Can a " space " be depressing?

glasshalffullagain

And found her glasses now too.

Oh dear.

I find if I put my glasses on I can see all the cobwebs.

And found her glasses now too.

OP has put some beddig plants in! It's a start.

I think there is a big difference between having a suitable budget to do something. And not.

Glad the op has been given some ideas.

dragonfly46

I too feel out house is dated so instead of spending the money on a holiday we are having the staircase renovated, new carpet and the hall, living room and kitchen redecorated.
I know it will give me lasting pleasure.

We've a granddaughter searching to buy. Nothing suits, everything is dated, bad colours. Finally the words 'slap paint on' resonated.

She's finally found something, near enough the A11, nice garden, parking, and her grandfather can oversee renovations.

Sometimes renovations and decorating do add pleasure.

I too feel out house is dated so instead of spending the money on a holiday we are having the staircase renovated, new carpet and the hall, living room and kitchen redecorated.
I know it will give me lasting pleasure.

I feel for you OP. I was suffering from MH issues and from loving my home I then hated it. I ended up moving - a drastic action I know but the move combined with medication and treatment helped me overcome my depression.
My MH consultant told me medication is only 30% of the cure. The rest is you making sure you get out and about, have interests and engage with your friends. I do hope you start to find your way out of all the negativity and enjoy life and your home again

Some houses are never "homes" it seems to me.

My next-door property is one such.
4 different owners, 4 different styles. None of them felt "right" or "settled".

The other side (nearly identical house) comfy and warm. Two very different owners - neither styles to my taste - but welcoming.

I would not have bought the "uncomfortable" next door one.

Ours is the middle of only 3. It is comfortable I think.

I'd be a bit wary of using a bluish/grey white if you are hoping to lighten your kitchen space.. It is a cold colour.. I would go for a vanilla white personally..

I've made a start and ordered a sample of Dulux Timeless!
And a lot of stuff needs to be thrown away and tidied up.
Am now wary of thinking that moving will help as done this lots in my life .

If money is an issue look on Facebook Marketplace. My cousin has furnished his whole flat this way and it’s very nice. Also if you go on Freecycle and ask for something you will be amazed what people give away.

glasshalffullagain

Thanks so much Doodledog for caring. Of course, we will be super careful. It'll take more than half a glass of cheap plonk and an M and S voucher to sway me!

😁

Well done.
It took more than a glass of free plonk and a ham roll to persuade us to buy a timeshare in Lanzarote, although we could hear the celebratory champagne corks popping all around us.

They were never built.

glasshalffullagain

Thanks so much Doodledog for caring. Of course, we will be super careful. It'll take more than half a glass of cheap plonk and an M and S voucher to sway me!

Good to hear.

I'm pleased you didn't think I was being patronising, as I really didn't intend to.

I've also got the idea McCarthy and Stone flats are seriously not a good idea - I've heard of high service charges and distinct problems selling them.

Wouldnt be surprised if they've got a lot of unnecessary "rules" too and/or a character or two living there that thinks/hopes they rule the roost. Personally - the general feeling I get about them is "I wouldnt touch them with a bargepole" even though I'm gobsmacked at how comparatively low the prices often are (but I suspect that's for a reason...).

Thanks so much Doodledog for caring. Of course, we will be super careful. It'll take more than half a glass of cheap plonk and an M and S voucher to sway me!

At the risk of stating the obvious, please do a lot of research into retirement flats before buying. They are not very good investments, as they have high service charges, and take a cut when you come to sell. I believe that if you don't sell back to them they continue to charge the service fees even if you aren't living there, so any equity reduces the longer it takes. I think you can be evicted if you develop Dementia, too.

Those things may or may not matter to you, but I have read that a lot of people have had their fingers burnt.

Blimey, don't know is I'm coming or going! Went to see a McCarthy and Stone flat yesterday. Probably too expensive.

Hate this swinging about mood thing.

Thanks for useful ideas.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202504/medium-6cenlo-1000017654.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202504/medium-9k3xgt-1000017580.jpg

These are what I mean by 'pops of colour'. (These are Mother's Day flowers, but any flowers available will do.). I hope you've been inspired by all the suggestions you've been given glasshalffull.

Living with some people can suck all the life out of you .
One of my friends can't stand her husband.
She's just come back from a holiday without him .
It's not just holidays it's evenings and weekends and she works part-time to get away from him .
Their house is nice and so is the garden ,but it's just a dormitory to her .
I think that you need to identify exactly what is depressing you .
I certainly would find some fresh flowers wonderful -because I'd photograph and paint them .
Try and create a cheerful colourful room for yourself and seek help .

silverlining48

A fresh coat of paint on the walls will make a huge difference. My friend also painted her cupboard doors and they look great.

Agreed.

Paint tins cost very little, easy application.

White ceiling paint reflect light well in darker spaces.

A fresh coat of paint on the walls will make a huge difference. My friend also painted her cupboard doors and they look great.

glasshalffullagain

fancythat

Perhaps list on here what you find depressing about the house?

Some very kind and thoughtful suggestions here. The layout is typical Victorian terrace. It's light with high ceilings.

The kitchen is grim, brown and sucks the life out of me. I feel like any of the great ideas re decorating are just tinkering about. However there is no budget for new kitchen ( unpleasant back story here)
So it's a case of sprucing up the existing " facilities"

Partner is not unpleasant in any way... well no more than any of us are! Just not a DIY person.

Food for thought folks, Thanks

I'd suggest having a look at Instagram....there are many people who have posted about their homes and some wonderfully creative people (on limited budgets), that might be a place to get some ideas from.

"throw some cans of paint over it"
😂😂😂
If only it was that easy I'd do our hall stairs and landing this afternoon! Will it stick on the ceiling? 😁

Even the most unpromising of houses can be "sorted" very often.

When I bought my house I wasnt aware of just how many problems it came with (ie those with two legs and a height range between 5'-6' aka trespassing/bossy neighbours).

I knew the house and garden would need gutting. But the neighbours came as a shock.....dogs being kept in nearby gardens and allowed to bark repeatedly!!!!! came as a shock. The "Pembrokeshire Promise" that so many tradespeople here do came as a shock.

So there's few houses that are beyond redemption - if one is determined enough. Basically managed to deal with the bad neighbours and the barking dogs and the unreliable workmen - as well as the house renovation I had bargained on. Whew - no wonder I feel tired sometimes after all that....

It only took just around 10 darn years dealing with problems - both expected and unexpected....but most problems can be dealt with...

Nil desperandum and keep at it - and a lot of house problems can be dealt with...but yep...start with the "throw some cans of paint over it".

Oh dear! It's such a waste.
I think of all the work that has gone into the manufacturing of these curtains too from the manufacture of the thread (could be cotton or other fibres, grown, processed), woven, sewn!

Well, it's their planet, their future