budget-friendly do it yourself projects…
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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.
2. Hit the deck! (With paint).
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:
Source
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:
CURRENT:
4. Reasonably priced tile re-glaze.
Here’s a picture of our kids bathroom.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 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!
Love your style– I'm so excited to see that floor happen! I personally love the diamond idea, it's your house, do it!
You should join my link party, http://www.carissamiss.com/2015/01/outside-box-no-17.html
Love your stuff!
Thanks Carissa! I hopped over there today! Thanks for the direction to find you 🙂
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?
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!!
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.
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.