Just bought my first flat! Now, sooo many questions!!

[SunnyD]

As the title suggests, I'm due to exchange on my very own flat next week (woohoo!) and the only thing I have to my name is a suitcase!

So the fun begins...kitting out a flat from scratch! I have so many questions and would apreciate your opinions/advice on everything, as you've all got way more knowledge than me! Some of my questions are for you creative people and some are just materialistic stuff!

So, a few to start with...!

- The bedroom has blue carpet, I originally wanted to rip this out and replace it with a better colour but I'm not sure I'll have enough money, so, how can I make a blue-carpeted room work? What colour scheme do I go with for the rest of the room?!

- I have two bay windows, one in the bedroom one in the lounge and I have no idea what to do with them?! They seem like such a waste of space if I don't use it for something, but I can't rip them out because the radiator's behind them.


(image edited to remove giveaway location and stop PHers coming round for tea uninvited)


- Looking at the dimensions of my living room the best TV for me is 37", and I want to go for full HD LED with internet and freeview HD. I had originally decided I was going to get the Samsung le37c6530 as it ticked all the boxes and I knew Samsung were a decent brand, but I've since discovered Panasonic do dual tuner TVs with both Freeview HD and Freesat HD built in. Now I don't know if I have a dish on the building yet, but it might be handy having both tuners. But I have no experience of Panasonic TVs, so what do people recommend?


- Has anyone lived with a NEXT sofa before? I've seen one I like the look of but wonder how it will last.


- What are VAX like as a hoover manufacturer? I've only had experience with Dysons but I can't afford one


- Does it matter if I buy a cheap toaster?


- I want to install an on-the-bath shower screen, is this something I can just buy and fit myself?


- Any microwave brand recommendations?


All answers/advice appreciated!

Edited by SunnyD on Wednesday 17th November 12:03

[-Pete-]

SunnyD said:

As the title suggests, I'm due to exchange on my very own flat next week (woohoo!) and the only thing I have to my name is a suitcase!

So the fun begins...kitting out a flat from scratch! I have so many questions and would apreciate your opinions/advice on everything, as you've all got way more knowledge than me! Some of my questions are for you creative people and some are just materialistic stuff!

So, a few to start with...!

- The bedroom has blue carpet, I originally wanted to rip this out and replace it with a better colour but I'm not sure I'll have enough money, so, how can I make a blue-carpeted room work? What colour scheme do I go with for the rest of the room?!

- I have two bay windows, one in the bedroom one in the lounge and I have no idea what to do with them?! They seem like such a waste of space if I don't use it for something, but I can't rip them out because the radiator's behind them.




- Looking at the dimensions of my living room the best TV for me is 37", and I want to go for full HD LED with internet and freeview HD. I had originally decided I was going to get the Samsung le37c6530 as it ticked all the boxes and I knew Samsung were a decent brand, but I've since discovered Panasonic do dual tuner TVs with both Freeview HD and Freesat HD built in. Now I don't know if I have a dish on the building yet, but it might be handy having both tuners. But I have no experience of Panasonic TVs, so what do people recommend?


- Has anyone lived with a NEXT sofa before? I've seen one I like the look of but wonder how it will last.


- What are VAX like as a hoover manufacturer? I've only had experience with Dysons but I can't afford one


- Does it matter if I buy a cheap toaster?


- I want to install an on-the-bath shower screen, is this something I can just buy and fit myself?


- Any microwave brand recommendations?


All answers/advice appreciated!

Blue and chocolate brown.
Use them to put ornaments, magazines, candles, stuff on.
Panasonic Plasma are the best value for money, Samsung or Pansonic LED are excellent but a bit more money.
Next sofa won't last too long.
VAX make good vacuum cleaners. Henry's are good too. Miele are the best.
Any toaster is fine. If you're anything like your profile pic, nobody's going to be looking at the toaster
Telescopic shower curtains are easier. The glass screens can be a bit tricky.
Panasonic make the best microwaves. No, I don't work for them.
Congratulations on your new flat!

[SunnyD]

Haha wow thanks, I wasn't expecting one person to have ALL the answers :P

Regarding the TV, I don't want plasma, it's got to be the best! Money doesn't matter that much regarding the TV. I'll save money where I can (hence my question about toasters!) but when it comes to my tech I want the best! So who makes the best LED TVs then?

Oh and I'm not spending my money on a Miele hoover! Especially as I have hard wood floors (except for the bedroom) so it would be wasted.

[Morningside]

One bedroom? How about a sofabed for one of those late nights?

