Every wall in my council house was peeling but people say I’ve ‘turned a pig’s ear into a silk purse’ with Asda bargains

A DIY enthusiast has given her council house a mega makeover all whilst on a budget.

So if you want to give your home an upgrade but without breaking the bank, then you’ve come to the right place.

Nichola Barrett and her partner Billy, two DIY fans from the UK, used bargain buys from Asda, Dunelm and TikTok shop to turn their hallway from drab to fab.

It all started when the couple did a council house mutual exchange – but when they moved in, they noticed that the paint on every wall was peeling.

Council house exchanges often happen when people want to move to a different area or need a home that better suits their needs (like more space or better accessibility).

Council house swaps are usually arranged through a formal process, often facilitated by the local council or housing authority.

When faced with the appalling condition of their new home, Nichola and Billy got to work, on a mission to brighten up and modernise their space.

Now, not only have viewers been left stunned by the home upgrade, but people have even said they have ‘turned a sow’s ear into a silk purse’ with their overhaul.

Impressed with her new hallway, Nichola took to social media to share a before and after look, leaving many open-mouthed.

Posting on DIY On A Budget, a private Facebook group with 2.2 million members, Nichola wrote: “Did a mutual exchange with the council.

“Before photos are when we viewed the property. After is what we've done.”;

Nichola then confirmed: “We took all the woodwork back to wood with a heat gun and sander, the thickness of the gloss was crazy!

“My partner also boarded the glass above the upstairs doors himself and skimmed over it so they were flush to the wall. He knew how much I hated the look of them.

“We moved in December and have put so much hard work into doing upstairs and now the hall, stairs and landing.”;

Overjoyed with the results, Nichola continued: “Absolutely over the moon with how this has turned out.

“Just need a new hand rail up, radiator cover for landing and a little rug for the hall.”;

Absolutely over the moon with how this has turned out

Nichola Barrett

Thanks to a lick of paint and some fresh new carpet and flooring, the couple were able to bring their once very tired home back to life.

Additionally, Nichola then confirmed that she nabbed a shoe bench and coat rack from Very, whilst she got her radiator cover from Dunelm.

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Meanwhile, the savvy saver got her wall print and photo frame from TikTok shop, whilst she picked up a grey vase with pampas from Asda.

Now, the couple’s home looks bright and fresh and luckily, it was all done on a very tight budget.

DIY fans react

Nichola’s post has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed 1,700 likes and 204 comments in just a few days.

Not only have people praised Nichola’s home as ‘beautiful’, but many have claimed the DIY work has made her home ‘look like a different house’.

Wow that looks like a different house. Fantastic job

Facebook user

One person said: “Looking fabulous, well done.”;

Another added: “You’ve turned a sow's ear into a silk purse, it looks amazing.”;

A third commented: “Gorgeous transformation!”;

Meanwhile, someone else chimed in: “Wow that looks like a different house. Fantastic job.”;

Not only this, but one DIY whizz wrote: “What a transformation! You should be so proud of all that hard work, it looks beautiful.”;

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