I transformed my council house hallway for under £60 – the old laminate has vanished but critics say it ‘looks cheap’
A MOTHER has revealed that she gave her council house hallway a mega makeover without breaking the bank.
Melinda, a DIY enthusiast from the UK, was able to totally transform her home thanks to purse-friendly peel-and-stick tiles.
With the old laminate nowhere in sight, Melinda was overjoyed with her cheap and effective housing association overhaul.
But despite this, not everyone was complimentary, as some thought it looked “cheap”.
Posting on social media, the content creator who is known online as ‘Miss Grey Home’, explained how she was able to add style to her pad – and it’ll cost you less than £60.
Using two packs of self-adhesive vinyl flooring, which Melinda found on TikTok Shop from a company called Living and Home, she was able to give her hallway a totally new look.
With one pack currently on offer for £38.99, Melinda only used one and a half packs, costing just £58.48 in total for the hallway renovation.
Showing off a before look at her hallway, the DIY fan said: “I’m just not a fan, it comes off really orangey.
“I know a lot of you like the neutral, wooden accents, but that’s just not me.”
As she showed off the bargain buy which she ordered online, Melinda added: “We’ve all seen and heard about these tiles.
“I thought I’d put it to the test and do my hallway because affording real tiles, I think I need to take out a £10,000 loan for, and it’s not ideal with children, because real tiles can be very slippery.”
As she began to apply the tiles to her hallway, she added: “I got stuck straight in, laid out the layout I was going for and then, yeah, just peel and stick and off we go.
“I actually left a little gap in between the tiles so it looks more realistic.”
Not only did Melinda use tiles but she also applied white grout too, as she explained: “I did grout it and I don’t think I could be any happier with it, it turned out so nice.”
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
Despite the overhaul taking “a long time”, Melinda beamed: “It’s brightened up my hallway so much.
“I know not a lot of people are a fan of marble or white but I’m definitely a fan.”
Social media users react
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @missgreyhomexo, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 140,200 views and 1,902 likes.
Personally, I think it looks better, love it
TikTok user
But social media users were left divided by Melinda’s hallway – while the majority thought it looked much “better” than before, mean trolls weren’t afraid to share their thoughts.
One user beamed: “Looks so nice.”
Rules on transforming your council house
According to Gov, the kind of improvements you can make to your council property depends on the type of tenancy you have.
Introductory tenants are usually limited to minor improvements like redecorating inside.
If you’re a secure tenant, you have the right to carry out improvements to your property. These include:
- installing a new bathroom or kitchen
- building an extension
- putting up a garden shed or greenhouse
- installing a new gas fire or fireplace
- cavity wall insulation
- redecorating the outside of a house
- fitting an aerial or satellite dish
You might need your council’s written permission for work you do. Contact your council if you’re not sure.
A second agreed: “Looks gorgeous.”
Whilst someone else gushed: “Personally, I think it looks better, love it.”
Looks cheap
TikTok user
However, at the same time, one troll said: “I’m not a fan, looks cheap. You will be taking up soon.”
And another added: “Looks cheap.”
But clearly unbothered by the rude remarks, Melinda wrote back and sarcastically shared: “Thank you, done it just for you, to have something to moan about. Gotta keep ya in business.”
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