Decorating - Cheapest /Best Option?

ST1991

Lining paper is a good option, but IMO it does not give the effect of a painted wall. Generally the thicker the lining paper the better.
We did lining paper in our living room after filling a couple of patches - as i dislike textured wallpaper. it looks OK, and was just a quick fix for us to get rid of the horrendous wallpaper when we moved in.

You can get paintable wallpaper that isn't particularly textured and it can be as cheap as the thicker lining paper.

You could always ask someone to come in and wallpaper the walls, which you could in turn paint yourselves in the future. On the stairs get one of the extendable poles to help reach without the use of a ladder.
If you are painting a simple colour (white/magnolia), just take it slow and remember you can add more layers when it is dry if you didn't quite get it right.

The cheapest option in all cases would be to prepare the walls as much as possible for the laborer to come in, and do anything else yourself where possible.

Le_Kirk

ST1991 wrote: »

On the stairs get one of the extendable poles to help reach without the use of a ladder.

I have extendable poles but I still have to stand on top of scaffold boards and ladders to do the cutting in.

EssexExile

Cat255 wrote: »

...Neither me nor my husband are any good at DIY/Decorating...

For the first time in my long life I have just paid the professionals to do some decorating for me & can confirm that they are no good at DIY/Decorating either! I'll try another lot for the next room & see how it goes, unfortunately doing it myself is no longer an option.

arbrighton

Le_Kirk wrote: »

I have extendable poles but I still have to stand on top of scaffold boards and ladders to do the cutting in.

This ^^^^ I am not happy to do this, and Oh found it difficult last time.

We didn't do a great job and it was far more hassle than it was worth