Category: Renovation House

Renovation House

A Bathroom Remodel on a Budget

Remodeling a bathroom is anything but inexpensive. If you go all out and replace everything including your bathtub, your sink and vanity, and your toilet, you are going to spend thousands of dollars at a minimum. And don’t forget the walls and the floor and anything extra you might want to add like a steam shower or an oversized bathtub with jets. If you can’t afford that type of bathroom remodel, that doesn’t mean that you’re stuck with the same room year after year. There are many ways to remodel the room while keeping at least some of your money in your pocket.
One of the first and best ways to save money is to not replace the bathtub. If it’s chipped, cracked or otherwise damaged you want to replace it so that it looks good and doesn’t end up leaking or causing problems. You don’t want to have to have it torn out after you’ve redone other parts of the room. But if your tub is in good shape and you don’t hate it, leave it in place and simply change the surround. New ceramic tile or a solid surface bathtub surround will clean up the area and make it look fresh and new.
If your bathtub is in bad shape but you’re in a situation where the expense of getting it out and putting a new one in could rack up tons of charges just in labor alone, consider a bathtub reglazing and resurfacing. Professionals will come in and reface the bathtub to make it look like brand-new. You can also consider a bathtub liner. In this case, professionals will come in and measure the bathtub and create a custom made surround and bathtub liner that will fit right over the old. There are drawbacks to this in some cases, because they can be almost as expensive as replacing the whole thing. Check with the professionals in your area and compare costs to make sure will fit your budget.
Another way to save money is instead of replacing your entire bathroom vanity, just reface the cabinets below. If you’re happy with the way the top looks and you don’t feel the need to replace the sink, then add a sparkling new faucet in a new design to make the space look brand-new. If you’re really on a bathroom remodel budget that’s tight, just change out the drawer pulls and the knobs on the cabinets to something that sparkles and really catches the eye. And don’t forget the difference that a new shower curtain can make. Something as simple as that can make a small bathroom remodel look like you spent much more time and money in a designer showroom.

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by Suzana Mikolova
3 Minute
Renovation House

Reduce the Cost of Waste Disposal of Your Home Renovation Project

So you’ve decided to pull out that old tired bathroom, install a new gourmet kitchen or put in that swimming pool that your kids have been asking for the last two years?

No doubt you have thought of the major items:

The materials you will need to buy;

The tradesmen you will need to employ;

The equipment you may need to hire

You probably have a ball park figure of how much each of these components is going to cost you and may have factored in a percentage for contingency. But have you thought of how you are going to get rid of all the old materials that you are removing? This can be significant ane while it may not sound like the most interesting area to spend money on, and indeed there is little satisfaction to be gained by seeing a full skip bin full of your old kitchen disappearing into the sunset – until that is, you consider what you could have bought with the money that it is costing you to dispose of the materials.

If you take the time to get an understanding of how things are disposed of though, you might well save a substantial sum:

First, you need to estimate the quantities of different materials being removed.

Bricks and concrete can often be disposed of cheaply as they are recyclable if clean of contaminants. If you have at least 2 cubic metres of either of these you many find a very cheap skip bin to dispose of these materials. You many even be able to take them to a concrete crusher (recycler) who will take them off you for a low rate. Ask first as some recyclers can take these materials together whereas others need them to be separated.

Soil can sometimes be disposed of more cheaply than mixed materials depending on how it is treated in your area. There are often restrictions on this, such as a requirement for the soil to be virgin excavated material (not to contain any foreign objects).

General waste which will be all the packaging, old cabinet work, gyprock and odds and ends will be often disposed of at a tonnage rate. These are relatively light materials and should be fairly cheap to get rid of UNLESS you mix in heavy items such as concrete, bricks, soil and tiles. If you do the, these items will not be recyclable since they will be “contaminated” and the general waste will not be cheap to dispose of since it will be ‘weighed down” by the heavy materials.

There are some cases where a skip bin supplier will sort through all their loads and in such cases they are often able to offer flat prices no mater what the load is made of. Ask your skip bin supplier about this before booking.

Another area where your waste disposal can become more expensive is if you keep the skip bin onsite for extended periods of time. Normally when you hire a skip bin, you get between 4 days and a week included in the price. If you keep it longer, there is often a daily or weekly rental charge applied. For this reason it is often better if you can corral the waste in a weldmesh pen until you are ready to get rid of all of it.

Good prices can be obtained online for skip bins and many companies can advise your of the best way to plan the waste removal for your project if you outline all your plans to them.

