Tag: home

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10 Budget Friendly Christmas Decorating Tips

It’s the most wonderful time of the year aka the countdown to Christmas and you’re probably planning on how you are going to decorate your home for the next month (if you haven’t already had your tree up since mid-November that is). However, you can get oveerwhelmed with choice and with many of us feeling the pinch this winter, we’re looking to keep costs down as much as we can.

However, this shouldn’t stop you from decorating your home and with a little imagination and some crafty DIY, you can have the place ready for the holidays in no time, even on a budget!

1. Go through what you already have

It’s easy to get swept into the idea of needing new decorations, we get it. Shops are filled with an abundance of sparkly lights, shimmering baubles, and frosted 6ft trees but remember that you decorated your home this time last year just fine, so dig them out of the loft or cupboard and hunt through what you already have. 

This is a great time to check for lights that no longer work, your fake tree isn’t missing any branches or if you’ve recently moved home, if you can find the tree entirely!

2. Think about what rooms you need to decorate

Have a think about what rooms you’ll be entertaining in during December. If you’re not hosting this year, how about just decorating your living room with a tree and some ornaments, to create a cosy, festive atmosphere.

And if you have an open plan living area, try putting up a few statement pieces throughout, instead of turning the whole space into Santa’s Grotto (unless you want to of course).

3. Less is more

Remember, you don’t have to decorate your home to the nines to make an impact. Finding a few key pieces can go a lot further than placing something sparkly in every corner of the room. And if you have a small space, adding lots of pieces can make the area look cluttered, so as mentioned, think about adding 1-2 statement pieces instead.

4. Decorate with foraged greenery

Pop on some walking shoes, grab some scissors, and get out in nature to forage some greenery. This one also doubles up as a budget friendly winter activity to do with friends or family.

You want to look out for holly, fir, spruce or willow trees, branches and pinecones. You can then make your own wreath, garlands for your stairs, table decorations and much more. Check out Pinterest for inspiration. 

If you wanted to invest in some dried eucalyptus. Which you can pick up from most florists and some supermarkets. It will last you years and make for a great table centrepiece, plus it will smell amazing in your home.

5. Christmas wrapping

Christmas wrapping paper can add up if you’re buying for lots of people, not to mention the sustainability factor of wrapping paper.

Buying a big roll of brown craft paper is a great way to save money and it can be recycled. You can then spice it up with different ribbons/string, add your own DIY tags, pinecones, bows etc. and completely customize your wrapping cheaply.

6. Choose a colour scheme and stick to it

It’s easy to want to add pops of colour through Xmas decorations and if they work with your current decor then by all means go ahead and make Christmas colourful.

But, if you want something that will last you years, that you can take from one home to another, try sticking to neutral tones such as golds and silvers. These will work with any room and make it easy to add things to the collection in the future.

7. Can you make something instead of buying it?

We understand that not everyone has an artistic side and making your own decorations or ornaments isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

However, there are so many things you can make at home for Christmas such as a wreath (which can be pretty expensive to buy), you can spray pine cones with fake snow and tie on some string to make a garland or for table placements or centrepieces. Check out some ideas here.

If you have littles ones, why not get some clay and cutters or slice and dry out oranges to make your own tree decorations. As well as being cost effective, this is also a great festive activity to do as a family.

8. Tap into the other senses

Instead of only thinking about what visually looks good, tap into the other senses such as smell with scented candles, tree scent sticks, or add sprigs of rosemary or thyme to napkin holders or gift tags.

Adding cosy Christmas themed cushions and throws to the sofa is another great way to add festive touches and as the months get colder, we can never have to many throws. You can pick up some great ones from IKEA, Primark, supermarket home sections etc.

And finally, playing Christmas songs is a sure fire way to get people who enter your home in the festive mood!

9. Real vs fake

If you need to buy a tree, decide whether you need a real tree or whether you could buy a fake one that’ll last you years. Fake trees look great nowadays and can help you save money in the years to come.

If you don’t have the space to store a fake tree come January, make sure you hunt around for the best deal when it comes to real Christmas trees.

10. Two words, fairy lights!

Fairy lights are a great way to add sparkle to any room or space. You can purchase them from almost any homeware shop, supermarket, IKEA etc. and they are fairly versatile. Fairy lights can be battery powered or plugged into the mains, so if you wanted to add lights to an awkward area, use batteries and keep plug-ins for the tree.

