Overhauling a recent home renovation is never fun. It’s practically spending money not once but twice. Often the previous owner’s choices are spot on. More often than not, someone else’s design choices would not be your design choices. Whenever you update kitchens and bathrooms be prepared to shell out major bucks. These rooms are the most expensive projects when it comes to home remodeling. Kitchens and baths have personality – and A LOT of amenities!
When you think of another room in your house, like your living room, there’s just four walls, maybe some crown molding. But in baths and kitchens, there’s more features. That’s why the saying is kitchens and baths sell houses. But before you sell, you’ve got to enjoy living there.
RENOVATION EXPLAINED
In kitchen remodeling there’s so many high-end purchases. Appliances, tile, upgraded countertops like quartz or granite, a tile backsplash, undermount cabinet lighting. Any one of those features upgraded will make a huge difference in your room, but be prepared for the ‘domino.’ Once one feature looks so much better, you’ll really notice how shabby everything else looks.
In bathrooms, there’s as many options, if not more than in kitchens. Garden tubs, whirlpool tubs, tiled shower versus fiberglass shower, the same countertop choices as in kitchens. There’s a builder’s grade and the millionaire’s grade for every choice. Plus, there’s twenty-two toilet options! If you’re considering upgrading your throne, here’s an article to introduce you to those options.
And lighting! Don’t forget the light fixtures! Choosing the right lighting fixtures in any room is as important as having the right pocketbook. I will search for months until I find the perfect one. I’m serious.
All of these are big-ticket purchases, plus you must consider the labor to get these projects installed.
This bathroom had a recent makeover – but to the previous owner’s tastes. The big elephant in the room was the cedar stained shiplap on the wall behind the garden tub. We weren’t sure if the cedar wall was left there and the tile was added around it or if someone actually chose the dark colored shiplap. Either way, it had to be addressed.
UPDATED TILE WORK
In this bath the existing tile work had some detail pieces, was a nice color, the grout accented the tile and it was a professional install. The problem was the dark, dreary cedar stained shiplap on the walls behind the tub. The rustic feel overpowered the room. Like a lot of bathrooms, there were no windows to supply natural light. There is a skylight over this garden tub! But the dark wood didn’t give the light anywhere to go. It was so dark and depressing. The lodge feel didn’t fit in with the cottage design in the rest of the house.
I am not a proponent of painting wood. Like ever. Never ever. But (there’s always a but) there are exceptions. This bathroom whirlpool tub accent wall is a perfect example of when it’s not only okay to paint wood, but you need to paint wood. The bath was an odd layout to begin with, but in this area the light faded into the abyss.
The fix? It took three hours, one bottle of merlot (we had to calm the homeowners nerves somehow) and one gallon of quality white paint (I love Sherwin Williams Pure White in Matte finish) to transform the dungeon into a master bathroom worthy of this century. The homeowner wanted a bohemian vibe, so we did not use any primer on the wood. Not using primer (like Kilz) on finished wood is the trick when you want a more translucent finish. To achieve a more cohesive saturated color, you would definitely use a primer, let primer dry for 24 hours, then two coats of paint. This finished project was two coats of paint with no primer, and no sanding.
The find! You’ve heard that saying one man’s junk is another’s treasure? We salvaged an old dresser with a three- piece mirror from the side of the road. We painted the mirror a lovely sky blue color to match the lower walls in the rest of the bathroom.
The added mirror helps to reflect light making the area brighter. This thrifty refresh completed the space.
SMART AND THRIFTY UPDATE IDEAS
Is your bathroom outdated? Here’s a few ideas to rejuvenate your room.
Try a new towel rack – new fluffy towels are a must! SUPER EASY!
Swap out the builder grade mirror OR add a frame to the existing mirror. BIG IMPACT!
Re-paint the space! Try a monochromatic style and paint the walls to match your existing floor color. REALLY BIG IMPACT!
Have a design question or need advice? Email a photo of your existing space to ResidenceJoy@yahoo.com and we are happy to help!
Here’s a great article to insure your DIY painting looks as good if not better than a professional.