Experienced doer uppers, Which room shall I do next?

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

We moved into a 3 bed cottage earlier ths year which needs completely updating. So far we have painted the outside, sorted the front garden, replaced the bathroom and I am just putting the finishing touches to DD1's room (she begged me to make it pink). Where shall I go next, choices are:

Finish the upstairs by:

• DD2's room: easy job as it's just wallpaper, painting & new carpet ( but the decor is not awful at the moment and DD2 is only a baby so is not petitioning for pink,yet)
  
• Our bedroom: hideous job as we need to strip textured wallpaper, replaster ceiling/possibly walls, sort out the condensation in a built in cupboard (how?!), empty & move our massive wardrobes out so we can get a new carpet down (all for aesthetic improvement really)
  

Or start downstairs to:

• knock through kitchen/dining room into one & replace kitchen (hideous, messy & expensive job requiring planning permission, RSJ and lots of money which we may /may not have - but would having this done would definitely make the most difference to our lives)
  

What do you think? I was all excited and enthusiastic after getting two rooms done but, now I write it all down, I am exhausted just thinking about how much more work we have to do!

[Oodhousekeeping]

Start the planning permission then continue upstairs short term.
The planning takes ages anyway and you need to feel progress!

[wendybird77]

Agree. Apply for PP and start upstairs. I would do your bedroom first and get it out of the way as if you run out of energy eventually DD2 will pester you to get off your tush! It sounds very similar to ours and I don't envy you glances at turquoise bathroom suite and 80s white kitchen.

[lalalonglegs]

I'd do upstairs first. Is the condensation on an outside wall? If so, create an air-brick type hole/vent for extra ventilation.

I'd then give myself at least six months off to plan the downstairs thoroughly and make sure that your money is spent wisely.

[PigletJohn]

you mention condensation.

Does anyone drape wet washing around the house or over radiators?

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

Thanks for the replies.

The condensation is in a cupboard which has 2 outside walls. We think it s condensation rather than damp as there is no obvious sign of a leak and it only became apparent in the winter, especially where items were pushed up against the wall. Washing is dealt with downstairs, on the other side of the house, so I don't think it's that.

I was going to try to make the walls warmer by padding them (expanded polystyrene? Plasterboard with foam in between?) and increase the flow of air with an internal vent and leaving the cupboard door open. Does this sound plausible?

DH is fretting we'll have to remove the entire render from outside the house and redo it all in lime, but I really don't want to go there....

[PigletJohn]

damp inside or behind furniture on an outside wall is typical of condensation, though you might look at the gutter during rain to ensure water is not falling on the wall outside.

water vapour is lighter than air and will diffuse throughout the house and rise until it escapes or meets something cold to condense on.

do you get water on the windows, or in the loft?

[VivaLeBeaver]

Do your bedroom first.

We have the same sort of cupboards in our bedroom with condensation. It is a lot better now since Dh put polystyrene type sheets on the walls in the cupboard, them another layer of wood or possibly plasterboard over the top.

Also keep the wardrobe doors open in the day to encourage air flow and try not to have it rammed full of too many clothes.

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

Yes to water on the windows upstairs, no to water in the loft...

Thanks again.

[PigletJohn]

leave the windows slightly open, and try not to breathe so much during the night. Ventilate the bedroom every morning after getting up.

some windows have a trickle or ventilation setting.

[HazeltheMcWitch]

Another vote for getting the PP process underway, then cracking on with your bedroom. But possibly leave the carpet, until the messy building work is complete.