously-created account.

It’s safe to say this house isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’ll be one bidder’s shot of dark rum with a purple rain chaser. Could it be you?

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My late father used to say, ‘a place for everything and everything in its place,’ delivered with great irony because A) he was the messiest person I’ve known and B) totally comfortable with it. 

 It must be in the DNA as I am messy too. But unlike Dad it stresses me out and brings me down.  

As neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart writes in her bestselling book The Source, ‘our physical environment plays a major part in maintaining our mood, perspective and stress levels… a space to recover from stresses and worries.’  However. My home is making me stressed and worried. 

This contrasts with my work life where I am ‘obnoxiously organised’ as a friend once complimented me, but like many of us I simply have Too Much Stuff; my wardrobe is so crammed I can’t see what clothes I have, as for the floordrobe think changing rooms on the first day of Primark’s sale.  

When I try to tidy my one-bedroom London flat – of which I’m very well aware I am very lucky to have – I create more chaos and during my attempts at decluttering I get overwhelmed and throw my toys out of the proverbial pram into the ‘utility cupboard’ aka dumping ground.

It also makes for a joyless cycle as I have ADHD and there are links between this and mess – but whatever the medical evidence, I find is hard to accept that I could do with a hand. Until now…

I need help

It’s a cold and grey Monday morning and my bed is covered with every bag I possess in order of size from holdalls to evening purses. 

There has not been a moment of self-enlightenment – in desperation I have called in the founders of the professional home organisation and decluttering company Ever So Organised (ESO).

Created by friends Nancy Lightfoot, a former estate agent and Susannah Kirby-Green, previously a marketing director, together they know a thing or two about presentation not to mention organisation and speak fluent storage solutions, a language that make my stomach flip with joy.  

As members of the Association of Professional Declutterers & Organisers, the dynamic duo is here to spend two days decluttering, sorting out my bedroom, bathroom and sitting room which includes my chaotic utility cupboard.  

Three weeks previously they visited me for a consultation from their Richmond base. ‘We always meet the client first because they have to trust us and we know we can work together,’ Susannah tells me over coffee.

‘Our USP is that we really get to know our clients and understand them, which informs us where everything should live. We know how very personal this service is, so you don’t want us rooting around your underwear if you don’t like us’. And this is before she has seen my drawers, if you will excuse the pun.   

‘Our job is to not make you get rid of things, we create space and sustainable systems that enhance your home.’ This is important to me as I have thrown things away only to regret it so working together is vital. 

‘It’s better if clients are with us at least some or better all of the time while we work so they can say what they want to keep, what to give to a chosen charity that we will find for you and what should go to the tip,’ Nancy adds. That’s another part of the service; they take everything with them even paperwork that needs secure shredding.  

Sobbing for storage solutions 

I want my flat to be the home I want to live in, but it makes me feel guilty and even grubby (to be clear, the flat is not) and I burst into tears of frustration and also relief that I’m getting professional help. ‘Everyone cries at least once because it’s an emotional transformative process and most clients call us in because they feel overwhelmed. But your home should serve and support you,’ says Nancy as she hands me kitchen roll (note to self, buy Kleenex and tissue holders).

As the pair walk around they talk about what they could do with me and my flat. Nancy and Susannah spin around with tape-measures even photographing my sitting room in 3-D to measure how my furniture can be rearranged and areas enhanced. I’m super excited – but who wouldn’t be at the mention of a present wrapping station? 

Two days later I receive a very detailed and, importantly, non-judgemental email brief about creating ‘a haven to make Beatrice feel more at home by creating sustainable and maintain systems that she can manage herself to support and enhance her life.’ I love the sound of this, especially as. ESO provide a short shopping list from slimline coat hangers to storage solutions that they have measured for.

Bag Lady 

Back to the bed of bags and three weeks after their initial visit, Nancy and Susannah are hard at the bedroom edit which is why I find myself discovering I have 62 bags. 62! Who needs that many?  Look, if SJP has a thing about shoes, I have it about bags. We whittle them down to 40 as those 22 I rarely use if at all. 40 seems reasonable to me – everyone has their ‘thing’.

Stats show that on average we wear less than 30% of our clothes and they have bought a clothes rail with them and hang up every item which means I can really assess what I have.

However having asked for it all my clothes to be clean down to pants and socks, naturally my disloyal washing machine conks out the evening before so I’m hotfooting it to the laundrette a couple of times and actually it’s good to have the break it’s quite emotional; every item of clothing has a story behind it if you think about when, where and the circumstances you purchased it.  

The piles I have to make are: keep, charity, recycle and for the dump – and also have a think. They don’t want me to regret throwing things out and will keep the bags for a day at one of their homes in case I realise I have made a mistake. I don’t.

Cleaning the dusty wardrobe as they go, I’m encouraged to try on clothes that are question marks, re-discover some new/old best-friends, such as a pink poncho bought 20 years ago, while there is a lot for charity. Some Theory bootcut trousers which went out of favour but are coming back (on me at least) so I hang onto them while my Lockdown jeans and sweatshirts don’t have happy memories and are knackered anyway. A couple of things I will eBay, though Nancy makes a salient point to be mindful of how much time it will take for what profit.  

Heavenly narrow hangers 

Clothes are then divided up and there is room to for everything that can be hanged  – trousers, t-shirts, jackets etc – go on slimline wooden hangers that, believe me, will change your life. I didn’t even know they existed and I’m now ‘hooked’ on The Hanger Store and I order 100 (£114.00).   

Susannah is hard at work teaching me how to fold my jumpers – she even has a clothes folding board from Amazon £8.97 – and instead of piles they are stacked horizontally so I can see what I have from above when I open the drawer. As for the grey socks and old knickers – I don’t need so many so keep the better looking items, the rest in the bin. 

The label maker is hard at work labelling the drawers with what goes where, circular labels divide the clothes into sections such as short sleaved t-shirts and long sleave and in the hallway debris to be taken away is piling up. 

In the open shelves, labelled elegant grey laundry boxes from Amazon (£25.98) are brilliant for things that can be hidden away such as hair electricals and also a memories box with old passports and, finally, a place for dad’s cap.    

That, along with sorting my sheets stored in A Place for Everything adapted plastic freezer units because they fit the measurements and are transparent (I’ve heard of losing socks but where have my matching pillowcases gone?) has taken a day, and they haven’t stopped working. Given I’ve done 25,000 steps, I would estimate Nancy and Susannah have done double. I wave them off with a packed SUV full of my detritus. 

And now for the rest of the place…  

Tuesday at 8am and it’s time to sort the rest of the flat. Nancy is ‘dressing’ my sitting room using her estate agent skills to move furniture and removed some items into the bedroom plus used some throws over the grotty sofa cushions.

Meanwhile, Susannah and I clear my desk and create spaces so I can actually find my work essentials and get rid of a load of paperwork which on my own was too overwhelming to go through. Oh the relief of getting rid of it all; with Susannah questioning if I need this or that I can be decisive rather than distracted. 

Much is thrown out of the utility cupboard in the sitting room and the present wrapping station – something I’ve always coveted, and not just for Christmas – looks like a two-sided hanging garment bag with all sorts of clever storage for ribbons.

In the bathroom the cleaning materials are cleaned out and for my beauty products, just as in my bedroom, plastic containers mean that I can find anything quickly (I also throw away a lot of out-of-date products) and shelves lined. My bathroom, as they say in women’s magazines ‘should feel like a sanctuary’ and now it does.

By 6pm we’re done and I offer Nancy and Susannah a much needed glass of wine – they have worked so hard and I am not only grateful and delighted but I feel like I have lost ten pounds and they tell me my shoulders have physically dropped. 

When they leave, I can’t stop smiling as I walk around seeing the transformation.

I feel confident I can keep up all their hard work too, as they have turned my illogical management into logic and I know where to put things, it all makes sense for once – plus, I know the team offer a free follow up hour when you need it. 

Has it worked? 

Two months on, I am happy to report that I am still managing to keep it up – although, admittedly, I still have to push myself, but I do feel much better when I do. 

I also find it hard to believe that Nancy and Susannah have changed my life in two days, removing so much emotional backage as well transforming my flat from home sad mess to home sweet home and a much happier me.

Yet it’s not cheap with the two days around £2,000 but it’s as good as having my flat redecorated. 

My concentration has become more focused not distracted by the thought of the washing that needs folding, I do it right away plus I’ve rediscovered clothes I had forgotten about.  Ever So Organised have given me the best start to 2025.  Any regrets? Simply not doing it before.

Ever So Organised charge £120 per hour with both Nancy and Susannah decluttering with a minimum of four hours and a free follow up hour three to six months later. Additionally, £40 per trip to dispose of items to the dump, recycling  and charity. For more information click here.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Claie.Wilson@metro.co.uk 

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We’ve all watchedGrand Designs or Homes Under the Hammer and fantasised about transforming a run-down property into a dream home (or selling it for twice the price).

With the average price of a UK home hitting record highs of £293,999, it makes a lot of sense – these older properties can appear like a cost-effective route to home ownership. 

But with mortgage rates rising and the cost of building materials in the UK increasing by over 40% since the pandemic, the fixer-upper is far from easy, as you’re about to find out.

Like many during lockdown, Becky Lane and her husband Adam were eager to escape London.

‘We spent double our £100,000 budget’

In 2021 ditched the city, and moved into a 1930s bungalow in Surrey with their two children, then aged five and one.

Having already renovated two properties, Becky saw potential in the rural retreat and planned to build a dream home for her family.

But that dream quickly turned into a nightmare. ‘We never signed up for all this drama,’ she tells Metro.

Having previously renovated their London flat making £100,000 in equity, Becky, 38, and Adam, 37, were seasoned house-flippers when they purchased their new home

Excited to start the project, they weren’t initially put off by any issues. ‘It was really old and had mice in the roof,’ Becky explains. ‘There were also carpets in the bathroom and no access to the garden.

‘So many of our friends looked at this house and said they wouldn’t have gone near it because of how much work needed to be done.’

But Becky insists she saw ‘potential’. With their £100,000 budget, they planned to build a ‘simple’ side extension and completely redecorate the downstairs before moving onto the loft space.

Work started on the build in 2022, and the family moved into a separate rental property. But costs soon spiralled as the couple admit they hadn’t considered the restrictions that come with building on the Green Belt.

‘We could have created the bungalow of our dreams if there weren’t so many rules and regulations,’ she said.

‘We thought we could do a side and back extension so we could have a good size bathroom, kitchen, another bedroom for the kids, and access to the garden.

‘But because of the Green Belt, there were so many rules and regulations even down to the type of dormer roof, and we weren’t allowed a porch.’

They ended up having to knock the entire house down, leaving just three walls standing. Unable to afford to pay rent on a separate property, they were forced to live among the chaos.

They converted the garage into a makeshift living and kitchen area, slept in a small static caravan, and used a Portaloo for five months, from August to December.