The information in this article is most relevant to Australia.…

by Suzana Mikolova
3 Minute
Renovation House

The Basics Of Remodeling A Bathroom

Remodeling a bathroom is a great way to increase the value of your house. Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home yet, remodelling your bathroom now is still definitely worth it, as you can luxuriate in a new bathroom now, whilst knowing that your property has increased in worth if you decide to sell in the future.
A bathroom is a room that is used very frequently, which usually means that it will be subjected to a lot of wear and tear over time. As the bathroom is often used by visitors too, it is important to keep it looking attractive and in good working order.
A bathroom remodel is only limited by your imagination and budget, but there are a few main areas to consider that can make a vast difference to the look and function of a bathroom.
Tiles are a very important part of any bathroom renovation, as they will protect the walls around the sink and bath from splashed water. Ceramic or porcelain tiles are ideal for this and are easy to keep clean. There are many styles and patterns to choose from, so it shouldn’t be too difficult finding a style to suit your bathroom.
Floor tiles are also great for protecting the floor, and again come in a variety of styles and designs. They can be a bit cold to step on, so it may be wise to place a rug over them, or even install under floor heating if you have the resources.
Lighting is an area that shouldn’t be underestimated when remodelling, as it can make a huge difference to the look and functionality of a bathroom. Ideally, you will have a combination of lighting that can both light the bathroom in general, and provide the stronger lighting required around the mirror.
The cheapest and most obvious way to transform your bathroom is to give it a new coat of paint. Soft and subtle colors are best for this as they can make the room appear lighter and more relaxing.
Any bathroom fixtures, such as the toilet, faucets, bathtub or vanities that are worn or damaged should repaired or replaced to make sure your bathroom is a pleasure to use as well as look at.…

by Suzana Mikolova
2 Minute
Renovation House

Kitchen Make-Over

The most sought-after or should I say the most popular place in the house is the kitchen. This is where everything starts, from small talks, family matters, day-to-day planning activities to the most important thing… foods are likely to happen here. It is also the very first place to go when we wake up in the morning. I don’t know why it should that be but I know it’s always been.
So being the most sought-after place in the house, it also acquires the most attention of the owners so much so that it is the most renovated place in the new captivating design trends in kitchen cabinets, fixtures, accessories, counter top designs, and kitchen utensil designs, many homeowners are willing to spend in renovating their kitchen in order to squeeze-in that dream kitchen look. A lot of to do list will always comes out in the mind of the owners upon seeing new market trends in the market today.
But any homeowner, one should take into consideration the two major factors in the renovation process such as designs and affordability. In the design process you have to make decisions what fits most to your personality. Homeowners can search in the market the vast array of designs. In this aspect you must bear in mind that good designs need not to be expensive! Of course if you want long lasting kitchen furniture go with the solid wood cabinet designs and marble counter tops. They’re pricey but they should not be very expensive compared to processed wood or reconstituted marble-like counter tops, but you’ve got more value of your money.
But the best approached in kitchen renovations and at the same time saving effort and money is replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts. This is a little bit costly but not as pricey as replacing the entire cabinets. Replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts can be done by using the same material as the original one or maybe something entirely different as the budget permits. Choices range from solid wood or wood-like laminates which are easily accessible in the markets today. Cabinet doors and drawer fronts designs will set the tone of the entire kitchen area, so choosing design style as flat panels, raised panels or recessed panels much be taken into considerations. Choices can be thick, thin, grooved, straight edged and curved ones and most importantly either of these can be matched, mixed and cross-matched as long as they complimented each other. Furthermore, it is also best to change the hinges and handles, not that it is necessary but also to compliment the doors and drawer fronts designs and styles.
This kitchen renovation approach, however minimal can set the mood of the whole kitchen area in particular from traditional look to modern or European look.
And most of all don’t decide hastily. Talk to the experts it will save you a lot!…

