A woman has given her home an incredible makeover using thrifty DIY hacks – adding £30,000 to the property value in the process.
Rima Aktar, 29, from Liverpool, purchased her three-bedroom home for £125,000 in May 2020 alongside her husband.
The home was ‘very outdated’ with blue walls and ‘damp’ carpets throughout – but the couple knew with a bit of TLC it could be the perfect base.
While they didn’t want to do a major renovation or throw too much money at the property – as they don’t consider it their ‘forever home’ – they were determined to give it a fresh makeover that better suited their tastes.
Rima Aktar, 29, from Liverpool, purchased her three-bedroom home for £125,000 in May 2020 alongside her husband
The kitchen before the makeover was drab and dreary grey and didn’t allow much light to filter through. Pictured, before the makeover
In the kitchen, they made DIY shaker-style cabinets. They spent £70 purchasing MDF wood cut to their specifications and then fitted them
The main bedroom was lacking in decor and personality (pictured, before), but the couple transformed the space into a neutral toned cooking haven that bounced light everywhere (right)
The neutral-coloured bedroom is now a really calming place to sleep and allows Rima to relax (pictured, after the transformation)
Rima explained how her main goal was to add more storage because what they did have was very limited. Pictured, after the transformation
They set about decorating in November 2020, painting the walls in neutral tones, ripping up the carpet to let the wooden floor breathe, and adding panelling to the walls for a touch of glamour.
To keep costs low, they did everything themselves such as learning how to panel by following tutorials on Instagram – which Rima describes as one of their proudest achievements in the home.
‘My main goal was to add storage as my home didn’t have a lot of it,’ Rima, an equality and diversity lead, told Jam Press.
‘We made a DIY pantry area in the kitchen and added fitted wardrobes in our bedroom which perfectly fit into the alcoves.
They set about decorating in November 2020, painting the walls in neutral tones and stuck with a theme throughout the house
The couple found the high ceilings challenging as they were hard to reach and paint. Pictured, the sitting room during renovation
The sitting room is now a cosy space where the couple are able to relax and unwind while watching TV and films. Pictured, after the modern makeover
The couple painted the walls in neutral tones and ripped up the carpet to let the wooden floor breathe
Rima estimated each room in the house took between two-four weeks to complete – with the couple usually working on them during the weekends
The couple spent many weekends giving their house an impressive modern makeover. Pictured, during the renovation
Rima found that the most difficult part was painting due to the very high ceilings. Pictured, the dining room during the renovation
Rima revealed she learned a lot of her skills from Instagram tutorials – adding it’s one of her proudest achievements. Pictured, the dining room after
‘I also wanted to add panelling in almost every room, however we wanted to do this ourselves to save cost and be under budget.
‘We learnt how to do it from Instagram tutorials and it’s honestly one of the most proudest achievements we have done with the house.’
As well as the panelling, the couple also experimented with other DIY tasks – including creating a makeshift pantry in a small corner of their kitchen, which they panelled, painted white and then screwed on some rustic-style shelves purchased from eBay.
Also in the kitchen, they made DIY shaker-style cabinets. They purchased MDF wood cut to their specifications that cost £70, and then fitted them.
The couple did all of the work themselves, aside from fitting their wardrobes, which they hired professionals to do. Pictured, the bedroom after the makeover
The savvy duo created a makeshift pantry in a small corner of their kitchen, which they panelled, painted white and then screwed on some rustic-style shelves purchased from eBay. Pictured, during the renovation
The copy created makeshift pantry in a small corner of their kitchen, which they panelled, painted white and then screwed on some rustic-style shelves purchased from eBay
In total, the couple have spent £3,000 on the renovations – including the cost of the fitted wardrobes. Pictured, Rima Aktar
To furnish the home, the couple scoured Facebook Marketplace for second-hand furniture to save on costs. Pictured, the bathroom before renovation
To furnish the home, they scoured Facebook Marketplace for second-hand furniture to save on costs. Now, it’s bright and airy with a beautiful natural green wall (pictured)
They also created a DIY Crittall-style shower screen for £10 by painting the frame black using a £3 tester pot, then using a 50mm vinyl tape she bought from eBay for £7 and cut to length, sticking it on the glass. For extra precision, she used a spirit level.
To furnish the home, they scoured Facebook Marketplace for second-hand furniture.
Rima estimates each room in the house took between 2-4 weeks to complete – with the couple usually working on them during the weekends.
They did all of the work themselves, aside from fitting their wardrobes, which they hired professionals to do.
The house value has increased by £30,000 already – and Rima (pictured) anticipates it being worth even more once they are fully finished
The old bathroom was dated and old fashioned before (pictured) The couple wanted a solution without having to rip out the entire bathroom and start again
The couple bought a crittall-style shower screen for £10 and spent £3 painting the frame black with a tester pot. They then used a 50mm vinyl tape bought from eBay for £7 and cut it to length, before sticking it on the glass
Now, the couple are focusing on transforming the two spare bedrooms and giving the hallway a mini makeover.
Rima said: ‘The most difficult part was the painting – we have high ceilings and we found it to be draining at times, but it was worth it.
‘We live in a fairly old house so wall cracks appeared which were difficult, but we have accepted that some of it adds to the character.’
In total, the couple have spent £3,000 on the renovations – including the cost of the fitted wardrobes.
Now, the couple are focusing on transforming the two spare bedrooms and giving the hallway a mini makeover.
Rima added: ‘I have come to the conclusion that I will always have some decorating to do.
‘But my husband has been my partner in DIY and I wouldn’t have been able to execute half of the ideas or plans without him – he truly is a gem.’
Incredibly, the house value has increased by £30,000 already – and Rima anticipates it being worth even more once they are fully finished.