I live in a council house but nobody can tell – I’ve given it an epic makeover thanks to Ikea buys & people are envious
A DIY fan has revealed that she lives in a council house but nobody can ever tell thanks to its stylish makeover.
25-year-old Celene Francis, a single mother who lives in a two-bedroom house in Rotherham with her young daughter, has given her council property a total transformation, all whilst on a budget.
With not much money to spare, the student midwife and mental health support worker has shared how she gave her home a stylish transformation on the cheap, leaving many open-mouthed.
So if you want to give your home a total transformation, then you’ll need to check this out.
The savvy mum took to social media to show her followers a before and after look at her home.
Alongside the short clip, Celene, who is currently pregnant with her second child, wrote: “POV: When you live in a council house but nobody can tell.”
At the start of the video, Celene showed off her home prior to its overhaul.
It was in desperate need of some TLC – with no carpets or flooring, paint peeling from the walls and mess everywhere.
However, thanks to cheap buys from the high-street, Celene has given her home a fresh new look, without breaking the bank.
The hallway has been transformed from drab to fab – with new flooring, a fresh lick of paint and some stylish accessories.
Not only this, but she also used wooden slat boards from B&Q to give the space a unique feel.
As well as this, her living area is now complete with a posh sofa and pretty panelling.
The panelling is also in her bedroom too – which has been accessorised with a beige, cream and grey colour palette, as well as cheap bedding from B&M.
Celene confirmed that she nabbed her bedroom lamp and light from Ikea and got her sofa from Snug.
Not only this, but she revealed that to accessorise her home, she nabbed a variety of cheap buys from B&M, Dunelm and Amazon.
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.
SOCIAL MEDIA USERS BEAM
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @61thecouncilhouse, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed 27,900 views in just three days.
Social media users were impressed with Celene’s gorgeous home and many flocked to the comments to express this.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a council house it’s your home and it’s beautiful
TikTok user
One person said: “Love the layout and size of this house, a bit envious.”
Another added: “I restarted my home renovations yesterday and it’s so tiring! Pages like this give me the inspiration I need to push through so thank you for sharing.”
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 third commented: “You have a beautiful home.”
Whilst someone else expressed: “It doesn’t matter if it’s a council house it’s your home and it’s beautiful.”
Meanwhile, another simply shared: “Lovely.”
CELENE’S BUDGET DIY
Celene previously told Fabulous that she regularly shops in high-street chains such as B&M, The Range and Home Bargains and by watching YouTube videos, has been able to give her home a stunning upgrade without breaking the bank.
She explained: “I’ve done all sorts of DIY. I painted the kitchen cupboards, got new handles, and painted the tiles.
I watched a lot of YouTube videos but I’ve always been into DIY and interiors and doing things myself
Celene Francis
“Obviously I put down flooring and just got laminate and carpets. On the stairs I did a stair runner and just used what was leftover from my carpet.
“I did all of the DIY myself – including fitting the stair rods and all of the painting.
“I watched a lot of YouTube videos but I’ve always been into DIY and interiors and doing things myself.”
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Celene also revealed that as a single mother, she tries to cut costs where possible, and so bought a lot of her home furnishings from cheap high-street chains.
She added: “I like to be on a budget and especially in this day and age, I haven’t got loads of spare money.
“I’ve done everything gradually and I don’t really go out or drink [alcohol] so any spare money I have, I buy things for the house.
“I mainly shop at The Range, B&M, Home Bargains and IKEA. But my favourite shop is B&M. I absolutely love B&M.
“As soon as something is trendy, B&M have it straight away. I think B&M is great.”