Lights also come in a multitude of colours, cool or warm tones, ones that twinkle and even lights that flash to the sounds of jingle bells – crazy!

So there you have it, some tips on how to save some pennies this Christmas when decorating your home. No matter whether you’re a homeowner or you rent a space, you can ensure it gets the festive touches it deserves, even on a budget.

If a winter vacation isn’t in your budget either this winter, then why not book a staycation in Bristol? Check out our short let properties here.

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A Helpful Guide to Buying Your First Home

Despite home ownership becoming more difficult in recent years, the dream remains strong for most in the UK. For more than half of Brits, buying your first home sits atop their list of life goals, even before starting a family.

The step onto the property ladder is probably the weightiest one you’ll make in life. It’s also one of the most drawn out. The journey is long between deciding that you’re ready and taking that first step into your new home. In between, you’ll have to contend with a marathon of paperwork, viewings, and moving in your stuff.

To help you nab the home you want without tanking your budget, here’s a quick guide that condenses the most important things you need to know about every step of the process.

Budgeting To Buy Your First Home

A cardinal rule to buying your first home is to figure out what you can really afford–and to stick to it religiously. Your mortgage won’t be your only significant expense. Debts, loans, and insurance will all incur costs. Failing to accurately account for these may lead to becoming “house poor”, or having little money to spend on anything outside of payments for your home.

Not sure where to start? Start at 28%. 

One basic tenet that can help you get started with budgeting is the 28% rule. According to the rule, no more than 28 percent of your monthly pre-tax income should go towards mortgage payments.

Costs To Look Out For

Beyond recurring mortgage repayments, there are still a handful of fees you have to account for when buying your first home. Keeping a list of your payables will be key for properly budgeting and avoiding sticker shock when the bills come in.

Mortgage Deposit

A deposit is easily the heftiest fee you’ll need to pay upfront. Most first-time buyers save for eight years just to afford the down payment for a home. Just how much should you expect to pay? Down payments usually cost around 5 percent of a property’s value, but it’s not uncommon to have to pay up to 15 percent.

Indemnity Insurance

Buying a home isn’t without risk. Indemnity insurance protects you against any liabilities from property defects. For instance, the previous owner may have built an extension without the proper planning permission. Indemnity insurance pays for the cost of resolving these legal breaches–a welcome boon given all the money you already need to spend on repayments and moving in. Premiums will range anywhere from £20 to hundreds of pounds, depending on the value of the property and the coverage of the policy.

Building Insurance

While building covers aren’t legally mandatory, many mortgages stipulate getting one as part of the agreement. Even if yours doesn’t, getting coverage is highly advisable to protect yourself against damage. Without a cover, you could find yourself ruined by costs to repair fixtures and structural faults. Expect to pay an annual fee of at least £100 per year, more if your policy covers contents insurance.

Conveyance Fees

Aspiring homeowners have to navigate a web of paperwork and legalities. Hiring a professional conveyancer ensures the transaction stays on the right side of legal–something you’ll always want when large sums of money are changing hands and you’re signing contracts that will bind for decades. Conveyancer fees can cost up to £2,000. This may or may not include disbursement fees they’ll need to pay third-parties on your behalf.

Survey Fees

When you’ve got your eyes set on a property, it’s easy to overlook red flags. These oversights can be costly. The majority of homeowners end up paying for repairs within their first year of moving in. Some unsavoury sellers deliberately hide defects. Due diligence through surveyance protects and saves you from adding another entry to your list of payables. Surveys in the UK range from £300-£1500–steep at a glance, but relatively cheaper from the £5,750 average repair bill for owners who don’t get them.

Looking For And Landing Your Dream First Home

Ultimately, location matters more than the aesthetic of a property. You can love how a home looks like, but end up in a neighbourhood you hate. You can always renovate, but you can’t change the culture of the community you live in.

So it’s crucial that your initial search begins from a viewpoint that overlooks the bigger picture. Families with children will want to look into the quality of schools in the area. If you’re looking to settle into somewhere sedate, how will future developments affect traffic and noise levels? If you need to commute to work, how close are the local transport links?

