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Buying a home and don't know how anything works

bellaozzydog said:
I’m asking the estate agent if I can have an extended period of access to the flat I’m in the process of buying

I just want to sit in it and contemplate plans for it without anyone looking over my shoulder. Get a real feel for it.

I’ll probably get a sparkie in to check the electric is safe and the boiler isn’t going to gas me

solicitor says three weeks for all searches to come in. Not sure what happens after that. Slightly worried that the lenders have a solicitor, feels like it could all collapse at any point for some random unidentified legal point
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I wouldn't make any plans for bigs renovations on the basis of sitting in the flat for a wee while before completion and moving in.

Yes, it might be nice to get a feel for the place, which rooms get sun in the morning or afternoon, measure up for curtains and flooring and stuff, but plans are best formulated after you've lived in the place a while and better understand how you use the space and what you need.
 
Where does one buy a bed from? Or a sofa? I have never had a new bed as an adult and it would be nice to at least have a new mattress. And maybe one of those beds that opens up so you can store things inside. I found a sofa I like the look of, but it's £1,500 so won't be getting that. However, after a year of sitting on wooden chairs and a cheap nasty broken sofa in this shared house, a decent, comfortable living area is a must.

Somewhere called Bensons For Beds seems to have a sale on for the next few days. Am I safe to assume these sorts of places always have sales on?
 
Furniture stores always seem to have sales on so I doubt there's any rush. You will probably spend a lot of time on your sofa and in bed so I'd make sure you buy something that's very comfortable so I wouldn't skimp on those.
 
For assembling a bed - either enlist a helpful friend with tools (you’ll need to get some of your own at some point!) or pay for the assembly service - which John Lewis offer for example
 
Good point about wooden bed frames. You can replace the mattress easily if you need to and I have those big plastic boxes underneath for storing stuff in.

You could have a look on your local facebook marketplace for a sofa miss direct - worth keeping an eye out because you can get some bargains
 
I thought about Facebook etc but not having a car means I always have to rely on favours.

There are plenty of wooden bed frames in the local BHF furniture shop so maybe it's worth thinking about getting one of those and then spending money on a decent mattress, which is what really matters. I would like a proper headboard though, so I can sit up in bed.
 
The one I had in Turkey was on a sort of hinge, it was just like opening a cupboard door and good to keep extra blankets, bedding etc.

Are ikea beds non standard size? Doesn't really matter I suppose as I only own one double fitted sheet.
 
miss direct said:
The one I had in Turkey was on a sort of hinge, it was just like opening a cupboard door and good to keep extra blankets, bedding etc.

Are ikea beds non standard size? Doesn't really matter I suppose as I only own one double fitted sheet.
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Ikea do both the standard double and the European size so just make sure you order the right one.

I have the Hyllestad mattresses in my lodgers rooms.

You may as well go to Ikea while you are waiting, at least you can try out the mattresses. I recommend an evening trip, usually nice and calm then.
 
Last time I bought such things I had money (ah those were the days) and I bought a king size metal bed frame and mattress from a shop on Tottenham Court Road (the frame will last for the rest of my life but I do need a new mattress 25 years later - the entire thing cost me about £1.5k back in the 90s but the frame itself is a beautiful piece of furniture and a lifelong investment) and I got one sofa from Habitat at around the same time although it is knackered now, and I got an Ikea sofa 2nd hand for just the cost of a man with a van to pick it up about 10 years ago now - the Habitat one lasted for about 15 years before it got really knackered (including the struts under the seats breaking so the whole thing is sagging - but it did last a fairly long time - it could probably be fixed though but it would still look a little bit shit with wear and tear). I'd say the Ikea one is also good value for money - it is still structurally sound 10 years on although the cats have wrecked the covers a bit (Ikea sell covers mind you).

EDIT to add: If you want a cat, make sure to get sofas with quite thick plain canvas covers rather than anything involving textured fabrics/jaquard/waffle weave covers. They prefer to scratch on textured stuff, mine only moved onto destroying the plain canvas covered furniture once everything else that had textured fabric and was therefore more satisfying to scratch was wrecked :D And if you want a perfect home then don't get cats (my place looks like someone had a bit of a turn with a chainsaw, everything is scratched or has gouges out of it - it is worth it though - I would rather live in a barn with animals than in the pages of a magazine with perfect decor.
 
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Ikea for the chance to sit on the items and then you can have a look at the charity stores for the bed frame and sofa. Ikea and some of the charity stores will deliver which will help if you don't have transport.
 
The benefit of IKEA and buying off Facebook/charity shops is that the items are pretty much always ready and in stock.
We waited 4-5 months for our DFS sofas and some of the delays were because of covid and Brexit and backlogs at the port. Our sofas were on a container in the North Sea for weeks unable to dock.
If you’re buying carpets and you want them quickly, ask for in stock stuff. Ours had to be ordered and it was 6 weeks to fitting.
 
We bought new mattresses around 18 months ago from Mattressman and the process was pretty quick. They tend to always have a sale of some sort on, especially with a bank holiday weekend coming up.

As for sofa, we got our M&S sofa and chair from Facebook marketplace and they're perfect. We were really lucky with that though. We paid a man with a van to collect it for us.
 
