The past few months have been some of the most overwhelming, yet most exciting times of my life – I can proudly say that I have become a first-time buyer. Making that first step on the property ladder brings with it many hurdles – from mortgages and legal paperwork to choosing the perfect colour scheme – but making that next step towards true independence and having a place to call your own is exhilarating.
Decorating my new home in the style that I have always dreamed of is easily one of the most exciting aspects of buying a first home, and I am sure that many of you will agree. However, where do you begin? There are so many things to consider, from the sofa right down to the salt and pepper shakers!
In collaboration with Southbank by CALA, – House Builder of the Year, 2020 – I have collated some handy tips to help you perfect your interior design skills, whether you have recently purchased your first home or are looking forward to the prospect of purchasing one in the near future.
If you are the latter, Southbank by CALA may be of interest to you. The new build development by CALA Homes (North) offers a selection of 1 and 2 bedroom, deluxe apartments which are situated in a prime location in Aberdeen – close to the heart of the city centre. These beautiful, high specification apartments include both ready to move into homes and fully furbished homes which both boast a contemporary open plan living – the perfect choice for first time buyers. The apartments also come fully equipped with flooring, quality appliances, fixtures and fittings.
Alongside the immaculate apartments up for grabs, CALA also offer great incentives for first time buyers. Currently, CALA are offering you the chance to own your dream, fully furbished one-bedroom contemporary apartment. The Marais apartments at Southbank come fully furnished, complete with a double bed, classic sofa, dining table and a series of unique interior design features which are sure to leave you feeling at home, with a place you are proud to call your own. This easy and stress-free option will allow you to move straight in – one less hurdle to jump.
Further to this, CALA know that finances can be a strain for a first-time buyer, so they will cover the legal fees, offer a reduced reduction reservation fee of £250* and provide a deposit contribution* to help you achieve your goal of owning an aspirational new build apartment. The Government Help to Buy Scheme is also available on apartments at Southbank by CALA.
If you would like to find out more about what is available at Southbank by CALA, contact one of the sales advisors, on 01224 968 653, who will be more than willing to show you around the show home and answer any questions you may have. Alternatively, you can check out the Southbank by CALA website here.
10 First Time Buyer Interior Tips with CALA Homes
1. Use Pinterest
If you are overwhelmed and do not know where to start, Pinterest is a great tool to spark your inspiration. This site offers endless pages of interior styles for every taste preference.
2. Create a moodboard
If you are like me, you will have your whole house planned out before you have even received the keys. Despite the desire to purchase everything you see and adore, try your best to not jump into buying everything straight away. First, ensure the décor and colour scheme compliments each other and the room by creating a simple moodboard for each area of your home. This could be done by printing and cutting out furniture and décor that you like and sticking onto paper, or by creating a board on the digital app, Canva.
3. Start with a blank canvas
Rather than initially choosing big and bold colours, begin with a blank canvas to which you can gradually inject colour to with soft furnishings, until you know you are happy and content with the colour scheme.
4. Use canvases for sampling paint
When painting, test colour samples on art canvases instead of painting directly on to your walls. This will effectively minimise the effort spent covering that dark navy shade that you considered when you were feeling brave, with the safe neutral shade you opted for instead. This is also useful when you are selecting furniture and decorative items in shops, because you can pop the canvas in your bag and compare them directly, to envision how they will appear in your home.
5. Use all the space in the room
Don’t push all your furniture up against the walls. This makes the room appear smaller.
6. You do not have to compromise
You do not have to compromise on furniture pieces you want/desire. For example, if you are longing for a dining table but fear it will look cluttered, opting for a glass table-top is a perfect solution – this will provide the sought-after dining space you need for hosting, but the transparency of the glass will prevent closing off the space.
7. Use an array of textures, sizes and prints
When selecting soft furnishings, such as cushions, curtains and rugs, mix different textures, sizes and prints to create depth and focal points in the room. This will successfully elevate a room from looking flat and uninviting to well put together and homely.
8. Use wallpaper effectively
Wallpaper is a great tool to inject some excitement into a room, however the style you chose can create different illusions, so it is important to choose the correct print for the room. For example, if you are adding wallpaper to a feature wall in a smaller room, choose a large, bold print – you may think a small print would work best, but this can create the illusion that the room is much smaller than it is. If you are to choose smaller print, then consider a more minimal print and use it on multiple walls, like Southbank at CALA have here.
9. Use mirrors to elongate rooms
Mirrors are great additions which can be added to walls to elongate rooms. They reflect the light and surroundings, making the room appear brighter and more spacious.
10. Remember, it is not a race
As a first-time buyer, remember that you do not have to complete everything all at once. Ensure that you are not spending above your means and prioritise purchasing necessities first. Although trinkets and candles make a home, they can wait.
*T&Cs apply. Please speak to a sales advisor for more info.
Great tips gal! Can’t wait to see how your place comes along! xx