Jennifer Sheahan: Make your starter house a home — within budget
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There are few things in life more terrifying than handing over your life’s savings for a deposit on your first home, or more thrilling than getting your first set of keys in return. Owning a house offers the opportunity to create a space that truly feels like home. You can paint it whatever colour you want, tear down walls, replace kitchens, and bring in your own furniture.
Most starter homes are small and budget-conscious, but designers know that constraints breed creativity. You can have fun in your starter home and make it beautiful and practical — all within budget.
In your starter home, you’ll want to make choices that are a bit more permanent than your rented apartment days. First and most importantly — invest in a good mattress! A quality mattress is an investment in your health and wellbeing. Plus, a good mattress can last you for many years, moving with you through future homes and life stages.
Now is a good time to invest in key furniture pieces that you love, but that will work in different spaces as your tastes evolve.
Modular and multi-functional furniture, such as a sofa bed or an expandable dining table, are practical investments and can move with you to your next home.
You’re setting the stage for your evolving life, so prioritise investing in key items that will serve you well for years to come, but remember to have fun too. This is your time to let your creativity go wild — you can have affordable fun with upcycling and second-hand pieces that will make a statement and make your home feel uniquely yours.
If you didn’t get a chance to invest in appliances in your apartment days, now is the time. A good oven, a high-quality washing machine, and a functional (if not fancy) dishwasher can save you so much time and effort — and can even contribute to the longevity of your clothes and dishware. These appliances may cost more upfront, but investing in quality here often saves you from costly repairs or replacements down the line.
Additionally, a few select kitchen tools like a high-performance blender, good knives, and a versatile coffee machine can make daily routines smoother and more enjoyable.
Remember that your tastes are likely to evolve, and what feels “in” now might not hold the same appeal in a few years. Save money by avoiding trends for your investment pieces and stick to timeless designs. You can always have fun with trends with low-cost or second-hand pieces such as brightly-patterned accent pillows, tasselled lamp shades, and weirdly shaped accent tables.
If you’re not planning to live in this house long term, you can save money on items that don’t need to last for decades. You can choose what is important to you, but I chose not to invest in solid wood flooring, instead choosing lower-cost (but still highly durable and attractive) LVT.
Later in life when I have more money, solid wood flooring is something I would love to have, but I don’t need it right now. Large rugs are also an easy fix to cover any old or unattractive flooring that you don’t want to invest in upgrading.
I also chose not to spend on expensive bathroom fixtures. I don’t know why vanity cabinets are so absurdly expensive — perhaps I’ll invest later in life when I have money to burn (hopefully?!), but Ikea ones are doing the job perfectly for now.
So what can you do with a starter home?
Unlike a rental, your starter home gives you the freedom to make larger changes, like adding wallpaper to showcase your personality or panelling to bring in additional texture. Aside from renovating, you can make small but impactful changes such as re-wiring the lighting fixtures to better suit your taste. Experiment with colours and textures that make you feel at home.
One of the most fun things about owning your own home is being able to have guests over. You have now graduated from letting friends crash on the couch — you can give them their own room, even if it’s a pull-out bed. It’s fun to add little touches such as guest slippers and toothbrushes.
I remember leaving a chocolate on the pillow when I had my first guest stay in my new home, I was so excited to be able to host properly!
It’s always a good idea to look at ways to make your home more energy-efficient, especially with rising energy costs. Simple fixes like replacing weather stripping, adding door sweeps, or even upgrading your windows are easy ways to make your home cosier while lowering utility bills.
If your budget allows, consider installing smart thermostats or energy-efficient windows to make a long-term difference. Solar panels and air-to-water systems are consistently becoming more efficient and grants have made these and other energy upgrades much more affordable.
With remote work becoming more common, it’s likely that a functional workspace is an important consideration. Invest in ergonomic seating, a good desk, and good lighting to make your workspace comfortable.
If your workspace needs to double as a dining area or spare bedroom, look for foldable desks and clever storage to keep things versatile — make it as easy as possible for you to quickly turn the space from office to bedroom.
Your starter home is yours to shape. Without blowing your budget, don’t be afraid to take creative risks, whether it’s with decor choices or layout changes. Hang artwork that inspires you, set up that record player, or try your hand at a DIY project that makes the space feel personal. This is your chance to create a home that reflects your personality.