Showing posts with label Budget. Show all posts

Options for Remodeling Your Bathroom on a Budget

A bathroom remodeling project can easily cost $25,000. That would give you the bathroom of your dreams, but do you need to break the bank to remodel your bathroom?

By making compromises, you will be able to bring down the cost of remodeling your bathroom considerably, and a professional bathroom remodeling contractor will be able to give you some sensible advice.

Reducing the cost of a home renovation or remodeling project may seem difficult, but if you contract a home improvement service with plenty of experience, you end up with the right result.

Floor Plan

Homeowners are often tempted to change the floor plan, or the entire layout, of the bathroom. However, this is one of the costliest mistakes you can make. Changing the floor plan of a bathroom means moving pipe work and ceiling lights. This is an expensive and time consuming exercise, and should be avoided.

Instead take a look at the existing floor plan with your contractor, and see if a new shower stall or bathtub would have a positive impact. Investing in new fixtures is often a better option.

A new toilet may only cost you $125 whilst installing a new toilet and moving pipe work could cost at least $500.

Tiling

Tiling can quickly start to look dated, so when you plan your new color scheme try to go for colors that are transitional. Transitional colors for a bathroom include white, light yellow, blue and turquoise. These four colors will help to keep your bathroom looking fresh for longer, and can be easily matched with towels and mats.

Tiling can eat up a big part of the budget, using expensive tiles to accent cheaper ones, is an option and will lift the entire feel of the bathroom.

Labor

Labor will be the biggest cost of the project, and you need to make sure your estimate includes all the labor to complete the project. A bathroom project budget can easily go off the rails, and all costs should be included in the estimate.

The costs for tiling, plumbing, removal of old fixtures and installation of new ones, should clearly be broken down in the estimate. It is essential to identify the costliest part of the project before your decide to go ahead, this is when you can identify savings.

Fixtures

Focusing on investing in fixtures, will serve your family well for a long time, and include water saving devices. A low flow toilet can save you several hundreds of dollars per year, and the right faucets and shower head can cut down on utility costs.

Yes, you want your bathroom to look good but today's utility costs make it essential for us to invest in fixtures that will save us money for years to come.

Recommendations and references

Knowing that you can trust your bathroom remodeling contractor is crucial to a good working relationship. If, your contractor has been recommended to you, find out why the homeowner recommended him.

References are important, if you have no previous experience when finding a contractor in your area. Ask to speak to previous clients, and make sure they are happy.

Bathroom remodeling projects may need some special licenses. Your house remodeling contractor should be able to obtain those for you, and give warranties for his work along with proof of insurance. If work goes wrong and your contractor is not insured, you will end up picking up the tab.
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11 Tips for Decorating on a Budget

If you think you can't get the stylish magazine-ready home you've always wanted because of your budget, guess again. There are plenty of ways to turn a tiny budget into big style so you can decorate your home to perfectly match your personality. Read on for 11 brilliant ideas for decorating on a dime.

1) Use paint. Paint is cheap and easy to change. It also gives a dramatic result and can be applied in endless ways. Go ahead and choose a big, bold color to give your walls a fresh and inexpensive makeover. Remember that light colors make spaces look larger while dark colors make them look smaller. If you prefer cool colors, opt for a light shade or add a hint of grey to the mix to avoided pastels without making your abode into a cave.

2) DIY your decor. Avoid hiring other people to do things you could do yourself and enjoy the savings. Whether you're painting or installing new back splash, there are plenty of projects that are simple to do and have a big payoff. If you're not sure how to do something, check out an online video for a free tutorial.

3) Bring in your family and friends to help with the work. You may not know how to install a new ceiling fan, but maybe your dad does. Look at all of your potential resources before your decorating project gets underway. Call in the people you know when you need muscle or man-power then offer drinks and pizza for an impromptu after party. You'll have fun while you save money.

4.) Get a little thrifty. There's no social stigma with shopping thrift stores or yard sales anymore. In fact, there is a huge market for online yard sales where you can find great items at a fraction of retail price. Consider looking for paintings, furniture that can be up-cycled and other items at a resale shop before going to the store. Not only will you save money - your home will also take on a one-of-a-kind look that nobody else will be able to replicate.

5) Don't sweat the small stuff. Being OK with less than perfect merchandise will allow you to snag great deals on damaged or floor display items. Look for the store's as-is or clearance area to get the bargains.

6) Shop off the rack. Buying in-stock items and not ordering them or having them custom-made will save you a bundle of money. Off the shelf frames, mats and art are perfectly fine to use. You can always refurbish items with your own personal touch for a more unique look. Plain furniture can be dressed up with colorful pillows and as a bonus, in-stock means easy to change when you get the urge to redecorate.

7) Know when to shop. Most stores have sales or discounts at specific times of the year. Manages in many chain stores will give you the information on when to expect a sale, letting you save a ton of money if you're willing to wait. Sometimes, you can even get the item at the sale price before the sale just for asking.

8) Avoid matching everything. Not only is it boring, but if you match everything, you'll need to replace it all when you redecorate. Large collections for bedrooms or living rooms can also cost more, so being willing to mix than match will save you money now and in the future.

9) Learn to sew. The bygone art of sewing is the reason curtain stores and home goods stores are so popular now. If you have a sewing machine and a reasonable understanding of how to use it, you can easily make curtains, pillows and duvet covers. All you'll need to do is buy the fabric, but you'll pay a fraction of the cost of retail price and you'll have a larger choice of colors and patterns to work with.

