At just 19 and 20 years old, a couple turned the ugliest house on their street into their dream home with an incredible DIY transformation.
Homeownership may seem out of reach to many in today’s economic climate, particularly for young professionals, couples, and families working hard to save for an often necessary home renovation before they can move in.
But one couple leant on their love of DIY and bought their first house together before either of them even turned 21. They set their sights on a 1920s residence that had not been upgraded in decades.
Documenting their home makeover adventure on TikTok under @ourhomeproject_, the duo revealed the previous occupants spent about 60 years in the property. Speaking about their purchase, they shared: “We absolutely fell in love with this 1920s house. We always had a vision of buying a renovation property but had so many obstacles along the way, being just 19 and 20 when purchasing this house.”
They received the keys in April 2024 and have been engrossed in refurbishments since. The three-bedroom home has undergone extensive renovations, including a complete rewiring, a new central heating installation, and a top-to-bottom revamp of the upper floor.
While showcasing their progress in a video, one half of the ambitious pair recounted: “So last April, me and my boyfriend decided to buy the ugliest house on our street and basically completely renovate it and start from scratch all over again.
“For a bit of context, this house had not been touched for about 70 years, which is how long the previous owner had been in it. We just saw so much potential with this house.” The couple noted that the house was brimming with old newspapers from the ’60s.
The home improvement enthusiast remarked that the property is “so spacious” and highlighted that they got more value for their money compared to purchasing a modern or newly built home. They have also discovered ample hidden spaces, including a sizeable walk-in cupboard in the kitchen, which they intend to transform into a pantry.
They continued: “So for us, buying this was sort of a no-brainer. It is a lot of work, and I feel like you can see in the videos that it just needs a complete facelift.”
The savvy pair managed to save for their home by diligently contributing to an ISA account. “We just made sure both of us were consistently putting money into our ISAs,” she detailed.
She mentioned that they also accumulated savings using a money box for spare change and reduced spending on non-essentials such as dining out and ordering takeaways.
The renovating duo further suggested gradually amassing a furniture collection during the renovation process, ensuring that when moving day comes, they’re ready to start furnishing the place. From testing paint samples to shopping for furniture and tearing down walls, the pair have received an overwhelming amount of support since sharing their renovation journey online.
“At 19 and 20, well done! ,” one commenter praised. “Wow, looks good guys,” another chimed in.
One supporter penned: “Congratulations on your new home. Love to see it when it’s all done up.” Another chimed in with words of encouragement, stating: “You’re both doing amazing.”
Have you renovated your home? Comment below.