I've fallen out of love with my house

[Misty9]

It's a perfectly nice 3 bed 1930s semi and has a lovely kitchen extension and recently landscaped garden. But, like a stale relationship, I'm only seeing the negatives and annoying 'quirks' now. We've been here 4 years and I'd welcome a move but dh is adamant we're staying.

Help me fall back in love with it! Tips to rekindle the 'feeling' are desperately needed please. Or can you never go back once at this stage?

Yeah lots of toys - big age gap so they don't share!

Utility room is one of my favourite spaces, hang up laundry and forget about it. We have a washing machine and under counter freezer (fridge in kitchen), worktop over both, then ceiling dryer over this. Quieter in the kitchen too!

In terms of patio doors, I guess it depends how often you have them open. Can you get them to open outwards? We have bifold doors which are pretty good for not taking up space.

Thank you for the post of solidarity sally and I chose this house too... I fell in love with the extension so if I can get that area to work better I think it'd make a big difference.

We spent out lots on getting the garden redesigned last year and are looking at at least getting the loft boarded and hatch enlarged. I will love this house again! I contacted an interior designer who specialises in helping homes meet emotional needs, so will see what she says. Decluttering today has helped me feel calmer so far though.

From reading your posts OP I think that yes it will be great to get storage etc sorted as that will make living in your house easier and more practical but I don’t think it will make you love your house , what I think you need to, for want of a better phrase, is the wow factor, you need to walk into your home and think it looks gorgeous, I would concentrate my money on one area such as the kitchen diner and make it a knock out! Somewhere that really lifts your spirits and make you want to spend time there, my kitchen/diner/family room has been done now for 5 years, I still look around it and think it’s so bloody gorgeous! Money very well spent!

Ooh what did you have done to it bettyboo ? Any pictures?

Some great advice here. I always find the best way to fall in love with my house again is to go on a fortnight’s holiday to somewhere with really cramped, crappy accommodation (like Butlins most basic) and I’m always ridiculously grateful to be home again, so really get the benefit!

Might out me I’m afraid misty one day maybe I will think sod it and throw caution to the wind!

Actually as @emily7708 says, I also find going away makes a difference but not necessarily to somewhere less-nice: sometimes going away somewhere lovely-looking gives me lots of ideas about things I could do to my house.

I think ikea used to sell an extension to the pax wardrobes to make them taller. Not sure if they still do though...

I agree that redecorating one room to make it a wow room will help massively.

It's also easier to keep rooms looking tidy when you walk in and think how lovely it is.

I thought that about going away too - which is why I posted this after returning from our half term break and not feeling relieved to be home... I’ve lost oomph a bit this week. Mostly I can’t see how I will redecorate the bedroom with such huge bits of furniture in it! They can’t be moved out as nowhere to put them, and they wouldn’t fit out the door.