Turning an empty property into an affordable home inspiration.
Moving and setting up home is a costly business, so our ‘affordable home’ project can show how to furnish on a tight budget.
For £500, a two bedroom home in Chichester has been kitted out completely to create ‘No.49 – my affordable home set up’ to inspire residents locally and online.
Local Neighbourhood response officer, Amanda, set up the project to help support residents who may fall prey to unscrupulous lenders.
“I noticed a definite trend in the huge amount residents were paying for new flooring, carpets, and general home décor. What was also evident was that they were finding unscrupulous lenders through social media to pay weekly/monthly on loans - advertising carpets and blinds with ‘no interest’, but in reality the customer paying 5 times the goods value.
"Some were paying £1,000s, with one tenant we know spending £3k on flooring alone… I wanted to show there are affordable ways to set up home, by doing it ourselves in an empty property we hope residents will be inspired.”
No 49 is open to new Clarion residents across the Chichester area to see for themselves what can be done on a tight budget, including tips on how to source cheap items, and furnish for less.
Funded with a grant from Clarion Futures Communities, the majority of the £500 budget was spent on flooring – carpet tiles, vinyl planks and a rug – yet the home is completely furnished, even including kids’ toys and pictures on the walls.
Each room has been furnished with free items, using Freecycle, Facebook marketplace, Gumtree and the Chichester Furniture project.
We have listed a selection of the free items below. From cutlery to chairs, beds to books, all these items can be sourced locally.
