33 Budget-Friendly DIY Renovations to Completely Transform Your Home
Painted Floors
Older kitchen floors tend to be made of linoleum and if it is really old, that linoleum is likely patterned. Replacing and installing a new floor, whether it is tile or cement, can max out a home renovation budget.
That is where some paint can come in and save the day. Waterproof floor paint is a quick fix for those on a tight budget. Take an orbital sander and sand the floor down with 120 grit to give the floor some ‘tooth’. Sanding this whole room might seem like a daunting job, but it’s basically just like washing it on your hands and knees. After sanding, mop the film of dust on the floor with water. Then it’s time to get rid of the shiny quality of linoleum that makes it hard for paint to stick. There’s a product called ‘deglosser‘ that is great for taking the sheen off. Spread it on the floor and let it dry. Tape along the floorboards around the perimeter of the room and get to painting. It’s recommended to use Porch & Floor Enamel paint which is super durable. It takes two coats to get full coverage.
Disguise Cords And Cables
All appliances and electronics have cords. That is a part of life if you want to be connected to the digital world and enjoy things like television and computers. However, that doesn’t mean you have to see all of these cords jumbled up on the floor. Wall attachments made of plastic can be installed to hide cords and make them blend into the wall. If the cords dangling from your wall-mounted TV are distracting you, conceal them with a D-Line cord cover.
To install and effectively hide TV wires, measure the span of the wall between the base of the screen and the floor—that’s the length of cord cover you need, and you can often cut to fit. Then, mount the raceway base to the wall with screws according to the manufacturer’s instructions, lay the TV cords inside the channel, and snap the cover in place over the top. Cord covers are typically sold in neutral colors like white or metallic gray that can stand out if your wall is a different color. But when painted the same color as your wall (using latex-based paint), they seamlessly blend into the space.
Add Some Molding On Top
Cabinetry can always be spruced up, but one of the number one ways to do this is by adding some molding on top of it.
Crown molding is some of the nicest on the market, and it is easy to install if you are good with a power drill. Molding does need to be stained to match the cabinetry, though, or it may look a bit out of place. Measure the width of the cabinet and cut the first 1×2 pine boards to that measurement. The height of your trim is really based on your own preference. Then, cut an additional 1×2–2 inches longer than your 1st piece (width of the cabinet.) This will be the top of the “crown.” It’s advised to stack the 1×2’s like an “L” shape and nails them together. The longer piece should hang over the front piece by 1 inch on each end. Then, nail small 2.5-inch blocks behind the 1×2 molding and proceed to nail them to the cabinet. Next, you’ll want to sand, caulk and paint.
Install Shower Tile
Backsplashes in kitchens always look chic when they are made of tile, and the same goes for the space above a shower where it meets the ceiling.
Instead of leaving this painted, select a tile that matches the wall color, and install it in the areas around the shower stall. This will make the shower look like it belongs in a hotel. If you plan to tile your shower yourself, keep the following tip in mind. Before laying any tile or even prepping the backer board, check your shower stud walls to make sure they are plumb and level. To do this, place a 4-foot level across all studs. Repeat this action vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. Studs need to be plumb and level so that walls are waterproof and tiles do not end up looking irregular, especially in corners. If placed incorrectly, water can go through and will need to be removed.