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2015 Penny-Pinching Do It Yourself Projects Punchlist

budget-friendly do it yourself projects…

 

2014 was a year of home decor budget-busting here at our lil DIY blog, The Heathered Nest. And that is why 2015 is going to feel like a major diet has hit this household. We’re shaping up the bank ledger, and shipping out old spendthrift ways, by tackling some do it yourself projects that are big in scope, but low in budget.
Our ambitious in scope, but skimpy on the budget list of 2015 do it yourself projects that we'll tackle here on our DIY blog, www.heatherednest.comPin

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Now I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions, frankly, because I have no willpower, and I don’t like taking on challenges that I know I cannot win.

 

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But necessity is the mother of invention, and as I have projects in this home that I see as “musts” while my husband (rightly) sees them as budget “busts”, I have carefully crafted out this punchlist so that we can co-exist peacefully, and fiscally responsibly, in the coming year. *This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.*

 

 

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GET READY FOR SOME SERIOUS BEFORE SHOTS folks…it’s our illustrated “penny-pinching DIY projects punchlist” for 2015:

 

 

1. Scrooge-esque Stair Refinishing.

No new expensive hardwood or carpeting on these steps! We’re finishing these treads with good ‘ol, inexpensive PAINT! Latex porch paint, to be exact.

 

Our ambitious in scope, but skimpy on the budget list of 2015 do it yourself projects that we'll tackle here on our DIY blog, www.heatherednest.comPin

 

We tried staining at first, and that was a tragedy…

 

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 SO fingers crossed the paint will work better (FOR STAIRS UPDATE >>> CLICK HERE)

 

2. Hit the deck! (With paint).

 

Our ambitious in scope, but skimpy on the budget list of 2015 do it yourself projects that we'll tackle here on our DIY blog, www.heatherednest.comPin

 

Up-keep of a wood deck is expensive, no way around it…unless you rip it out and go with Trex or another composite material (which is a LOT of up-front cost). This year, we will paint our DIY deck with a solid deck stain, likely gray for the deck boards, and white on the spindles. Maybe something like this color scheme:

 

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Source

There are lots of different brands, and lots of different feelings and opinions on what the superior type of product is to paint/stain a deck. We’ll let you know what product we ultimately decide upon. No matter what though, this 1970’s red color is GONE GIRL, GONE. (FOR DECK UPDATE >>>CLICK HERE)

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3. Miserly Master Bath Makeover (continues)…

 

We have already started our uber-cheap master bath renovation. So in 2015, we’ll keep the spirit of spending next-to-nothing alive with more in the master bath to include: building a little step to cover that 4×4 tile stair by the tub, covering the current tub tile surround with wainscoting, framing the mirror, and  DIY’ing some light fixtures.

 

BEFORE:

Our ambitious in scope, but skimpy on the budget list of 2015 do it yourself projects that we'll tackle here on our DIY blog, www.heatherednest.comPin

 

CURRENT:

 

Need a bathroom makeover on a $0 budget? IT'S POSSIBLE! Come see this $0 bath makeover now at Heathered Nest!!Pin

 

4. Reasonably priced tile re-glaze.

Here’s a picture of our kids bathroom.

Our ambitious in scope, but skimpy on the budget list of 2015 do it yourself projects that we'll tackle here on our DIY blog, www.heatherednest.comPin

 

I know. Trust me, I know. But, I also know that we can’t really go all out in here right now, so I’m going to start this year by re-glazing the current tub/shower enclosure with a Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit.

 

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I’ve heard good things from some blogging pals, so I’m hoping to report to you guys a similar experience. (FOR TILE PAINTING UPDATE >>> CLICK HERE)

 

5. Frugal Flooring Facelift.

Here’s what our kitchen looked like when we moved in.

Our ambitious in scope, but skimpy on the budget list of 2015 do it yourself projects that we'll tackle here on our DIY blog, www.heatherednest.comPin

 

I’ve already painted the cabinets, and changed out those recessed lights to mini-chandeliers, but I’m still not down with the cherry floors. I am well aware that a lot of people LOVE cherry, and I know that my plan to paint these floors will incite a lot of unhappiness in a lot of people, so I’m ready to feel the heat. I’m thinking of doing something like this:

 

Our ambitious in scope, but skimpy on the budget list of 2015 do it yourself projects that we'll tackle here on our DIY blog, www.heatherednest.comPin

Source: This Old House

 

And I’ll be using a tutorial from This Old House.

