
How to transform your home & add £10K to the value in just ONE MONTH & there's a £5 buy that'll save your tired bathroom
Thankfully there are some very savvy tricks which can boost the value of your pad by a whopping £10,000 in just one month.
4
For as little as just £5, you can transform your property and make it more attractive to buyers with very little effort.
Interiors expert Laura Carter, from the online store Furniturebox, shared ten quick and easy tips for an instant home make-over and crucial buying hacks for new home owners…
1. Declutter
Start by removing any unnecessary items from each room to create a sense of spaciousness and calm.
Organise bookshelves, surfaces, and storage areas for a more polished look.
2. Rearrange furniture
Experiment with different furniture arrangements to create new focal points and improve traffic flow.
Consider moving large pieces like sofas, beds, or tables to optimise space and create a fresh feel.
3. Add a splash of colour
Introduce new colours through textiles like throw pillows, blankets, rugs, or curtains.
Consider painting an accent wall or a focal point like the front door for a bold statement.
4. Shed new light
Swap out outdated lighting fixtures for more stylish options like pendant lights, sconces, or floor lamps.
Consider dimmable bulbs for creating a warmer, more inviting atmosphere.
6 ways to make your house look posh on a budget
5. Embrace nature
Incorporate natural elements by adding indoor plants and flowers to bring life and freshness to your space.
Consider incorporating natural materials like wood, stone, or woven textures for a calming effect.
6. Accessorise
Use mirrors to enhance light and create the illusion of more space.
Display artwork or personal photos to add character and personality to your rooms.
Style surfaces like coffee tables and bookshelves with intention, using odd-number groupings and varied heights.
7. Clean the carpets
4
It costs £4,000 to recarpet a new home but the carpets you have inherited may just need a spring clean.
Get rid of those old coffee and wine stains and they will look great for a good few years.
You don't need to bring in a professional firm - a good carpet steam cleaner can be hired for as little as £25 a day.
8. Flout the grout
Tatty tiles in kitchen and bathrooms can be transformed with an extra strong cleaner from a DIY store.
Revamping the grouting around your tiles is as important as cleaning them, and can have a big impact.
A clever trick is to invest in a £5 grout pen which can spruce up dull or yellowing grout and freshen-up the look of a bathroom, kitchen or toilet.
4
9. Invest to impress
There are lots of ways to add value without spending big but it is worth splashing out on a few 'investment pieces' - a big and bold new sofa can transform a living room and it is worth paying a little extra for a stunning dining set.
One 2025 design tip is 'curve core' which is all about rounded edges, warm tones and organic shapes.
10. Get a little help from your friends
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and if there is a look that a friend has that you love, don't be afraid to adapt it to your own home.
There may be a lamp, mirror or coffee table they have that you know would look great in your home too.
Chances are they have borrowed the idea from someone else anyway.
How to add 20k value to your home
Property expert Jonathan Rolande shares 12 simple, affordable hacks that could help add £20k of value to your property…
Banish bins - before the estate agent takes photos, move them out of sight. Value added: £1k
Ace your kerb appeal - re-paint the front door, add pots and plants. Value added: £2.5k
Up your EPC rating - switch to energy-saving LED light bulbs, and insulate your loft. Value added: £3k
Clean your carpets - it'll instantly refresh the room and eliminate odours. Value added: £3k
Take a pen to tatty tiles - a £5 grout pen could be the difference between poor offers and a swift property sale. Value added: £1k
Groom the garden - buyers want a low-maintenance space, so trim the lawn and bushes, and hide the rusty trampoline and BBQ. Value added: £1k
Buff up your basin taps - remove any limescale so the fittings stand out in photos. Value added: £500
Replace the toilet seat - and accessorise the bathroom with new towels and a soap dispenser. Value added: £500
Remove scuffs and scrapes - you can get a magic eraser for a couple of quid and the walls and skirtings will look brand new. Value added: £1.5k
Replace dodgy door knobs - out with the old, and in with modern sleek handles for kitchen cupboards. Value added: £3k
Update the drapes - and tie curtains back to allow more light in. Value added: £1k
Go greige - swap garish painted walls for a neutral hue – like grey or beige – but don't be too bland. A splash of colour on a feature wall, cushions or cabinets will add a little interest. Value added: £2k.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Your home looks messy because you're not using the eight secret storage spots interiors experts like me find essential. Here's exactly where and how to do it...
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Ever feel like your home is bursting at the seams, but you have run out of storage options? Think again. Whether you're living in a cosy flat, a bustling family home, or something in between, there are plenty of clever storage opportunities hiding in plain sight.


