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Not everybody has the money to make complete renovations to their home. In these credit crunch times, we’d all love to shift walls, add rooms and landscape gardens, but the reality is that there just isn’t the spare cash. However, it is still possible to make the most of the house you have already with a bit of effort here and there. Creating a home that you are proud to live in is an important thing to do – too many people camp out in a house that is just not right for them, hoping and praying for a windfall to come along to take all their worries away. You don’t need to do this – the house of your dreams is just around the corner, you just need to put some elbow grease in! Here are our top tips for making the most of the home that you live in:

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Don’t underestimate the power of a new coat of paint around the place. It will brighten your home up and make it look clean and cared for. Tins of paint are pretty cheap, as are brushes and rollers – so you have no excuse not to get painting! Just take it room by room, putting down dust sheets first so that carpets and furniture don’t get splashed along the way. A coat of gloss on the skirting boards and architraves is a beautiful finishing touch. Keep colours neutral, light and airy for a fresh feel. A coat of paint on the walls transforms rooms, and it might even inspire you to upgrade your furniture, fixtures and fittings!

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When was the last time you gave your garden a little bit of TLC? The chances are it could benefit from a bit of your attention Mow the lawn, trim back hedges and clear it of clutter. Maximise your space outside by putting up a shed or a gazebo. Dig out weeds, grow some vegetables and put out some pot plants. If you have a bit of extra cash then some decking or a pond would look great too. Don’t forget your front garden if you have one – this is the first thing that visitors see, so make it colourful, well-kept and inviting.

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A house can be completely transformed just by giving it a good scrub. Carry out a deep clean, getting into all the nooks and crannies. You’ll be surprised at how much dirt gets hidden! Mop and bleach the floors, dust those forgotten places and take the covers off your sofa for a good wash. When you’ve finished, leave the house and come back in again. You won’t recognise it! It will smell clean and fresh, and feel warm and homely. No dust, no germs and no cobwebs. See how long it stays like that for!

Sprucing up a house takes very little effort – just some thought and planning. Make the most of your house by giving it the care it deserves – it’ll make you stop and realise just how good what you have already is!

HMH

By HMH