The thing is, these cherry floors don’t match ANY others that were/are in this home. There’s no cohesion, which makes me feel less badly about the drastic change we’ve got planned. New floors to match the rest of the hardwoods in the house would be lovely, but unless I can find a couple hundred square feet of flooring in a dumpster dive, I think that dream can probably die here. Would LOVE to hear your opinions…positive, and even extremely negative! Leave a comment 🙂

 

6. Frugal Flooring Facelift Part Deux.

 

Our ambitious in scope, but skimpy on the budget list of 2015 do it yourself projects that we'll tackle here on our DIY blog, www.heatherednest.comPin

 

This is a picture of our laundry room. We’ve done some do it yourself projects in heremalready (will post some pictures at some point this year), but that lovely linoleum remains. On one hand, linoleum is fantastic because it’s SO easy to clean. And as this room is situated between our garage and kitchen, that’s pretty clutch. On the other, it’s really old, chipping, and certainly outdated. So, our plan is to lay &linkCode=sl1&tag=hnest2026-20&linkId=843a7e5faf96c4b6d05554f08148c32a”” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener”>utility hardwood flooring, to the tune of about $.99/sq ft. It’s AWESOME.

Then, we’ll paint them to match the kitchen floors, so the two rooms will flow nicely. Right now, there are four flooring types in our home within 20 feet of each other…that’s a bit much.

So, when all is said and done, these do it yourself projects will hopefully have made some big changes for a small impact on the wallet. That’s the plan. Hope that you all have exciting plans for ringing in the New Year. We certainly do here at the Heathered Nest. They involve pajamas, lots of snacks, and a pillow and comfy bed that will be hit sometime around 12:01am.

 

Happy New Year friends!

 

 

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About Heather Thibodeau

A former doctor of physical therapy, Heather Thibodeau went from rehabilitating people to homes as the primary creative force behind the DIY and home decorating website, The Heathered Nest.

With her work being published both in print and online in places such as Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple and more, Heather's goal is to help people create a home they love, one DIY project at a time.

Comments

  1. Robin Johnson says

    Looks like you have alot of ideas on how to make your home fabulous without breaking the bank. I for one am cheering you one while you refinish your kitchen floors ( not a fan of cherry wood either) I love, love, love what you plan to do with it. I have always wanted to try it myself.

    Reply

  4. Artsy VaVa says

    I love those painted floors so I'm excited to see how yours turn out! Go for it. It's your house and it should be done they way you love it. I just painted an antique armoire that everyone said I shouldn't because it was such lovely wood. I'm glad I didn't listen because with paint all the detail shows and it is gorgeous!

    Reply

  5. avery street design says

    Oh MAN do I feel your pain on the do-I-or-don't-I painted floor dilemma!! I lived with a similar situation in our last place that had very nice cherry kitchen cabinets. I desperately wanted to paint them white but was worried about "resale." Guess what?! I saw pictures after we sold the house and the new owners totally painted them! HA! So I say who cares and do what you want. Might as well love your house. Good luck!!

    Reply

    • Heather says

      That's so funny that happened to you!! And you're right, I should just do it and not look back, but that ? about re-sale is always lurking, you know?! It's just so odd that the former owners chose to put cherry in our kitchen, but the rest of the home is oak, so I feel like it looks odd anyways, so what the heck?!! Happy New Year!!!

      Reply

    • Heather says

      I'm so glad you will join me! I'm sure I'm going to only get 50% done, but I'll try my hardest, that's for sure. Thanks so much for your comment, Kim.

      Reply

  8. Anonymous says

    Hi, I am a new follower so I don't know what your long term house plans are, but since you asked for all kinds of comments here goes…I personally love the painted floor idea in concept but if you plan to resell anytime in the future painting your floors will really hurt resell. Have you considered or any interest in sanding and refinishing a different color? I have hardwood in the old school orangey color so I totally get your dislike but painted floors are hard to change for the average non DIY homebuyer. If you plan on staying in your house forever go for it but if you have any doubt maybe try refinishing first to see if you like it, you can always paint if you still hate it! Love the idea of a painted deck though snd can't wait to see it! I don't envy you having t paint all those spindles on the deck, will you spray them or hand paint?

