The average upfront cost of buying a house in 2024 is £33,070, based on a property priced at the current UK average of £277,000. This hefty cost leaves little left to be spent on home furnishings, resulting in many new homeowners waiting months to make their homes their own. On a mission to show buyers that furnishing their property can be affordable without compromising on style, award-winning housing association Sovereign Network Group has partnered with IKEA, for the global brand's first-ever install outside of London. Using budget-friendly items, the brand has furnished a three-bedroom show home at sustainable development, Moonhill Rise in Exeter.

Working closely with SNG, IKEA has chosen signature pieces from a range of its collections to create a stylish yet functional design that can easily be replicated by buyers at Moonhill Rise. Using products starting from just a few pounds, the international brand has included everything that a buyer will need to get settled into their new home, from large items such as a three-seater sofa, dining table and chairs, bed frames and wardrobes to small furnishings including photo frames, useful storage solutions, toy boxes and mirrors.  Each room has been carefully crafted, with stylish living areas,  a superb master bedroom and a cool jungle-themed child's bedroom utilising IKEA's famous storage solutions.

Whilst affordable, all pieces used are of IKEA's typical high standard, and complement the contemporary interiors present within each home at Moonhill Rise.

Ruth Robinson, Remote Interior Designer at IKEA, comments on the partnership: “For this show home we wanted to bring the outside in and have used lots of greenery and natural materials throughout the home. We went for a warm Scandinavian style to complement the natural materials and to keep the rooms light and airy. It was important to keep the flow of the house the same whilst still creating an individual identity for each room.”

Susan Gresswell, SNG's Head of Sales (West), comments: “Homebuyers work really hard to save up for a new home, and often use a large chunk of their savings on the deposit and associated legal fees, with not much left for new furnishings. IKEA is often the first port of call for new homeowners, owing to its budget-friendly yet stylish homeware. We're thrilled to work with such a well-loved brand on this project, providing our customers with achievable inspiration for their own home at Moonhill Rise. And with a large IKEA store just down the road in Exeter city centre, buyers here can easily replicate anything they see in the show home, all without breaking the bank.”

Located just four miles from Exeter's vibrant city centre, Moonhill Rise in Broadclyst offers a stunning collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses available through Shared Ownership. Set amongst Exeter's lush greenery, these homes will benefit from spacious open-plan living areas designed to suit meet the needs of a variety of homeowners – from first-time buyers to growing families and downsizers. Each property at Moonhill Rise includes a contemporary, high-quality finish with integrated appliances and includes flooring throughout, ensuring a move-in ready experience.

Along with offering affordable interior inspiration, Moonhill Rise is also the very first set of properties in the country to be built to SNG's new Homes and Place Standard. These properties have been designed with the health and wellbeing of customers in mind, exceeding national space standards, incorporating increased storage and promoting lots of natural daylight through larger windows.

Residents at Moonhill Rise will have access to a range of fantastic amenities just minutes from home. In the immediate vicinity, the closest villages are Broadclyst and Pinhoe, where residents have access to everyday amenities including a post office, pharmacy, cosy village pubs and a variety of supermarkets including Lidl, Aldi and Sainsbury's. Exeter city centre is under a 15 minute drive away, offering residents a large IKEA store alongside a great selection of culture, retail and entertainment options such as a Vue cinema, Princesshay shopping centre, Barnfield Theatre and a bustling high street. For those looking to enjoy downtime in a peaceful waterside setting, there are a variety of coffee shops and eateries to choose from along the Exeter Quays, with waterfront views over the River Exe.

Commuters are well-placed at Moonhill Rise. Pinhoe station is a three-minute drive away, offering direct services to Exeter (nine minutes), Torquay (54 minutes) and Plymouth (73 minutes). For travel into London when needed, Exeter station provides services to London Paddington in two and a half hours. Moonhill Rise residents will also have easy access to Exeter Airport under 10 minutes' drive away, where they can jump on a plane to destinations across Europe and the USA.

To stay updated on the next phase of homes at Moonhill Rise launching in 2025, visit www.sovereignliving.org.uk to register your interest.

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For further press information, please contact the SNG team at Oracle PR: sng@oraclepr.co.uk / 0208 394 2821