cheapest way to decorate a council house

MoaningMyrtle

Car boots are brilliant for kitting out homes, you can get everything there you could need. Also Tesco and Asda are brilliant for cheap household items.

babyblooz

don't forget ebay, just limit your search to within five or ten miles of home as people often offer collection only, so you can get furniture really cheaply!

astonsmummy

DId you apply for a community care grant?
It's worth trying for it as you can get a fair bit and it dont have to be paid back.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10018921

pinkfizz77

having been in the same situation, it isn't as daunting as it seems
freecycle is a godsend, furniture, curtains, bedding, paint, anything and everything basically.
Look for places that do discounted furniture and goods for those on benefits (think they are called different things according to where you live, one in my town is called essential needs but in last town it was basics plus), could be worth asking around. They do furniture, bedding, even plates and crockery at really good prices and usually do cheap delivery too
Charity shops are good, lots of cheap curtains, bedding, knick knacks etc, nothing better than a good rummage and coming home with bargains
I agree with the magnolia, cheap, easy, quick and makes a quick difference. Can be updated as and when but looks clean and fresh. Stickarounds are cheapish for the kids (though they do do grown up ones too). Picture make a world of difference (could even mke your own). Check local diy shops for bargains too. Never hurts to get creative too, not too hard to make your own accents (wall hanging, curtains, cushions, etc)
Ebay is fantastic, lots of things going cheap, even better if you search for distance nearest and can pick up, saving on postage, can take a while to find what you want at the price you want but well worth it.
Make it known to friends and family that you are looking for things, it's amazing what you can get that others think is junk
Take your time, concentrate on bit by bit and you will have a lovely home in no time (and cheap aswell if you listen to the great advice on here)
Have fun!!!

skint-student-nurse

poundland sometimes have rolls of designer wall paper (seriously!) and you can pick up tiles, paint brushes, etc from there. wilkinsons are also fairly cheap for their own brand paint.

got-it-spend-it

We got some branded paint (dulux or crown, can't remember which) in an off-white colour. Was just a discontinued shade but was fine for us.

Wilkinsons is a great suggestion too as they have some fab bargains. Primark are good for soft furnishings- curtains, cushions, bedding and I would imagine they'd have a fair bit in the sale at the moment.

Krystaltips

Also, try your local church. Ours is linked to a housing charity that helps homeless people when they've been rehomed and we also have a shop that sells seconds furniture really cheaply.

There are some great suggestions here and in a couple of months time I'm sure you'll look around and realise you couldn't squeeze another item of furniture in! Ask around friends and family about curtains too, I have a huge pile gathering moths at the back of my airing cupboard, too good to throw away but I'll probably never use them in this house... Just waiting for someone to need them!

justpeyton4now

Charity shops were my fave place to shop when I first moved. I usually went to the ones that seemed more jumbled up than the main ones (British Heart, Bernardo's etc.) I often found just as nice things as in the others but for less money. I've gotten top quality bedding, lovely pictures and knicknacks, crockery, baking ware for very little money. Also some very nice lined drapes for around £2. It also helps to let them know what you're looking for because they will often keep things aside for you if explain you're just setting up home.

We have a local charity called Helping Hands where I live. You can get a double bed, table and 4 chairs, coffee table, wardrobe etc for around £40. You do need to be referred by a social worker or other professional like your doctor. Hopefully you have something like that in your area.

Homebase is having a 10% off sale through Sunday even on their sale items. You don't have to go for the top of the line paint for now. Something to cover and freshen the walls will help brighten things a lot. If you have a B&M nearby, they often have good prices on paint as do Wilkinson's.

Call in at your CAB. They often know of programs and places you can go to get your new home furnished and decorated at reasonable costs.

HTH

Peyton

audbod38

dont know if you have the st vincent de paul near where you live, if so get in touch with them ,i know a lady who split with her partner last year and someone advised here to get in touch with them as they provide support , she received some furniture from them plus money every week for a couple of month to help her out, wasnt much ,but every little helped.

gemz20

i got lino tiles for my kitchen and bathroom out of my local pound shop so cheap and just make the place look nicer, agree with above primark have some lovely stuff they were doing cheap throws for £2, i just done my council place up and just painted all rooms and then bought cheap accesories to make it look homely and as some1 suggested stick around for kids bedroom that what i have done for my son and it helps as they change there mind about liking things often neway and save time and money of having to redecorate whole room, ikea have lovely cheap nick nacks and pratical things to
The communtiy care grant is excellant and think it is up2 a £1000 you can try to claim for, try gumtree website freebies section people are always getting rid of furniture and most of it lots like nice stuff needing a good home