This may have been already discussed in the forty preceding pages - but if not...

Get the boiler serviced when you move in. I spent the last year listening to a very loud boiler. Got it serviced today and it's lovely and quiet!
 
BHF shops are great for bed frames and they will deliver. I much prefer a wooden frame with space underneath for boxes or vacuum-bags, to drawer divans. A V shape pillow is nice for sitting up in bed, and easier to clean than a padded fabric headboard.

IKEA mattresses are popular but be careful with their sizing with your chosen bed frame. Also Premier Inn mattresses and pillows are sold through their website and get wonderful reviews.

I’m 64 and I’ve never had a new sofa! With kids, grandkid, dogs and cats I’m happier with preloved stuff that I don’t need to be precious about.
 
miss direct said:
Where does one buy a bed from? Or a sofa? I have never had a new bed as an adult and it would be nice to at least have a new mattress. And maybe one of those beds that opens up so you can store things inside. I found a sofa I like the look of, but it's £1,500 so won't be getting that. However, after a year of sitting on wooden chairs and a cheap nasty broken sofa in this shared house, a decent, comfortable living area is a must.

Somewhere called Bensons For Beds seems to have a sale on for the next few days. Am I safe to assume these sorts of places always have sales on?
Click to expand...

facebook market place or eBay for nice bed frames cheap

or IKEA

everything else seems inordinately expensive buying new
 
cybershot said:
If you’re going to flush loo’s etc DO NOT leave the property until the cistern has finished filling and has stopped. Especially if no inhabitants. The last thing both of you want is a flooded flat. This happened to a friend! 🤦‍♂️ When the ball cock decided to fail at the worst possible time.
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If and when you visit again and if you use the loo, be sure to flush afterwards :eek:
 
miss direct said:
Where does one buy a bed from? Or a sofa? I have never had a new bed as an adult and it would be nice to at least have a new mattress. And maybe one of those beds that opens up so you can store things inside. I found a sofa I like the look of, but it's £1,500 so won't be getting that. However, after a year of sitting on wooden chairs and a cheap nasty broken sofa in this shared house, a decent, comfortable living area is a must.

Somewhere called Bensons For Beds seems to have a sale on for the next few days. Am I safe to assume these sorts of places always have sales on?
Click to expand...
Still in town? A good place to good for furniture is Heals, top of Tottenham Court Road, if too expensive it will sure give you some idea's. There are a few other furniture shops knocking around up there. Lots of great choices in Heals alone. Frame is not so important but by the best mattress you can afford.

Tottenham Court Road Store | HEAL’S (UK)

Heal's - Good Design, Well Made. Contemporary lighting & furniture by the best British & international designers
www.heals.com www.heals.com
 
If you're reasonably central you can cycle most of the way to ikea along the Don, there's a nice wide mixed use path along it from Kelham island-ish over to Meadowhall. One bit where the Don path is closed and you need to go through a bit of Attercliffe, then some road towards the end. But not too bad. It's also entirely flat. I'm not sure about cycle parking provision when you get there though... Must have something. But yeah - you could bike there, look at stuff, order online.

This method will also prevent you from spending too much on random tat in the grand hall of tat-ness.
 
I'm back up north now.

I will avoid ikea until the restaurant is open...erm until I'm moved in, as I'll only end up buying candles and pointless stuff otherwise. It also makes me feel really stressed going round IKEA for some reason. Although I've never actually been to furnish a home.
 
I would get a second hand bed as cheap as poss, which you can clean and paint if necessary, and then spend money on a good mattress.
I would also prefer a well made sofa second hand to a cheap new one.
 
20Bees said:
BHF shops are great for bed frames and they will deliver. I much prefer a wooden frame with space underneath for boxes or vacuum-bags, to drawer divans. A V shape pillow is nice for sitting up in bed, and easier to clean than a padded fabric headboard.

IKEA mattresses are popular but be careful with their sizing with your chosen bed frame. Also Premier Inn mattresses and pillows are sold through their website and get wonderful reviews.

I’m 64 and I’ve never had a new sofa! With kids, grandkid, dogs and cats I’m happier with preloved stuff that I don’t need to be precious about.
Click to expand...
I have a Hypnos (Premier Inn) bed in one of my bedrooms and I call it the marshmallow bed, because it's so comfortable. And by marshmallow, I don't mean it's too soft and squishy, it's substantial, it holds its shape, but it's lovely to sleep on. I think I'll get another one when I need to replace it.

Buy our bed

At Premier Inn, we’re all about comfort, quality and, a great night’s sleep. A big part of that is all thanks to our super comfy beds.
www.premierinn.com www.premierinn.com

Although I have just bought a double Kvalfjord bed from Ikea, which was less than half price because it's being discontinued. I wanted that one because it has a big upholstered headboard and I wanted something comfortable to lean against while sitting up reading in bed.
It's on the Ikea US website, but not on the UK website, because it's being discontinued, but if you ask your local store, they might still have some in stock, if you're interested. Also check 'bargain corner' in store.

Products

Browse our full range of products from dressing tables to complete modern kitchens. Click here to find the right IKEA product for you. Browse online and in-store today!
www.ikea.com www.ikea.com
 
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