‘We had to trudge through sand and dirt to be able to go into the garage of an evening. It was so cold and you couldn’t see anything, so at night time we had to have lights on our heads,’ she said. 

‘We kept the kids warm, but my husband and I ended up getting chilblains on our feet.’

They also had to sacrifice plenty during their renovation. The family didn’t go on holiday for two years, couldn’t afford dinners out and had to save on costs by buying materials second-hand and sourcing products on Facebook Marketplace.

When the house was liveable, they moved in, but Becky says it was still a ‘shell’, adding: ‘All they had done is plastered the walls, so we had to live among the builders.’

Becky described the last few years as a ‘challenge’ and admits they’ve spent double their £100,000 budget.

But she adds: ‘To get the house you desire in this financial climate, what else are you going to do? This is what people have to do now to try and get the property they want.’

Although she’s ‘happy where they are now’, Becky will have to wait until the new year to save up even more money to add the finishing touches to her home.

Follow Becky and Adam’s progress on Instagram @house.of.lane. 

‘I wish we hadn’t bought it’

Cassandra Davis, 34, and her husband Rikki, 37, also purchased a 1930s bungalow that they hoped to turn into an idyllic family home.

The property in Berkshire was in a quiet neighbourhood, with spacious rooms, perfect for their daughter, then five.

But just a few months after moving in 2018, Cassandra learnt she was pregnant. ‘We’d been trying for three years and had pretty much given up on having a child altogether,’ she says.

While it was a happy surprise, Cassandra admits that it became ‘impossible to renovate around a newborn’. 

Then, four months after their second daughter was born, Covid hit. Any renovation plans the pair had were halted. While Cassandra says it was ‘livable’, she explains they needed a new bathroom, new kitchen and new electrics.

The couple shifted their focus to decorating to try and make the space more ‘homely’, but even then, Cassandra says every project turned into ‘something bigger and unexpected’. She says: ‘Even trying to strip the wallpaper in the nursery turned into us having to re-plaster the whole room first.’

Their boiler broke down twice, there was an oil leak, a mains water leak, and their central heating power flushed – a deep cleaning process which removes dirt, rust and debris from their boiler, pipes and radiators.

So far, they’re down £25,000 – and they haven’t even started the building work yet. 

‘Nothing is straightforward,’ she says. ‘We’ve been here almost six years and in hindsight, I wish we hadn’t bought it.

‘We’re living in a house that seems to have a new problem every week and we’re constantly having to do a quick fix on things.’Just last week the pair have had to hire a plumber after the hot water stopped working in their bathroom.

With two young children, living in the house hasn’t been easy. Cassandra said: ‘I really felt it the worst when the heating stopped working in January 2021 in lockdown. It was absolutely freezing and with two small kids, it was so difficult to keep warm.’ She adds: ‘The fireplace and one electric heater were all we had.’

The pair have been quoted £150,000 for the building work – which includes removing three fireplaces, replacing the roof, adding a side extension and removing an existing garage and shed. The pair were told they need to ‘completely gut it and start again’.

They can’t afford to pay the huge chunk and so are currently in limbo, waiting to borrow the money in three years when their fixed-rate mortgage ends.

The work itself should take a year to complete, so the property won’t be finished until 2028, a decade after they bought it. 

Cassandra said: ‘It’s not the family home that I had pictured and while we couldn’t have predicted Covid, we’ve had so many setbacks that it feels like getting the planning permission and the funds together are getting closer to a pipe dream than a reality.’

Moving out isn’t an option either. Cassandra explained that property prices have ‘skyrocketed’ in their village and they can’t afford to stay there if they sell.

For now, Cassandra’s children are happy and settled, so they’re resigned to stay there. However, she says: ‘We’re still undecided if it’s our forever home.’

‘It’s hard to relax when there’s so much left to do’

Even small spaces can pose big problems. Jenna Rayner, a 36-year-old marketing coordinator from Southampton, bought her doer-upper flat in Eastbourne in October 2022, spending £186,250. 

She said: ‘I’ve always been obsessed with renovation and property shows and had a knack for visualising a space’s potential.’

Jenna explained it was a dream of hers to renovate her own place. So, when she found the flat, it felt like the perfect opportunity to do so. 

She said: ‘I thought I’d just be stripping wallpaper, patching the walls and repainting when I moved in.’ But the project turned out much bigger than she first envisioned. 

She began with an initial budget of £15,000, but far ‘underestimated how much things actually cost’ and has now spent over £22,000. 

She explained: ‘Once I removed the wallpaper, I discovered the plaster on all my exterior walls had blown, which I hadn’t expected at all.

‘It meant I had to learn how to plasterboard, tape and joint walls, which wasn’t originally in the plan.’

One of the biggest challenges for Jenna is living in the renovation itself. ‘It’s hard to relax when there’s so much left to do,’ she said. 

Since ripping out her kitchen, for example, she’s spent the last five months washing up in the bath. 

She’s taken on the bulk of the work primarily by herself and has carried around 200 ‘heavy’ bags of rubble from the top-floor flat down two flights of stairs to the skip.

Despite its challenges, Jenna is still positive about the renovation and predicts it will take another year to complete fully. 

What does she wish she knew before she started? She said: ‘It’s going to take twice as long and cost at least double what you expect. But if you’ve got the determination, it’s worth it in the end to create a space that’s exactly what you want.’

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With 178.5K posts on TikTok, #tinyhomes has long been a fascination in internet culture.

As the housing market becomes increasingly tumultuous, the younger generation is increasingly turning to alternative ways of living to save cash, whether that looks like refurbishing an old canal boat or living in an old VW van.

Married couple Destiny and Brianna DeJesus have gone viral for doing just that.

Branding themselves as ‘2 wives 1 pup in a Tiny Home’, they’ve accumulated 2,660 Instagram followers on @lezgo_tiny, sharing the inside-out of their day-to-day lives living in a tiny home on wheels.

First meeting in 2016, the pair moved into an apartment in Texas together after two years of dating.

However, their rent quickly catapulted, increasing from $740 (£585) to $1,400 (£1,108) in four years. As such, they became increasingly interested in exploring the concept of home ownership.

This, though, proved an expensive option: the pair wanted the flexibility to travel, with Destiny writing in an article with Insider that ‘we weren’t interested in spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to put down roots in a single location.’

And so, their 399-square-foot tiny home on wheels was purchased for $90,000 (£71,230).

But it isn’t as cheap as it seems: taking a loan out to cover the cost of buying outright, the couple will likely be paying almost $100,000 (£79,000) including interest.

‘This price doesn’t include how much we pay to rent the land we park on, utilities and maintenance’, Destiny added, noting that house removal companies can often prove expensive, with the couple having shelled out in excess of $2,000 (£1,582) to move their tiny home from Los Angeles to Portland.

‘Our next move will likely cost us over $8,000 (£6,331) to go from Portland to Texas’, Destiny writes.

Maintaining a tiny home can come with unexpected costs, too. The pair recently had to replace their shower door with a curtain after it randomly shattered.

‘Just another friendly reminder that tiny house living is far from glamorous’, the pair wrote, sharing a video of their floor littered with smashed glass from the shower.

In an attempt to cut costs ahead of another move, the pair opted for a shower curtain as a temporary solution.

In another similar situation, their door suffered from the rainy weather and needed a swift replacement.

‘Bc the house didn’t come with any type of awning, the door is now swelling, causing it to be hard af to close so we purchased an awning from Amazon to help,’ the couple shared in another Instagram post.

But, all in all, Destiny and Brianna are thriving in their tiny home lives. ‘We wouldn’t trade it for any other lifestyle,’ the pair wrote.

‘It’s been one of the most challenging things either one of us has done.

‘Things break and need to be repaired, money has to be spent.

‘But we chose this life, so we’ve dedicated our page to teaching people about the real deal when it comes to going tiny.

‘At the end of the day, we need to see more people of colour in this movement.’

This article was originally published on June 30, 2023.

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The UK property market is hit and miss right now, as although the average time to sell a home sits at 59 days, according to Goodmove, over half of sales take more than 10 months.

This time of year is especially difficult for sellers, with research by Moverly finding that the Autumn months of September, October and November have the longest average time to sell out of all the seasons at 73.3 days.

It’s vital to make your home stand out — especially if you want to get the process sorted by Christmas. But if you’ve already done the usual things (such as getting great pictures and keeping the decor neutral) what else makes a difference?

To work out how you can increase your chances of a quick sale, it makes sense to look at the ones that have cracked the formula already.

On average, 12% of all properties to have been listed in the last 30 days have found a buyer, and Yopa has revealed three unique features that make up a large proportion of this successful group.

So if you want to speed up the process when selling your own home, you’d be wise to follow their lead. 

Breakfast bar

The estate agent’s analysis showed that the most desirable design feature for today’s househunters is a breakfast bar, with 13.6% of all listings from the last month with a breakfast bar already finding a buyer.

Laminam describes this trend as ‘broken plan living,’ with the company’s research and development director, Claudio Corniola, saying it ‘creates a point of difference within a kitchen design while also adding a practical area for food prep, dining, entertaining, socialising and home working.’

If you’re looking at having one put in, estimates from Refresh Renovations put the price of extending an existing kitchen to create a breakfast bar from roughly £250 (not including installation) so it can definitely be done affordably.

Kitchen island

Along the same vein, kitchen islands are proving especially popular; 12.6% of all homes listed in the last month complete with this feature having already sold.

Space is naturally going to be a factor here, but if you have the room, an island is a practical addition that’ll attract buyers galore.

Al Bruce, Founder of Olive & Barr, comments: ‘The island creates a centrepiece in the kitchen, allowing you to utilise it as a workspace and social area where friends and family gravitate throughout the day.

‘A welcome divide in a large open-plan kitchen, an island will anchor a design and draw the eye to where the action takes place. Often a homely and personal area of the kitchen, the island is a place where you can display flowers, arrange your favourite cookbooks, and most importantly entertain and cook.’

High EPC rating

EPCs have been making the headlines once again within the rental sector and it appears as though homebuyers are also prioritising a property’s energy efficiency. 

12.6% of all homes listed in the last month which boast an EPC rating of C or above have already found a buyer — with this level of demand again sitting above the wider market benchmark.

Terry Fisher, property expert at We Buy Any Home says this trend will likely continue, explaining: ‘The government and local councils are pushing for net-zero carbon goals, and buyers are increasingly looking for homes that meet high environmental standards.

‘Homes with low energy ratings will likely see a drop in demand, while eco-certified properties could command premium prices.’

With demand at 11.1% and 10.4% respectively, freestanding baths and doer uppers are also seeing fairly robust levels of buyer demand in the current market, as are wooden beams (9.7%), dressing rooms (9.5%) and high ceilings (9.2%).

At the other end of the table, a pool is the least in demand feature at 5.6%, while large gardens also surprisingly out of fashion with just 7.1% of total stock having already been sold. 

CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, says: ‘It’s important to understand which unique features are enticing buyers and to what end this could help you to sell your home more swiftly or boost the price you can achieve.

