Starting again - what would you do differently?

Well, I wouldn't buy this house for a start......

If I was really starting again, with all the energy of youth I would do what we should have done in the early 70s and build that “sustainable home” we dreamed of.

How fantastic that would have been. No regrets really as have had (and still are having) a good and fulfilling life - yes, I feel very lucky- but don’t know why we didn’t have the confidence all those years ago. Would do it in a heartbeat now if only I had the energy!

We built a house about 10 years ago so I'm writing from the point of view of what we've done, rather than what I would do now:

Good quality taps and showers

Ikea have a range of unpainted hardwood furniture. They're cheap enough to cut bits out - we've fitted out two bathrooms using different pieces and my OH has cut out spaces for all the plumbing.

Hard flooring - no carpets. they're expensive and you are paying for areas that won't be walked on because covered by furniture.

Buy rugs - massive of choices out there and you can take them with you when you move.

Learn how to sew (if you can't already) so that you can make cushion covers and loose covers, also curtains.

White china but also some nice serving dishes and plates for when entertaining.

Back to the wall loos - very easy to keep clean.

Thanks for the advice about collapsible buckets, Lynda. I shall continue to resist the temptation.

It's just that I often see things in the special offers in Aldi and Lidl and wonder if I shouldn't pop them in my basket to help them out when they start up. They had some nice play rugs and toyboxes recently.

Buying a complete new household is quite a daunting task, even if it is fun! And they will presumably be bringing a few pots and pans with them. There's also things that they can have from us and the other grandparents to tide them over.

I’d have bought a smaller house initially but with plenty of land so that I could gradually extend

Both my daughter and DiL have a thermomix but it’s all the various parts that need washing up that would put me off but I suppose no worse than several bowls and pans.

I think you and I bought at the same bargain basement ninarosa

I'd have a loft conversion to make an en-suite bedroom, I'd repaint the entire house (husband never lets me choose colours), I'd have a completely new bathroom, I would equip our box room into a proper storage room with shelving etc, I'd remove the sliding mirror wardrobes in the bedroom with something more contemporary, I'd have fitted wardrobes fitted in the other double, I'd have all of the laminate flooring replaced, I'd have the garden landscaped, I'd win the lottery, I'd go to the moon, I'd find a cure for cancer, and I'd win the Nobel Peace Prize etc etc. Not much to ask is it?

When I started over last summer the one thing I did not purchase was a microwave. Mostly due to space, but I've discovered I don't even miss having one and have no intention of getting one.

When we had our kitchen re-fitted in 1997, I bought a Dualit toaster and kettle. The toaster has had an element replaced, and is still going strong. The switch on the kettle broke and Dualit would not send a replacement, so I bought a Prestige one in 2015, and it's still fine.
Miele dish washer bought 2006, and Miele washing machine in 2001. Both brilliant, quiet and efficient.

Preferred a gas job so when we put in a new kitchen, that’s what I chose. Seeing so many GNers lauding induction hobs makes me think I should have chosen one.

If money was no object would love underfloor heating and wooden floors, but we will have to put up with what we’ve got.

Missfoodlove, it's a case of " it'll see me out ".

Don’t buy a collapsible bucket as mine collapses whilst in use! Collapsible washing up bowl works well. I use Ikea blue bags or a large bag for life for my washing as they fold away easily in a cupboard. I would always choose an induction job as they are so safe and easy to keep clean. Choose versatile storage that can be re purposed over the years in different rooms. Kids rooms, study, hall way or dining room for example. Under bed storage is useful too especially if/when you down size.

Ninarosa, I love it!

I sometimes think I chose the wrong model of husband. If only there had been a QVC of try for thirty days then return if not suitable, no questions asked, forty years ago. This model has become unpredictable , often throwing a wobbly at the worst possible moment. It performs spasmodically and I'm sure I'm not getting the best from it these days.It's all too easy to look at friends' models and compare.
However, choosing a newer model could be risky and time consuming with no guaranteed satisfaction so I will jog along with my old but not altogether trusty one.

If I could I'd have a utility/laundry room upstairs, as my German friends have.
Most of the dirty washing originates upstairs, clothes, towels, bedlinen etc and we cart it all down, wash, iron and cart it back up, so much unnecessary effort.
Of course if you like to dry the laundry outside, weather permitting then this wouldn't work, unless you had a built in pull out line in front of a large window that you'd open on a nice day.

Definitely an induction hob. (and the mesh cover for it from Lakeland), a filtered water tap, and plantation shutters.

Start as I mean to go on. Wasted far too many hours in my life.

Those if you lusting after a Thermomix, check out the Kenwood Cooking Chef. Does all the same stuff. Mine is excellent - still pricey though.

Ha Ha! thanks for saving me the bother of looking op Thermomix. I don't care that much about perfect whatever it does anymore.

I would never buy cheap to replace later. False economy.

Never hang on to something you don't like for sentimental reasons. . A bit like friends!

My friend is so proud of the miele washing machine she has bought 2nd hand for £50. It is quiet. Apparently it was being sold by someone who had another one and a matching drier.

I bless my Miele washer as well, bought in 2002, moved once and going strong, fantastic. So I bought a Miele dishwasher as well!

Miele washing machine. 18 years old and not even a call out.

super Sounds like me

The one item I have bought which has been a God send is the retractable dual washing line. Neatly put away in 30 seconds and no more accidentally garrotting the grandchildren ?

Holy Mother of God! Just looked up Thermomix’s too - I have bought cars for less than that... ?

Fossicking - fabulous word