To ask how to undowdify my house

[bordellosboheme]

I have been very distracted with work. DP has been in charge of the home. However it has turned very dowdy and bachelor pad like. It even smells like a bachelor pad. Everything needs a lick of paint. Carpets have become grimey . I have a high powered job so am not in any way time rich enough to tackle this. Also we don't have any disposable income, even though it is a large house which I love.

Get the carpets out and sand/seal the floor? Or hire a professional carpet cleaner, always special offers around.

I think these things make the most difference at not too much cost if you choose carefully:
Paintwork and use of colour
Good lighting - lamps rather than overhead but overhead on a dimmer are kinder
Cushions
Candles
A really good clean with nice smelling products
Open windows daily for fresh air
Photos/pictures/plants

Hope that list is not patronising!

Have you heard of Apartment Therapy’s 30 day cure? They run it Jan and Sept but you can find the challenges online anyway. It’s short manageable things like 1) buy flowers for your house 2) clear out a drawer. Just one thing a day. One day one of the challenges is to plan a get together/small party to give you the impetus to work towards a more welcoming/lovely home. Another challenge is simply making a list of all the projects you want to get round to. I think it’s really helpful in helping you to fall back in love with home and give it a bit of love in return.

Also could you spare some cash for a professional deep clean to give you a clean slate?

Get rid of the carpets. White walls. Those paint sprayer tank things you hire by the hour make it way quicker than brush or roller. Blinds not curtains, lots of the direct from factory price ones if you Google are v cheap. More modern look that suits every type of home. Then add accents of colour with new cushion covers & rugs when you can afford them.

Getting rid of the carpets sounds like a good idea. Do likes them but they are light coloured and a magnet for grime.

I always think if bachelor pads as swanky rather than grimy and dowdy but I digress, get him to clean it. Try something like Team Tomm, and make a plan for redecoration.

Paint the whole house white, amazing what fresh, light paint can do