Collaborative Post
You may remember that back in March, we moved into our new house the day before lockdown started. Now something we found out is that the landlord here puts the house up for both renting and for sale when the previous tenant vacates. He would be quite happy to sell it and have the money from that but he’s also quite happy to have people renting for the long-term.
With this in the back of our mind, we have been talking about potentially making an offer on this home in the not distant future. We still have a fairly substantial deposit although we would aim to add to that. We also have had an increase in our credit scores – and what’s even better, my default dropped off! With that, my self-employed income records and Steve’s income (once he returns to work after Christmas sometime), then the opportunity may just be too good to pass up.
Because of this, we have been discussing the different changes we would make around the house.
Change The Downstairs Flooring
Apart from the kitchen and the downstairs bathroom, the rest of the downstairs is carpeted. Much as I like carpet, I much prefer natural wood flooring on the lower level of a house. With two kids and a dog, stains come part and parcel with everyday life and carpet can be so hard to get clean sometimes! Some wood flooring would be perfect as it is easy to clean and looks good too.
Redesign The Gardens
Our back garden isn’t exactly small but the outer areas have trees and bushes that need constant attention, trimming to cut them back. I’d love to get rid of them and make the back garden a little bigger. We would also sort out the front garden, it is currently on a slope with a brick wall surrounding it. We would level it out and make it a little bigger too.
Photo by Daniil Silantev on Unsplash
Extend The Kitchen
This is one I am still unsure about but something I am considering. Extending the kitchen would bring it in line with the dining room and the annexe but I also quite enjoy the space outside to have the outside table and chairs, the barbecue and just some places to store stuff. However I know it would look good to extend it out and the space, even though my kitchen is already a decent size, would be amazing.
Knock Through From The Study
We currently have a tiny little study upstairs, a little alcove where I have stored my books. I would use it as an office but it is too small and we are currently using the annexe instead as it has more space. I would potentially knock through from the study into the spare room and make the spare room larger. However I would keep the bookshelf space as it is lovely and just the right size for the majority of my books!
Change The Window Dressings
We could technically do this right now whilst renting but we are reluctant to spend out the money to change from curtains to blinds if there is no guarantee we will stay here. I much prefer blinds than curtains so would replace these in the majority of the rooms.
These are just a few home changes I would make if I could. What changes would you make around your home?
It sounds like you have some amazing ideas for the space, and they would really help the home as well. I do wonder sometimes about changing to blinds as well.
I really hope you’re able to buy your home, especially with such lovely plans in mind. Making your house a home is such a wonderful process. Enjoy it x
It is always nice to have an idea on what you would do with the space you have at home to get an idea on future renovation. Extending the kitchen is such a good idea as who does not love a large kitchen space!
Oh wow, that really is something to aim for and look forward to! My fingers are definitely crossed for you if you go for it! Sounds like you have lots of plans in store and a bigger kitchen always makes life easier! Sim x
I love reading about and looking at other people’s renovation ideas, it’s always so inspiring. You have some great ideas for your space!
Oh my goodness there is so much I’d change about our home – and we own it! The bathroom could do with a facelift to make it a little more lux, the kitchen looks really scruffy and even new doors would be an upgrade and we could really do with a new bed!
It sounds like you have some great ideas, I am hoping fingers crossed to start doing some of the things we have wanted to do in our house next year.
These all sound like exciting home renovations! I would also love to redesign our garden, as it is on a slope and ideally needs levelling out 🙂
I have done my best to tidy up my garden this year during lockdown but oh, what I would give to have it redesigned! I don’t own this house so I am dreaming really, but it would be lovely.
How great is it that your landlord is open to selling the house. Sounds like you’ve got lots of good ideas if you do buy it, good luck.
We have so many plans for our house, it’s so exciting to plan and save up. I think out next project is going to be floor to ceiling bookshelves
I’d love to be in the position where I’m able to buy the house we live in! It’s really a great way to buy because you know how the house works and what changes work practically. I love natural wooden flooring too, I think it’s best with kids and a dog!
Sounds like some great ideas, its so nice to do a home makeover!