Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Property purchase- VERY dated decor

74 replies

Daisy778 · 17/08/2022 07:59

We are currently going through the process of purchasing a property via probate. The decor is extremely dated and there are some issues with the layout we want to resolve but likely next year and will involve structural works and a new kitchen. Do we live with it in its current state.... dated but serviceable or make some short term improvements? I dont want to feel like were throwing money away only to replace in the (nearish) future. We will be replacing all flooring throughout, but this will need to be done during the renovations but I'm not sure I can live with current prehistoric carpets.?!? Would.it be madness to strip all carpets back to floorboards and wall coverings and cosy up with some rugs for the next year and a coat or 2 of white or shall I make my peace with the 60s/70s decor for the next 12mths and do the improvements only once?

OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 17/08/2022 08:01

Given the energy crisis and winter looming, I think you'd be mad to strip all the carpets out. Just put up with them for 12 months. Make them a theme on Instagram or something.

Believe me, at midnight in the middle of winter, you don't 'cosy up' with a couple of rugs on a bare floor.

Roselilly36 · 17/08/2022 08:05

Rip them up, I can’t bear other peoples carpets, always the first thing to go whenever we move, the thought of all that dust eek, can’t stand it.

I would rather have rugs and wear slippers.

Original poster
Daisy778 · 17/08/2022 08:08

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 17/08/2022 08:01

Given the energy crisis and winter looming, I think you'd be mad to strip all the carpets out. Just put up with them for 12 months. Make them a theme on Instagram or something.

Believe me, at midnight in the middle of winter, you don't 'cosy up' with a couple of rugs on a bare floor.

Thank you Greenfingers it's hard to remember the grip of winter after this heat we have been experiencing, but this was my concern. The property is also fairly exposed, beautiful views, but should imagine it will feel the brunt of any adverse weather!

OP posts:
Amichelle84 · 17/08/2022 08:11

Id just give them a proper carpet clean and make peace with it for a while.

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 17/08/2022 08:11

Buckets of white paint yes; but echo PP above - get the carpets professionally cleaned just before you move in then cover them with cheap rugs if you really have to.

Darkness22 · 17/08/2022 08:13

If you are having a rewire it will destroy all walls and floors. Can you get this done ASAP, then you could at least decorate some rooms? Like have a nice bedroom at least.

LittleGreenBeetle · 17/08/2022 08:14

If you've got rugs, better to put them on top of hideous carpets. Old, unsanded floorboards are horrible to live with, even if only round the edges of a room.
My experience of taking up very old carpets is lots of splintery boards, full of staples and sharp bits, and covered with greasy residue of black rubber from collapsing, decaying underlay. Not something you'd want to cross in bare feet.

JuneOsborne · 17/08/2022 08:16

I'd be tempted to get one room liveable. Even buy a cheap carpet, paint the walls, make it yours. One room is better than none. And if you have guests, they can go in there. If it's a cold winter, you'll have a cosy room. And you can shut the door on the rest of the house while it's with in its current state or undergoing work.

dudsville · 17/08/2022 08:17

Are there any decisive you can make now that won't be wasted? We were able to nature wall and flooring choices immediately, but bathrooms etc., were a way down the line so we just lived with the lovely stripes and big florals!

Ragged · 17/08/2022 08:24

"Looks"
"functionality"
"safety"

I would say only safety issues in that list are essential to change for a short period. Change for reasons of Functionality is optional, trade-offs to consider. Sounds like OP is very bothered about lots of aesthetics and only how things look. Personally I would rarely change things just to look nicer for such a short period. The waste of materials to merely change the look, would bother me hugely (ecofreak here). Great that you can trash the old carpet while building works are happening & not worry about it. Building works are hard on decor.

Original poster
Daisy778 · 17/08/2022 08:24

Thank you all, I think with a professional clean I would feel better about it, however the patterns and colours are going to be a challenge and I maybe on the cusp of a permanent migraine! As one poster said, we could still rip off the paper and paint the walls white which should help neutralise it a bit.

OP posts:
Echobelly · 17/08/2022 08:30

We had the same - most rooms were quite neutral but the bathrooms and kitchen were brown and orange 70s monstrosities. We also planned structural work, and just lived with it for 18 months until the work happened and we could sort those rooms out as part of it.

