Latest news with #budgetdecor
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I turned my ugly outhouse into a stunning feature – folk say it's the best £10 Shein transformation they've seen
A SAVVY woman has shared how she transformed her ugly outhouse on a budget. Tracy Wright, from the UK, took to social media to show off the simple garden transformation that left people floored. 2 2 In the post, she shared a picture of her 'ugly' cold house in the garden, which was made of bricks and featured a grey and black door. But she was able to give it a new lease of life and brighten up the old building with two cheap buys. She used a shower curtain which depicted the image of brick walls with lots of ivy falling down. To add to the effect (and because the curtain was a little too short) Tracy added some faux ivy to the top of the outhouse which blended in perfectly with the curtain. She wrote: "Thought I'd jump on the bandwagon with the shower curtain idea. "Turned my ugly-looking old coal house into something a little different." She revealed that she picked up the shower curtain for just £5 from Shein. People were left in awe over just how good it looked, with many saying it was the best use of a shower curtain to decorate they had seen to date. Tracy managed to make the shower curtain look clean and tidy by first ironing it so there were no creases. After, Tracy stapled the shower curtain to some thin plywood and then used No Nails glue to attach the plywood to the outhouse. Peter O'Mahony shares gardening update 'I've been planning for years' on Instagram The post as shared on the Facebook group, Gardening on a Budget Official, which boasts 453k followers. People were quick to congratulate Tracy on her DIY skills in the comments. One person wrote: "So much nicer to look at." How To Make Your Small Garden Look Bigger Garden design expert Fiona Jenkins from has created a guide on how to make your small garden look larger. Add shelves - for additional storage and place to hold more plants. Use foldaway furniture - to take up less space when not in use. Add privacy - with fencing, trellis, brick walls or hedging. Add a water feature - to make your garden seem like a natural retreat. Go bright - when choosing plants, opt for bold colours to make the space pop. Use large planters - to get more plants in less space. Plant vertically - add plants upwards to make your garden seem fuller, and therefore, bigger. Use blue flowers at the edge s - blue flowers and plants recede into the distance and make the garden appear bigger. Grow tall plants - it's better to think big when it comes to a small garden. Keep clutter a minimum - as it can give the illusion of less space than there actually is. "Oh wow it looks brill," penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "That looks amazing." "And it looks fabulous,' claimed a fifth.
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I gave my house a designer makeover using Shein for just £270 – but there's a catch they don't tell you about
GIVING your home a designer makeover – but with a bargain price tag – sounds like an impossible task. But while Janine Santos was browsing the Chinese retail website, Shein – known for selling clothes super cheaply – she suddenly spotted a ' Home & Kitchen ' category. 8 8 8 There, on her screen, appeared to be the solution to her problem. Attractive-looking curtains, cushions, tapestries, bedding, storage baskets and much more were being offered at rock bottom prices. It seemed too good to be true. One thing led to another and soon Janine had bought around 50 items to give her Cardiff home a stylish new 'boho' look that has transformed it from top to bottom. The bill for her haul came in at just £269. 'I wasn't sure about it, as it was so cheap,' says Janine, a 47-year-old cruise fleet manager. 'But the quality looked good. 'Even if I'd gone somewhere else which is considered good value, like Ikea, I would have spent over £1000, easy.' Before she discovered Shein homeware, Janine had a weakness for splurging on high end, expensive items. 'I used to use brands like Andrew Martin, Osborne & Little and Farrow & Ball,' says Janine, who is mum to Keanau, 26, and married to Damon, 53, a tiler. 'I also used to love Flamant, a high-end Belgian brand. They were my go-to for timeless pieces.' But when she decided to give her three-bedroom semi a refresh last December, Janine was looking to economise. 'I spend six months away at sea each year with work and when I come home, all I want is a space to relax,' she says. 'I'd been meaning to do this for a while and make it feel more homely. But I wanted to tighten my belt. I prefer to spend my money on experiences these days, like holidays, and thought: 'How can I do this affordably?'' Janine was shopping for clothing on Shein last December when she noticed they also sell homeware. The China-based retailer's popularity is currently soaring in the UK, with sales jumping by nearly 40 per cent to £1.5bn last year. It is expected to become Britain's sixth largest clothing retailer by 2027. For Janine, the prices seemed too good to ignore, so she ordered two photographic prints and some pampas grass to test the waters. 