Redecorating cheaply

[Grace212]

Hi all
Are there any home makeover shows on at the moment? I need tips for a budget redecoration project. Probably a lot of MDF will be involved 😂

I’ve no idea if there’s anything like that on free view, iplayer etc?

Thanks for any suggestions.

I saw partly used paint, brand new carpets and a whole house worth of furniture ads on Gumtree last week - all free!

Gumtree. I got 2 rooms done with Laura Ashley wallpaper for less than £50.
2 lovely chairs for 10.

Wow! Tbh I’m not even on furniture yet!

I have some strange stuff to cover up. Weird glass panels that I don’t like. There’s wood around it so something else can be attached.

Also some wood panelling I’d like to cover up. I saw them selling insulation panels in Aldi. I was thinking that could go on a wood panel wall, but what then, get a plasterer in to do a proper wall over it? Expensive. Hence thinking some large MDF panels might be better, I can sort that myself with a bit of help, and the room gets some much needed insulation.

I hadn’t even considered wallpaper because I can’t do that myself, everything would be painting.

I’ve been looking at magazines but can’t find any cheap inspiration.

We had wood panels. Painted them with B&Q everywhere paint. Going strong 5 years on.
Stained glass effect film off ebay less than a fiver for 1 glass door. Looks fab.

why some of the glass that needs covering is part of a dividing wall where I’d like to hang pictures, hence wondering if I could attach mdf panels.

But I will def think about the stained glass effect. There’s some horrible circle pattern actually in the glass though.

Now thinking there’s a case for trying to turn the glass into something arty full stop.

Also a horrible stone fireplace (not in use) which I can’t afford to have removed at the mo, so wonder if there’s any way to make that look better.

Just found an old episode of Changing Rooms on YouTube which says it’s got stone walls, that might help.

Facebook group DIY on a budget

A few pic might help with ideas op if you feel comfortable? Or a floorplan and photos of things you like that people can offer up ideas for cheaper alternatives?

I’ll see if I can find similar

This is the style of fireplace that I’d really like to get rid of completely

I don’t know even ball park how much it would cost

www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/151855818659264078/

just giving this a bump in case of Saturday night lurkers....anyone seen anything like this stone horror? Are they incredibly hard to remove?

thanks.

That type of stone looks like the flat sided type sold in the 80s. If it is you can chip it off with brute force, wearing goggles. My mum has similar and spent a weekend chipping off.

What is left underneath is bumpy and will need plasterboard and plastering though.

Facebook group DIY on a budget

Don't do it OP. Some of the stuff on that page is downright hazardous, and most of it is just done so cheaply and nastily so you'll spend more repairing or redoing it.

There's a difference between budget and foolishly cheap.

Flirty, I think it’s a lot older than that.

Sorry I couldnt find a better pic.

They are thick solid stones.

In a previous house the walls seemed to have been used for axe throwing practice.

I hung thick lining paper and painted over that.

I have also filled a massive hole (big enough to put a fist through) with expanding foam and sanded it flat, then painted that too.

In fact you can cover a multitude off sins with the above tools!

Buzz, lol at axe throwing

I should have explained better

The stones stick out from the wall. Can’t find a picture because hopefully no one else was mad enough to put in that style of fireplace.

When I was a kid we had lumpy walls. I remember my parents put up this weird squishy/padded patterned wallpaper. Remember the advert - "super fresco goes on easy, it's by graham and brown"

Would something like that be enough? It might not make the cover of Homes and Gardens, but good enough?

Buzz, do you mean for the stones?

No, they are like bricks so stick out about three inches?

Thick paper might cover the panelling and could go over the insulation. But I’m less keen on paper as I can’t do that myself.

Can you box in the stone fireplace? Use MDF or plasterboard so it's covered up? Could tile it too and make it a nice fireplace?

Galileo, that’s what I was thinking. Is it feasible to use MDF panels, make it a better shape etc? Sounds like it is.

I bought a couple home mags but it’s all posh stuff.

I might have to consult with a handy type person, I don’t want a decorator full of expensive ideas.

In a previous house we removed the wood panels from the sauna living room. It wasn't too bad. We were able to cover up the screw holes using poly filler. I am not sure that just adding MDF will help as if it is all around the room it will make the room smaller and if just part of the room it will create cold spots elsewhere. I would investigate the insulation issue separately. Does it have cavity wall insulation? Are there specific areas which are colder? When we took off the panelling we found that the window had not been fully filled around. Expanding foam helped there. Even if full height I think you would be better to remove panelling and put in proper modern insulation.

You CAN do paper yourself, it's not difficult. Just watch a few YouTube videos first. If you go for the mdf over the glass you could then paper it with thick lining paper (no pattern matching!) before painting. You'll need to using the mdf first (emulsion) to stop the wallpaper paste soaking in.

I have no ideas about the stones! Sounds like you're stuck with them!! Maybe paint them white/soft grey?

*paint the mdf first

I have a similar fireplace. Can’t afford to rip it out at the moment so I’ve painted it with watered down white emulsion and it looks much better.

The insulation isn’t essential, just a thought.

The stones on the fireplace are already grey. I thought painting them might look a bit odd.

Panelling is in style. What does it look like currently? Just paint it in an egg shell paint.