‘For example, it’s the smaller, more functional features that are currently resonating with buyers, such as a more usable kitchen space. The chance to reduce their outgoings with a more energy efficient property is also a high priority and this speaks to the fact that whilst the market outlook has improved, many buyers remain restricted due to higher mortgage rates.

‘As a result, more opulent offerings such as swimming pools, large gardens and grade listed features aren’t in high demand, no doubt due to the fact that homes boasting such luxuries are at the higher end of the house price scale and out of reach for most in today’s market.’

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Millennials have become synonymous with avocados, decried as the generation who threw away all their money on buying brunch instead of property.

But those of us do have a home of our own, or indeed rent a place where we can decorate how we wish, millennial-coded interests are seeping in.

That’s because avo green and its lighter counterparts are making their way into young people’s interiors choices, particularly in the bathroom.

Wild sage, lemon, peach, sorbet, mint, and avocado are becoming popular among this cohort, and even Gen Z is now harking back to the tastes popular in the 70s.

According to DIY retailer Wickes, more than a quarter of 24-to-34-year-olds (27%) picked avocado as the colour they would most like to use in a bathroom upgrade, while 28% would go for a pastel blue suite – another popular option during the decade that brought us Watergate, Pong, and disco – and 10% of this age group would like to see 1970s panelling make a comeback.

This retro shade is clearly having a moment, as Pinterest’s Autumn report unveiled a 350% increase in searches of ‘dark green bathroom’ and a whopping 2,670% rise in ‘green home decor’ more generally. But not everyone is pleased.

Commenters on Reddit certainly buying it, with, @Xenozip3371Alpha calling the trend ‘hideous’, adding: ‘It’s diarrhoea green.’

Another, @PmMeLowCarbRecipes, quipped: ‘Young people have stopped buying avocado toast and managed to save up and buy their avocado house’, while a third, @Alundra828, asked: ‘Is there no end to the depths this country will sink?’

Not everyone was a naysayer though, and some enjoy the vintage look.

‘I think it looks really cute,’ wrote @boeingcrashsiteboeingcrashsite. ‘Although I admit I’m a sucker for a kitschy interior’.

Echoing the sentiment, @Dry_Sandwich_860, added: ‘Good. Sick of everything looking like it’s from Ikea’.

According to Tim Richards, Head of Bathrooms at Wickes, although the controversial avocado green shade is making a comeback, it’s not as you once knew it.

He tells Metro: ‘The new trend identified doesn’t mean the return of matching basins and baths: today’s avocado-inspired bathrooms are employing the retro green theme with a much lighter touch, often using coloured furniture, tiles and paint as well as natural elements to channel the 70s vibes.’ 

As with the millennial obsession with house plants (what else can we own, right?), there’s method in the madness, and Tim explains that there’s a deeper reason why this cohort is flocking to these colours.

‘Millennials are seeking a green that reflects peace and nature in the bathroom to give that feel of serenity to help relax after a busy day through use of this modern twist on a 70s classic,’ he explains.

Want to work the trend but don’t want your loo to look like a throwback to your nana’s house?

Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan, British design historian, professor of design history and TV presenter, comments: ‘Like disco, flares and prawn cocktail, there’s nothing that screams the 1970s quite like avocado green bathrooms – and for anyone who lived through the decade, it’s understandable that they don’t particularly fancy seeing it again.

‘Fortunately, this new avocado bathroom trend that’s struck a chord with 20 and 30-somethings is far more subtle. Lighting plays a large part in this, with smart lighting and dimmers to suit every occasion and make what was once a glaringly green room an atmospheric and serene space.’

She also advises mixing colours and textures to make the space ‘warmer, more welcoming, and a reflection of [your] style’, adding: ‘I’m glad brighter colours are staging a comeback. Who wants gloomy grey when a splash of green or blue will lift your spirits?’

Go wild with disco balls, bright shades, bold materials and quirky prints. But perhaps give shag pile carpets a miss in the lavvy; that’s a 70s decor trend best left in the past.

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Whether it’s an oasis of calm, the cornerstone of your daily routine or simply a functional base for the family, your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your house.

Think about it, it contributes not only to the overall health and wellbeing of your family, offering a peaceful and private space for relaxation, but a well-designed space can also increase the value of your home.

That’s all well and good, but getting a new bathroom can be a daunting endeavour, we know. From finding taps that don’t leak, to tiles that are not only stylish but perfectly aligned. Oh, and it all has to remain in budget, too, right? We need a bubble bath soundtracked by panpipes just thinking about it.

Luckily the experts at B&Q are ready to make your bathroom renovation journey a joy and far from a hassle.

B&Q’s expert team wants to help the nation build a better life with ease, making beautiful bathrooms more possible than ever. From the design to the fitting, and with finance options also available, your oasis awaits.

With free design and planning, B&Q’s experts will help you bring your ideas to life – from choosing the right fixtures to making sure it all fits together.  And with a 3D design, you can see exactly how your new bathroom will look in your space. And with approved local tradespeople, you’ll get the expert fitting you can trust.

So the logistics are covered, what about the actual designs? Sorted. The nation’s biggest home improvement retailer has got a cabinet bursting with design inspo, so your bathroom will not only be functional but it’ll also have your dinner guests spreading tales of its style far and wide.

From fluted glass screens to space-saving furniture and an extended range of showers and wetrooms with all the latest tech, such as the Grohe Sensia Arena smart toilet with lights inside the bowl and in-built spray nozzles with adjustable temperatures, to Bluetooth-connected mirrors by Sensio. On-trend features are at the core of B&Q’s new collections from leading brands including Mira, Triton, Sensio, Ideal Standard and Croydex, which combine high-quality materials with thoughtful design. Skilled tradespeople are then on hand to make sure installation is straightforward so you have more time to enjoy your new bathroom.

Need a place to start? These are the bathroom trends to know now.

Country Style

You may want to keep things more on the traditional side when it comes to your bathroom refurb and there are a host of options for a more country cottage style.

Gorgeous claw baths remain on trend, while antique-style fittings and free-standing basins bring a sense of old-school charm to your routine.

Browse the extensive range of wallpapers to add flair, and wood-panelled effect cabinets like GoodHome Perma, Heritage Winterbourne, Ashford and Hayle for clean lines and a more traditional vibe.

Black Bathrooms

Bring a touch of modern luxury to your bathrooms by sticking with darker shades. Black bathrooms have become increasingly popular due to their sleek, modern and sophisticated vibe, breaking away from more traditional trends.

Dip your toe in by adding matt black taps and showers from B&Q’s own exclusive brands and its range of mirrors and accessories, or create a layered dark bathroom by experimenting with dramatic colours, textures and finishes.

Fresh lighting options mean darker bathrooms are anything but dingy, with B&Q’s design team able to create an elegant space that remains functional – from illuminated mirrors to strip lighting in shower shelves, as well as maximising available sources, such as skylights.

Colour Blocking

Say goodbye to the days of blindingly white bathrooms, with a choice of 2.2 million paint colours ready to be brought into your home. Why not even add a bright basin to really bring the trend home?

Be creative with your bathroom by utilising the latest colour-blocking trends and mix and match hues in a way that brings joy with B&Q’s approved installers bringing to life your vision when it comes time to the fit-out.

Blues and pinks (with furniture ranges like Perma and Lismore available in navy and Ashford in pink) beautifully come together on fabulous feature walls, with complementing tiles and furniture continuing the theme. Add a touch of glam with brushed brass fittings for a bathroom that’ll brighten any day.

Make the most of your cloakroom

You may have an unused cloakroom just begging for a new lease on life. Often the smallest room in the house, B&Q’s experts can help you maximize this space and fit a functional bathroom to suit any budget.

The best storage solutions include multi-functional wall-mounted units – combining a mirror, ample storage and even a place to pop your plants – that make the most of limited space without sacrificing style.

This is still a space to let your style and personality thrive, with room for artwork or fanciful wallpaper and tiling solutions, alongside more practical additions such as smaller, efficient towel rails that don’t take up too much space.

From expert knowledge and know-how to professional fitting and finance options, the bathroom you always dreamed of is closer than you’ve ever imagined.

Visit www.diy.com

When Sophie and Matt Holdsworth decided to undertake renovation work on their home, they were initially excited.

They’d saved hard and searched for the best deals to keep their costs down, even selecting their kitchen for their Essex home based on an offer that would allow them three years’ worth of interest-free credit.

They’d bought the property in 2022 knowing that they wanted to modernise it, and, having worked on the plans with an architect for the best part of two years, finally started work in February 2024.

But when the costs started to build beyond what they’d planned for, the stress weighed on their relationship – and, as they were also expecting their first child, they found themselves struggling.

‘Despite our efforts to keep costs down, the build costs ended up being 50% more than had originally been quoted,’ Sophie tells Metro.co.uk.

‘With our baby on the way, costs up and builders in our home longer than expected, tensions were high. The stress and cost of renovating took a toll on our relationship.’

For Sophie and Matt, who are 34 and 33, the biggest stressors were around managing the ever-increasing budget and, as Sophie adds, ’prioritising where to spend big or save, which often took some negotiation as we have different ideas about what’s important.’

When they found out they were expecting a baby, they adapted their renovation plans, adding a porch to make it easier to get a pram into the house alongside a boot and utility room.

’The renovation has made our home more baby-friendly, such as the open plan living [space], which now means we can spend more time together as a family,’ Sophie highlights, noting that while it was stressful, it was ’worth the rush.’

’We also knew it would be more difficult to manage a messy build once the baby was here,’ she adds.

However, the works were originally due to be completed by early May but were pushed back until July – right up until Sophie’s due date.

’The baby arrived five days after the builders left,’ Sophie recalls.

’It made the last few weeks of the pregnancy much more stressful than we would have liked because we were adamant it needed to be finished before the baby arrived.

’Instead of nesting, we were managing tradespeople coming in and out.’

Sophie and Matt aren’t alone. According to new research from Novuna Personal Finance, home renovation work is taking its toll on couples, as almost a fifth (19%) of homeowners said that a home improvement project has made them seriously consider splitting up – or has even resulted in a separation altogether.

As per the study, the most common reasons for domestic disagreements are a lack of storage space (32%), outdated kitchens (27%), and cramped bedrooms (19%), while only two-fifths (39%) of homeowners reported feeling relaxed in their home because of the issues they had with it.

What’s more, 1 in 15 (7%) admitted that renovation-related disagreements were the final straw that ended their relationship.

This is an experience that worsened among Gen Zs and Millennials, as 38% of 25-35-year-olds said that they almost parted ways with their partner during a home makeover, while 18% noted that they were unable to reconcile their differences in this area.

There’s a location element to this stress too, as unsurprisingly, renovations in London are responsible for the greatest deal of heartache, as 39% said that they either almost split up or actually did split up with their partner because of it. By comparison, only 14% of those in the North West said the same.

