Interior design

Over the past couple of years I’ve witnessed my friends get married, buy houses, and have babies! But I’ve also witnessed breakups, divorces, and SO much heartbreak. The end of a relationship is painful (as we all know!), but it’s especially difficult when you’ve built a home together.

I can imagine the thought of creating a new home can be terrifying, emotionally and financially. But it’s also good to have a fresh start, which is actually quite exciting. Better still, it’s a great distraction that can keep you occupied and help you reestablish a positive mindset.

Some of the strongest woman I know have made it look easy, and I have so much respect for them. Here’s some of the things they’ve done, and you should do too, if you’re going through the same situation.     

Consider the finances

Going it alone can be a little tough on the bank balance, which is why you need to establish the strongest starting point. Leading divorce solicitors can help you gain a speedy solution to those issues. When you have a clearer image of the financial elements, it’s far easier to take the next steps. On a separate note, it’s a great way to draw a line under the relationship before progressing with the rest of your life. This can only be a positive.    

Be practical

The temptation to rush things is enormous, but you must resist the urge. When looking at properties, rental or to buy, it’s imperative to do your research. From checking the local neighbourhood to checking for property damage, those steps can prevent a nightmare. The home should be practical too. Make a list of priorities, which could include things like ‘must have an office’ and you won’t go wrong. With a clear vision, your hopes of finding the best solution are far better.

Utilise space

It’s very probable that you will need to downsize. Therefore, these tips on how to make the most of your storage space could be crucial. It’s also worth using this opportunity to declutter. Selling unwanted goods will free up more room, earn a little cash, and let you start anew. All of these elements are sure to have a positive impact on the overall situation. This allows you to maximise the possibilities within the home. Nobody likes feeling unnecessarily cramped.

Make it yours

It sounds a little obvious, but adding a few homely touches is vital. Not only will this make a house a home, but it’ll let you finally embrace your creativity. Sharing a home with a partner is excellent. However, it does require some compromising. This is your chance to design a home that is right for you, and only you. Whether it’s embracing your colour schemes, favourite materials, or design quirks doesn’t matter. Having things your way is a true blessing.

Be entertaining

Living alone shouldn’t stop you from enjoying social events with friends and family. When it comes to upgrading the property, a quality garden space that’s blessed with good lighting and comfy furniture can work wonders. If you do not boast the outside space, there’s always the lounge and dining room. Welcoming your guests in a positive fashion will allow you to create magical memories in the home, and this will truly turn it into your happy place.

Just remember to get the security aspects under control too, and you should be just fine.

Psst! ✨ Just to be clear: S and I are happier than ever, we’re about to go traveling for 3 months in our converted campervan, and then when we get back we’ll be a few months away from getting married!! I just felt like putting a different spin on the blog after seeing my strong female friends tackling difficult situations with such grace. Not to mention… I’m completely in love with some of these interiors I’ve found recently xxxx

A house alone does not make a home. People think that living in a new build you can’t add personality, but I say that these people have no creativity, if that’s the case! It’s great having a blank canvas to flex your creative muscles and design your home to express your personality. 

That said, sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. If you’ve just moved or you just want to give your home a little bit of TLC, then read on. I’ve put together my top tips for giving your house a cosy vibe, whatever your style or budget.  

Natural tones living room inspiration

Print and hang your special photos

Whether you’ve bought your home or you’re renting it on a temporary basis, you want to make it your own. One of the best ways to do this is to print and display photos that remind you of fun and exciting times that you’ve spent with friends and family.

Photobox provides an easy and affordable printing service that allows you to upload images straight from your computer, tablet or mobile. All that will be left to do is pick out some photo frames that match your décor — The Range has a wonderful collection — and choose where you’d like to put them. Displaying your photos on the shelves and walls of communal living spaces, like your lounge or dining room, will ensure you get to see them every day.

Bedside cube storage and IKEA lighting

Display the things you love

One of the easiest ways to inject your own personality into a space is by displaying artwork, trinkets, books and anything else that you love. Windowsills, side tables and shelving units like the popular Billy bookcases from IKEA are great for this.

Curate a small collection of things that scream ‘you’ and place them around your home where you think they’ll look nice. As time goes on, you can move, swap and remove pieces from your collection of make-shift ornaments until you’re completely happy with them.

