I transformed my bare council home with bits from Asda and IKEA – people can’t believe how cosy it is
COUNCIL HOUSES are often be viewed as ‘undesirable’ or a ‘last resort’, with countless stereotypes about the properties.
One woman is helping to breaking this stigma and shared how she transformed her council house into sanctuary for her family – after suddenly being made homeless.
If you passed Naomi Wells in the street, you’d never know just how hard this 31-year-old has worked to create a home for her family.
Her story began seven years ago when then twenty-something was awarded special guardianship of her niece and nephew – who were still infants at the time.
Though she adjusted to her new role as the carer for two young children, things became increasingly difficult for the family during pandemic.
“In the midst of COVID my landlord decided to sell the property I was living in,” she explained, adding that the rental market has been virtually ‘non-existent’.
Having struggled to find suitable accommodation before her tenancy ended, Naomi and her family were made homeless during the worst pandemic in living memory.
After staying in a homeless bedsit and then temporary accommodation for just over a year, she and her little ones were finally offered a council home.
Though the property urgently needed repairs, the 31-year-old wasn’t concerned and started renovations almost immediately – keen to take on the ‘challenge’.
Recalling how she lovingly restored the home, she said “When we moved into the property it wasn’t in a great condition. It had been neglected for quite some time, but I was happy to get stuck in and give it some love.
“I have a passion for decorating and making a house feel like home so I took on the challenge!”
With a limited budget and two kids to raise, the process has taken over a year with Naomi documenting the process on Tiktok under the username @naomilouisewells24.
Rather than splashing out on designer items, the New Forest resident has found thrifty ways to makeover the previously unloved home.
Bare walls have been revamped with natural tones to creator a calming space, with high-ending look décor found on the high street.
She is especially savvy when finding dupes for designer items, with the resourceful young woman finding a near identical willow wreath as The White Company’s.
Instead of paying £60 though, Naomi paid just £9.99 for the Home Bargains décor.
Other favourite shopping destinations include The Range, Dunelm, B&M, Asda and even Facebook marketplace for furniture.
“With the current Cost of Living Crisis everybody is feeling the pinch and not everyone has a lot of excess money for the non-essentials, such as decorating,” she said, adding that she ‘loved’ using the high street to furnish her home on a budget.
“The high street brands are now also duping lots of higher end…so it’s important to shop around for a bargain!” she added.
However, the resilient young woman isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty and will even DIY some of the high end items she finds.
“Also, if I fall in love with something that’s out of my budget I will have a go at DIY’ing it!” she revealed, sharing that she even recreated rustic shelving she’d seen on Etsy for over £20.
Using scaffold boards from her local builders merchants and brackets from Amazon, she was able to recreate the look for just £25 for two.
She even renovated her entire dining room, materials and accessories costing less than £200.
“I am so grateful for our Council House and finally having a place we could call Home after so long. It doesn’t cost a lot to have a lovely home, you just have to shop around.”
Naomi Wells
The thrifty woman revealed that the majority of her decor actually came from Asda, with items costing between £4-£12.
“Most Supermarkets now stock homeware so you grab cute decor items whilst doing your weekly shop!,” she added:
Naomi also found 3 for 2 offers on Dulux paint (usually £25 per tub) in her local B&Q.
Even her furniture didn’t cost a fortune, as she sourced an old pine table which she sanded down and added new legs to match her vibe.
Whilst her number of followers have been steadily growing on Tiktok, fans have been loving her decor with comment like ‘How cosy’ littering her page.
This isn’t important to Naomi – as her main focus is creating a home for her family.
She added: “I am so grateful for our Council House and finally having a place we could call Home after so long. It doesn’t cost a lot to have a lovely home, you just have to shop around.”