So, what specific issues are couples coming into difficulty with when renovating? According to Novuna, money is the biggest factor (28%), followed by clashing priorities (19%), while a further 16% admitted that they underestimated how long it would take to complete the work.

However, there’s light at the end of the tunnel as 81% of those who completed renovations (and got through the other side in one piece) believed it was worth it. In fact, 14% stated that they actually had fewer arguments with their spouse post-renovation.  

Fast forward to the present, and Sophie and Matt have managed to make it through the emotional turmoil of revamping their new home – and becoming new parents at the same time.

’We had to keep at the back of our mind that short-term pain and stress would be worth it for our dream family home, which we couldn’t have afforded without buying a project house,’ Sophie reflects, noting that the process was tough, but it was ’absolutely worth it.’

‘We are very happy in our new home and the space definitely feels more harmonious and relaxing as a result of all the hard work.’

Advising other couples going through a similar process who might be struggling, she suggests ironing out the details of costs and timings beforehand and, where possible, making sure to select builders you get along with.

‘It may be chaos for a while,’ Sophie concludes. ‘But it’s so worth it in the end.’

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Depending on how into Disney you are, you’ll either love or hate this unique home.

On the market for £179,950, it looks like a standard semi-detached house from the front.

However, if you head inside this Rhyl property, you’ll instantly be taken on a magic carpet ride of fairies, princesses, lions, enchanted mirrors, and more.

In its listing, marketing agent Elwy writes: ‘We’ve just waved our magic wand and *Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo* we’ve found your happily ever after!’

Its three bedrooms and wealth of outdoor space for entertaining see it described as ‘the perfect place to be our guest,’ while the large open plan living area is said to make you ‘feel like you’re in the happiest place on Earth’ and the master bedroom ‘is perfect for any sleeping beauty’.

Wondering why so many Disney references? You won’t be once you see the interiors.

As soon as you open the front door you’re greeted by candy pink walls covered in Tinkerbell and Magic Kingdom art, and each one of the stairs has a slogan from one of the entertainment conglomerate’s films painted on it.

The living room is Aladdin-themed, featuring floor-to-ceiling murals of Jasmine, Genie, Rajah and the man himself, alongside furniture pieces that transport you to a whole new world of Arabian nights.

Even the kitchen cupboards are bedecked with phrases like ‘hakuna matata’ and ‘just keep swimming’, and a huge, intricate painting of Maleficent covers the second reception room, with the mistress of evil looking ominously over all who enter.

Heading upstairs, one of the home’s bedrooms is pink and filled with Lilo and Stitch merchandise and another is orange and seems to have a more Lion King vibe.

The third isn’t quite as distinctly themed as the rest, but does boast countless retro posters and toys from decades gone by, from Mr Blobby to Stretch Armstrong.

It appears as if an artist currently owns the home (as well as an avid Disney fan) because another impressive mural can be found in the garden, this time of characters like ET, He-Man and Jessica Rabbit.

Reddit users had a lot of thoughts about this bold look, with @MustelaCallida describing it as ‘incredible’ on the Spotted on Rightmove thread.

‘This has to be one of the wildest decorated houses we’ve had on here,’ commented @rw43, while @nobody_dog said: ‘I sort of admire their dedication to it. I mean they’re insane, but I admire it.’

Some people felt it was all a little too much for their tastes, but the artwork itself was widely praised as ‘very creative’.

‘I like it,’ wrote @Maude_VonDayo. ‘Whimsical, light and airy if somewhat monomaniacal.’

Another, @GreenFanta7Sisters, added: ‘Why wouldn’t you decorate like this when you finally get your own house? It’s what most have only dreamt of. I applaud them for making the dream come true.’

There are plenty of other dreamy things about this home too; as well as having no chain, it comes with a big garage and a summer house currently being used as a gym. To add to this, the property is in a great location just a short walk from Rhyl’s beach and promenade.

If your own personal Disney world sounds like your idea of hell, perhaps this isn’t the place for you.

However, if you love nothing more than donning a pair of Mickey ears and spending your weekends having Disney movie marathons, the listing urges you not to ‘miss out on this practically perfect in every way property’ and to make it ‘part of your world.’

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Despite both working full time, Rudi and Lauren Smith found themselves struggling with rent for their £750-a-month home in Leeds when the cost of living crisis hit.

The couple felt trapped as their expenses grew higher, leaving them with less and less disposable income and preventing them from being able to plan for the future.

Alongside the rent, they were forking out £500 on top for bills, with a couple of hundred left each month to live on.

‘It put us in a real hole,’ says Rudi, 27. ‘We thought, “this is no way to live”, so started exploring other routes’ in 2022.

After looking into alternative homes, they decided to make a drastic change, purchasing a 25m by 100m plot of land for £8,000 and a second-hand caravan for £6,000 from a scrapyard.

The ‘tatty’ caravan needed a lot of work to get it up to scratch, with the renovation coming in at a further £2,000.

However, the Leeds pair now live mortgage and rent-free – saving £13,800 each year compared to their previous flat – and now spend less than £100 a month on bills.

Rudi, a stone mason, is also able to put 90% of his salary every month into a joint savings pot, while hospitality worker Lauren’s wages are kept aside for day-to-day outgoings.

‘I have been a lot happier,’ Rudi says of their new lifestyle. ‘There is so much breathing space financially.’

Although the caravan ‘needed updating’ when they bought it, the couple were able to afford nicer materials for the refurbishment – including herringbone wood flooring – due to the small space.

Rudi now says that even though it ‘looks old on the outside,’ it’s ‘lush on the inside’ thanks to the two years of work they put into the transformation.

The land itself was also ‘rough and overgrown’, which they believe is partly why it was ‘super cheap’. But after they managed to tackle the ‘brambles up to 10ft high’, the pair love their remote new abode.

‘Having no neighbours is really nice,’ Rudi comments. ‘The closest house is at least 150m away. We can make as much noise as we want.’

The main bonus though, is the fact it’s allowed them to massively cut their living expenses.

A single gas bottle, which costs £48, can warm the home for around three to four months, and they have solar panels and off-grid electricity fitted for cheap (or free) power in the caravan. With their Wi-Fi bill of £30 a month, their outgoings come to less than £100 all in.

Explaining why they’ve been in ‘militant savings mode’ over the last two years, Rudi says: ‘We’ve got a five year plan; we want to use the money to invest in a motorboat yacht in Spain to then rent out.

‘We want to free ourselves from having to work for other people.’

The couple are now looking forward to travelling in a 16-seater campervan they’ve been renovating on the side, and say they’ve never been happier.

But Rudi highlights it hasn’t all been ‘dreamy’, adding: ‘It’s definitely not been easy. The winters are cold, and it takes a lot of work at the beginning.’

So while a budget-friendly alternative lifestyle like this might seem tempting, it’s clearly not for the faint-hearted – and DIY novices will probably struggle.

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A property owner is struggling to fix the hole in his roof because the building is owned by King Charles.

Peter Batt, 59, has been trying to fix a gaping hole in the roof of his apartment block in Priory Courtyard, Ramsgate for the past six months.

In January 2024, Peter moved out of the flat – which he bought in June 2019 – to live with his partner and rented the flat out to a friend.

As she was renovating it in February, she noticed that water started pouring into the second bedroom and bathroom.

For the past six months, Peter and other leaseholders have been struggling to fix the issue after the found out that the building is owned by the Crown Estate, which the monarch is the head of.

Peter, a journalist from Ludlow, Shropshire, said due to oversight the freehold did not transfer over to the residents’ management company.

He explained: ‘Because the [developer’s] company had been dissolved, and the title wasn’t transferred, the land then officially became ownerless. This means that the residents’ company can’t secure a loan to repair the work.’

RMCs are non-profit firms formed by leasehold residents to look after the management and maintenance of the building they live in.

If they take ownership of the freehold – as was intended to be the case at Priory Courtyard when it was finished in 2007 – it means they have more control over the funding of any structural work.

But the original developer of the site, John Walker, who also owns a flat there and is part of its RMC, says the title was not transferred because of an ‘administrative error.’

He said: ‘What happened was, when we were done with the development and the company was wound up, someone forgot to transfer the freehold to the residents company. It was an administrative error.

‘We discovered that it had been transferred to the Crown about three years ago, but we took advice from solicitors at the time who said it wouldn’t matter as the homes were on a 199-year lease.’

John said: ‘Now, this issue with the roof has come up. We are trying our best to speed things up and get the freehold back, but it is taking some time.’

The building was automatically transferred to the Crown as part of a process called escheat – when ownerless land is passed to the sovereign as ‘lord paramount of all the land in the realm.’

But the Estate is not able to take any action that could be deemed an act of management, possession or ownership – such as fixing a leaking roof – as it may incur liabilities associated with the property.

The RMC at Priory Courtyard is now taking steps through the courts to obtain the freehold to the building.

However the complicated and drawn-out process has left Mr Batt to deal with the ongoing effects of the leaky roof, which mostly impacts his top-floor flat.

Fortunately, he moved out of the property to live with his partner before the hole opened up in February but has a tenant waiting to move in.

Surveyors have determined that the roof needs to be replaced entirely at a cost of about £74,000.

Peter said: ‘This has been a nightmare. For a couple of months at the beginning, I’d spend hours a day emailing people and trying to push them to see what the latest situation is and what their latest strategy was.

‘I got as far as I could with that and then the only way you can deal with it is just to pretend it’s not there. But it’s always there in the background, and in the last month it has started waking me up in the morning.

‘I find myself getting really angry. In all of this, I just felt terrible for my tenant and her daughter. They are living with friends and love this flat, so want to wait to move in.’

The Crown Estate confirmed it acquired the title to Priory Courtyard on November 22, 2017.

It could not comment on any application by the RMC concerning the freehold.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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Having purchased a ‘mouldy’ narrowboat online and renovated it into their dream home, one London-based couple have saved themselves £10,000 a year in rent.

Nancy Kerina and Dale Rankmore, 26 and 32, first met during a ski season in Andorra – but when it was cut short as the pandemic hit, they decided to look at moving in together.

Since they didn’t want to be ‘tied down’ with a mortgage, they started to consider the possibility of renovating a narrowboat – and quickly found one originally built in the 1970s on Facebook Marketplace for £22,000.

They’ve since invested £10,000 in renovations and love the ‘freedom’ that their tiny boat gives them to explore London’s waterways – so much so that they now ‘can’t imagine’ buying a house.

‘We’re so used to the freedom of being able to move if we don’t like somewhere,’ Nancy, who works as a crew member at the Royal Albert Hall, says. ‘It’s benefitted our relationship massively.’

When they first returned to the UK together as the pandemic hit, they moved into Nancy’s family home in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, while they figured out what to do next.

‘We both had a similar mindset. We wanted to live in an abnormal way,’ Nancy reflects, adding that they knew they ‘didn’t want to live with mortgages.’

As they started to research tiny homes, Nancy’s stepdad told them about the narrowboat community – and they were instantly ‘obsessed.’