[caz_manc]

SunnyD said:

Has anyone lived with a NEXT sofa before? I've seen one I like the look of but wonder how it will last.

Sofas from the big brand names usually don't last, look in the newspapers for sofa sales, and check out the slightly derelict high streets next to the major shopping centers. There are so many deals to be had on good quality stuff it is amazing. Delivery is usually free, as they need the sale and at a time that is convenient to you.

[SunnyD]

The sofa I've got my eye on in Next is a sofabed. There's no point in having a flat in London if you can't have people to stay!

[ShadownINja]

Congrats.

What colour scheme do I go with for the rest of the room?!
As above, chocolate goes with blue. I think cream works well but you already have cream walls so need a bit of contrast wrt the furniture... unless you were planning on painting them white?

I have two bay windows, one in the bedroom one in the lounge and I have no idea what to do with them?!
Can it support your weight or does it stick out of the building? If yes, cushions for extra seating should you fancy a change of position; if no, it's a deep shelf. If you put scented candles, the heat from the radiators will mean it gives off the scent to some extent.

Has anyone lived with a NEXT sofa before? I've seen one I like the look of but wonder how it will last.
Depends on your typical visitor. Of the people I know who have bought sofas in the last couple of years, they've all been from DFS and while they look and feel nice, they don't seem to handle... ahem... heavier people well. Don't date lardies and you'll be fine.

Does it matter if I buy a cheap toaster?
Doubt it. I have a basic one and it does the job fine. Had it for about 10 years.

Any microwave brand recommendations?
Same for the toaster; just go with something that has the functionality you want. I've had mine for about 10 years and it's still going. Hitachi, I think.

When's the PH housewarming party, then?

[k22wes]

you cant get the dual tuner on a panasonic 37", it has to be 42" or bigger. why dont you want a plasma? panasonic plasmas are one of the most highly rated tv's for the money, check in the tv section on here.

[mgtony]

You'll probably find a decent carpet remnant for the bedroom in a colour you like for not too much money, then go with colour scheme you actually want.
Appliances, either buy cheap supermarket own brands and expect to replace them every so often or spend a bit extra on known brand and they'll last you a fair while.
Any half decent vacuum will do the job.
Shower screens, easier to put in a shower curtain!

[Ricky_M]

With regards to the shower screen. You will need access to a decent drill, spirit level and a silicone gun.

If you don't own these things or can't get hold of them, you'll be better off with a shower curtain.

Toast is toast!

Don't buy cheap vacuums, the unit themselves are ok, but you'll be forever breaking the attachments. The dirt devil my Mum bought for me when I moved out is going stong 3 years on!

[ShadownINja]

Actually, I just had a re-think about your colour scheme question. You don't have to change everything as soon as you move in. Do the essential stuff (to you) like buying the TV and toaster. Save up and then buy the carpet you really want in 3 months' time. Otherwise, you're just creating more work and/or expense when you do have the extra money to buy the right colour. Also, it means you have something else to look forward to in the new year.

Besides, if you're in the bedroom and thinking, "Hm this looks rubbish" someone's doing something wrong, right?

Edited by ShadownINja on Tuesday 16th November 22:22

[Gingerbread Man]

SunnyD said:

- The bedroom has blue carpet, I originally wanted to rip this out and replace it with a better colour but I'm not sure I'll have enough money, so, how can I make a blue-carpeted room work? What colour scheme do I go with for the rest of the room?! My girlfriend and I have been moved into a flat just over a year now. All of the carpets are blue throughout the flat! Blue and yellow is one classic combination. We've also got a duck egg blue living room to go with a blue carpet and a grey/ hint of brown (girlfriend says it is 'Alfie' by B&Q?) hallway to go with the carpet too. Doesn't look too bad.

- I have two bay windows, one in the bedroom one in the lounge and I have no idea what to do with them?! They seem like such a waste of space if I don't use it for something, but I can't rip them out because the radiator's behind them. As mentioned, put things on them! Get cushions and make it a place to sit, or get a plant and let it enjoy the light the bay window gives!?

- Looking at the dimensions of my living room the best TV for me is 37", and I want to go for full HD LED with internet and Freeview HD. I had originally decided I was going to get the Samsung le37c6530 as it ticked all the boxes and I knew Samsung were a decent brand, but I've since discovered Panasonic do dual tuner TVs with both Freeview HD and Freesat HD built in. Now I don't know if I have a dish on the building yet, but it might be handy having both tuners. But I have no experience of Panasonic TVs, so what do people recommend? The Pistonhead TV and Hifi forum tend to be a big lover of Panasonic's. I've currently looking at getting a 37" Panasonic with the dual tuners for a Christmas present. Our flat backs onto a forest, so TV coverage can be crap. Freeview isn't really working out, so I'm going down the Freesat route. The dish has been installed for £80 (standard fee) with two feeds (two TV's or a recordable Freesat box). I'm looking at the Panasonic TXL37D25B. Quite an expensive model in the range, there are other 37" TV's below it in the range such as the Panasonic TX-L37G20B and more.