'I used to buy my prints from King & McGaw, which specialises in fine art prints,' says Janine. 'I paid £300 each for two prints years ago. 'But these 50cm x 70cm Shein prints were £3 and £7. I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. They were delivered eight days later, in a cardboard box, and were printed on high quality cardboard. They also came rolled up, so there were no creases. 'They didn't come with frames, so I got some from Amazon, at £50 for three.' A couple of weeks later, Janine placed a second, bigger order, then a third. She bought, among other items, a rug to go in front of the fire (£5.24), a king size duvet cover set with pillows (£26.48), two single curtains (£21.75 each), a beige woven wall tapestry (£2.29), dried pampas grass (£4.19), two artificial ivy plants (£1.85 each), three white woven storage baskets (£6.12 each), a wall sticker (£1.30) and a cute ornament of someone reading (£1.10). 8 8 'Cushion crazy' 'When I told my husband how much everything cost, he said: 'There's no way, you're lying to me.' 'And one friend who came round couldn't believe it when I told her so much of my stuff was from Shein – she literally screamed. I think she was expecting me to say some fancy, overpriced designer brand. 'She went straight to the website and started filling her basket. People have this idea that Shein is only for clothes – but the home stuff is genuinely stylish and surprisingly good quality. Nothing I ordered felt below par.' Janine's star buy was a pair of cream curtains for the bedroom. Curtains are sold individually on Shein and Janine bought two for £21.75 each. 'In the past I've paid over a thousand pounds for a pair of curtains,' she says. 'They were handmade, very thick, like quilts. I don't feel I need that sort of thing any more.'They're my favourite - they're lined and they've got this lace overlay – they're really drapey and beautiful. I bought the pole off Shein as well for £11.44.' Janine is also impressed with the bedding she bought from the retailer. She paid £25 for a king size polycotton white duvet cover and two matching pillowcases. And the cushions were so cheap – just £3 each – that Janine went 'cushion crazy'. 'I've got them all over the house,' she says. 'One is a tan leather look, the others are like the tapestry on the wall, with tassels on them. Damon loves the new look. The only thing he has said is: 'Please, no more cushions'.' 'Boho with a designer twist' Another big hit was the pampas grass. 'I ordered the large size,' says Janine. I thought: 'It's going to be limp, but I can try it.' Luckily, it's really full.' Janine's method is to spend more money on big-ticket items – she recently bought a bed and chest of drawers from Freemans for about £1000 and a sofa from DFS for around £2,000 – and save on the accessories that finish off a room. She describes her style as 'boho with a designer twist', mixing budget buys with statement pieces. 'Spending so little is great, because if I want to do a different theme, I can buy a load more stuff from Shein,' she says. 'I will give these to charity, then I can buy new things. I'm just layering on to make a new theme. The foundations stay, they are good quality.' Shipping is free, too, if you spend more than £35. And there are other incentives, says Janine. 'They give you vouchers. They say: add another item to your basket to receive a bigger discount. 'Then when I look at it, it's as if I've got those curtains free.' But Shein is not popular with everyone. The brand has been criticised for its sustainability practices, with concerns raised about textile waste and excessive carbon emissions. Last August, Shein admitted it had found two cases of child labour in its supply chain and factories failing to pay the minimum wage. Janine says: 'I know there are conversations around sustainability with brands like Shein and it's something I do think about. 'When I was decorating, I made sure to choose pieces I actually love and knew I'd keep – not something trendy for a quick fix. I've never been sent the wrong product, or had to return anything, either. 'I think sustainability is also about how you use things and how long you keep them, not just where they come from.' 'I've mixed and matched, like I would with clothes. I might buy a designer outfit, but wear a T-shirt from Primark. 'I'll change a few things in winter, like adding a fluffy rug and throws. I like that I can switch things up without spending a fortune.' Janine has converted the garage in her house, adding an upstairs level and separate entrance to create an Airbnb. She also has an Airbnb property in Egypt. Both are decorated with Shein homeware. 'I love my 'Shein house',' she says. 'It feels warm, modern and personal – and that's what matters, not that I've had any negative comments – quite the reverse. 'I'm not here trying to impress anyone, I'm creating a space that feels like me. It's like I've curated a little Pinterest board in real life.' 8 8 8