10) Don't forget to accessorize. Don't get caught up changing the big stuff and forget to accessorize the space. You can find small objects and household items at yard sales or thrift shops that cost next to nothing. Consider using unusual objects like architectural corbels for book ends or driftwood for a fireplace mantle display.

11) Repurpose items you already own. Don't run out and melt your credit card buying new things when the decorating bug strikes. Instead, look at the items you already have and see if you could repurpose them. A little paint and some new hardware can transform a dresser, while a simple slip cover can breathe new life into your couch. Stencils, fabric paint and a little creativity can go a long way.
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How To Achieve a Designer Look on a Budget

Any master bathroom can be given a fresh new look without resorting to major remodeling and expensive upgrades. Simply giving the room a fresh coat of paint and adding a few decorative accents, such as metal wall art or wrought iron accents, can make all the difference in the appearance of the master bath. Start by browsing the pages of your favorite home décor magazines and websites, and then let their designers inspire your budget makeover.

Step 1

Consider style or theme: Keep in mind that the master bath is an extension of the master bedroom, so you want the style of one space to flow seamlessly into the other. Achieve this by repeating style elements; for instance, if you love the look of painted cottage style wrought iron wall art that hangs in the bedroom, repeat similarly styled wrought iron accents in the bathroom.

Step 2

Let color flow: Wall color choices from the master bedroom to the master bathroom should be harmonious as well, but they don’t have to be identical. For example, if your bedroom has tea bath taupe walls with sand accents, use the same shade of sand for the bathroom walls and accent with the taupe. Echo brighter colors in accessories from the bedroom to the bath. Add more unity by keeping the color of wood trim the same from one room to the next.

Step 3

Marry decorative with practical: Choose towels, washcloths, floor mats and shower curtains and accessories in your accent colors, and repeat them throughout the bathroom. Neatly rolled washcloths and hand towels arranged in a stylish basket are practically at hand while they also add color and style. Color-coordinated baskets, trays and soap dispensers keep the look unified while giving you a place to store necessary items. Wall shelves take advantage of vertical space while offering stylish storage. Arrange essentials like cotton balls and swabs in clear lidded glass jars, then add a candle, figurine or small sculpture to add style to function.

Step 4

Substitute budget options with style: There are many budget sources available for decorative items that will add style. Budget scented votive candles in simple glass holders can be arranged around the tub. Pillar candles or trays or frosted holders make wonderful accents on a countertop or windowsill. Shop clearance sections of online stores for great deals on wall vases, wall sculptures, and other home decor and accents. Consignment stores and antique shops are another great way to pick up home décor treasures at affordable prices.
Framed wall mirrors, candle wall sconces, old plates that can be hung on a wall, vintage or glass wall shelves, wrought iron wall décor and metal wall art are great possibilities to add style, dimension and interest to the walls of the master bath. Use the photo of your designer inspiration room to direct you when choosing thrifty options that have the same decorative impact and style at a fraction of the price.

Step 5

Simple window treatments: Budget flat-folding fabric or matchstick shades give you light control, privacy and great style at a very low price. They will complement virtually every style of décor, although it’s easy to add a valance or a scarf valance as a second layer if you want a little more style.

If you are interested in learning more about interior home design, or are looking to decorate more rooms in your home, you may want to take some courses through an online art and design school.  A degree in art and design can help you turn every room in your home into a masterpiece!
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How To Decorate a Bedroom on a Budget

Your bedroom has to be decorated according to your taste. You spend most of your time here, and relaxation is achieved if your bedroom is beautifully decorated. But whatever decoration it will be, it should be within your budget. There are no rules in decorating a bedroom. As long as it is affordable and it makes you happy, go for it.
  1. The first step is planning. How much do you plan to invest in your room decoration? You have to get ideas from magazines and go to places where you can find tips on what to decorate in your bedroom. Think of the design for your bedroom. You may want a couch or a study area. 
  2. Take the measurement of your room and make a floor layout on a piece of paper. Consider which pieces of furniture you will keep and which ones you will discard. This doesn't necessarily mean throwing away those that you will discard. You can sell them or give them to charity. But remember that furniture can be repainted or repaired to look new.
  3. Again, check your budget. Will your chosen style and color fit into the budgeted amount you set for your bedroom? Sometimes your relatives and friends are willing to share with you their favorite used bed sheets, pillows, blankets or sometimes even carpets. 
  4. Start with the beddings. Identify a store that sells cheap but stylish beddings. If you have small pillows, maybe you can convert them into a big one as a home-made couch to be placed against the wall. It will look classy but free.
  5. Also include in your budget the paint color of the room. You can go to home stores for cheaper paints. Drapes and blinds also pose a major portion of your budget. But you can also make your own ruffled drapes. Instead of curtain rings, you can add a fabric loop. Hang your curtains in place using inexpensive hooks. This leaves your budget in tact for other items. 
  6. Accessorize your bedroom. Look for garage sales for possible items to add to your decor. Table lamps are best to decorate your room. You can also hang plates or letterings over your bed. Traditional artwork is not very much in style these days.
  7. Rearrange your furniture if your budget cannot accomodate new items. You can add a small bookshelf and a chair near the window for reading. Your dresser could have a jewelry tree. Your earrings, necklaces and bracelets could be used to decorate your jewelry tree. 
Decorating a bedroom need not push your budget to a premium. Your bedroom is the most private part of your house, where you keep all your personal items. You can relax and recharge in it while enjoying a stylish and peaceful retreat. After decoration, your bedroom should be your dream room, with a very put-together look. It reflects your flare, your style, your theme, and your ambition.
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