While a limited budget can certainly restrict the width and breadth of a renovation project, it can also foster an immense amount of creativity, forcing designers to explore inventive solutions to freshen a property's overall look and lower operating costs. In terms of revamping an aesthetic, Adrienne Morea, CEO of Atlas Homewares, said that changing hardware is one of the most inexpensive and simple means to alter a bathroom's overall look.
"Now that the money has started to come back, we decided to go ahead and put some money into upgrades that will save money in the long run," Bethel said. "We have thought for the past few years about wall-mount [product] dispensers--they help shorten shower time as well as lower trash cost and inventory time and it's the environmentally friendly thing to do."One of the simplest ways to add pizzazz to the kitchen is to install new cabinet hardware, says home improvement expert Don Vandervort of www.hometips.com. "At your local hardware store you'll find a wide array of drawer pull designs - from painted ceramic or metal knobs, to whimsical designs shaped like knives and forks. Simply unscrew your existing cupboard hardware, replace with the new, and presto, you've completed a quick an inexpensive update for your home."[3] Finishes--Add a new paint color, wall-coverings or a large-scale tile. These are lower-cost alternatives that look like richer materials.Is a small-sized kitchen or bath cramping your style? Try adding drawer organizers to increase your storage space. These days, you can find a nice range of inexpensive racks and slide-in baskets at discount and hardware stores. Whether you store cleaning utensils, Grandma's vintage pie pans, or your favorite bath salts you can create new nooks and crannies for all of your stuff, and get the clutter off the counter.ASSOCIATE EDITOR"Cabinet hardware is one of the easiest ways to freshen up an existing space at a minimal cost," Morea said. "If saving money is on the project list, a designer can use existing cabinet bases and update the cabinet fronts with a more modern style and then bring it to the next level by adding a fashion-forward pull or knob design. Wall plates can also be matched to the suite of design so that the color and style can be threaded through all the details. It can make a smaller project look bigger, and a bigger project look finished."Jazz up cabinets with snappy new drawer pulls.The new wall-mount, which replaces the little bottles typically found throughout hotels, features shampoo, conditioner and body wash and has dual benefits.Ketchup, food, scuff marks, mud all these things can just be wiped clean with some of the new high-performance paint finishes available today. "Interior paints have a scrubbability rating, established through standardized testing," Vandervort says. "Though this rating may not be posted on the can, a paint retailer should have information on the rating."AMENITY SAVINGSGain a foothold on more attractive flooring.(ARA) - Ah, summer. Between neighborhood softball games and trips to the community pool, it's the biggest time of the year for moving and home remodeling.ktandy@questex.comPour on the charm: upgrade the faucet.While many of us turn our thoughts to upgrading our homes, our budgets may already be tapped. Here are some simple do-it-yourself ideas to spruce up your home, specifically the kitchen and bath, without breaking your budget.A beautifully designed faucet can change the look of your sink area and the way you feel about your drinking water. Simple faucet design lines can make a clean and modern addition to the kitchen or bathroom sink, while some faucet models can even improve the taste of the water coming from the tap. "Not everyone likes the taste of their tap water," says Vandervort. "For those who choose the filtration route, an attractive, yet practical solution is the ClearTap Water Filtering Kitchen or Lavatory Faucet, made by American Standard. It removes contaminants, retains fluoride, and produces clean, good tasting water with the turn of a faucet handle."INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION[1] Lighting--Think about placement as well as color and temperature.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Author: Katie Tandy
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