FabSwingers.com forum: House DIY… Tips?

By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

Hi everyone 😊

I’m currently renovating a house and starting to think more about the interior design and decor side of things, and I’d love some advice!

If anyone has recommendations on good stores (especially in Ireland) for furniture, homeware, lighting, or decor pieces, I’d really appreciate it. I’m open to anything—from budget-friendly finds to places worth investing in.

Also, what are some must-haves or things you wish you’d bought sooner when decorating your home? Could be anything like storage ideas, statement pieces, or small touches that made a big difference.

Any tips, ideas, or even mistakes to avoid would be super helpful as I’m just getting started with it all.

Thanks so much in advance! 🏡✨

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By *indaCharmingDubMan
8 weeks ago

South Dublin

IKEA is great for storage all around the house, and remember that you can mix&match units & doors to create something bespoke if you have the time.

Their wardrobe system just works, but don't risk putting the bigger carcases together on your own 🫣

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

I’ve yet to build an Ikea desk that’s sitting in box over a year….

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By *inn1888Man
8 weeks ago

dublin

It all really depends on what style you are going for

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

Definitely modern! Neutral rooms with some funky accessories

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By *inn1888Man
8 weeks ago

dublin

Im shite at design but need a hand let me know

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By *evilish NerdMan
8 weeks ago

Limerick

For a very cool alternative to traditional couches etc check out Elephant Living. Very fast for delivery too

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By *og-ManMan
8 weeks ago

somewhere

The best advice I could offer is not to buy something that will do or isn't too expensive to suit your budget

Save a few euro if you can and spend it on something thats higher quality

Its worth it in the long run

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By *andsumDadMan
8 weeks ago

D9, Tallaght, West Wicklow

My advice would be to map the spaces and imagine what you want in them, and where they will go. If you’re looking at furniture online, get out the measuring tape and some masking tape and actually tape off the size of the furniture to see how it will look in the room, especially height and depth in bedrooms. I would also think about light, where it comes into each space and how to make sure you don’t block it!

With furniture, go second hand! There are some amazing pre loved furniture places around. I only know Dublin but if you check around I’m sure there are loads of cool shops in Cork. And don’t go crazy buying things. This sounds very old fashioned but you’ll have plenty of time to fill the house with stuff! I would recommend spending money on a smart heating system rather than buying a designer sofa! When you arrive home and the heating is already on, you’ll thank me!!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

[Removed by poster at 26/03/26 14:54:13]

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By *andsumDadMan
8 weeks ago

D9, Tallaght, West Wicklow

Sorry, meant to say Limerick, not cork! Oops!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

"Im shite at design but need a hand let me know"
thank you x

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

"For a very cool alternative to traditional couches etc check out Elephant Living. Very fast for delivery too"
ooh sounds good thank you x

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

"The best advice I could offer is not to buy something that will do or isn't too expensive to suit your budget

Save a few euro if you can and spend it on something thats higher quality

Its worth it in the long run "
very important

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

"My advice would be to map the spaces and imagine what you want in them, and where they will go. If you’re looking at furniture online, get out the measuring tape and some masking tape and actually tape off the size of the furniture to see how it will look in the room, especially height and depth in bedrooms. I would also think about light, where it comes into each space and how to make sure you don’t block it!

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By *ittleBoPeepingWoman
8 weeks ago

Galway, Clare

I recommend not putting kids or cats in it.. they are the reason I can't have nice things in mine 😭😭

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By *atsligoMan
8 weeks ago

sligo

If you were in the north west Sligo/leitrim region there is great value in new and old furniture and fittings and fixtures you just need to know what you want to do in each room,just take your time Rome wasn’t built in a day

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

"I recommend not putting kids or cats in it.. they are the reason I can't have nice things in mine 😭😭"
Omg I definitely have neither! Shoes off at the door rule…

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

"If you were in the north west Sligo/leitrim region there is great value in new and old furniture and fittings and fixtures you just need to know what you want to do in each room,just take your time Rome wasn’t built in a day "
might have to take a look x

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By *oo32Man
8 weeks ago

tipperary

Get plenty of quotes for work...don't always go with the cheapest

One thing at a time

Theres a place in dromkeen...desks...wardrbes beds..that might be worth a look

Furniture place in cashel....

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By *he KakapoMan
8 weeks ago

A nice rock

I used my tip for DIY once,

Now I start circumcision threads

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

"Get plenty of quotes for work...don't always go with the cheapest

One thing at a time

Theres a place in dromkeen...desks...wardrbes beds..that might be worth a look

Furniture place in cashel...."
thanking you

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By *otownkid1967Man
8 weeks ago

Portlaoise

Smaller rooms, lighter colours and mirrors give illusion it's bigger than it actually is. Under bed storage tonfree up the room. Less is more as they say.

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By *indaCharmingDubMan
8 weeks ago

South Dublin

"The best advice I could offer is not [just] to buy something that will do or isn't too expensive to suit your budget "

This is great advice - you're better off leaving a room empty a space unfinished rather than buying something cheap just temporarily.