‘On the financial side of things – we couldn’t afford to get a house. It was a cheaper way of doing things,’ Dale, who works in stage management and is originally from Cardiff, adds.

They finalised buying their chosen boat in September 2020 – which was stationed in Bath at the time – and began renovating it while moving to London.

But it didn’t come in great condition, as it was both damp and mouldy.

‘We took it apart to the steel…we were living on the boat with nothing but an airbed,’ Dale says.

Over the last three years, the pair have scraped together as much cash as possible for the renovations, completing as much as possible themselves.

‘It wasn’t all perfect, [but] we appreciate it so much now,’ Nancy reflects.

Their savings are notable, spending £100 per month for a cruiser license – which means they need to move from their spot along the canal every two weeks, and have to travel at least 20 miles out before they return to the same spot.

And though it was a little cold when they first started renovating it, now they’ve got a log burner on board, it’s nice and cosy. Between November and March, they spend £150 on this cost, and have also invested £1,000 in solar panels to save on electricity.

Meanwhile, many of their friends who live in London pay £1,000 in rent for a house share – something they label the ‘bane of their life.’

By comparison, Nancy and Dale’s total bills and licence costs come to £1,950 per year, saving them £10,050 on London rent.

‘We have stayed in some really nice high-end places [like Kensington] for £100 a month. It’s totally different seeing it from the canal,’ Nancy says.

The boat isn’t the only investment they’ve made: they also bought a van – which had already been renovated by the previous owners – from Facebook Marketplace in June 2023 for £4,500.

They took it on their first trip to a festival in Croatia this summer, stopping off in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Slovenia on the way there – and when they arrived, Dale proposed.

‘Little did I know his friends were bringing the ring with them,’ Nancy recalls.

In the future, they’d like to build a tiny home and upgrade their van, so they have more space to start a family.

‘Sharing that with our future children will be the best thing,’ Nancy concludes.

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Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.

Last week, we visited 22-year-old Pari Pande, who purchased her £592,750 two-bedroom flat in East London a few months ago.

This week, we’re up in Scotland having a nosy around 25-year-old Liv Conlon’s Glasgow property. Having bought her first home out in Marbella when she was 18, in 2022 she decided to use the money from her two businesses to invest in another.

Now, she uses her Glasgow bolthole as a retreat, flying back every few months to spend time there with her one-year-old son, Cash.

Here’s what she had to say about her property journey…

Tell us about yourself – how old are you, what do you do for work, and where are you based? 

I’m 25 years old and I live in Marbella. I moved out there when I was 18 years old. I run two companies remotely, a Home Staging company, ThePropertyStagers, that operates nationwide furnishing over 400 properties per year.

I manage my team from my laptop abroad. I also coach women to launch staging businesses through my company, StagerBoss. We’ve coached over 35,000 women through our online programmes, events and retreats, and operate internationally.

Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area? 

The south side of Glasgow. My area is very leafy with lots of cute eateries nearby. I love it as it’s trendy but not snobby.

I’m the youngest person in my block easily by 30 years, which I love as I’m all about a quiet night in and an early bedtime.

When did you move in? 

This is my second home, which I bought in May 2022 and had fully renovated by August 2022. I managed the property renovation remotely which was challenging but I do it every day so it comes naturally to me.

How much does your property cost? 

£158,000, which was £3,000 over the asking price. I spent £40,000 refurbishing it and have recently had it valued at around £210,000.

How much was your deposit? 

£40,000.

What is the monthly cost of living here now, both mortgage and bills? 

£800 per month (£441.56 mortgage, £350 bills).

How did you save up for your deposit? 

Earnings from my business – I had money sitting in my account which was doing nothing and wanted to invest it.

What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging? 

I purchased my first property at 18 years old so I had already been through the process and I knew what to expect. That had been a lot more challenging as I had very little track record with a credit score or income.

On my second time around, securing a UK mortgage wasn’t difficult as I had a more than seven-year track record with my business, I’d built a good credit rating and I had an amazing mortgage advisor who shopped the market for me. Also because I was only 23, I qualified for a long mortgage.

Can you share details on your mortgage (rate/term)? 

35-year mortgage, 2.22% fixed rate for five years.

Where did you live before this – were you renting or living with family? 

This is a second home for me, so I only spend a few days every few months here. My full-time residence is the villa I own in Spain. I live there with my son, and my mum has recently moved in with me.

What made you want to buy rather than rent? 

I wanted to stamp my own personality and design flair on the property. I view it as an investment in my and my son’s future. Instead of saving each month, in 30 years I’ll have property I can pass to him.

How did you find this property? What made you choose it? 

Rightmove. I never even viewed it in person as I was in Spain, so I purchased it solely from the images. I loved the area, and I could see the opportunity to develop it.

How have you made the property feel like home? 

I’ve completely renovated the property, replacing everything. The kitchen was previously separate from the living space, so I knocked down the wall into the living room and made it an open-plan living/kitchen area.

I’ve also fitted a new kitchen, media wall, and a new bathroom, and I’ve re-plastered, re-carpeted and decorated the whole space.

What’s the inspiration for your interior decor style? 

There was no pre-planned decor idea, I just wanted to create a home with all the things I love. My style is luxe art-deco. Every wall is painted in a dark teal/blue, and I’ve incorporated rich velvets and lots of mirrored furniture and gold.

The kitchen is a traditional cashmere door with gold handles. In both the primary bedroom and bathroom, I opted for pink wallpaper with green palms which definitely adds a Hollywood glamour feel, like walking into the Beverly Hills Hotel.

What’s your favourite room and why? 

My favourite room is the living space. I love the open-plan style where I can be making dinner or a cocktail and my family can be relaxing on the sofa. I also love the built-in fireplace and the cosiness of the space.

Do you feel like you have enough space? 

Yes, as it’s a second home that I spend a few days in every few months, there is more than enough space. However, I would love an extra bathroom as it only has one.

Do you have plans to change the property? 

I renovated everything upfront, but I didn’t replace all the radiators and would like to do so.

I’m sure over the coming years I’ll make a few changes as my tastes change, or when my very cream rugs are destroyed! When I designed the property, I hadn’t had my son, so I didn’t make it baby-friendly in some colour choices.

Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with?

No, but there were a few leakage issues with the public carports (which are now sorted).

What do you want people to know about buying a home? 

It can feel like a lengthy process when applying for a mortgage and waiting for it to complete, but it’s worth the wait.

My home is one of my most valued assets and I take pleasure in it every single day having it exactly as I want it. The security of owning a home is priceless.

What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term? 

My current plan is to keep my apartment in Glasgow for 35+ years and pass it to my son as his inheritance. I love it, it’s my little bolthole and an investment – win-win!

My villa in Spain is currently under renovation, and I plan to either live in this long term or there may be opportunities to sell it for a profit and buy another development project. 

Shall we take a look around?

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From a cosy scented candle to a new fluffy throw, there are many ways wemake a house a home.

But it isn’t all about the way we furnish it: home is a feeling – and now, new research has suggested that it really is where the heart is.

In a poll of 2,000 homeowners, the majority said their place is far more than just where they hang their hats. In fact, 65% report having an ‘unbreakable’ emotional connection to it.

For 56%, where they live represents ‘irreplaceable’ memories, from where they enjoyed happy moments with their partner (37%) or watched their children grow up (36%).

The study, commissioned by The Good Care Group, found that the main reason participants feel so strongly attached to their homes is the time they’ve invested in making it ‘just right,’ whether furnishing it (44%), hanging pictures of loved ones on the walls (45%) or creating a relaxing garden space (35%).

Elsewhere, 73% said their home is where they feel the most ‘safe and secure,’ and 46% view it as their ‘sanctuary.’

It turns out our homes have a crucial impact on our mental health too, with 25% reporting that their abode gives them space to express themselves, while 23% say it gives them a place to pursue their hobbies.

However, homeownership isn’t a tangible reality for everyone – and amidst sky-high property prices and hefty deposits, it’s untenable for much of the younger generation.

But while renters do tend to be more nomadic, that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t feel attached to their homes: in 2022, research from Wayhome found that, amongst private tenants, 45% would have bought their homes from their landlords if circumstances allowed.

So, what is the psychological reason behind this ‘unbreakable bond’ we feel for bricks and mortar? And how does homeownership inform that?

‘Homeownership has a general significance in psychological terms, because it provides us with a safe haven. Unlike renting – and even though we might have a mortgage – owning our own home has a permanence,’ BACP registered psychotherapist Susie Masterson tells Metro.co.uk.

She continues: ‘In Freudian psychology, the house is a metaphor for the self. So much dream work is about front doors, climbing endless staircases, being locked or trapped in a room.

‘The importance of owning our home, therefore, can be compared to owning ourselves, and of feeling sure of our identity.’

Elsewhere, psychotherapist Melissa Amos notes that having our own home ‘fulfils our basic human needs.’

‘Maslow’s hierarchy of needs places physiological needs at the base, and if these are not met our decisions will mainly be created from fear or survival,’ she explains.

‘As we move up the ladder, we can then begin to look at more higher serving needs like love, friendship, esteem and even self-actualisation.

‘Expression is also such a key part of our place in the world. When we feel safe to express our needs we get creative, and we start to flow.

‘Owning our own home means we can surround ourselves with things that bring us joy. From the colour of the walls, the feel of the carpet to the placing of furniture, our home becomes an extension of who we are.’

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Fancy channelling royalty in your home?

An eccentric eight-bed house with a dedicated throne room for a loo has hit the market – but despite its £950,000 price tag, it needs a bit of TLC.

The throne-style lavatory itself is kitted out with armrests and a cushioned back which, if it wasn’t a working toilet, would be fit for a Big Brother-style confessional den.

There’s even a long, red feathered rope, so you can flush in style.

Compared to the rest of the property, located in Blackwater in Hampshire, the loo is actually in the best condition – so while you might need to invest in some renovations elsewhere, you can rest easy knowing that the toilet doesn’t need touching.

Yes, the interiors are currently completely barren, but why not see it as a blank canvas?

The possibilities are endless, but you could definitely take inspiration from the ornate bathroom when it comes to the decor elsewhere.

It could also provide the perfect opportunity to get green-fingered since the garden resembles more of a jungle in its overgrown state.

There’s no shortage of space to make your dreams a reality though. The whole home measures more than 4,000 square feet, and the ground floor alone has – brace yourself – a kitchen, utility room, loo, breakfast room, dining room, family room, sitting room, living room, reception room, snug, and study.

With all those dining spaces, just think of the dinner party potential.

Up the stairs on the first floor, there are an impressive eight bedrooms and a cloakroom/WC, so if you need to host any friends after your banquet, there’s plenty of room.

Yet before you part with the best part of a million for the Camberley property, it’s worth noting that its floor plans don’t show any sort of bathing or shower facilities, and you’ll likely need to repurpose one of its many rooms.

Interested? The expansive home is now up for sale via auction through Waterfords and is also being advertised on Rightmove.

‘A large and versatile, characterful, eight-bedroom detached period house,’ the listing reads, adding that it’s found in a ‘well-thought-of area of town.’

