New house-renovetions?

[Kat256M]

Hello everyone! Long time reader, first time poster here.

We are in the process of buying our first house (flat). Hoorey!! We just went for another viewing today and now that the excitememt is going down we started really imagining our lives there. I have 2 mains problems!

1. The bathrooms. Hate them! The sinks have the hot/cold taps and there is no storage whatsoever. The floor is wood (like the rest of the house) which seems just weird for a bathroom. And they look cheap. Like someone was decorating on Sims and chose the cheapest options available.

1. Curtains. Again hate them. Very thin, cheap, horrible and different colours and in the living room the rod doesn't do all the way up to cover the top window part.

It has always been an investment property until now so the owner probably didn't care. Now, the AIBU part. I think we need to not spend any money on "quick" amd "easy" fixes like temporary shelves in the bathrooms and do it once, do it proper and do it as quick as possible. Husband thinks we will be fine and stay there for the first year or so and then decide what we want to change more permanently. Get something to combine the hot/cold water or something temporary etc. We have a 6month old and I know money woll be tight with the new mortgage but I think we need to make it or own, even on a budget.

Any recommendation on custom curtain and rod measing and installing(we are both useless with things like that!!) are very welcome. Or estimates for bathtooms for people that did them recently. We have an en-suite and a full bath.Maybe he is right and it is just too expensive?

how about a three month period to better understand what does and doesn't work well in the house. when you first move in you will not know the house well enough and may end up regretting those initial changes.
curtains/curtain rods and simple switching of taps aside those are simple enough they shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

Maybe you are right! I have no idea what the costs are, which doesn't help. I did look at the John Lewis website for curtains but maybe someone does it cheaper...dunelm?

Lots of places are cheaper than John Lewis.

You can spray paint curtain poles to match.
Curtains are rarely included in a sale - so not sure why you wouldn’t change them.

Bathrooms are around £8K depending where you are

Bathroom flooring about £200 fitted.

Take your time, don't be in a rush to get it up to standard. I've been in my home nearly 3 years and I've worked out what needs doing quickly and what doesn't. Always prioritise the fabric of the home rather than the decor. Don't waste money on what works in the moment as that can be costly in the long run.

@Totaly Thank you for the quotes. Bathrooms can be expensive then. Maybe just do the floor and buy new sinks? I found a few with mixer taps that have storage (drawers) underneath so it solves two problems. I don't want to put open shelves as an easy solution, because toddlers and bathroom cleaning supplies probably shouldn't mix!

Get yourself on insta and facebook and watch some renovation videos. Everyone starts somewhere. You dont ned to decide now if you'll jump straight in with quick fixes or saving for a whole room renovation, you'll know what feels right when youre in there.

It's so empowering to learn FIY and not have to nag your husband to put up shelves 😄

Get into vinted as well, loads of stuff people have bought like curtains which they found didnt fit after opening the pack and it's a fraction of the price X

@ToadOnTheHill That is a great idea! Although I need to make sure I measure everything properly so I don't make the same mistake😅