by Suzana Mikolova
3 Minute
Renovation House

Top 7 Decorating Mistakes

Being an interior designer for over 25 years I’m quite familiar with the most common mistakes most people make (even some professionals) when decorating a home. Decorating should reflect our taste and style, and it is a very personal thing. However there are a few decorating blunders that should be avoided. Below is a list of mistakes and fixes.
MISTAKE 1: The Line Up…lining up the furniture on one wall. I see this done a lot especially in bedrooms, where several different size dressers are all shoved against one wall. This creates a “cluttered” look and feel. It’s also unbalanced.
THE FIX: Be sure to measure the space and the dimensions of the furniture you’ll be placing on each wall. Place one main piece of furniture on a wall. You want to make sure the room looks and feels balanced. Also, be sure to leave enough “walk room” between the bed and the furniture. You don’t want to be bumping into things if you get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Scale is very important here.
MISTAKE 2: Furniture people think pushing the living room sofa against the wall and by having the open space in the center of the room will make the room appear larger…False. This type of arrangement makes it difficult to carry on a conversation.
THE FIX: Since the sofa is the largest piece in the room it should be placed in the center and across from either the entertainment wall or fireplace (the focal point). Rearrange the other pieces around the sofa to create an intimate setting that is more conversational. (group all piece in the center of the room) Make sure you’re TV is hung/placed at eye level and the sofa is placed at the correct distance from the TV. The distance depends on the size of the TV and your preference. A good rule of thumb is to take the size of the TV and multiply it by 1.5. For example, if you have a 42″ Flat Screen TV, you would multiply 42 x 1.5 = 63″ or 5’1/4″. If you feel that it’s still too close you can move your sofa back to about 6′. The larger the TV the further back the sofa should go. So it’s important to know your room size before purchasing a TV. (measure to the back seat of the sofa)
Some rooms are too small for this configuration, if you have to place the sofa against a wall be sure to group the other pieces around the ‘t push the chair against another wall, etc.
Upon entry you see the back of the ‘s a great place for a console table to be placed with a few accessories displayed.
MISTAKE 3: Fear of I first moved to the dessert I was shocked at how many beige / cream colored houses I went to. Floors, walls, ceilings and furniture were all beige, which tends to look boring and lacks creativity. Many of the clients told me that they love color but were afraid to use it. Many think using a paint color, other than off white; will make the room look smaller and be difficult to match with furniture.
THE FIX: Use your favorite colors! I recommend selecting the upholstery and window treatments first. You can start with a palette of three colors in different shades and contrast – you can have one dark deep color, complimented by lighter colors. Select the main color followed by accent colors. Darker colors tend to ground while lighter colors tend to float. Don’t use all jewel tones or pastels – mix it up. After those selections are made then the paint color can be selected. It is best to select a few colors and paint them on the wall in the room. Stay with it for a day or so and see how the color looks in the natural light and nighttime light, then select. The goal of paint color is to enhance the other colors being used and to create a mood. You can use paint color to make something pop or to create a soft glow. But always surround yourself in the colors you love.
MISTAKE 4: Too Many Patterns… using too many patterns can become distracting to the eye, busy and overbearing. However, you don’t want to be “matchy-matchy” either. There are many ways to introduce patterns to the d?�cor of a room but there is also a fine line with how many to use and where.
THE FIX: I love to decorate a room with different patterns, it creates interest. However, you must stay true to your color palette and plan. Use patterns and prints very specifically to support the main color and draw attention to the accent colors. Mix it …

by Suzana Mikolova
8 Minute
Renovation House

How to Complete a Home Renovation Project Quickly and On Time

It is rare to meet someone who has undergone a home renovation that hasn’t complained that it took too long. Having worked on home renovation projects of varying scales for homeowners getting their house ready to sell or prior to move in or even when they’re living in the home, I have found that there are certain things that help make a project move quickly and efficiently. Whenever I see projects drag on and on for months, even years, it’s because they’re lacking in one or more of these areas. Granted, there are things that come up that are out of your control, but I can promise that if you follow the tips below, you’ll reduce your project timeline significantly.

First and foremost, Have a Plan – Sounds simple enough right? I want to renovate my kitchen or bath. That’s a start, but there’s much more to it than that. Consult with your contractor about your project and find out a realistic time frame to start and complete the work. I recommend you get a calendar and use it as a project tracker. If it’s going to take 6 weeks for example, mark what the finish date is on the calendar. Then, reverse engineer or back track everything that needs to be done and assign a date to everything. For example, Day 1 Demolition, Day 2 Remove popcorn ceiling, Day 3 electrical rough-in, etc. This will also help you know what materials you need and when. For example, if you’re doing demolition on Day 1, you’ll need a dumpster on site. If you’re hiring a General Contractor to work on your project, they will handle these details, but it’s good to ask what you need to provide and what they will provide. If you are installing cabinets on Day 30, and it takes 4 weeks to order the cabinets, that means you need to get the floor plan designed immediately so that an order can be placed and delivered in time.