The agent’s description continues: ‘The property, which occupies large gardens and grounds, now offers scope for the transformation into a stunning family [home] while others may look at alternative schemes and uses, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.’

Naturally, Redditors were quick to poke fun at the listing – which the SpottedonRightmove thread labelled ‘Game of Thrones.’

‘All I can think of is Lord of the Flies,’ @kayeishness penned, while @wybird likened it to something out of BBC comedy series Ghosts.

‘Button House version 2 – the sequel!’ joked @kimsala.

There was vast excitement too – with one lamenting that if he hadn’t just bought a house, he would’ve set up a viewing for this one instead.

‘So much potential,’ @ThatHairyGingerGuy wrote. ‘Yes it would be expensive and take time (and we’d have a huge mortgage) but it would be so worth it.

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What kind of features does your perfect home have? A pool? A state-of-the-art cinema room?

While they may be the stuff of property dreams, these extras aren’t on the list of must-haves for real buyers – and forking out for them could actually damage your house value rather than giving it a boost.

According to experts, there are a certain home improvements which are anything but, costing more to implement than they add to your sale price and sometimes making it harder to sell when the time comes.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t upgrade your property in a way that suits you – after all, you’re the one living there. But if you’re looking to maximise profit and make back the cost of your investment (or make a profit) in the long-run, it’s worth being cautious.

Joshua Houston, writer at Household Quotes, explains: ‘We all take pride in our homes, but we also want to know that the money we’re putting into improving our property is worthwhile.

‘Not everything that is popular to you will be welcomed by others, so it’s important to keep that in mind if you ever plan to sell.’

In an article for the platform, he outlined seven renovation jobs that could tank your value, so we spoke to industry insiders for their take on each.

Bright coloured home fronts

If you live somewhere like Tobermory (where the show Balamory is set) or Notting Hill, rows of different-coloured houses are part of the neighbourhood’s appeal.

According to Josh, however, a home that ‘sticks out too much in a sea of darker and more traditional colours’ could be hard to sell, as the buyers will need to either love the colour or spend money repainting.

‘A colourful external paint job can be a particular put off as it will often require a professional to repair it if a buyer isn’t a fan of the colour, which costs considerably more than the time and effort of tackling an internal room yourself,’ CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish explains to Metro.co.uk.

In research by personal estate agents platform eXp, the average cost of giving a house a rainbow makeover is £4,500, but since it can lead to a 2.7% drop in value (equal to £7,597 based on the average UK house price of £281,373) you could end up over £12,000 out of pocket.

Expected loss based on renovation cost vs value change: £12,097.

Swimming pool

They may be a must in LA or on the Gold Coast of Australia, but there’s really no call for a pool in a property in the UK.

Josh claims that because of our unpredictable weather, buyers may be wary of taking on maintenance costs for an amenity they can only use a few times a year.

On the contrary, eXp estimates an expected value boost of 4.5% or £12,662 for homes with a swimming pool. Unfortunately, however, it’ll still result in a net loss due to the average £47,500 it costs to install one.

Expected loss based on renovation cost vs value change: £34,838.

Cinema room

A cinema room would make any movie lover feel worthy of a spot on MTV Cribs. It’s unlikely to get you a starring role on a property selling show, though.

Head of eXp UK, Adam Day, tells Metro.co.uk: ‘A cinema room is a feature often only found at the top end of the market and to do it right you really need a substantially sized room to convert – usually either a basement or similar. 

‘If it’s not done properly it can look pretty shabby and even when it is executed correctly, it’s simply not a feature that many buyers will view as adding value due to the fact that it’s not used on a daily basis.’

At an average cost of £15,000 to implement, which doesn’t match up to the estimated added value of 3.5%, you’re far better off saving your pennies for tickets to the actual cinema – you’ll have plenty left over for popcorn too.

Expected loss based on renovation cost vs value change: £5,250.

Built-in electronics

It’s difficult to put an exact number on the exact return on investment when it comes to built-in appliances, since there’s such a wide range of items (with some being more useful than others).

However, Josh says: ‘Certain electronics might be seen as a waste of space and running costs by potential buyers, and the process of removing them is much harder than non-built-in electronics. This results in extra costs, which could easily devalue your home.’

Something like an integrated dishwasher or fridge is likely to be a desirable addition to a kitchen, but niche options such as a coffee machine or warming drawer are more about personal preference.

Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Moderation is key in this respect, as an overly complicated smart home will be lost on some and won’t add the value you might think.’

Too much personalisation

We’ve heard the experts give this tip a thousand times: a property should be decorated in neutral tones so buyers can visualise how they’d make it their own.

Marc comments: ‘Too much personalisation is a surefire way to deter buyers as the home will start to reflect you as a person, not the bricks and mortar you’re trying to sell.

‘Neutral, uncluttered homes allow a potential buyer to view it as a blank canvas and this is more likely to secure you an offer.’

There’s no way to get official data on the financial impact distinctive decor can have, but it’s probably going to cost more than the price of a few tins of magnolia paint. Once you sell, you can spend the profits on turning your new home into the unique idyll your heart desires.

Converted garage

Turning a garage into a bedroom might seem like a good way to appeal to buyers, but this isn’t necessarily the case.

Josh explains: ‘Some buyers will be looking for a home that specifically has a garage to either store their car or other belongings. Removing that might reduce the demand for your property which ultimately decreases the value.’

This conclusion differs from eXp’s though, as its study showed an overall return of investment of £13,137 based on a £15,000 average renovation cost.

‘Extra space is high on the wish list of almost every buyer. and if you can convert your garage into a more functional, livable space then this will add value to your home.’, says Adam.

Of course, though, this will depend on factors such as location – if you’re in an area where car parking is difficult to come by, or you already have a lot of room in the house, keeping things as they are may benefit you in the long-run.

Removing a bedroom

On the flip-side, removing a bedroom (either to change its function to a bathroom, for example, or to turn two small rooms into one larger one) can be seriously detrimental to your home’s sale price.

Although eXp highlights that there might be some added value depending on what you turned that bedroom into, it’s unlikely to reverse the 15% drop in value caused by reducing the property’s bedroom count.

Josh explains: ‘Typically, the more bedrooms the more expensive a property is. Buyers would welcome a spare bedroom, but will be put off if there aren’t enough to meet their needs.’

Expected loss based on renovation cost vs value change: £42,206.

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As much as we love to browse the homes of celebrities, thinking about how much the designer homeware must have set them back, we sadly can’t quite afford the same on our ‘champagne lifestyle, lemonade budget’.

So you know by now that we’re always on the lookout for something that could be in the homes of the Kardashian’s, just for a much lower price point.

Earlier this year, the humble George at Asda launched the Cream Cabinet With Shelves, and it has been sold out for weeks… until now.

Yes for £35, this is a ‘run, don’t walk’ to the Asda website to get your hands on the coveted item – whilst stocks last.

Cream Cabinet With Shelves

The highly sought-after George Home cream cabinet, originally released for the spring/summer 2024 season, is back due to popular demand.

Buy Now for £35

This viral cabinet caused a frenzy among shoppers in January, selling out its initial release and subsequent restocks.

Social media is already buzzing with excitement about its return, with comments such as ‘Omg I need this!,’ and ‘ordered ,’ and the running emoji, indicating that customers will be rushing to buy it and as it won’t be available for long.

Those lucky enough to purchase it during the first release shared their enthusiasm, saying, ‘I have this and it’s gorgeous,’ and ‘I have this and absolutely love it!’

Echoing the praise from January, customers described it as ‘the best £35 [they’ve] spent on [their] house so far,’ ‘so beautiful,’ and ‘Whaaaaaat! That price is incredible.’

Many were disappointed they couldn’t get one due to its overwhelming popularity, but now they have another chance – so what are you waiting for people!?

Someone called ‘mycosyhomeandmore’ left a full, five-star review on the Cream Cabinet With Shelves, saying: ‘I ordered this after seeing it all over Instagram and I’m so glad I spotted it – it’s absolutely gorgeous! It’s well made and looks so much more expensive than it was. I love how stylish it looks, the different sized shelves and I really enjoy rearranging the decor on it!’

Perfect for any small spaces you want to maximise storage and store items like pictures and plants – or use it in your bedroom for showcasing shoes, bags and so much more.

The possibilities are endless, but hurry as stock levels won’t be around for long.

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Now we’ve been saying it for a little while now, but this really is your ‘last chance’ warning, to shop the Dunelm sale as it’s about to end.

If you weren’t already aware, the high street home store has slashed the price on 1000s of incredible items – for inside and outside your home.

Whether you’re looking for mirrors, decorative cushions, curtains to keep your room cool or dark, mattresses, bedding or furniture to welcome guests into your garden – Dunelm has it all.

Oh, and you can even ‘click and collect’ your new items within two hours of ordering them (stock levels pending).

Seeing as the sun has decided to make an appearance again, we’re ready to make the most of the 30% off selected garden furniture – and make the most of the warmer weather… before we’re pelted with rain again.

If you only have a small, outside space or balcony to make the most of the great British weather with, then we highly suggest getting your hands on the Harp String Bistro Set. Originally £99, it’s now down to just £60.

This elegant and functional set combines classical charm with contemporary finesse. It includes two bistro-style chairs, offering comfort and aesthetics, plus a matching round table with a harp string pattern.

Perfect for enjoying morning coffees or evening aperitifs, the set is finished with a weather-resistant coating for lasting beauty in any outdoor space.

Now if you have a little more space to play with, then you’ll love entertaining guests on the Ibiza 5 Seater Corner Sofa Set with Recycled Polyester. Now priced at £399, it was originally £599 – saving you a whopping 30%.

The Ibiza 5 Seater Outdoor Corner Sofa Set is ideal for garden or conservatory relaxation. It includes a 2-seater sofa, a 3-seater sofa, and a table, all featuring generously filled cushions made from 100% recycled polyester for ultimate comfort and back support. Crafted from low-maintenance synthetic wood, the lightweight and durable aluminium frame ensures long-lasting use.

Ore perhaps when the sun starts to set, but the party isn’t over – keep your friends and family warm with the Large Black Fire Pit with Log Store, now with 20% off and £79.20.

This modern and sleek firepit is a perfect focal point for social gatherings and family occasions. Ideal for patios and larger gardens, it creates a warm and cosy ambience with its large deep bowl and integrated log store. Made from durable steel, it should be used with untreated wood, logs, and Easylogs.

These are just a few of the items that we’re adding into our basket, before the sale ends – but you can find more picks below from our shopping expert, or the Dunelm website here.

2m Shanghai Sage Green Crank Parasol

This Sage Green Shanghai 2m Parasol adds both style and practicality to any garden with its sturdy metal frame. The crank feature allows for easy setup, providing much-needed shade so you can enjoy your garden for longer periods.