The Sun
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
You'd never know I live in a council house thanks to how good it looks – I shopped in IKEA & an Amazon tip saved me cash
A MOTHER has revealed that she lives in a council house but nobody can tell because of how stylish it looks. So if you're eager to give your pad an upgrade but don't know where to start, you've come to the right place and will need to take inspiration from this savvy DIY enthusiast. 5 5 5 Crystal Jewell, a 32-year-old mum-of-two from the UK, was able to transform her council house whilst staying on a budget. Not only did she shop in The Range sale and nab bargain buys from IKEA, but she was also able to save cash thanks to a handy Amazon hack. Posting on social media, Crystal gave her followers a before, during and after look at her living room overhaul, leaving many totally stunned. Alongside the short clip, the brunette beauty beamed: 'POV: You live in a council house but you can't tell.' At the start of the video, viewers saw the content creator rip off the dark wallpaper from the walls. Just seconds later, the mother got to work on painting the walls, in an attempt to lighten the space. Crystal confirmed that she used the Dulux paint in the shade Egyptian Cotton, which you can nab from B&Q, Screwfix and Wickes, from £23. What was once quite a dark and dated space is now incredibly trendy and chic. Crystal furnished the room with gorgeous cream sofas and added flowers and trendy black photo frames, which she got from B&M. In the corner of the room is also a dining table and chairs, which thanks to Crystal's savvy idea, looks jaw-dropping. Eager to reveal more on her purse-friendly project, Crystal told Fabulous: 'The table was £50 from IKEA - the dining chairs I already had but were old and worn out so I updated them with some chair covers from Amazon.' As well as this, Crystal also revealed to us: 'All of the table decor was from The Range which I got in the sale, including the sofa cushions and wallpaper. 'Curtains were from Dunelm, £40 per pair, I bought two pairs. The nets are from IKEA and also the curtain pole. 'Everything had to be budget friendly. I absolutely love DIY and doing stuff on a budget and making my home cosy for me and my two children.' DIY enthusiasts beam The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 23,300 views, 501 likes and 23 comments. DIY fans were left gushing over Crystal's gorgeous home and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. living room looks STUNNING!' Another added: 'Looks amazing.' A third commented: 'Beautiful, nicely done.'
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I transformed my living room with Amazon & B&Q bargains for as little as £30 – everyone says my makeover is amazing
A THRIFTY woman shared how she upgraded her living room with a few Amazon and B&Q buys. So if you're keen to spruce up your home this year but don't want to fork out a fortune, you've come to the right place, as this transformation is sure to give you inspiration. 2 2 Facebook user Charlotte Blades took to the popular DIY On A Budget Official page where she proved there's no need to spend thousands to give your living room a glow-up. The money-smart woman achieved the epic results thanks to bargains from major retailers, as well as using Facebook Marketplace to source some of the interior. Before the jaw-dropping transformation, the spacious living room boasted cream walls, an old fireplace, as well as a lone lampshade and no curtains for privacy. But after scoring several wallet-friendly bargains, Charlotte managed to give the room a brand new look - and people cannot believe the difference. One of the cheapest items in the epic makeover was the new fireplace which she had stumbled across on Facebook Marketplace for a mere £30. To give the fireplace a more rustic aesthetic, the savvy woman used a wooden pallet - which cost her nothing. The fresh linen curtains, which gave the room a castle-like feel, were also just £30 and found online on Amazon. During the makeover process, Charlotte also decided to ditch the plain walls and used a dark green-grey paint. Fellow DIY lovers can snap up the Woodpigeon paint for just £38 from the home goods store B&Q. Another new feature in the living room was the gorgeous white rug that Charlotte had found on eBay for £85 - and while that may seem expensive, the rug is of a great size and absolutely stunning. I transformed my council house hallway for under £60 - the old laminate has vanished but critics say it 'looks cheap' ''So happy with the results! It doesn't have to be expensive!'' said the Facebook user who also got brown sofas from Facebook Marketplace for the bargain price of £120. 'What a gorgeous job you've done' Since being posted on the popular platform, the jaw-dropping makeover has taken the internet by storm. 