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Home decoration

Looking for inspiration

5 replies

Marilla1987 · 18/10/2025 19:49

I have a budget of £5k to redecorate my dining room and living room, which are both really dated. I need new sofas and dining table, sideboards etc. We have a standard 3 bed semi. I don’t want laminate furniture anymore because it gets easily damaged. My husband has cancer and I have health needs so our days of flat pack building are over. I really don’t know where to shop, where to start, what is stylish etc. This is a big chunk of money for us so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Where would people recommend? Are there any catalogues or magazines that people could recommend? We don’t really have guests over or go to others’ so I’m struggling for inspiration!

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WhoAteAllTheMincePiez · 18/10/2025 20:29

John Lewis is easy, and whilst £5K is a lot of money, you have two too many and want new everything, so I don’t think it will go that far, unfortunately. I would look in charity shops, British Heart Foundation has an online presence and does delivery. You’ll definitely get better value for money if it’s pre-loved.

WhoAteAllTheMincePiez · 18/10/2025 20:30

Ugh! Two rooms to decorate*

Autumnlife · 18/10/2025 21:27

Oh my goodness how big a sofa do you want? Do you want a fabric or leather ? Ready made oak units tv stand ,coffee table and side tables. Then the dining room how many chairs do you need around the table what other furniture would you want in there.

NancyBellaDonna · 18/10/2025 21:36

£5k is not going to go far. £5k is not going to go far.
Came here to recommend British Heart Foundation too.
Or try your local Freecycle, Nextdoor or Marketplace (via Facebook) for furniture. Sometimes you can get stuff for free.
For inspiration have a look at Pinterest.

I find Dunelm good for sofas/armchairs/rugs and M&S also for soft furnishing.
Try eBay for used softfurnising. I bought a pair of lovely curtains for £25 on eBay.

Marilla1987 · 18/10/2025 21:41

Thank you all. Just looked at British Heart Foundation furniture. Lots on there. Hadn’t thought of Pinterest either. Fab suggestions.

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