Joe’s Five Top Tips for Turning an Empty Space into a Home

Everybody wants a lovely home, but if you’re living somewhere temporarily such as in a guardianship property, spending half your months wages in IKEA probably isn’t a good idea…

1. First of all it’s worth checking, Streetlife, Freecycle, Gumtree and various other websites for bits and bobs that are being thrown away. You would be surprised what people are willing to throw away, I have acquired a sofa and a set of chairs – it’s great to make use of waste!

2. Shelves and work surfaces are an important way to fill a space and keep on top of clutter. Most joinery workshops throw away perfect sized bits of wood/board daily so don’t be afraid to find your local workshop and see what you can pick up.

3. Rope. Everybody needs a washing line plus you’ll probably find something else to use it for. Buy a couple of pulleys too… Get creative!

4. Walls are there to be decorated. Corners are great for shelves, and the rest for mirrors, pictures or whatever you feel like fixing to the wall. The wall’s the limit. Borrow a drill, buy some wall fixings and get fixing. B&Q’s website has got some helpful tips.

5. Make it unique. I decided I wanted a hammock in my living room, why not…?

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