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
I tried to swap my council house but got trolled for ‘living in a jungle', people say my home looks like a cannabis farm
A WOMAN has been brutally trolled for living in ''a jungle'' after she tried swapping her council house with another property. From improving air quality and reducing stress to boosting ones mood, houseplants offer a wide range of benefits. 2 Whether you opt for the Swiss Cheese plant or Peace lily, plants can help increase humidity levels, potentially alleviating dry skin, sore throats, and sinus irritation. But while many of us may have the odd plant here and there, it seems that one plant super fan has taken things to a whole new level. The woman, Mia Field, from Bedford, took to Facebook to share snaps of her plant-packed council home she wanted to swap with - and the greenery has left people totally divided. Although Mia said she loved the current house, she's keen to live closer to her family who are an hour's drive away. Desperate to find someone to swap properties with, the young woman said: ''Hey, I have a 2 bedroom house in Bedford MK41 with a driveway and a generous amount of storage. ''I love the house, it has a lot of potential but I need to be closer to family in the Watford area. ''The smallest bedroom has a superking bed with a built in wardrobe - (just needs painting) large shed in garden, separate toilet and bathroom. ''I am looking for a 2 bedroom house in and around the Watford area please. Thanks.'' In the post, uploaded on the popular House Exchange Home swap Council or housing associations UK ONLY group, Mia also attached a variety of images of her current home - and needless to say, the shocking amount of plants left people with their jaws on the floor. The living room, for instance, featured numerous Monstera plants of an impressive size and huge leaves, as well as what appeared to be Areca palms. My council flat is so stylish thanks to second-hand finds - plus the treasure chest place you need to look for bargains To go with the aesthetic, Mia had also kept the sofa light green, adding a few cushions with a leafy design. The dining area, too, boasted several smaller and larger plants - some of which were hanging - as well as a fish tank. Some of the smaller plants were sat neatly on the white shelves, adding plenty of greenery and life to the room. The bathroom - though not as green - was also home to an array of plants, all sitting in gorgeous pots. The darker shade of the Calathea plants provided stunning contrast of the sage walls and the otherwise more neutral aesthetic. How can I get a council house? To apply for a council home, you need to fill out and hand in an application to your local authority. To find your local authority, simply use the Government's council locator tool on its website. Once you have access to your local council's website, it should offer you guidelines on how to complete your application. After applying, you'll most likely have to join a waiting list. Bear in mind, even if you are put on a waiting list, this doesn't guarantee you a council house offer. Your council should also offer you advice on how to stay in your current home and solve any issues you might have, such as problems with a private landlord or mortgage. You are eligible to apply for council housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK providing have not lived abroad recently. Each council has its own local rules about who qualifies to go on the housing register in its area, but it is based on "points" or a "banding" system. For example, you're likely to be offered housing first if you: are homeless live in cramped conditions have a medical condition made worse by your current home are seeking to escape domestic violence Once you are high enough on a council's waiting list, it will contact you when a property is available. Some councils let people apply at the age of 18, while others let you apply even sooner at 16-year-olds. EU workers and their families and refugees may also be eligible. A council house is reached through a points system, so depending on your housing needs, you may be considered low priority. The council will contact you about any available property once you are high enough on the waiting list. There is no limit on how long you can expect to be on the waiting list. Mia's council house has since taken the internet by storm, leaving fellow Facebook users totally divided. Whilst many liked the greenery, others weren't so sure of the look - which they dubbed living in ''a jungle'' and even ''a cannabis farm''. One troll said: 'Wow that's a lot of greenery plants. Like a jungle in there.'' ''How long does it take to water them all?'' another wondered. ''More plants than Garden Centre!!'' a third chuckled. ''No swap to offer but just wanted to say I love how much your home looks like a jungle fairy tale!'' a fan added.


The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Who is golf YouTuber Rick Shiels?
RICK Shiels is a social media icon of the golfing world, with nearly 3 million fans around the globe. He has gained popularity through his informative golf equipment reviews and video tutorials. In June 2019, Rick Shiels Golf became the largest golf-themed channel on YouTube when it surpassed half a million subscribers. Rick used his platform to raise £15,000 for Prostate Cancer UK that year, hosting the first YouTube Golf Day. His videos have featured a number of celebrities, including pop star Robbie Williams and former World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall. Alongside his main channel, Rick also hosts his own podcast with more than 250k subscribers on YouTube. "We've done 304 completed near-perfect episodes," said Rick in one of his recent episodes of The Rick Shiels Golf Show, as he announced a renewal of the series. Is Rick Shiels a professional golfer? Born and raised in Bolton, Rick began playing golf at Hart Common Golf Club in Westhoughton at the age of 11. Ten years later, he started working at Mere Golf and Country Club in Cheshire, after completing his training with the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) and becoming a qualified pro. He earned a diploma in golf studies at Myerscough College, where he studied alongside fellow YouTuber Peter Finch. He initially launched his YouTube channel in 2011 as a way to attract more clients for lessons after he moved to the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester. As he has gained visibility in the field, he has partnered with major brands like Nike, Garmin, Mastercard, Lyle & Scott, and ECCO for content and apparel collaborations. During the 2025 Masters in April, Rick took to social media with a snap of the menu from the Women's Amateur staged at Augusta National. 3 Who is Rick Shiels' wife Claire? Since 2013, Rick has been married to his wife Claire, whom he called "bloody fantastic" in his anniversary Facebook post. He met her when he was 37, and their romance has been "incredible ever since", he said. They were recently spotted in the crowd at an Oasis concert in Manchester together. Their three children have also "fallen in love with golf", as Rick revealed on his Instagram post from the AIG Women's Open this year. "They have come away from the experience with an excitement about their own golf journeys," he said. "Getting to spend time watching some of the world best including Charley Hull and Nelly Korda has really inspired them." 3 Recently celebrating his 39th birthday, Rick has shared his experience with giving up alcohol a year ago. "Honestly, I feel much better for it. More energy, more focus, better sleep. And I'd like to think it's even helped my golf game a bit too," he said. "This isn't me telling anyone what to do. It's just something that's worked for me, and I wanted to mark the moment. One year alcohol-free, and who knows where this journey takes me."