    Reply

    • Heather says

      Anonymous, you are READING my mind regarding the painting of the floors…and as people who are CONSTANTLY moving, it's been a real source of back and forth in our heads here. The problem is that the floors are brazilian cherry, so I've been told, and through my own research I've read that no amount of sanding/refinishing will rid them of the red hue/undertones, so we'll never be able to "match" them to the adjacent floors (which there are FOUR rooms of, ugh). It's a total headscratcher. I am so glad you have joined us, and REALLY appreciate your thoughtful comments! If you have any ideas for me, certainly chime in ANYTIME!!

      Reply

  9. RWC says

    You certainly have a lot of work to do and some fantastic ideas to renovate all the spaces. I really want to modernize my kitchen this year.

    Reply

    • Heather says

      From the look of your profile, RWC, modernizing your kitchen should be a snap for you!! Let me know how it goes!! And thanks for your kind words.

      Reply

  10. Mary Vitullo says

    Wow, love all your ideas. So inspirational and I think your floors will be so original painted in a diamond pattern. Look forward to your reveal.
    Mary @ Orphans With Makeup

    Reply

  12. Rebekah Schwind says

    You have a lot of work on your hands this year, but it looks like it will be rewarding. I say, go for it, with painting the floors. The amazing freedom about having your own home, is that you can do what you want with it. I often have relatives that tsk, tsk some of my design choices during the planning stages, but usually love the finished product. What's a home if you don't make it your own? I'm excited to keep reading to see what great things you have in store 🙂
    Rebekah @ Charming Imperfections

    Reply

  13. Suzanne says

    I love your ideas, and I applaud your bravery at painting the floors. Can't wait to follow along. I'm still ogling your no-cost bathroom makeover. I LOVE the graphite color on the cabinets. I hope you have a fantastic 2015.

    Reply

  14. Elizabeth BlueClearSky says

    The project plans sound great. We are doing a lot of projects with materials on hand this year as well. 2014 was a year of big ticket (for us at least) exterior items like a new roof, garage door, garage man door and replacement skylights. With a job loss and hubby starting out in a new job, pinching pennies is more important than ever. I am currently looking to paint our main bath cabinet (it's washed oak, kind of pinkish) and also our basement stairs. All no cost or really inexpensively of course. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish.

    Reply

    • Heather says

      Wow, Elizabeth, that IS a LOT of $$$ items in one year, especially with all the changes on the job front. Will be looking forward to seeing your bath cabinet and stairs!! I'm sure with your skill, they will turn out beautifully! Wishing you the best in 2015.

      Reply

  15. Sinea says

    Heather, I am considering the white and gray look for my deck as well. It truly is a thriftier approach and I think it looks very classy. BTW…those stairs are going to look GREAT!
    Sinea from Ducks 'n a Row

    Reply

  17. Jessica Marie says

    2014 has been a year of budget busting for us too! Sadly, I fear there is no end in sight. We may be done with renovations on our other house by the end of 2015. Hopefully. Wishful thinking, I guess. But I LOVE the wood floors in your kitchen! I have to admit I am not loving the cherry color, and I think the painted floor will look awesome! When we refinished the floors in our house a couple of weeks ago, we used a cappuccino/mocha stain. It is dark but no red tint. I am loving it! Our kitchen doesn't have hardwood, but maybe I can talk the hubs into helping me paint the laundry room like your example, but a light aqua instead of yellow! Wish me luck!

    Reply

  18. Donnamae says

    I applaud your budget decorating list…and I, for one, will be watching…especially when you tackle your deck! We want to do exactly the same to ours. As far as your cherrywood floors are concerned…they are yours! I personally wouldn't paint cherry furniture, but flooring is another matter. Good luck on your list….hope it brings harmony! 😉

    Reply

    • Heather says

      Thanks so much Donnamae! I will definitely keep you in the loop on the deck. We've done it once before on another deck that had the SAME redwood stain, and it made a WORLD of difference, so hoping this one will be a similar result. And thanks for chiming in on the floors… 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful New Year in store!

      Reply

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