Have a realistic budget. How will you fund your project? Savings? Loan? Credit Cards? A gut kitchen or bath renovation is not inexpensive. Be prepared to spend several thousand dollars even on the low end. Make a list of everything you’ll need: cabinets, flooring, lighting, appliances, fixtures, sinks, disposal, toilet, tub, knobs, and more. Also, who is going to do the work. Is this a DIY project or will you be employing professionals? If you’re going with the DIY route, be realistic about your abilities and how much time you have to contribute to the renovation considering your other responsibilities – full time job, family, etc.

Know What You Want. Do you have a particular style that you like? How do you want the space to function? How do you envision using the space? What all needs to fit in the space? In the kitchen, consider storage for all the dishes, pots, bakeware, glassware and cookbooks. In the bathroom, consider the number and kind of people using the space (adults, children, pets, guests), storage needs, privacy, etc. These are important things to consider so that you can design a space that fits your lifestyle. Additionally, what kind of material do you want for flooring, countertops, cabinets, etc. Doing some research in advance will help you narrow choices to fit within your budget. If you truly don’t have any idea, I recommend looking through trade magazines and tearing out pictures of rooms that speak to you. Put together an inspiration folder which will help you and/or a designer create your dream space.

Have Your Vendors Lined Up. Whether this is a DIY project or completely outsourced, you need to have the right people to help you. Get referrals from friends and family who have had good experiences. Use online referral resources. If there are red flags, listen and turn the other way. A good friend of mine and her husband used a contractor to renovate their bathroom in their old home and had a horrible time getting him to complete the job in the time frame he promised. When they moved into a new home and was interviewing contractors, they considered him again even though their previous experience was not good. Guess what? They had a similar, if not, worse experience when they hired him to work on their gut kitchen remodel and ultimately had to hire someone to finish the work. Price for services should be a consideration, but never the determining factor.

Have all Your Materials Chosen and Purchased. This is extremely important because without material, the contractor can’t do anything. Last thing you want is a contractor showing up at the job site ready to work and not being able to. By creating the project timeline with your contractor initially, you know what the general time frame …

by Suzana Mikolova
6 Minute
General Article

Easy Tips On How To Go About Interior Design At Home

Have you been looking at your home lately and are contemplating giving it a whole new look through interior design, but you lack the knowledge and creativity to get started? Well you are luck because the article below offers some simple, yet effective ways that anyone who lacks creativity can give their home a wonderful new look.

If you are planning an interior design project you should decide on all of your textures and colors before you begin. If you do not plan it all out in advance you can find that you end up straying from your original plan. This is not good, as you want an organized looking outcome.

Think about mixing in different colors and patterns to your design to make the space more vibrant. The patterns and textures will draw attention to all of details you are incorporating into the space. Incorporate patterns that match the style of your room to create a beautiful appearance.

If you decide to use an interior designer, communicate your goals and budget to them. Professional designers often have ambitious plans. Sometimes those plans clash with the homeowner’s taste or their pocketbook. Don’t be timid. If what the interior designer suggests doesn’t fit your goals, tell them. You are the one who has to live with the designer’s choices.

Learn how to paint a wall before painting a wall. That may sound like common sense, but if you are not aware of the quality of your paint, how to apply it properly, and how much you need, you could make a mess or lose a lot of money. Try going to a home-improvement store for some pointers on techniques and types of paint.

Think about what your children want when designing their rooms. It could be easily forgotten that children do not see the room the way you look at it. Children need furniture and storage options that are accessible to them. Make the room safe from potential hazards by putting yourself in your child’s place.

Create some elegance in a room using sconces for lighting. The dim light that comes from a sconce is considered to be fancy and romantic. You can also get them in a variety of shapes, colors, and designs so that they will fit in perfectly with the theme of your room.

Remodeling

Remodeling your kitchen can be one of the most extensive (and expensive!) interior-design jobs in your house. Despite the hassle and expense involved, resist the temptation to save money by buying cheap cabinets. There’s an enormous difference in quality between premium and cut-rate cabinets. You’ll only end up replacing discount cabinetry a few years down the line.

As you can see from the article above, it doesn’t take a professional interior designer to create a wonderful new look to their home. By incorporating a few of the tips learned here, you too can make your home something to be proud of. Don’t be afraid to try new things and always keep learning in order to give your home an entire new look.…

by Suzana Mikolova
3 Minute