Making a room "bearable" whilst waiting to make it "yours"

moneyistooshorttomention

With this new-to-me house I have just bought, there is wallpaper (and not of the fashionable sort either) on some of the walls and carpet that isn't my taste and is a bit "worn" on floors.

As I am having to do various more "major" things to the house, then "cosmetic" stuff is coming rather a long way down the list.

What sort of things have other people done to make a house with outdated and a bit "worn" d!cor and floorcoverings do until they get it newly-done and modernised?

I am looking at the lounge, for instance, and thinking that if I were to buy a cheap wallpaper steamer I could perhaps steam off the wallpaper on the walls at any rate and then just put up the cheapest magnolia paint I can find on the walls and ceilings until I can sort out the ceilings and get "My" d!cor done.

Maybe a huge own brand can or two of magnolia, a steamer (which would do for other rooms with wallpaper up as well) and giving the carpet a darn good shampoo would mean the room would be a bit more "survivable" until I can do it properly. Arrange the furniture to hide the horrible fireplace if possible as well and use some sidelights I have in the room to help "cast masking shadows" on that horrible fireplace as well.

Wonders if I can make that room "bearable to me" for around £100, whilst I wait for the £5,000 or so I estimate it will cost to do it properly....:cool:

Has anyone else done Cheap Quick Fixes to a room just to make it passable until they could do it properly and, if so, what did you do and how much did it cost?

flora48

How dire is the carpet? I once lifted the carpet and sanded and sealed the boards, at least I wasn't living with someone else's muck.

BitterAndTwisted

I'd paint over the wall-paper in the short-term. If you decide to steam off the current wall-paper you could find all sorts of issues underneath which could mean it needs repastering. I reckon it's best not to know before you have the time and money to do it properly.


Naff threadbare carpet? Get some inexpensive rugs down

Old_Git

the problem with papered walls is you dont know the condition until you strip them .If you want a short term solution paint over the wallpaper .

moneyistooshorttomention

flora48 wrote: »

How dire is the carpet? I once lifted the carpet and sanded and sealed the boards, at least I wasn't living with someone else's muck.

Unfortunately, that's not an option. Lifting up the carpet wont reveal wooden plank floors that I could sand, paint or otherwise do something "interesting" with. Its concrete floors:(

Thankfully, as far as I can tell, I think the walls underneath that wallpaper are probably in reasonably decent condition. If they've got flaws, then I like paint effects on painted walls, so imagine I could buy a small tin of "coloured" paint and do some sort of rag-rolling or sponging type effect.

SailorSam

If you're going to have the walls magnolia for a while to break up the harshness make your own 'paintings'. Look for offcuts of material with a nice pattern and staple it to any old piece of wood, or even cardboard

LandyAndy

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Unfortunately, that's not an option. Lifting up the carpet wont reveal wooden plank floors that I could sand, paint or otherwise do something "interesting" with. Its concrete floors:(

Thankfully, as far as I can tell, I think the walls underneath that wallpaper are probably in reasonably decent condition. If they've got flaws, then I like paint effects on painted walls, so imagine I could buy a small tin of "coloured" paint and do some sort of rag-rolling or sponging type effect.

Blimey, how old fashioned is the decor that rag rolling or sponging would be more 'modern' ???? :eek:

Errata

Don't strip the walls, just stick some cheap and cheerful paper over what's already there. Both layers will easily steam off when you have the time and money to do the walls 'propertly'.

Kynthia

I would paint over wallpaper. If I couldn't afford to replace carpets yet, or thought they'd get ruined when I later do the proper renovation, I'd clean them and maybe get rugs. For the kitchen and bathroom floors I'd get new bargain lino as it can make a big difference for a small price, and tiles can be painted over with tile paint fairly easily. I'd get throws for ugly sofas and go to charity shops or ikea for bright cushions, wall art, blinds and curtains.

cherrybudgetH

I decorated a whole rented house under £100! Massive tub of magnolia paint, a Big rug from an ex catalogue store to cover horrific carpet, look on freecycle for lamps & lighting you would be amazed what people just want to get rid of. Actually thinking about it, you will probably be able to get a few opened almost full tins of paint off there & a rug. Providing you can collect them. I understand you probably don't NEED to do it for free & can stretch to £100 but if you are going to re-decorate anyway it may be worth a look just to make it liveable.

laurel7172

LandyAndy wrote: »

Blimey, how old fashioned is the decor that rag rolling or sponging would be more 'modern' ???? :eek:

, c

Horrible as my own memories of the fad may be, I have picked up hints from my daughter's Youtubing that it may be on its way back. All things change, and I suspect a preference for understated walls (NO paint effects, NO wallpaper of any description) now shows my age.

But I reckon every generation is cured of wallpaper/artex/paint effects the first time they have to remove it.