Tiny rented house, no money .. how do I make it look good?

[Itsmeaga1n]

Just that really ... my rented house is tiny. I've no money but would like to make it look nice, specifically the through lounge dining room.

The floor is bare floorboards, rough, broken, dirty. I have a rug down on half the room but it's getting old and threadbare due to my naughty cats. I can't afford carpet or more rugs, or sanding and vanishing ... which would be impossible with my cats anyway. Anyone got any clever ideas?

I'm not allowed to paint it, but have various pictures on most walls. My fave colour is turquoise, my sofa is dark blue, I have a second hand chaise in pale sage green, turquoise curtains. My coffee table is unvarnished pale wood and ruined by my children putting cups and plates on it without coasters. Bookshelves, dining table and sideboard are pine.

What can I do to make it a nicer place to be?

[PenelopeFlintstone]

Have you looked at the Apartment Therapy website? It's especially for small rented places.
And then there's Pinterest, of course.

[Itsmeaga1n]

Thanks I'll take a look.

On Pinterest I struggle to find things I can afford

[PenelopeFlintstone]

It might be easier for people to advise if you namechange and put up some photos.

[Itsmeaga1n]

Thanks photo attached.

[Itsmeaga1n]

I'm not home at the moment, it's the only one I have on my phone.

[PenelopeFlintstone]

Add extra search words in Pinterest, such as frugal, budget, etc. But yeah, I know what you mean. Boho is another good search word for mix and match, secondhand, etc.

[PenelopeFlintstone]

and bump your thread in about 5 hours when people are up

[Littleredboat]

When you say you have no money, what are we talking here?

Have you tried charity shops for accessories?

[PenelopeFlintstone]

And, by the way, it doesn't look that bad. I like your floor and cupboard.

[Monty27]

Freecycle?

[Itsmeaga1n]

Thanks for the replies.

I've no money really, definitely only looking at charity shops or eBay, although I would spend up to £20 on a neutral rug if I could find one.

The problem is I dont live in or near an affluent area so the charity shops are just full of cheap tat mainly. I bought my curtains on eBay.

The floor may look good in the photo but close up its damaged and filthy in places.

[Itsmeaga1n]

Does freecycle even still exist? I don't think there is one local to me.

Any tips where I can find very cheap neutral rugs that look o.k.?

[Badgertastic]

Try looking on your local Facebook selling groups. I've had some great bargains from there.

[LapdanceShoeshine]

Freecycle is called Freegle now, if it helps.

Is there a buy & sell page locally on Facebook?

I live in a pretty affluent area but there is still a useful YMCA furniture shop here.

[LapdanceShoeshine]

Oh, sorry, just realised I misinterpreted your post about those

[snowsun]

Can you sew ?
Off cut material or a second hand throw to turn into cushion covers and throws.
I got a very cheap throw from Primark and made pom-poms from left over wool and attached them around the edge.
Patterned wallpaper framed.
Turn old jumpers and jeans into cushion covers.
Off cut carpet ask it to be edged to make a rug.

[MissCherryCakeyBun]

Op what rough area are you in as we might be able to suggest shops etc. We live in Harpenden in Hertfordshire in 2 rooms in a family members house and have got stuff for the house we are moving to from local charity places that are not charity shops per say. YMCA and a group called Emanus have warehouse "shops" just for furniture etc. I got curtains from eBay and we have loads off furniture away on free cycle when I had to get rid of furniture after loosing the house in a divorce.
Have a look on Pinterest at styles and looks that you like and see how you can replicate on a budget. Are you near an IKEA? There bargain area is good for all sorts including soft furnishings.
Good luck and let's us know what you want to relocate and we can see what to suggest

[MelissaElderflower]

What about rag rug, lots of them on EBay and they are quite cheap.
Gumtree may be good source too.
Take a look on YouTube, there is tons of decor diy ideas( even budget ones) which you can try.
If you can't repaint walls, you can't try some wall stickers instead?https://m.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?
from=R40&&trksid=p2380057.m4084.l1311.R3.TR5.TRC0.A0.H0.Xscandi+w.TRS0&nkw=scandi+wall+stickers&&sacat=0

[MelissaElderflower]

Link not working, it was just Scandi wall stickers, relatively cheap and nice.

[Itsmeaga1n]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm in South Wales.

I've plenty on the walls really. I keep looking for a masterpiece in the charity shops around here but they're still quite expensive.

I can't find a reasonably priced rag rug in neutral colours that's big enough, I've looked on Amazon and eBay.

[Monty27]

He takes coke?
Give him a miss. You deserve better.
No-one but no-one will heal a coke head except themselves.
I wouldn't touch one with a 10ft barge pole.

[Monty27]

Omg sorry wrong thread
As you were

[MissCherryCakeyBun]

@Monty27 ......intrigued now

[BayTrees]

I buy on gumtree much more than ebay. No bidding, no PayPal. I find it easier and have bought some lovely things very cheaply. I've also joined some local Facebook selling and freebie sites though things can go very quickly if they are good.

[Sleephead1]

I got a nice Ikea rug on Freecycle so it's worth a look . Could you travel to some other charity shops to have a look at them ? Facebook local selling sites , local community sites or charity shop furniture shops or house clearance sales / auctions