10 DIY hacks for under £1 each These simple and affordable DIY hacks can help you get creative while saving money Homemade Air Freshener: Mix baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Place it in a small jar with a perforated lid to keep your home smelling fresh. Upcycled Tin Can Planters: Clean and paint empty tin cans to use as stylish planters for herbs or small plants. Custom Phone Stand: Use a sturdy piece of cardboard or an old plastic credit card to create a custom phone stand. Decorate it with washi tape or paint. DIY Lip Scrub: Combine sugar and a bit of honey or coconut oil to make a natural lip scrub. Store in a small container. Personalised Bookmarks: Use old greeting cards or decorative paper to create unique bookmarks. Punch a hole at the top and add a ribbon for a finishing touch. Decorative Mason Jars: Paint or decoupage old mason jars to use as decorative vases, storage containers, or candle holders. Easy Cable Organiser: Use empty toilet paper rolls to organize cables and cords. Decorate the rolls with colorful paper or tape. Magnetic Spice Jars: Attach small magnets to the lids of small jars and stick them to a metal board or fridge for easy-access spice storage. Handmade Coasters: Cut out squares from old corkboard or felt and decorate them with paint or fabric to create custom coasters. Natural All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent. Use it to clean surfaces around your home. In just four days, the post has racked up close to a whopping 200 likes, with more than a oxen people flooding to comments to hare their thoughts. As many praised Charlotte, one said: ''Looks lovely and even better when it doesn't break the bank!'' Another agreed, writing: ''Stunning. What a gorgeous job you've done, I love it all.'' A third chimed in: ''Looks amazing. And so rewarding when it doesn't cost an arm and a leg!''
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
I transformed my dated bedroom on a budget with B&Q bargains - people can't believe how professional it looks
A woman has revealed how she gave her dated bedroom the ultimate makeover on a budget with B&Q bargains. Kirsty M Jackson, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, shared before and after snaps of the room on the Facebook group DIY On A Budget and revealed she did it all on 'a small budget.' The before images showed the spacious bedroom was dated and in serious need of some updating. The walls were white woodchip wallpaper, the windows were bare without curtains, the bedframe was an outdated black leather design that clashed with the space, and the ceiling light lacked a lampshade. To make the space more cosy and welcoming, Kirsty removed the dated woodchip wallpaper, painted the room a warmer cream tone and installed pre-made wall panels that she had purchased from B&Q for just £9 per pack. To complete the transformation, she painted the newly installed paneling with Dulux's Overtly Olive, available at B&Q for £22, adding a stylish finish to the space. Kirsty also found a pair of elegant bedside lamps, reduced from £34 to £17 each and she replaced the white bedside lockers with smaller wooden ones. She then added plush furnishings to elevate the space even more, adding a plant, a rattan lampshade from B&Q for £34 and a cosy throw for over the bed. Kirsty M Jackson, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, has revealed how she gave her dated bedroom the ultimate makeover on a budget with B&Q bargains Sharing how she did the panelling herself she said: 'I watched some YouTube videos first before I did it. 'They explain it well and easy to follow. Recommend watching those first before you start. It is really easy to do. I did the whole wall in a couple of hours. 'Make sure you measure the wall and work how the spaces between each strip so it's equal.' The end result was a beautiful tranquil looking bedroom which looked like something out of a magazine. Many rushed to the comments to applaud Kristy's DIY transformation with some asking her for advice for their own homes. One person wrote: 'Woodchip wallpaper is absolutely disgusting and such hard work to remove BUT so, so worth the time and hassle well done. Not many people would put such hard work into the prep. It's great to see.' Another said: 'It looks absolutely stunning well done!! I think it would look perfect with wallpaper on the top half above the panelling to really complete it but know how much of a pain wallpapering is lol xx' Someone else added: 'Love it, how much was the panelling if you don't mind me asking,and where from, looks so professional.' Kirsty shared before and after snaps of the room on the Facebook group DIY On A Budget and revealed she did it all on 'a small budget'. The walls were white woodchip wallpaper which had to be stripped back before any work could begin The end result was a beautiful tranquil looking bedroom which looked like something out of a hotel magazine Kirsty also found a pair of elegant bedside lamps, reduced from £34 to £17 each and she replaced the white bedside lockers with small wooden ones She then added plush furnishings to elevate the space even more, adding a plant, a rattan lampshade from B&Q for £34 and a cosy throw for over the bed Many rushed to the comments to applaud Kristy's DIY transformation