Full House Makeover for Just £3,000 – Here's How We Did It

People often assume that a house renovation requires tens of thousands of pounds, but that’s simply not true. With smart planning, a bit of research, and a hands-on approach, we managed to renovate an entire house for just £3,000 – and the results were more than impressive.

In this post, we’re sharing exactly what we did, where we got our ideas, and how we kept costs down without compromising on quality. We'll also show you how small details – like using wallpaper, painting, or even reusing carpet – made all the difference.

Where We Got Our Ideas

Before we even picked up a brush or bought any materials, we spent time browsing online for inspiration. Here’s where we found the most help:

• Pinterest – Ideal for layout ideas, colour palettes, and budget-friendly decor.

• YouTube – Step-by-step tutorials gave us confidence to tackle some DIY tasks ourselves.

• Facebook Marketplace – We picked up a few key items secondhand, like a stylish tap, and bought a brand new extractor fan at a great price.

• Budget renovation blogs – Reading other people’s experiences helped us figure out where to spend and where to save.

Cost-Saving Tips That Worked for Us

Here’s how we managed to stay within a tight £3,000 budget and still achieve a quality finish:

1. Trade Account We opened a trade account at a building supplies shop, which gave us lower prices on paint, flooring, fixtures, and more.

2. DIY Wherever Possible We did all the painting ourselves, assembled furniture, fitted blinds, and handled many of the smaller tasks without calling in tradespeople.

3. Compare Quotes for Trades For the work we couldn’t do – like plastering – we gathered several quotes and went with reliable tradespeople offering fair prices.

4. Strategic Kitchen Upgrades Instead of replacing the entire kitchen, we kept the base units and only changed the doors. We added new top (wall) units and fitted a secondhand tap and extractor fan from Marketplace.

5. Reused Materials We used the old carpet from a bedroom to cover the stairs – since we laid laminate in the bedroom, the carpet was in great condition and fit perfectly on the staircase.

6. Thoughtful Details Wall paneling in the living room, updated door handles, fresh sealant in the bathroom, and new blinds all helped create a polished look without a big spend.

   
   

Room-by-Room Renovation Summary

Living Room

We used wallpaper and wall paneling to create a warm, cosy feel. It gave the room a classic yet modern look, and made the space much more welcoming without the need for expensive furniture or decoration.

Kitchen

We removed the old wallpaper, plastered the walls, and painted everything white to brighten the space. We kept the existing base units but changed the doors, added a new wall cabinet, and installed a secondhand tap and extractor fan (buit in the cupboard). It looked like a brand-new kitchen at a fraction of the cost.

Bedroom One

We replaced the old sliding wardrobe doors with fresh new ones to give the room a modern touch. We also removed the carpet and installed laminate flooring, which gave the space a cleaner, more contemporary finish.

Bedroom Two

In this room, we painted over the existing wallpaper to refresh the walls without needing to strip them. We also replaced the carpet with laminate flooring, which instantly made the room look brighter and more modern.

Smart Reuse of Materials

Instead of throwing out the original mirrored wardrobe doors from Bedroom One, we repurposed them as full-length wall mirrors in both Bedroom One and Bedroom Two. This added light and a sense of space, and saved money by avoiding the need to buy new mirrors.

What We Spent – Cost Breakdown

• Plastering (kitchen & hallway) – £750

• Paints (entire house) – £140

• Wall paneling in the living room – £100

• Wallpaper in the living room – £100

• Flooring (with underlay) – £550 (trade accound gave us a big discount)

• Kitchen doors & top units – £480

• Tap & extractor fan (Marketplace) – £50

• New internal doors – £300

• Lights, blinds, handles, tools, misc. – £350

• Trades (small jobs like fittings, plumbing) – £180

✅ Total Spent: £3,000

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to spend a fortune to transform a property. With careful planning, smart choices, and a willingness to do some of the work yourself, it’s completely possible to renovate a whole house on a budget.

Need Help With Your Renovation?

If you’re planning a refurbishment and want someone to manage the project, offer guidance, or simply help you save money without cutting corners – get in touch.

📩 Contact us today 

and let’s talk about how we can support your renovation project – big or small.

The house was originally purchased in 2003 for £82,000 and was sold in March 2025 for £105,000, giving us a total profit of £23,000 (before fees and taxes).