Chesterfield sofa in mid-century style lounge

Have cushions and blankets in easy reach

Your home is somewhere you should feel comfortable at all times, and having cushions and blankets in places besides your bedroom makes the world of difference. Drape a comfy throw, like one of these from Dunelm, over the back of your sofa. You can also place cushions that are both pretty and practical on any seats or sofas you have. This way, your home will become even more of a relaxing haven that you can return to every day.

Add plants and fresh flowers to your space

Having healthy plants and flower arrangements in your home is a great way to ensure it looks fresh. Of course, to keep them looking great, they must be tended to on a regular basis and this can take some commitment. However, you’ll soon realise that it’s worth the extra effort.

Designer chair, natural coffee table and ladder 

If you’re new to the flower and plant game, you should consider that they all have their own specific requirements. So, before you add any greenery to your home, it’s wise to do some research. Teleflora has a great run-down of how different fresh flower arrangements should be looked after and you can find a great guide to caring for houseplants at Planet Natural.

Use rugs to warm up your home

If your home has hardwood or tiled floors, it might seem colder than you’d like. In this case, a well-chosen rug is a great option. Rugs pull rooms together, bring a sense of warmth to a space and are also a relatively affordable way to update a space and give it some personality. Although, there are some things to consider before picking one out.

Bohemian style bedroom with warm accents

Firstly, where will it go? Certain types of rugs work best in certain rooms. For example, while a plush, shaggy rug might be great to step on when you get out of bed, a durable cotton one would work best on a spill-prone kitchen floor. If you’re not confident that you know which style would be best, check out this great rug buying guide from Land of Rugs, which will help with choosing the one that’s right for you.

Everyone deserves a happy home and the way yours looks can play a massive part in that. Taking any, or all, of these steps will make your home feel a lot warmer and more personal to you, so pick your favourite of our tips and get started now! Need more tips? Wayfair recently surveyed 400 people to find the true meaning of ‘Home’ and what you can do in your space to give it that personal touch.

There is no getting away from the fact that many people will argue until their blue in the face about the virtues of both laminate flooring and carpet. However, if you need to make a decision before you launch a new home renovation project, it’s vital that you get the lowdown and consider the pros and cons of each option before you push ahead. Only then can you guarantee that you make the right decision when it comes to the perfect flooring solution. With that in mind, read the info on this page, and you should find yourself in a better position to make an informed choice.

The pros of choosing carpet

One of the most crucial things you need to remember about carpet is that it provides comfort. That is why most homeowners will choose to lay carpet in their bedrooms at the very least. Another thing to consider is that carpet helps to provide some insulation for your home, and so it could help you to reduce your energy use and save some cash in the long-term. You won’t have to break the bank to purchase carpet, but you probably will need to pay professionals to lay it.

The cons of choosing carpet

Just as there are pros surrounding carpets, there are also plenty of cons too. For instance, carpet never remains in excellent condition for more than a couple of years because it’s vulnerable to spillages, etc. Secondly, carpet can become discoloured if it gets a lot of sunlight. Thirdly, carpet is going to make your home more difficult to clean, and lastly, it’s possible to rip carpet and damage it irreversibly if you walk on it wearing shoes.

The pros of choosing laminate

Now we come to the idea of choosing laminate flooring for your home. Not only is that choice an affordable solution, but it should last for many years without becoming damaged. Wood flooring tends to help to create an upmarket aesthetic in the home, and that is why so many people choose it every single year. You shouldn’t need to pay for a replacement for at least five years, and possibly even longer!

The cons of choosing laminate

In the hope of providing some balance, we’re not going to overlook the potential downsides of laminate flooring in this post. If you have children in the home, they are more likely to slip over and injure themselves when you choose wooden flooring solutions. Also, if you spill any fluids on low-cost laminate flooring, there is a reasonable chance it could warp and look terrible. However, you can usually prevent that by avoiding the cheapest solutions on the market.

Now you know everything there is to know about carpet and laminate flooring; you should find it much easier to make your decision this year. Remember that you can often get fantastic deals online, and it’s always worth checking auction websites if you need to stick to a tight budget. Sometimes you’ll find a bargain from someone who purchased too much carpet or laminate for their home renovation project. Be sure to take advantage of that!