Ponks · 17/08/2022 08:35

It's amazing what decor you can live with while saving up and waiting to make improvements. We lived with green & orange walls with a pink carpet for a couple of years. I did paint the brown bathroom tiles white though.

Original poster
Daisy778 · 17/08/2022 08:39

I think it would be sensible to live with it for the time being. Hopefully a good clean will shift some of the mustiness and who knows they may even come up brighter than they are now lol. I will neutralise the walls though as mix of both currently is sensory overload.

OP posts:
Baxdream · 17/08/2022 08:43

We did exactly this. We moved in 2020 and have gradually done it up. I still have an awful kitchen (roll on next year!).
Ours was old but the carpets were clearly top quality so better staying than going.

We ended up getting a new oven and new cheap Lino in the bathrooms but the rest we lived with (wasn't great but manageable)

The worst part was our bathrooms, in particular the showers were horrendous! We had to prioritise them as you literally couldn't get shampoo out. So I always advocate checking the shower in dated properties

Original poster
Daisy778 · 17/08/2022 08:43

Ponks · 17/08/2022 08:35

It's amazing what decor you can live with while saving up and waiting to make improvements. We lived with green & orange walls with a pink carpet for a couple of years. I did paint the brown bathroom tiles white though.

Ha,ha some of these properties have been a work of art! This is our second time round moving into a dated property but we had the luxury of doing the works before moving in previously.

OP posts:
hesbeen2021 · 17/08/2022 08:49

I've had similar houses. Afraid I can never, ever live with filthy old carpets and they are the first thing to be disposed of. Eventually I get round to sanding and waxing all the floors. Until then I prefer to be chilly than have old carpet.
The decor I'd live with if you know it'll only be a year or so

Chewbecca · 17/08/2022 08:51

I'd definitely live with it, save all the ££ for the long term works. Just make sure it is clean.

Original poster
Daisy778 · 17/08/2022 08:51

Baxdream · 17/08/2022 08:43

We did exactly this. We moved in 2020 and have gradually done it up. I still have an awful kitchen (roll on next year!).
Ours was old but the carpets were clearly top quality so better staying than going.

We ended up getting a new oven and new cheap Lino in the bathrooms but the rest we lived with (wasn't great but manageable)

The worst part was our bathrooms, in particular the showers were horrendous! We had to prioritise them as you literally couldn't get shampoo out. So I always advocate checking the shower in dated properties

Fortunately the bathroom is the one room in the property that has been updated with a fully enclosed double shower, probably to accommodate a shower seat or similar. We do have a 'beautiful' glass wall between the hallway and dining room which is a particular 'feature' ha,ha

OP posts:
Baxdream · 17/08/2022 09:02

It is worth it. We live in a lovely little close. Our old house was on a main road but inside was amazing (I still miss my old kitchen and bedroom) . I just have to remind myself that this house will be better once it's done.
Our builders arrive in about 2 weeks and new kitchen in January

Original poster
Daisy778 · 17/08/2022 09:17

Baxdream · 17/08/2022 09:02

It is worth it. We live in a lovely little close. Our old house was on a main road but inside was amazing (I still miss my old kitchen and bedroom) . I just have to remind myself that this house will be better once it's done.
Our builders arrive in about 2 weeks and new kitchen in January

How exciting your renovations are starting. Keep us updated on the property page if you can. I'm always hunting these out now. We're taking on a much bigger project than we have before, but it will be fantastic when it's done.

OP posts:
ZenNudist · 17/08/2022 09:18

Amichelle84 · 17/08/2022 08:11

Id just give them a proper carpet clean and make peace with it for a while.

This

tedgran · 17/08/2022 09:25

I always think it's better to live in a house for a while before you change anything. Just clean the carpets and move in.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 17/08/2022 09:27

Clean the carpets ,white paint and make do.

You will want those carpets come winter! Also floor boards are dusty and you can't walk across them with bare feet.

NellyNothing · 17/08/2022 09:29

Do you think the carpets might smell? If so I would struggle to live with them.