My small home packs a punch

8 min read

First-time buyer Kate Moorhouse has loved turning her compact new-build into a boho retreat filled with plants, botanical prints and rattan touches

BLAND TO BOHO MAKEOVER

My story

It took me about five years to save up the deposit for my first home. When you’re buying on your own, it’s so hard to save as you still need a social life! It helped that I was renting my mum’s house at a low rate after she moved in with her husband, and eventually I could start house hunting with an initial budget of around £130,000.

My dream was to buy a small house with a garden for my dog, Betty, but it was a struggle to find anything after the Covid price boom. After looking all over West Yorkshire, a friend at work told me about a new development in Wakefield. Although a two-bedroom terrace cost £170,000, the Help-to-buy scheme made it more affordable. It meant I could get an interest-free loan to cover part of the 20 per cent deposit and qualify for a better mortgage rate.

When I viewed the show home, I immediately loved the open-plan ground floor with the staircase in the middle dividing the space, and there was loads of light coming through the bi-fold doors from the garden. Although the kitchen, bathroom and tiles were from the developer’s options, I picked my own flooring, which was fitted in the first week and looks amazing.

After waiting to see how I’d use the space, I’ve painted the walls upstairs which I love. Next, I’m going to get rid of the last bits of white downstairs.

Living room

The rustic shelving unit was gifted by Willow Grange Wood. ‘He’d designed a new piece and wanted a nice home for it to be photographed in, so I was delighted he asked me,’ says Kate. ‘The armchair from Stunning Chairs was the starting point for the whole colour palette. I loved the rich orange hue and added a cushion from H&M’

After taking lots of photos in the showroom, Kate drew out a few floor plans to decide on furniture placement using an app called Procreate. ‘Originally, I thought the sofa would face the garden, but it didn’t work for watching TV or hosting guests,’ she says. ‘I also considered a corner sofa, but I have family members who use wheelchairs, so I didn’t want to make it difficult to manoeuvre by the stairs.’ In the end, Kate chose a squishy grey sofa with a rattan sideboard opposite for the TV and has gone for a relaxed, boho vibe. ‘I love the outdoors – that’s why I’ve got loads of plants everywhere,’ she says. Next, she hopes to paint the walls. ‘I thought about creating a 50/50 wall with black on the bottom and a mushroom col