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If you're
looking for sweat equity, bathrooms and kitchens top the list. A kitchen
remodel is a huge project, however, so if you're new to this, or have
a limited budget, a bathroom remodel is a better place to start.
Here's
a nice, introductory article from Articles To Nurture:
Doing Bathroom
Remodeling? Get Some Ideas! by Russ
Roman
Think about it - what other room (besides your kitchen) do you use as
much as your bathroom? A bathroom is a great place to really make your
own, whether as a showcase for a great antique vanity mirror, to a handcrafted
artisan glass sink, to a spa-like retreat - or even just a fun place
for the kids' bath time. The choice is yours!
Let's start with these two basic questions: 1) what would you like to
do, and 2) how much would you like to spend to do it?
Some older homes' bathrooms tend to be on the smaller side - so you
may want to earmark extra cash for any plumbing upgrades within the
wall, or possibly expanding the footprint of the room itself. On the
plus side, if everything looks ok structurally speaking in your older
home's bath, you can focus on just re-decorating, which will be significantly
easier - and less costly.
If you're in a newer home, you may be in luck- most of the modern plumbing
fixtures were probably built in. Now you can start to have fun making
the bathroom your own. So let's get down to business.
Financial Plan:
Less than $300 On a shoestring? Not to worry - you may be a little more
limited, but remember - a smaller upgrade can make a big difference.
Consider a quick new coat of paint in a new color scheme, brand new
bathroom accessories (like towel racks, soap dishes, drawer pulls -
even a new doorknob)...these little changes can make your bath feel
brand new.
$300 - $600 If you can afford to spend a bit more cash, think about
the suggestions above, and consider some additional upgrades like a
new shower curtain, hotel quality bath & hand towels, a cozy rug, even
a new mirror or medicine chest. To top it off, look into new light fixtures
to show off all your efforts.
$600 and Up When you're committed to making a change. At this stage,
look into options for bigger-ticket upgrades: a spa tub, furniture-quality
vanities, artisan glass or fired clay sinks, and designer toilets and
faucets. If you're handy, you can take some of the punch out of the
bottom line by doing some work yourself - such as replacing sink or
bath faucets - but the larger-scale work will need to be done by a professional.
Typically, this is where the bulk of your costs will fall.
Other Options:
Rather than doing a full demolition, you can also look into some cost-saving
alternatives such as tub re-glazing (about $500) and re-grouting or
re-tiling bathroom walls. The work typically takes only a few days (as
opposed to weeks) and can make an immediate change for a fraction of
the cost of a full remodeling.
Remember, you don't have to spend a fortune to get the look you want.
Check out your local home center and independent bathroom showcase stores.
Another great place for inspiration is online. You'll get a better idea
of what you're looking for, and you might be able to find a bargain
at the same time!
Before you buy anything online, make sure you check ExpressDecor online
store: glass
sinks, glass
waterfall faucets, bathroom
accessories and more.
Article Source: ArticlesToNurture.com
Our bathroom remodeling
project is almost finished. Check back, soon, to see our photos.
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