I transformed my hall with a £4 B&M purchase – it also insulates the room in the colder months
A DIY SAVVY homeowner is impressed with her simple trick for paneling and it’s an easy way to insulate your home on a budget.
Melissa revealed she used an affordable purchase from B&M for the must-try hack.
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Melissa (@loveabitofsparkle_home) is steadily growing her following on TikTok, where she shares tips for homeowners.
She went viral on the social media app when she showed an alternative to using wood for paneling.
Panels are not only a stylish addition to any home, but they also add a layer of insulation to a room, helping your home retain heat in the colder months.
In her video she applied strips weather stripping tape bought from B&M for £4, cleverly mounted on the walls in her hallway.
READ MORE WINTER ENERGY TIPS
A strategic choice of paint color made the tape resemble expensive wooden panels.
“No one will know… that it is foam draft stopper and not wood from @B&MStores and paint from @DuluxUK,” she captioned the post.
“The paint color is Brilliant White and Egyptian Cotton from Levis.
“Dido Rail Amazon – Garneck Wall Edges Peel and Stick Self Adhesive Flexible Molding Decorative Wall Edge.
“Panel Boarder draft strip from B&M.”
More than 19,000 people liked the video and took to the comments section praising Melissa for sharing the tip.
“This is the HACK of 2024!!! Omg I love you for this!!!” wrote one person.
“OMG, this is a game changer!! I wanted to order a paneling set from Wickes, but not now!” said another.
“Oh wow, brilliant idea, looks great, a third agreed.
“Genius idea, this will be my next job,” another added.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Real estate expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the cold from outside to enter your home, this is due to small openings that can let air in, so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth because it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another part of your home where heat can be lost and make your home feel cold,” he continued. “On cold days you may notice that your floor is not pleasant to walk on because your feet are freezing.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have carpet. This will provide a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, attic space, crawl spaces and under floorboards.
“Loose insulation is great for this, and it is a more affordable form of insulation, with a large bag being picked up for around £30,” explains Joshua.
4. Keep your interior doors closed
“Household members often congregate in one room in the evening, which is usually the kitchen or living room,” says Joshua.
“This means you only need to heat a small part of your home and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and mailboxes as these can let in cold air if they are not properly secured.
“Finally something I can do [laughing]” added a fifth.
“It’s so much easier than having to go get the wood and cut everything!!! You do need a little patience though lol,” Melissa replied.
Other comments on the post admitted they were impressed with the hack, but concerned children and pets might tear the tape off.
“I love it, but my wild mini people would disapprove [crying]one person said.
“Oh no… I probably would have done the same thing when I was little, to be honest, thanks,” Melissa replied.
In a follow-up video, she showed that she used a measuring tape and a spirit level to mark where to apply the tape before sticking it to the wall.
She assured viewers that the tape was stuck “pretty tight.”
However, it can be removed more easily than wood and nails when it comes time to redecorate.
“Bloody brilliant and a fraction of the cost,” said one commenter.
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