Once you decide on a location, it’s time to register with local real estate agents. These are professionals who can find a home that checks all the boxes. Registering also gives you an early advantage, as many agents contact registered buyers for viewings before a listing goes public.

When you feel like you’re ready to make an offer, make sure you’re making a competitive bid. You can do that by researching the cost of properties around the area. If you and your agent come to an agreement, get it in writing. This way, you can protect against getting gazumped by buyers with a higher bid.

Settling In

Finally, after all the i’s have been dotted and t’s crossed, you’re ready to move in. While moving in is much more exciting than filing documents and negotiating deals, the process can still be stressful–and excessively expensive–for the underprepared.

Be prepared to pay for professional removal teams. While you can pack and haul your possessions to your new home by yourself, hiring a removal company means your things arrive safely and in one piece. That’s also a tedious and backbreaking step off your list, allowing you to use your time for other tasks like decorating, shopping for new furniture, or exploring your new neighbourhood.

Buying a home is a complex affair, but it doesn’t have to be such a nightmare. Thorough research and being smart about your budget will go a long way in helping you avoid common mistakes for first time buyers.

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How to Make Your Rented Space Feel Like Home

Over the last few years the majority of us spent more time at home, giving many time to rethink their home decor and getting their DIY on. But for those who live in a rented space it can be difficult to put your stamp on it and create somewhere that really feels like your home. 

Below are some tips on how to make a rented space feel like yours without breaking the bank or the terms within your contract.

Fill the space with plants

Purchasing plants and flowers to fill your space is a great way to make it feel more homely. Not only do plants look great, but they also help to clean the air and remove toxins. There are some beautiful plant shops within Bristol, check out Fancy Plants, Sprouts of Bristol, Mila, and Bush Bristol.

Having the colour green in your home is also proven to promote feelings of peace, relaxation, growth and can help with stress relief. Discover more about introducing shades of green into your home here.

No good at keeping plants alive? Check out this list of hard to kill plants.

Buy soft furnishings

Another quick way to create a homely vibe within your space is through comfy cushions and cosy throws! There are so many colours, fabrics and textures to choose from, so even if you are playing with neutral tones or bright pops of colour that may already be within the rental space, the possibilities are endless.

You can pick up great cushions and throws from most supermarket home aisles, or shops such as Dulemn, Homesense and Ikea.

Artwork

Picking up a few prints is a great way to transform a space, add colour and personality to a room. If you’re worried about putting holes into the wall try using Command Strips or place pictures and frames on side tables, dressers, shelving units or even on the floor if you have a larger piece.

Lighting

Having too much light in a room can make it feel oversaturated, but too little light and the space can feel gloomy. Even the best-styled room can look flat if the lighting is inadequate. Try a mix of floor lamps, table lamps and even candles to transform a space or adding different types of bulbs to existing light fixtures.

Mirrors are also perfect for reflecting natural light around a room, this is great for smaller spaces and can make them feel brighter and airy.

Accessorise!

Accessorising is a quick way to transform any room, space or corner. This could be through soft furnishings, candles, photos, vases, decorative accessories or rugs. There are some great independent shops in Bristol where you can buy beautiful home accessories such as Mon Pote and Fig1.

Or check out a local charity shop or vintage store to pick up some quirky, budget friendly home accessories.

Photo: Mon Pote

Get creative with storage

Rental properties can often lack storage, especially if it’s a studio or small flat/apartment. This can lead to clutter and make a space feel smaller, but you can quickly improve this by purchasing storage furniture, using nice looking storage boxes as side tables, hooks for the back of doors, or getting decent underbed storage or wardrobe organisers.

Get painting

Another great way to transform a room is by painting it a different colour, it can do wonders! If you’re dealing with a small space, try using lighter shades, if it’s a large room, have fun and choose a bright colour or darker shades for optimal cosy vibes.

However, if your landlord isn’t keen on the idea of you painting the walls, switch things up and paint a few items of your furniture in accent colours to help make a room pop!

So, there you have it, our top tips on making any rental space feel more like yours. The space you live in should feel like home as much as possible, no matter if it is your own property or not and this can be achieved by implementing a few of the above tips.

If you are currently looking for your next rental, whether this is mid-term or long-term, get in touch or check out our current properties over on our website.