with some asking her for advice for their own homes A fourth added: 'Well done x Great Transformation xx Very Calming x Ceiling light shade is Fab, where is it from Please x?' It comes after a couple has added £35,000 to the value of their property after transforming the space into a modern family home with a minimal budget. Will Evans, 27, from Devon, has given new life to his current home, with a revamp costing just £3,200. The content creator and his partner, Britt, 26, purchased the three-bedroom, three-bath, detached property for £280,000 in May 2021 and could see the potential as soon as they stepped inside - particularly liking its size. But, the home needed a serious revamp and modernisation in order to make the space their future forever family home. Just four months later, they transformed the home on a tight budget and moved in February 2022. Now, the duo believe they've saved an estimated £10,000 by doing the work themselves. Will said: 'We could see the potential for a brilliant first home and future family home, but it was very outdated, so needed some redecorating. The couple ripped up the red carpet in the sitting room and layed a lavish modern grey carpet, they also bought a new L shaped sofa and removed the dated fireplace 'The house had a few faults, such as leaking bathrooms, but we were told that these had been fixed - upon moving in, we discovered this wasn't the case. 'We wanted a calm, rustic feel [throughout], such as lots of reclaimed wood and wooden features. 'To begin, we've just painted everything white to give us a blank canvas.' Quickly, they started tackling each room - but while Will hasn't renovated any property before, he has had experience converting multiple camper vans, so had the necessary skills to hand. Firstly, they began ripping out all the old carpets and followed up with pulling up the original underlay, as well as staples in the floor. Speaking about the process, he said: 'We then replaced some of the chipboard that had been damaged by urine. 'The next stage was to clean everything to try and remove the smell, before moving on to decorating the whole house, which included the walls, ceilings, radiators and new skirting boards. 'In the lounge, we removed the electric fire and fireplace, and in the kitchen, we removed the lino, tiles and plywood. One room which needed a complete overhaul was their en-suite bathroom due to poor tiling, leakage and rotting floorboards, they purchased a new shower from Victoria Plumbing, cabinets from B&Q, as well as flooring from King's Carpets 'Next, we laid new wooden laminate floorboards and painted all the cupboards white.' Afterwards, they removed all the blinds on every window within the house and put up new curtains, as well as purchasing new furniture, including a sofa. Similarly in the office, only minimal work was done, including painting the walls a dark green shade and adding new shelving. While the work wasn't too intense, they've managed to transform the space to a 'comfortable level' using basic skills and tools - and estimate these rooms have cost them £2,400 in total. However, one room which needed a complete overhaul was their en-suite bathroom due to poor tiling, leakage and rotting floorboards. For the space, they purchased a new shower from Victoria Plumbing, cabinets from B&Q, as well as flooring from King's Carpets. Will said: 'The shower tiles weren't tiled in properly and therefore, the shower water leaked down the back of the shower and onto the chipboard floor, which was rotted completely. 'When we moved in, we turned the shower on and the water went straight through the floor into the living room below. 'Luckily, we have a builder in the family who had lots of experience and skills to help us with some advice. 'We also used the internet to look for options that were cheaper, such as Pinterest and Instagram. 'Along with the help from my partner's dad, we pulled off all the plastic tiles and deconstructed the old shower frame, before removing the shower tray to see the damage underneath. 'We took out the toilet, radiator and sink to inspect the rest of the floor, which was black and decomposing. 'After removing all the floor and wall tiling using a hammer and chisel, we saw the shower was leaking from the U-bend part of the pipe, which needed replacing. 'We had a plasterer come in and do all the walls, with an electrician installing some LED spot lighting in the ceiling, as well as a new extractor fan. 'After sticking on new skirting boards, we painted the bathroom a light green colour and purchased a new sink wall cabinet, shower glass and frame, as well as shower boards.' After three months, the space was complete - but two out of the three bathrooms still need a revamp in order to finalise the overall transformation. In total, they have spent an estimated £3,200 transforming the property and after starting work in October 2021 their gorgeous family home is nearly complete. In a recent valuation, the couple claims they have added over £35,000 to the value of their property - with an estimated price of £315,000.
