Painting and decorating a house on an OS budget!

Tiddlywinks

Homebase has a 3 for 2 offer on some paints at the moment which might be worth a look.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Browse?storeId=10151&langId=110&c_1=1|category_root|Decorating|16849219&c_2=2|cat_16849219|Paint|14114949

You could buy a large bucket of white emulsion and then add a strong match pot colour (of the same type) to it to give a "white with a hint of...." effect BUT you need to stir well and keep on stirring regularly to make sure that you get an even colour. Also, keep enough back in an airtight tub for future touch ups to cover scuffs, chips etc.

valk_scot

I'm a great beliver in decent branded paint...the hard work is in the clearing of the room and putting the stuff on the walls, so you might as well get the best effect possible for the effort! If money is tight good quality white paint is a better option than cheap coloured paint.If it's just the grubbyness of the magnolia you object to though (and magnolia is a pretty good neutral, has to be said) then you could get away with one coat of quality bulk buy magnolia paint over everything. Definately the fastest and cheapest option.

Graceless

The big orange diy store have those huge tubs of their own value brand of paint, they only have a few colour choices though ( I used the apricot and it looked lovely and went on a dream). I think they are priced around 10 - 15 pounds but you really do get a shed load of paint

I find places like b&m, HB, wilkos and £stretcher are great for accessories too.

I definately recommend checking your local freecycle and netmums as well as any local car boots to pick up some real bargains.

Good Luck

midnightraven3

hasnt wickes own paint just won some awards??
apparently its very good
but i havent used it

lostinrates

Is the magnolia fresh?

If so I'd do one room now, with planning and really concentrate on it, not change it for the sake of changing it. That would really be an OS way too, doing the rooms as they wear out and slowly.

I do know its not easy...but I would say, the hall we changed in a fit of nesting is a real disappointment and waste of money because we're going to do it again anyway!

whiteguineapig

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

I really sympathise. We havent done much decorating for 8 or 9 years but have no money to do anything so have been trying to make things look nicer without spending much! Its not easy. We have done 2 rooms in Natural Hessian from Dulux which is a great colour. I am quite inexperienced at decorating and my Dad said I should get decent paint which seems to have been good advice so far.

Dont just go to the big DIY stores either. We were surprised to find that our little local DIY shop gets some really good special offers and good prices. They are really helpful too.

thank you for this yorkshire lass, i have googled natural hessian and it looks lovely,
can i ask what colour you have painted your ceilings to go with it??
(you obviously have excellent taste!)

boogiemaster

Ask family and friends if they have any spare paint kicking around as I'm sure they have some in the garage doing nothing.

Also go to some DIY stores and ask if they have any end of line decorating supplies going cheap.

Also have a house moving in party and ask them to bring a decorating present


Suggest to your fiends that your buying a take away and some drinks for people that help you decorate your house and its amazing how fast your house gets painted

chubbster_1

midnightraven3 wrote: »

hasnt wickes own paint just won some awards??
apparently its very good
but i havent used it

Will have to look into that one myself - I've avoided the 'own brands' since our disaster with the homebase stuff which was sooooo patchy it was revolting, made it look worse not better in the room tbh.

Welsh_Totster

CH27 wrote: »

I'd be temted to leave magnolia on three walls & paint a feature wall in a bright colour that you can match accessories to.
That saves time & money.
Don't buy cheap paint. It's a false economy.

Exactly this!

Our house is mainly magnolia (through choice) and we have 5 other colours that compliment each other throughout on feature walls. The rooms are light and airy due to the magnolia and then theres a burst of colour on a feature wall. It works really well and doesnt cost too much either!

Some ideas for you

sydneybean

as the other posters have said, i would go with a feature wall and use your accessories to brighten it up. i always leave ceilings, coving and woodwork white as it looks fresher but its up to the individual. Dulux do feature wall paints now in 1ltre size which is good, and dont forget 10% discount in the orange shed every wednesday for over 60's (not that i am suggesting you are over 60!)