Buy Now for £41.30 (was £59)

Arcus Arched Indoor Outdoor Full Length Wall Mirror

The Arcus Arched Indoor Outdoor Leaner Wall Mirror provides a sleek and versatile addition to your garden or outdoor area. Featuring a full-length arched metal design, frost-protected mirror glass, and a black-painted iron frame, this leaner mirror brings contemporary style to any outdoor space. Easy installation is ensured with the key-slot fixing brackets on the mirror frame.

Buy Now from £132 (was from £165)

furn. Palm Print Outdoor Cushion

Inject some vibrant color into your outdoor furniture collection this sunny season with the delightful Palm Print cushion. Designed for dual display, you can opt for the refined navy reverse or the front adorned with a striking leafy print. Crafted in the UK from UV and water-resistant polyester fabric, this cushion offers durability and strength.

Buy Now for £8.40 (was £12)

Luxury Rattan Grey Lounger

This lounger embodies refined comfort and timeless elegance, thoughtfully designed to elevate your outdoor relaxation. Its luxurious rattan design exudes subtle opulence, effortlessly complementing any outdoor space while adding a touch of modern charm. The generously cushioned surface ensures plush comfort, inviting you to recline and unwind in supreme luxury.

Buy Now for £209.30 (was £299)

Wooden Bird Feeder

This bird feeder combines practicality with an elegant design, making it a functional and decorative addition to your outdoor area. Meticulously crafted, it provides a convenient way to attract and observe birds, bringing the beauty of nature to your garden and adding joy to your outdoor experience.

Buy Now for £7.50 (was £15)

Richmond Acacia Wood Bench with Pop Up Table

The Richmond Wooden Bench offers exceptional convenience and practicality, featuring a convenient central pop-up table for placing your refreshments while enjoying quality time with loved ones. This 3-seater wooden bench enhances your outdoor living space or garden with its timeless and functional design. The collapsible feature allows for additional seating space when the table is not in use. Crafted from durable solid acacia wood, this bench combines durability with decorative appeal, ensuring long-lasting enjoyment of its charming aesthetics.

Buy Now for £151.20 (was £189)

3 Artificial Boxwood Balls Tree 90cm

The three boxwood balls tree offers an appealing alternative to live plants. Constructed from weather-resistant materials, it is simple to maintain and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Buy Now for £35

Lilypad LED Decorative Lantern

Illuminate your outdoor area with the gentle glow of the Lilypad LED Decorative Lantern. Featuring intricate cut-outs and a lovely light blue finish, this lantern houses a warm white solar candle. It offers three delightful functions – flame effect, flickering, and static modes with a 6-hour timer – making it a versatile and charming addition to your outdoor decor. Enjoy its enchanting ambiance that adds a touch of magic to any outdoor setting.

Buy Now for £9 (was £18)

So many incredible items, at incredible prices – you’ll need to act fast to get your hands on them whilst you can, and the sale’s still on.

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From packing up your entire life to hiring a removal van, there’s no stress quite like moving house.

And if you’re buying a house rather than moving into rented accommodation, there could be extra admin to look out for, including covering the homebuyer’s survey and mortgage arrangement fees, to name just a couple.

Now, according to new figures, home buyers could be caught out with up to £6,000 in hidden costs if they’re not careful.

According to research from Compare The Market, almost seven in 10 households (equating to 69%) have been shocked by surprise fees when moving home.

And, on average, these hidden fees could cost almost £6,000 at £5,837. Ouch.

Statistically, the most common surprise costs when moving house include legal fees, which are often larger than expected (41%).

Meanwhile, one in four movers (26%) noted the cost of paying for the move itself, including hiring a removal van or paying for short-term storage during the process.

Likewise, more than one in five reported being surprised by the high cost of mortgage arrangement fees (23%) and the homebuyer survey (22%).

And, on average, legal fees per average household reached £1,521, with moving costs levelling out at £349.

Surprisingly, the most expensive area home buyers had to fork out for was unplanned building work, which 15% of households had to contribute towards after purchasing a home. This set buyers back a whopping £6,825 on average.

In itself, buying the bricks and mortar of a home is expensive, but with so many unforeseeable costs, many home buyers are reliant on credit to fund this price tag.

According to the data, two in three households (67%) were worried when they uncovered these hidden moving costs: 65% were able to cover the money with their personal savings, but almost one in five (18%) were reliant on their friends and family for help and 15% turned to a credit card or 9% a personal loan.

‘We all know that buying your own home is one of the most expensive purchases you’re ever going to make,’ Andy Hancock, chief growth officer at Compare the Market, said.

‘But you might not be clued up on all the additional costs involved in buying a new home, which can be more than £5,000 on top of the house price.

‘Credit cards and personal loans are popular ways to cover these hidden costs if you don’t have enough savings.

‘If you decide to take out a credit card or personal loan it is worthwhile shopping around online and comparing deals to find one that suits your needs and circumstances.’

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Searching for a property is an exciting and somewhat stressful time, as there’s a lot of information to take in about your prospective new home. 

In the flurry of picturing the moment you get the keys, it can be easy to miss potential warning signs – but doing so could result in costly repairs or an increased insurance premium.

Although surveyors pick up on anything that needs flagging in the buying process, there are some additional factors to keep an eye on before you put your offer in.

Even if you’re a renter, these tips from home insurance expert Anna Thunstrom at Saga can help you avoid a nasty surprise once you move.

And homebuyers who ask their estate agent or the property’s previous owner about these seven essential points could end up saving themselves almost £40,000 in the long-run.

Temperature changes between rooms

A property’s EPC rating tells you how energy efficient the home is: the higher the rating, the lower the energy bills are likely to be. 

As such, it’s important to ask the owner or estate agent about this, along with the type of glazing the windows have and whether the walls and roof are insulated.

‘Poor insulation is one of the most common causes of temperature imbalances, with poorly fitted windows being a problem now sometimes seen in new builds,’ Anna shares. 

‘Pay attention to the temperature of each room. This can be harder to tell during the summer months, but if one room is noticeably hotter or colder than others then it could indicate issues with insulation or heating and ventilation systems.’

According to Anna, poor insulation can increase energy bills as much as £340 annually, while insulation in cavity walls can cost around £15 per square metre, amounting to £1,275 for a typical wall area of 85m squared.

Meanwhile, ahe average cost of double glazing windows ranges from £450 to £1,200 depending on the size.

Signs of mould and water damage

Living with mould isn’t just an unpleasant sight; it can also pose some serious health risks, from respiratory problems to allergic reactions. And if you live with a lung condition like asthma, it can exacerbate symptoms.

‘If you have a lung condition, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mould can also make your symptoms worse leading to a potentially life-threatening asthma attack or flare up,’ Erika Radford, head of health advice at Asthma and Lung UK, previously told Metro.co.uk.

As a result of this, Anna says it’s imperative to examine the walls and ceilings for stains, damp patches and musty odours as it can indicate water damage to the property and will be costly to repair if left untreated.

‘The cost of mould removal per room can range from £200 to £400, and up to £1,200 for the whole house,’ she warns. 

Large cracks

‘While minor cracks under 0.5 millimetres in width are normal, larger cracks extending from windows, doorways or corners could indicate subsidence – when the property’s foundations have begun to sink,’ Anna explains.

While a surveyor will pick up on this, and can give you an accurate rebuild cost for insurance purposes, as the cost of fixing subsidence can range from £6,000 to £14,000, it’s something you want to be aware of from the off.

‘However, to spot early signs at a viewing, try opening and closing internal doors to check for sticking – when it’s tricky to pull open and push close – or any gaps in the frames,’ says Anna.

‘Place a small ball on the floor and see if it noticeably rolls in any direction, which could indicate sinking.’ 

An overgrown garden 

Gardening can be a fun project and has mental health benefits, but Anna recommends asking the property owner about ‘invasive’ plants, like Japanese knotweed, bamboo, buddleia and ivy, because they’re hard to control.

Anna says it can cost anywhere between £1,000 to £12,000 to have Japanese knotweed removed and prevent it from spreading, depending on the severity of the infestation. 

The government even has an entire page dedicated to helping people thwart Japanese knotweed, as you can be prosecuted for allowing it to spread out into the wild. 

Trickling taps 

Not only is the drip drop sound annoying, it’s another area of the home that can be costly if it isn’t fixed. 

Research from Tap Warehouse found taps that constantly trickle can use more than 450 litres a day, or a huge 175,000 litres of water in a year, which could cost an average homeowner a painful £300 extra on their annual water bill. It’s also a huge waste of water. 

Anna says you should look out for taps that release trickles of water because it could be a sign of limescale build-up. Be sure to take a note of how long it takes hot water to reach the tap too, because a blockage could delay the flow of hot water. 

The cost of a plumber callout for a faulty tap or leaking pipe averages £300 to £400 a day. You may have to pay extra for parts too.

Missing or loose tiles on the roof 

The exterior is just as important as the interior, so ask about the roof and check for the common signs of a roof in disrepair such as missing or loose tiles or any roof debris on the floor. 

If there are only a few tiles affected, it could be an affordable fix, but if a whole new roof is needed then you could be looking at a hefty bill in the thousands – between £5,000 and £8,000 depending on the type of roof.

Blocked gutters 

You could be looking at paying £900 to replace the gutters, Anna shares. Plus, blocked gutters can cause leaks indoors. 

‘Look out for sagging gutters that are caused by debris and water weighing them down,’ she adds.

‘It might also be worthwhile to book a viewing on a rainy day. If it’s raining, observe if water runs down the side of the house, indicating potential blockages.

‘Also ask how new the drains and guttering are as newer systems are less likely to encounter problems.’

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‘Since childhood, I have always wanted to live close to the land,’ says Ashley*.

The single mum-of-four, 32, took her children out of school and ditched her 9-to-5 job to take her family off-grid in 2022.

The former teacher has always had a deeply rooted love for Mother Earth, and after divorcing her children’s dad and feeling stressed by managing mortgage payments, chores and more of life’s stressful moments, she decided she’d had enough.

Ashley put her house on the market and moved into a tent for the summer with her children Helen, 17, Olivia, 15, Adelaide, 14, and Arabella, 12.

They eventually found a piece of land to build their cabin home in rural upstate New York. The family’s new life sees them getting water from a local creek and using a composting toilet.

‘Prior to my homesteading venture, I had the average life of rushed mornings doing chores, packing school lunches for my kids and rushing to work where I spent long hours in a square, sterile building before arriving back home tired. It was sucking my soul,’ she says.

Their home, which Ashley calls their ‘witches lair’, started off as an Amish-built shed. It was just a ‘shell’ when Ashley bought it. With the help of her kids, she’s been able to insulate it and finish the inside.

‘We did every drop of construction ourselves and salvaged a lot of materials. I had an Amish friend to help me build the barn, using cedars from our land.’

The home is a work in progress. ‘I have solar panels that I plan to install for a more permanent power course and to hopefully provide pumped water – I don’t have electricity or running water. I’m happy carrying water, but my children want it to come from the tap.

‘I use a jackets battery that I charge up in my car when driving to power devices and run little lights at night when we choose.’