- Has anyone lived with a NEXT sofa before? I've seen one I like the look of but wonder how it will last. Brought our sofa off eBay for a bargain price. Holding up well and seems good quality. Can't comment on next I'm afraid, but eBay and searching by distance to you can find some good gems.


- What are VAX like as a hoover manufacturer? I've only had experience with Dysons but I can't afford one My mother gave us a VAX vacuum cleaner when we moved in. It was crap and a few years old. We've since brought a VAX pet hair one (most seem to be geared up towards pets today) for ~£50 at Argos. Works perfectly if not a little small dust capacity.


- Does it matter if I buy a cheap toaster? Brought a £40 4 slice toaster and kettle as a Homebase deal. Toasters ste, bread is too big would you believe it. Great design that!


- I want to install an on-the-bath shower screen, is this something I can just buy and fit myself? Being a plumber, I can also help you here! I'm guessing that you mean a glass panel shower screen? If so, it's an easy thing to do. You'll need a sprite level and a 6 or 7mm tile drill depending on plug size. Some silicone sealant and a screw driver. Happy days.


- Any microwave brand recommendations? £50 Sanyo here from Asda I think. All much of a muchness. Get more expensive depending on if you want a microwave grill or a microwave oven. Try to get a 750W/800W (D and E class I think)


All answers/advice appreciated!

[Mattt]

The flat looks handy for the station!

[remedy]

I have the same problem as you with a blue carpet in my room (houseshare). I've painted the wall behind my bed the same blue and just fitted navy sheets and navy pillow cases on the lower pillows and have pure white egyptian cotton duvet cover and pillows. All other walls are white.

Vaccuum - get this: an absolute beauty for the money. Incredible suction and perfect for a flat.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-SC8442-Vaccum-Cyli...

[shirt]

as its your first house, make your money count by spending on things you'll take with you - decent sofa & non inbuilt appliances, artwork, etc. a decent bed, mattress and duvet were the first things I bought, then a decent hifi!

noone can advise on colour other than to go with what you like. london is fantastic for secondhand markets, vintage & antique shops etc.

eBay can work with a local seller. I saved a packet on a range cooker as the seller changed their mind mid revamp.

ps - I have a 4bed house and t he only furniture I own is a bed, chest of drawers and a bookcase!

[SunnyD]

k22wes said:

you cant get the dual tuner on a panasonic 37", it has to be 42" or bigger. why dont you want a plasma? panasonic plasmas are one of the most highly rated tv's for the money, check in the tv section on here.

What's this then? http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/VIE...

[Gingerbread Man]

k22wes said:

you cant get the dual tuner on a panasonic 37", it has to be 42" or bigger. why dont you want a plasma? panasonic plasmas are one of the most highly rated tv's for the money, check in the tv section on here.

You can get them on 37"ers buddy ol'pal

See, she knows it.

Edited by Gingerbread Man on Tuesday 16th November 22:30

[shirt]

ps - if you're staying a while, I'd investigate the radiator enclosure. if the rad can be moved easily (simply extending the pipework under the floorboards to the new location) then you can knock the whole thing out and gain useful space - especially in the living room. just remember to do it before buying new carpet!

[SunnyD]

Mattt said:

The flat looks handy for the station!

It certainly is!! Fortunately it's a tiny little station so doesn't bother me.

mgtony said:

Shower screens, easier to put in a shower curtain!

I don't want a shower curtain! There is a shower curtain there at present and I think a screen is just classier. The bathroom has floor to ceiling tiling and I think having a shower curtain in there just ruins the look. I'd rather just have a simple sheet of glass. And looking at Argos I can get a plain one for £40 so why not?

Edited by SunnyD on Tuesday 16th November 22:40

[ShadownINja]

The glass ones certainly do look nicer.

Oh, to provide entertainment on these cold winter nights until you decide on the TV, you're welcome to borrow my 14 incher... I meant TV. It's an old CRT but if you don't have a TV, it's better than staring at a blank wall. ('Course, you may be in the other side of London in which case it's a waste of your time to pick it up.)