How to plan changes in your home

Since I left home I have never lived anywhere for more than three years. We have now been in our current flat for just over the three year mark and I’m getting very itchy feet. This isn’t because of the flat itself or the location – both are great. It’s because I get bored of being surrounded by the same decor and furniture – everyday I am tortured by images on blogs and Pinterest of AMAZING interiors that I want to recreate. Whenever I have moved in the past I have used it as an opportunity to redecorate and buy new furniture; I try to make myself a little piece of that AMAZINGNESS that I hanker after.

I have a very sensible boyfriend who, when I tell him we need to move, tells me that we can’t move just because I’m bored with our dull, new build kitchen and our beige carpet. I can’t think of a better reason, myself, but then I look at house prices and my bank account and realise the two don’t quite match up.

So, the upshot is, I need to do some decorating or make some changes to the flat otherwise I will go crazy. Weirdly, it’s sometimes enough just to make plans, without even doing the decorating, to stop me getting bored. Maybe there’s something wrong with me! Anyhoo, I thought it may be a good idea to document my planning (even if the decorating doesn’t happen) as this could help those who find it difficult to know where to start. The choices are literally endless so I want to try to help pin down how to begin. I’m going to tackle each area in my home that I want to change and how I go about planning those changes so this may require a few posts.

These are the areas I will be tackling (subject to change as my mind can go off in all sorts of directions when I get going!):

Part 1: Flooring

We need to replace the carpet in our sitting room, kitchen and hallway to a hard floor to cope with a mucky pup and because I HATE the carpet – it’s SO boring (Part one is now published!).

Part 2: Sitting room furniture

I want a new sofa and armchair that are more appropriate to the space in our sitting room. I bought our current sofa and armchair for a different flat and they are both too big for our current living space.

Part 3: Tiling in kitchen

The developers of our flat did not do any tiling in our kitchen and I think this would be a great way to add a bit of character to the space.

Part 4: A hallway makeover (see it here!)

I HATE our hallway. It’s lined with big, modern, laminate wood doors and boring beige carpet. It’s dull as dish water and makes me sad so it needs to change.

Part 5: Choosing rugs (see it here!)

If we have a hard wood floor we are going to need some beautiful rugs (I love a good rug).

I propose to take you through my planning process for each of these areas over the next few weeks, which I hope will help some of you who may be trying to figure out how to go about making your own changes. Whether any of my planning becomes reality is another story – I wish money grew on trees!

Katy x

P.S. I must remember to always tell myself that I am very, very lucky to live in such a nice flat and that I have got so much more than so many other people. Note to self – I must not think like a spoilt brat!

P.P.S. The photo above is of my dining area taken by the wonderful Katharine of Peachey Photography.

P.P.P.S If you want to see more Peachey Photography photographs of my flat you can here.

 

 

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8 Comments

  1. Francesca
    17th October 2013 / 11:34 am

    Katy! You’ve hit the nail on the head. I have a new build flat that I’ve been in for a year and like you just looking at my hallway with no natural light and awful magnolia walls makes me feel sad. I will wait with bated breath to see what you come up with. Thanks for another great post.

    • katy
      17th October 2013 / 1:26 pm

      Hi Francesca! How are you? Thank you so much for reading the blog. Maybe I’ll tackle the hallway first, just for you! x

  2. 17th October 2013 / 12:21 pm

    Yes! These are small but perfectly do-able changes and they would really transform your already lovely place. P.S If you need to sell the blue boy I might fancy a punt x

    • katy
      17th October 2013 / 1:28 pm

      Really? It’s got a bit of puppy slobber on it now though;) I bought it for £1300, can you believe?! I might put it on ebay – £400?! x

  3. 18th October 2013 / 10:20 am

    Hi Katy, your flat is beautiful (so jealous!) but I can completely understand the need for change. Sometimes just going through the process of planning is enough (as you mentioned), and it kind of ‘gets it out of your system’. A bit of a refresh might keep you there for years to come – and keep your boyfriend (and Otto!) happy. I’m going to come back to this when I move house next year – I’ll be renting first, but then buying with my boyfriend and I CANNOT wait. My Pinterest dreams can finally become reality. 😉

    • katy
      19th October 2013 / 8:59 am

      Thanks, Leanne. here’s to Pinterest dreams…! x

  4. Karen
    8th November 2013 / 2:53 pm

    Oh my word! I am exactly the same! I have never lived anywhere longer than 3 years and I have now lived in our current home for 3 and a half wonderful years and have the itchy foot syndrome. I too must face the fact that simple changes must be made and yet I haven’t even finished the last lot of changes….. However, the hideous magnolia wood chip on the landing and stair walls, that have been there since we moved in and I have been avoiding, will now need to be tackled as you have given me reason to! Wonderful blog, you keep me intrigued :o)

    • katy
      8th November 2013 / 3:34 pm

      Hi Karen. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Im SO glad I’m not the only one that gets itchy feet! I’d love to know what changes you end up making ! 🙂

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