She has spent £20,000 to renovate the cabin so far. ‘We insulated the cabin with natural cellulose insulation, put pine board walls up, southern pine flooring down, lofts, counters, sink, stairs, an awesome twisty, stick railing and installed plumbing for the water we hope to have one day. We did it all.

‘My girls were so amazing, they worked right by my side every day. They learned to use power tools, measure and problem solve.

‘We worked incredibly hard, and I could never have done it without their help.’

Ashely now homeschools her children, as well as others as a way to pay for the home improvements, and has her own business.

She explained: ‘Currently I make brooms, baskets and natural body-care products, which I sell locally.

‘I started teaching at a homeschool co-op too.’

The environment and living sustainably is also one of Ashley’s biggest concerns. 

She shared: ‘I have a passion for living in a way that is sustainable, environmentally conscious and in alignment and balance with nature.

‘I would like to live a life that does no harm to the earth and instead nurtures her back for the gifts she so freely gives us.’

*Ashley has not provided a surname

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Known as The Home Genie, Georgina Burnett is able to work her magic on the trickiest of property and DIY projects – but making a home out of a derelict garage that doubled as an unofficial loo has been her biggest challenge to date.

She owns the building in Sevenoaks, Kent, as part of a seven-bedroom property nearby but it was disused.

‘Because it was near a station, people often used it as a toilet,’ says Georgina, who’s just reached a million views on her YouTube channel, TheHomeGenie.

‘Sadly, the garage was too rotten to save but I decided
I could probably make something of it – so I built what is essentially a two-bedroom property’

She now uses it as a workplace as well as guest accommodation. There’s an air-source heat pump, the flooring is made from recycled and recyclable materials, and almost all of the furniture is upcycled or preloved, saving Georgina thousands.

Her passion for rescuing items that would otherwise be thrown away began by accident when she was at university.

‘I knocked a mirror off the wall in my room, but I got loads of my friends in halls upcycling the broken bits of mirror into new mirrors, with jewels and other bits on them,’ she says.

Such ingenuity is her trademark. ‘I rescue and repurpose whenever I can. I’ve jumped into skips to save Victorian picture rails so they can be reused.

‘That’s really important, not only because of the history of a house, but because it just feels wrong to throw away something that works.’

Every project has boosted her skill set. ‘I’ve often worked alongside professional tradespeople and I’ve learned so much from them. A good tradey is really masterful, and you can see the difference in both finish and efficiency.

‘Family members have also given me help and advice over the years. My stepdad, Alan, in particular, taught me how to saw because he couldn’t bear to see me making such a mess of a piece of wood.’

Georgina loves DIY but admits even she can get frustrated – as happened with what turned out to be one of her biggest successes.

‘I’d always wanted a chaise longue and found a really beautifully shaped one with faded and stained fabric. So
I found the ideal colour teal fabric I was after and rescued the chaise.

‘I stupidly started doing it in the evening, so was up quite late and the air was blue – but I love that chaise longue. When I see the kids playing on it, I know that night was worth it.’

Georgina walks us through her design and creation of each space and reveals the satisfaction of repurposing items that would otherwise have been sent to landfill.

Top bedroom

I love this room. The colours are so calming and the skylight makes it magical when the sun is out.

The headboard was from a charity furniture shop – I rescued a really horrible, dated pleather one, covering it in turquoise fabric, simply stapled into the back.

It took minutes and will have saved me hundreds of pounds and the time looking for one. The side tables were also from a charity shop and I ended up painting them gold with accents of turquoise.

I couldn’t find the right colour of lamp shades, so I simply painted white ones. The artwork is mine.

It was a way of using up leftover paint so that it all tied in together. The two pharmacy jars belonged to my grandparents.

Bottom bedroom

This room was a bit of an experiment with colours, and while plum and lime definitely won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, I really like it.

When you’re going for a scheme like that, though, it’s very hard to find furniture in the appropriate colours. By the time you’ve searched for them, you could have upcycled another item anyway.

The side tables in here are from a charity shop and were two from a nest of replica antique tables. I painted them lime and grey, and the great thing about these is, because they have glass tops, the paint is fully protected from staining.

Again, the artwork in this room is mine. I’m a messy creative as well – to my
detriment. When I was working on the canvases, I had paint pots everywhere, including in the doorway to the living room where I was doing them.

I ended up stubbing my toe, dislocating it and having to go to A&E, which was so inconvenient considering I hadn’t finished the artwork at the time.

Hallway

The hallway has an upcycled, preloved mirror and side unit.

I’m also particularly pleased with the tile effect on the stairs. These are actually just stick-on ones.

I thought it would look great for photos but they’ve stayed strong and they make what would otherwise have been a fairly boring staircase into a feature.

Kitchen

I have to hold my hands up and say the kitchen was fitted by a carpenter. It was lockdown and I was busy home-schooling my daughter and broadcasting live for ITV’s This Morning from my kitchen, so I needed to get someone in for that.

It was challenging, though, because I obviously couldn’t go in when he was there, so I had to manage his questions via FaceTime.

I was broadcasting for an Irish TV programme, and because we could only really use our phones for this, the live broadcast was interrupted by his call asking me what height I wanted the wall units at!

I love how the mirrored tiles bring alive what would otherwise be a fairly neutral kitchen.

En suite shower rooms

I got professionals to fit and tile the two en suite shower rooms. I can tile small areas but these had floor-to-ceiling tiles and one’s a wet room, so you don’t want to chance it!

The blue one accompanies the adjacent room, and I was going for an ocean feel. I painted the sink unit and then used two upcycled spice racks as shelves. The mirror is also second-hand.

I hold the mirror in the wet room close to my heart as it was my great-grandmother’s. I really hope she wouldn’t have minded that I painted it to match.

My mum remembers looking in that mirror as a little girl and it couldn’t have been a more perfect shape and size for the spot, so I think it was meant to be.

Living room

This is filled with either preloved or former display furniture. There are two little round side tables that were left on the street. They just needed a bit of fixing and then I painted them and did a marble effect on the top. These are my pride and joy as they are so pretty, really handy and would have ended up in landfill if I hadn’t saved them.

The table and benches were made from leftover joists from the build. I designed them but must admit I got a carpenter to make them. The wood is so chunky you really need the appropriate tools. It fits in perfectly in its spot and I love that it’s one of a kind.

Above it is my homemade chandelier – an old bike wheel painted gold, with fairy lights and air plants. There are also my pallet wall planters. What’s great about air plants is that you don’t need soil, so these are just stuck on with a glue gun and require a spritz of water every so often.

I wanted a TV stand that you didn’t notice, so again I found a corner unit from a charity shop and painted it white. This is the great thing about upcycling – if you can’t find what you need, you can just make something into what you need for next to nothing.

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With spring (technically) here, it’s time to whack out some brighter bedding that will give your cosy quarters some life (even though you might feel like you’re lacking that).

Dunelm has got some gorgeous bedding sets online at the moment, but one that’s caught our eye is the Gingham Light Green Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set.

Best of all? It’s priced from a mere £7 for a single duvet set, and £12 for a Kingsize set – how good is that?

Gingham Light Green Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set

This machine-washable, reversible duvet set is right at the top of our shopping list this week!

shop from £7 at dunelm

With gingham making a fierce comeback this season, infuse some (morning, noon and night) glory into your bedroom.

We love how vibrant the green checked duvet cover is, with a matching pillowcase too.

Available in various bedding sizes and washing machine-friendly, this reversible bedding offers not only versatility, but captivating aesthetics too.

Of course, should you spill something shortly after putting it on, just spin it over and no one will know – for a little longer anyway.

Oh, and what makes it even better? It’s a cheap and effortless way to refresh your room with ease! Who can resist a gorgeous, pop of green in their bedroom? Not us.

Shoppers who have already purchased the gorgeous, gingham bedding have rated it an average of 4.9 stars – with one, delighted customer saying it’s a ‘really lovely colour’, commenting on how ‘soft’ it is.

Tbaby hailed the Dunelm Gingham Light Green Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set a ‘spring feeling in a duvet’, and added: ‘This duvet cover is so soft and smooth I look forward to going to bed. It’s such a beautiful spring colour.’

‘Great value for money,’ mentioned Debs, and said: ‘Lovely fresh spring colour duvet cover, nice material.’

Ann Wood couldn’t wait to shout about how much she loved the Gingham Light Green Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set and called it ‘wonderful value’ and how she would ‘highly recommend’ others purchasing. Her five-star review followed with: ‘Really pleased with this set it’s so soft and the colour is perfect, and it looks great with the dark green sheets pillowcases and valance’.

Josie, another five-star reviewer said it was made from ‘really soft fabric’, and added: ‘Looks a lot more expensive than it is.’

We can’t argue with Dunelm’s incredible prices now… and to make your money go even further, there’s an Easter Sale happening right now.

Yes you can save up to 50% off 1,000s of items – from furniture, blackout blinds and curtains, paint, duets and pillows too.

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MORE: This ‘great quality’ best-selling bedding set is currently just £13.99 on Amazon

MORE: Dunelm launches new spring garden range plus the return of sell-out egg chair (and it’s under £200)

MORE: The 14 best Dunelm Spring Sale deals I’m shopping starting at £4.50

A woman who moved into a run-down council house gave it a whole new lease of life by spending £3,000 of her own money. 

Celene Francis, 25, started renting her council house in April 2020. When she moved in, the mum said the house was in a ‘dire condition’ with plaster all over the floor, yellow ceilings and wallpaper peeling off the wall.

But the student midwife and mental health support worker was able to save her cash by using bargains from Primark, B&M Bargain and Ikea.

And she did all the renovations herself.

‘When we moved in the house was in a terrible state,’ Celene, from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, said.

‘It was just full of wallpaper – the doors were purple, and the flooring was terrible.

‘The person who previously lived here was a smoker, so all the ceilings and woodwork was yellow and the garden was overgrown – it was a mess really.’

The home’s transformation is still ongoing, as Celene, who lives with her daughter, Indie, three says she’s been renovating the house ‘bit by bit.

‘Once we moved in, I just had to gut everything,’ she said.

‘We got everything out, that’s why I went for all-white walls as it was easy and clean. 

‘I started doing up the main rooms, the bedrooms and the living room. I’ve put new flooring in, changed the kitchen completely by painting the cupboards and adding a new worktop.’

‘I didn’t have loads of money to throw at it. That’s why I have been doing it gradually since I moved in, and I still have some bits left now.

‘But I’ve saved loads of money – I absolutely love B&M Bargains and Primark’s home section. I think I spent around £150 completely changing my kitchen.’

Celene also has some handy tips for wanting to transform their abode – or simply refresh their interiors.

‘You need to have a plan of how you want the house to look before you start.

‘Have an idea about how you want your home to feel, you don’t want all the rooms to be different colours.

‘You want them to flow so every room ties in, keep colours the same throughout.

‘I think people should also think outside the box, get panelling or a slat wall, something unique to your home.’

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