Trolls assume council house tenants don't look after their homes – but mine is stunning thanks to B&M and Shein bargains

The Sun

9 hours ago

A MOTHER has revealed that while trolls always think council tenants don't look after their homes, she is proof that this assumption is totally incorrect.
Paige Brill, a mum-of-two who lives in Northamptonshire, recently moved into a new build council property with a garden.
2
2
Now, thanks to bargain buys from B&M and Shein, the DIY enthusiast has added style to her pad without breaking the bank.
Posting on social media, Paige gave her followers a close-up look at her home before and after its makeover.
What was once a very plain space has since been given a total transformation, all whilst on a budget.
As Paige shared a snap outside her home, she wrote: 'Told them 'yeah I live in a housing association home.''
Moments later, she revealed a comment she often hears from haters: 'Ew, housing association tenants don't look after their house.'
But eager to clap back at keyboard warriors, Paige uploaded a series of snaps of her gorgeous home, leaving many gobsmacked.
Paige confirmed that she nabbed bargains from the high-street to create a trendy, beige aesthetic.
Alongside the video, the content creator wrote: 'Love our little home.'
Paige later revealed that she bought her kitchen table and chairs from B&Q for just £50.
She also acknowledged that the property has been painted with the Dulux Trade Brilliant White paint, which you can buy from B&Q, Screwfix and Wickes.
Not only this, but the bargain hunter bought a large mirror from The Range, which was reduced from £100 to £50, as well as garden furniture from Dunelm.
The savvy mum then confirmed that she is 'not allowed to decorate' the council house, so rather than using wallpaper to add style to her child's bedroom, she added wall stickers from Shein.
She explained: 'It's a brand new build so I have to wait a year for it to settle so I'm finding other ways I can give it a bit of personality without painting and wallpapering!'
How to do your council house up on the cheap
Take inspiration from pricier shops and head to B&M, Home Bargains for interior decorations.
Head to YouTube for easy to follow tutorials on how to decorate rather than paying for professionals.
For a quick glow-up for your floors or anywhere with tiles, opt for stick-on vinyl to save on costs.
A lick of paint does wonders to make a room feel brand-new.
Switch out kitchen cupboard knobs for modern ones instead of buying brand-new cupboards
DIY fans beam
Paige's TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ paigebrill17, has clearly impressed many, as it has quickly racked up 173,000 views, 4,793 likes, 210 comments and 397 saves.
DIY fans were impressed with Paige's beautiful home and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this.
Wow! You've made that a home
TikTok user
One person said: 'It really annoys me how some people look down on others just because they live in a council house. We work hard, and if we want to, we can make our home look beautiful - even without spending a lot of money.
'People shouldn't judge based on that. Well done you, your house looks amazing.'
Another added: 'You've made it into a beautiful home for you and your family. Your housing association is lucky to have such good tenants.'
The reality of living in a council house
LEANNE Hall, Digital Writer at Fabulous, has discussed what it was like growing up in a council house, and why those living in such properties are often judged...
When I was a child I grew up in a council house, and was blissfully unaware of the discrimination that came with that, until I became an adult.
My younger years were spent running up and down the stairs of my flat, meeting with other friends who lived there and making the most of the communal garden.
But now, it seems no matter your circumstance, everyone has something to say about why you shouldn't be there.
Living just outside of London like I did, rent prices are still high, and as my mum was at home raising three kids at the time, it wasn't easy to find a job that fit around that.
People in council houses are often labelled as 'scroungers' or 'lazy' but it's nothing of the sort.
Most families in council homes experience overcrowding, and let's not even mention the horrendous amount of damp and mould that comes from living in old social housing that hasn't had work done to them in 50 or so years.
It's not ideal for many, but it does provide a secure home without the fear your rent will shoot up every single year, which I would argue is vital to children growing up on the poverty line.
A third commented: 'Stunning home.'
Meanwhile, someone else beamed: 'My dream.'
Whilst another gushed: 'Wow! You've made that a home.'
In response, Paige wrote back and confirmed: 'Thank you! It's getting there. I still have so much to do/put up etc!'