Top Tips for Decor on a Budget, Plus More

Welcome to the first edition of the David Doyle newsletter.

Each month, we will be sharing all the latest news from the property market as it stands, as well as interesting articles and helpful guides, to help you get the most from your home.

This month, nearly half of all property purchasers are first-time buyers, we share some advice on how to give your bathroom a makeover and on how to fill your home with decor on a budget.

49% of Property Purchasers are First Time Buyers

It appears that the continuing rise in house prices and numerous reports on affordability have not deterred first-time buyers from entering the market.

According to new research from Connells, 49% of all property purchase valuations carried out in July were made on behalf of first-time buyers, a figure which has risen 6% on the five-year average.

The latest Survey and Valuation report from Connells detailed a considerable rise in transactions from first-time buyers as it showed 36,000 loans taken out in the month of June, this is the highest number seen from the demographic in 11 years with a huge 22% month-on-month rise and 6% year-on-year.

Corporate Services Director, John Bagshaw, commented on the findings of the report, stating that “Demand from first-time buyers is supporting the housing market at the moment. People are eager to get on the property ladder, with record high employment and competitive mortgage rates. But this doesn’t mean it’s an easy task to get a foothold in the market. Economic conditions are still tough”.

Bagshaw suggests that while many first-time buyers are eager to get on the housing ladder, the market can still be tough and feels they should receive further assistance; “With the value of a typical property rising &10,000 in a year, first-time buyers still need help. Perhaps they could be given an exemption from stamp duty”.

This recent report also shows that there has been a small drop in new landlords entering the market, and suggests that “Government policies, including the stamp-duty surcharge and reduction in buy-to-let mortgage relief” have most likely made potential new property investors slightly hesitant to get involved in the buy to let market.

“People are still investing in the buy to let sector, but they’re typically existing landlords looking to expand their portfolio and increase profits to offset increasing tax bills. But the stamp duty surcharge, combined with the reduction in buy to let mortgage tax relief is potentially dissuading new small-scale, amateur landlords from entering the market,” Bagshaw added.

The property market has also seen a rise in remortgaging to 36%, 10% higher than the five-year average as consumers are securing more long-term fixed rate deals as they take advantage of the competition amongst lenders when refinancing their home.

Ideas for Bathroom Makeovers

When it comes to redecorating, bathrooms tend to be pushed to the back of the pile, or may even be neglected altogether. However, with our easy and cost-effective suggestions, you can make sure that every room in your house makes a positive impact.

1. Contrast your colours
Who says that bathroom decor must be plain, dull or boring? The latest colour trend is to use block colours that pop. For instance, why not contrast light grey with a rose pink feature colour? Bold pairings such as these will make your bathroom stand out!

If your bathroom is too small for heavy or dark colours, an all-white bathroom with a colourful staple colour will still provide that same striking effect.

2. Dramatic mirrors
Mirrors are an essential item for any bathroom but that does not mean that they have to serve an entirely practical purpose. If there is a prime position in your bathroom for a mirror, make it your focal point. Lights should be positioned either side of your mirror, above it, or below it, in order to focus all attention there.

3. Shelving and displays
A set of painted shelves are not only great for storage but can improve your room’s aesthetics. If your property is rented, try using storage boxes instead. These can be found for low prices from any number of homeware providers.

Rather than leaving your beauty and healthcare products lying around on your sink basins, store them in storage compartments or makeup organisers to declutter your space.

4. Use tiles as an accent
Don’t over complicate your bathroom with too many different tile patterns or colours. Bright coloured tiles should be applied to your walls in moderation as they may quickly become outdated.

5. Modern features
We’ve all seen them. Glossy photos in the latest home magazine with state-of-the-art features and floating vanities. Whilst these features are impressive, they can also be very expensive, but don’t let that deter you! There are plenty of ways that you can apply similar design concepts on a budget.

Add some instant glam with your own version of a floating vanity using nothing but floating shelves and a decent mirror. Candles, plants and artwork can make your DIY vanity table even more eye-catching.

Bathrooms may not be a key room in your house but that does not mean that they should be boring and stale while the rest of your house screams character and style.

Mirrors and shelving are easy to self-install and increase convenience as well as design. Choose colours and styles that suit your room size, and don’t shy away from recreating impressive modern features that you would find in an ideal bathroom suite.

Top Tips for Decor on a Budget

We understand how difficult it can be to decorate on a tight budget. Glossy magazine spreads provide us with a glimpse into a perfect world where money is no object, and by comparison, make our own homes look and feel inferior. Yet any attempts to recreate specific scenes could only fall short of expectations.

Rest assured, finding inspiration from these images can be useful, but when it comes to home designs, originality is a far more valuable commodity.

So if you are looking to perk up your house without breaking the bank, look no further. We are here to offer some affordable solutions that can transform ordinary, outdated and tatty household items into precious gems.

1. Do your lamps cast more gloom than light? Changing your lamp shades for new, stylish ones can be surprisingly inexpensive and yet effective. Mix and match your shades for a bold result, or keep things simple and symmetrical with matching ones.

2. A cluster of cushions can make any room cosy and comfortable. Unless you have the skill and tools to do this yourself, reupholstering an old sofa can be a costly business. Instead, purchase new cushions for a fraction of the cost, and add some instant energy to a once drab piece of furniture.

3. Mirrors give an illusion of space and will make any room seem bigger and brighter. Alternatively, place your mirror face-up on any surface for an attractive and shiny tray.

4. Add a splash of colour by repainting chairs, mirror frames, or lamps. In fact, other than fabrics, you can paint anything in your home with specialised paints. Chalk paint, for instance, produces an antiquated and rustic look when used.

5. Decorate your walls with pictures. Who needs expensive art when your friends and family can do the job for you? Create an engaging collage display and you’ll find yourself surrounded by happy memories.

6. Put patterns in unexpected places. Try lining the insides of your cabinets or closets with printed wallpaper to add a dynamic surprise to an otherwise boring space.

7. If your walls are lacking colour, use a graphic rug to make your room pop.

8. Try hanging curtains above the windows. As with mirrors, this will create the illusion that your room is bigger and taller than it actually is.

9. A new trend has emerged regarding kitchen backsplash tiles. Rather than fork out on pricey tiles, some expert DIY-ers have taken to replicating the backsplash look using nothing but paint and thin strips of tape.

10. Display your glassware and mugs on your kitchen shelves. For this one, be sure that you only use your finest and most decorative pieces.

Everyone loves a good bargain but finding that balance between quality and value can be tricky so do your research and shop around.

You’ll be surprised what you can pick up from niche homeware stores. Or even, what you can use that’s already at your disposal.

Switch things up and don’t be afraid to dabble with colour, quirky patterns, and have a go at your own DIY project!