Spruce Up Your Home Without Busting Your Budget

Do-it-yourself tips for summer remodeling projects

Make a tiny bathroom look larger.Brighten it up.Expand space with drawer organizers.Flooring makes a huge difference in the appearance of a kitchen or bath. "Oftentimes vinyl flooring is dated and worn," Vandervort says. "But the good news is that you can go ahead and lie new vinyl or laminated wood material right over the old flooring. Many of the items available today give the look of ceramic tile or natural wood at a lower cost."[2] Accessories--Revamp little things like the artwork, soap dispensers, towel racks, TVs, or add large or full-length mirrors.For more easy and inexpensive tips on sprucing up your home this summer, visit www.americanstandard-us.com or www.hometips.com."One problem with using a flat paint on interior walls is that it doesn't take kindly to scrubbing," he says. "If you scrub it with a damp cloth, you'll remove the dirt or smudge, but the exposed pigment particles can ruin the finish. To avoid this, choose a high performance paint (not flat), that can stand up to a good washing."By Katie TandyFive inexpensive renovation tricksBen Bethel, owner and GM of the Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix, said owners should not only consider small details like the cost and environmental impact of 'giveaway' bathroom amenities, but also recognize that one may have to spend money in order to save it eventually.Bethel also said owners have to consider unnecessary expenditures that exist under the auspices of "hotel standards;" management must consider each property as its own separate entity with specific issues that may transcend the industry norms.[5] Quantity--Remember that custom pieces can be as affordable as stock items depending on quantity.Even a bathroom the size of a phone booth can look larger with a little ingenuity, according to www.americanstandard-us.com. Try using lighter, cooler colors: they feel airy and trick the eye. Wallpaper with a smaller pattern also helps expand the space. Try some on the ceiling, or emphasize horizontal lines with a coordinating border. Or try installing bath tile that contains a subtle pattern and then repeat it onto the floor. If your bath is really petite, try using a trim pedestal lavatory or wall hung fixtures - both free up valuable floor space. Also, remember to go heavy on the lighting and choose reflective surfaces, such as a shiny marble vanity.But as all owners know, the design of a property is only one side of the proverbial coin; the behind-the-scenes elements such as water flow and cost of product amenities are also salient issues to consider when investing in bathroom renovations."We're in the desert and water rates just went up 7 percent this year," Bethel said. "I had maintenance go under the sinks and turn the valves down--guests don't need 5 gallons of water a minute to brush their teeth. This reduces the flow rate by two-thirds and I still haven't had any complaints about the flow rate from guests."[4] Vanities--Find simple fixtures on vanities that look more like residential furniture.Kids climbing the walls? Try scrubbable paint.

For more easy and inexpensive tips on sprucing up your home this summer, visit www.americanstandard-us.com or www.hometips.com.

Author: ARA Content