The COVID Effect: Home Upgrades & Styling

So, it kind of looks like any hope of escaping to the Sun in the next few months isn’t really going to happen. Lockdown Three has been a killer and I am so ready for some sunshine on my skin. We would all love to get away, to escape reality for a few days. Instead, there’s been a different kind of COVID effect. Home upgrading & styling. Join me as I take you through my recent home upgrades and share my advice on how to make your home better, including upgrading to windstream internet and more, in spite of the last year.

Fixer Uppers

It’s no secret that lots of people save up their hard earned cash every year to spoil themselves on a lovely trip away. I do it, Hell, I would do it multiple times if I could.

It’s also no surprise that the people fortunate enough to have some surplass saved-for-holiday cash in the bank, are using that to fix up their homes.

We’ve been told over and over again to stay at home for over 320 days now. Our homes are feeling the strain.

Lots of people are now adding bits on, taking bits away and upgrading what exists. Our home is our castle and there’s never been a better time to fix it on up.

I personally have had a porch added to my house only recently. It’s something we discussed for years, our house would be 100% complete with one. When our wedding couldn’t go ahead, I wanted something to show of the year we all stayed home. So, we saved a little extra, I changed my job, did extras here and there and we made it happen.

When we bought our home a few years ago, we knew that it would be our forever home. We added bits and changed the original layout, we even renovated parts of the building.

Since the first lockdown, we’ve gone crazy with the DIY, painting and sprucing up. We’ve spent more time doing those annoying little jobs that you always put off. And, we’re not alone.

We have:
– repainted the entire upstairs – white throughout
– created space in a spare room for me to have as an office – this included a room repaint, new carpets and flatpack furniture building
– a kitchen jiggle around. The layout is now perfect for the flow of cooking, using items and going out into the garden
– installed areas of decking in the garden for when the sun shows itself again
– repainted doors to a pristine white (how long will that last!?)
– replaced door handles throughout the house to give the newly painted doors a lease of life
– added carpet to areas of the house that needed it

Upgrading Your Home

Some people have used COVID as a way to completely change their homes – by putting them up for sale or moving into a new rented space.

House prices have gone in favour of a buyers market and lots of our friends are first time buyers, finally getting something positive out of a horrible time.

The change in the housing market, especially where I live, has given so many house buyers a real anchor in the storm.

Mortgage prices, mortgage terms and renting has changed a lot – because it has had to. So many things now are different to when we purchased our home.

There are limited fact to face meetings with banks and financial advisors. House viewings are done online or via zoom. You can’t go and canvas an area because you shouldn’t be leaving home. Online mortgage calculators are now a thing of the norm – I encourage you to use this mortgage calculator, it’s the only one I’ll use!

Help To Buy is no longer completely inaccessible to many and it’s making such a positive difference in lots of people’s lives.

This strange COVID effect is actually a positive one for so many.

Style Upgrade Ideas

There are loads of ways for you to reap some of these benefits. I can recommend lots of amazing home and styling bloggers who give me all of the upcycle and interior goals. If you’re ready to take your Pinterest board to the walls of your home, make sure to check out these bloggers first!

• Gemma Louise – Gem’s home posts are incredible. I swear she has more hours in the day than Beyoncé because she’s always tinkering, panelling, painting or upgrading. I wish she’d come round and blitz my house!
• Sinead Crowe – Sinead is a mummy to be whose Instagram is filled with loads of cool styling ideas, links and aesthetics that I die for
• Lust Living – I’ve followed her blog since she was pregnant and fell in love with her home. It’s just pure goals! So many great picks for all price ranges!

LoveRosiee
xxx