I make no secret of the fact that while I love our first home, its very much that - a first home. I can often feel frustrated with the fact that its not my dream country cottage, and we don't want to/can't spend a fortune on transforming everything we want to simply because we won't be there forever. However, I think I've worked hard to create somewhere that, on the inside at least, much more closely resembles my dream home, and thought I'd share some of my top tips here.
Add your own stamp
Even if you're living in a rented property with little say about the decor, or in your first home and don't want to invest too much in redecorating as you don't intend on being there too long, it doesn't mean you can't put your own stamp on it. I blogged in more depth about personalising a rented home here, however investing in timeless furniture you'll want to take with you, and using statement accessories to add your own touch on a space can make all the difference. I dream of living in a vintage farmhouse-style home, which I think is evident through the decor I've chosen for my home.
Make minor changes
Making big changes to your home can be a great way of adding value, however if, like me, your home is all 'OK', just not exactly to your taste, there are other ways of tweaking it without investing a fortune. How about painting your kitchen cupboards, or re-tiling the bathroom instead of ripping it all out and starting again?
Make most of the space you have
Often the case with rented properties and first-time homes, I know first hand what it's like to live in a small home, and struggle with storage space - I blogged about my solutions here - so can't stress enough how important it is to make the most of the space you have. Have regular de-clutters, do you really need all those books you're never going to read? What about those CD's you've imported to your iPod, or the clothes you haven't worn in years? It might seem like a lot of effort for a few inches of space, but it's worth it.
Hide the junk
I'm a huge advocate for clean spaces, and really hate having too much 'stuff' on show, which is obviously really difficult in a small home, so rely on hiding everything (something which gets on the hubby's nerves no end, but is worth the hassle!). All our playstation games, books, dvd's etc are hidden away in these life-saving baskets under our TV cabinet, and I pack as much into the cupboards I have as possible.
Pretty storage doesn't feel like storage at all - what about maximising the space under your bed, or on top of your wardrobes with some wicker baskets, or using some stylish wire baskets in your kitchen? I've previously blogged some of my clever storage tips here.
Do you live in a 'starter' home, or somewhere you don't intend on being forever? How have you styled your property? For more ideas sign up to my monthly newsletter and you'll receive a 12-page guide to things you can do TODAY to fall back in love with your home.
Thanks for reading,
Sam Xx
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