Does anyone despair of getting their home done?

wiggywoo9

I'm in my first home, its a HA maisonette, which I share with my two year old. WE moved in Jan, now nearly Nov and there's lots of stuff that needs doing! I'm not good at DIY or furnishing, nor do I have much money, or the motivation to get it all done! It kind of saved us, to get the flat, as we were made homeless by family, but for the life of me, I think there's just too much to do!

I started peeling off the old wallpaper in bathroom, that is taking forever and I'm sick of seeing it the way it is. It needs painting, cabinet needs putting up plus a mirror, and flooring. Need to paint throughout the house, need furniture, etc., etc.! I've just managed and got used to how it is now.

The issue is that I'm now very busy, with courses, volunteering, nursery, etc., and I can't see it ever being done but see us living here at least another few years. Even if we got a house swap, I'd have to get it decorated to be able to leave!

Anyone else in this situation? Any tips? Should I try and find a handyman to help?

SailorSam

All you can do is ....... one room at a time and keep things simple. Plain painted walls are much easier than wallpapering. Start with the lounge 'cos then you've got somewhere to retreat to. Perhaps leave the bedrooms until last 'cos if you're asleep you can't see the mess.

kelpie35

As above I would do 1 room at a time.

You can pick up paint very cheap or free.

Look on the free sites in your area.

Good luck

Errata

You sound overwhelmed and it's affecting your motivation. Sit down and start writing a plan of campaign - that will start to clarify things.
A separate sheet for each room identifying the what, the how and the when.
If you have time pressure perhaps you need to prioritise the sorting out the house and the volunteering. At the moment it seems you're giving priority to volunteering - is that reasonable?

Triggles

I'm in the middle of this myself. I've got a list of things I want to do with each room. I try to look at little inexpensive things and things I can do myself and take time to do that, even if it's just a few things a week. This week I'm painting my entryway/hallway. I'm about 2/3 done with the walls, and then I need to do the ceiling, so I don't think I'll be finished until the week after school break (have to do the majority of work when the DCs are in school). Then I need to paint trim and then I'm putting down vinyl flooring planks. And that will be my hallway/entryway area done. I will see it first thing as I come in the house, so I think it's a good start. Previously I did the downstairs toilet - painting, flooring, some decorating touches (chosen because it's the smallest room in the house LOL).

Next will be the living room - my goal is to have it completed by mid-late November, so I can decorate for Christmas by the first of December at the latest. The living room needs painting (walls and ceiling) and new flooring. I'd also like to do something with the fireplace (currently considering whitewashing it) but haven't reached a solid decision on it yet.

One room at a time is the way to go. Choose which room is most important to have done first. After the living room will be the DCs rooms, then the kitchen and THEN the upstairs toilet and my bedroom. Finishing the downstairs toilet really spurred me on to get the entryway done.

lostinrates

Yep.

We have an old wreck and its draining financially, physically and sometimes emotionally. Other times its a hoot.

The first thing to remember is that shabby wallpaper never killed any one, so relax a little. . You'll get there. . The list and one room at a time approach sounds good.

-taff

you've been in there 10 months.

I think you've been watching too many do up your house in less than 10 second programs. All these programs have unrealistic timescales and never show you that it takes time to decorate properly, with preparation etc.

I didn't finish decorating my first house for 5 years.

WestonDave

Break it down into little steps. Project for now is the bathroom as you've started it. Set yourself aside an hour for wallpaper scraping some time this week and get it done. If you need another hour repeat. Then an hour or so for painting when little un is in bed. Cabinet and mirror once purchased wouldn't take long to put up with the right tools but you might need to ask a neighbour for help if you don't have them. Most people are happy to be asked to do a small job provided you don't look like bothering them every five minutes.

Flooring - B&Q do cheap carry out rolls of lino - its not that hard to fit if you take your time. Measure out the rough outline and cut it to size at least 1cm bigger all round - that way its handleable within the room and you can then go round the edge with a sharp stanley knife and get it to size.

For what its worth (which is not a lot as its not a competition!) we've been in our house 7 years and haven't been round once yet!

SailorSam

Triggles wrote: »

This week I'm painting my entryway/hallway. I'm about 2/3 done with the walls, and then I need to do the ceiling

It's better to always start by doing the ceilings first. Then any drips you make on the walls are easily covered up.

richardvc

Try and take baby steps - it will relieve the pressure on you.

Also set yourself a gentle target of say Christmas for your living room so when the tree is up etc it will look great and worth the hard work !

Good luck !

Triggles

SailorSam wrote: »

It's better to always start by doing the ceilings first. Then any drips you make on the walls are easily covered up.

I was waiting for some water damage to be checked on one part of the ceiling (secondary check to be sure it was dried properly and no new damage) and had limited time for painting. Rather than waiting to do ceiling first, I started on the walls.