Either it'll always annoy you because it's not right, or you'll end up not buying the right piece of furniture because the space is full

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

If I had my way, the place would be leopard print top to floor haha…. I do not have my way though

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By *herryhott1Man
8 weeks ago

Cork

Cork Lighting up near the airport. Loads of lights, lamps etc but end tables, mirrors too all very reasonable.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

"Smaller rooms, lighter colours and mirrors give illusion it's bigger than it actually is. Under bed storage tonfree up the room. Less is more as they say."
love this

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

"Cork Lighting up near the airport. Loads of lights, lamps etc but end tables, mirrors too all very reasonable."
Jesus I’ll need to take time off work to get around to all these places haha

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By *oc09Man
8 weeks ago

near u

Do one room at a time I made a mistake in me last house of ripping everything out at once and starting from the start and the place was like a war zone for months 🤣

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

"Do one room at a time I made a mistake in me last house of ripping everything out at once and starting from the start and the place was like a war zone for months 🤣"
oh gosh you’re right

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By *railblazer 7Man
8 weeks ago

Galway

Make the house as well insulated as you can otherwise it might look nice but cost a lot more to run. Upgrade the boiler if it's old. Stuff like that gets missed for a new couch 😅

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By (user no longer on site) OP
8 weeks ago

"Make the house as well insulated as you can otherwise it might look nice but cost a lot more to run. Upgrade the boiler if it's old. Stuff like that gets missed for a new couch 😅"
oooffff

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By *ust_us999Couple
8 weeks ago

Somewhere

"Hi everyone 😊

I’m currently renovating a house and starting to think more about the interior design and decor side of things, and I’d love some advice!

Also, what are some must-haves or things you wish you’d bought sooner when decorating your home? Could be anything like storage ideas, statement pieces, or small touches that made a big difference.

Any tips, ideas, or even mistakes to avoid would be super helpful as I’m just getting started with it all.

Thanks so much in advance! 🏡✨"

Get a strong beam or 2 in the bedroom, just to.... Hang stuff on...

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By *mmortalbMan
8 weeks ago

kildare

Love building IKEA stuff, like a big jigsaw. Vinted might have a few small nice pieces and a few charity shops. Facebook, adverts and donedeal do have bits and alot of the time for free. Not sure how good they are, but crown or Dulux used to have an app you could change colour of your rooms with to see if you like the paint colour. I'm sure there is more stuff like this out there. Also, few YouTube channels if you want an art and crafts project. Like blow a balloon up. And use string soaked in glue to wrap around it in dif patterns. When all dry, burst balloon and cut it to make a DIY lamp shade. Mother did it once, bar can be a dust catcher. I'm sure it's on youtube

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By *ookAndDorkCouple
8 weeks ago

The West

Start on the dungeon now and it'll save you a fortune later.

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By *oey4somefunMan
8 weeks ago

Dublin Louth

I would recommend taking a trip to IKEA even just to walk around for ideas. It's very good with different options for rooms especially for storage ideas. If you do buy furniture there, always go for the higher end furniture as their basic range is well basic and you'll end up replacing it in no time. I have put both together and the quality difference is huge so worth paying the extra. Hope this helps

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By (user no longer on site)
8 weeks ago

Well after doing up up my own rooms recently must haves are

1 : Sofa (you’ll live on it)

2 : Mattress + bed

3 : Dining table - Must have obvs

Proper lighting (massively underrated) Cheaper will be ok for side tables, decorative chairs , accessories (vases, cushions, throws/Wall art (you’ll prob change this over time), Floor lamps + table lamps will give a instant cosier feel & warm bulbs will make a big difference. Maybe a large rug people always go too small , The bigger rug will make rooms look more finished , Curtains hang them high and wide it will make ceiling feel taller and perhaps a statement armchair & oversized mirror ,defo for you

Usual spots ..ez living , jysk , nordina home , pieces , house barn , very ireland & biggest mistake buying everything at once 😊

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By *dfabMan
8 weeks ago

Dunboyne

Wiring!

Run Cat6 network cables to have at least 2 network ports in each room. 1 at each potential TV point, entrances, exterior camera points, etc. Yes wireless is great but network cabling cuts out a lot of potential hassle. Run all back to a central place for network switch and think about PoE capabilities.

Then speaker cables for surround sound in 1 or 2 rooms with at least 5.1 setup but prefer 7.2.4 so think of Atmos speakers in ceiling. Put in the cables at the very least and you can buy the speakers as you can afford them later but won't have to go channelling walls then

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By *ushin realityCouple
8 weeks ago

swords

Just finished decorating whole house again.For soft furnishings,pictures and frames i found The Range great in price and better than Ikea,lighting fixtures as well.Home Bargins up in Banbridge did some good bits ,very cheap.

I got loads of quriky posters off Temu and framed them ,some really cool stuff.

Buy a good bed ,i got one with underneath storage ,its great.

Good Sofa as well,got an electric recliner in DFS ,again great prices.

Buy a few bits now in the style you like and you will build around it.

It can be very overwhelming but when you get started the creativity will flow xx

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By *anabecdTV/TS
8 weeks ago

Limerick/ tipp

"Get plenty of quotes for work...don't always go with the cheapest

One thing at a time

Theres a place in dromkeen...desks...wardrbes beds..that might be worth a look

Furniture place in cashel...."

This. I found the place in dromkeen very reasonable

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By *enerationfornicationMan
8 weeks ago

In a place not far from...

Stay away from ikea/jysk - your just buying over expensive chipboard where you will go made trying to find the popped out screws. If you see value in old furniture and don't mind playing about, go to some of the bigger charity shops in towns. You can view most online. The auction houses also have great stuff if you have the space and time to look

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By *enerationfornicationMan
8 weeks ago

In a place not far from...

"Wiring!

Definitely good advice there. WiFi can be a disaster. Also, you can never have to many power sockets in a room. Make yre the sparky doesn't skimp on the wiring to save in his/her costs

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By *ightsOutCouple
8 weeks ago

It’s a long way

As you’re in Limerick I’d definitely recommend Furniture man in Dromkeen, the range often has nice things for decoration and Allen’s in city centre used to be great but I haven’t been in there in a long time

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