Mini-makeover Tips for Your Bath
(ARA) – An outdated
kitchen may be inconvenient and unappealing, but a
behind-the-times bath can be downright demoralizing.
Shabby bathrooms and bathroom
cabinets are not only no fun to live with,
they’re a big turn-off to potential buyers.
But in today’s economy – and buyers’ real
estate market – it doesn’t pay to go overboard and
over-spend on a bathroom remodel. A major remodel
not only strains your wallet, it can result in
overly personalizing the bath into something that
won’t appeal to a broad range of potential
buyers.
“These days, less really can be more when
it comes to remodeling your bathroom,” says Dan Auer
of Faucet.com, a leading online retailer of
decorative plumbing products. “A mini-makeover can
give you the beautiful bathroom you crave, without
breaking your budget. And you can create a space
that is attractive to both you and buyers when the
time comes to sell your home.”
Any remodeling project that doesn’t
require you to dip into your savings or go in debt
to accomplish it can qualify as a “mini-makeover.”
It’s possible to make a big difference in your
bathroom with as little as a few hundred or as much
as a few thousand dollars. You can save even more
time and money by shopping online and by doing the
work yourself.
First, start with the walls. Obviously,
tearing down walls and relocating plumbing can’t be
categorized as a “mini-makeover.” But you can do a
lot with your walls for very little money, from
simply repainting to adding texture and art work.
Don’t forget towel bars, towel rings and shelving;
these necessities can do double duty as decorative
elements as well.
Next, consider the focal points in the
room – namely, the fixtures and mirror. If you’re
working with a budget of a few hundred dollars, you
probably won’t be able to replace the old commode
with a low-flush, designer model or retile the
shower stall. But you can upgrade the faucets on
your sink, tub and shower, replace or beautify the
mirror, and switch out a utilitarian showerhead for
something more luxurious, like a rainfall or
massaging showerhead.
For just a little more investment, you can
replace an old cabinet-style sink and vanity with a
stylish pedestal model. If you’re committed to
cabinets in the bath, be sure to replace outdated
door handles and drawer pulls with a more
contemporary style. Many designers now offer handles
and pulls in finishes like brushed nickel or bronze
that coordinate with your bath accessories.
Lighting can also revive a bath. An
overhead light and/or light directly above the
mirror are necessities, but you needn’t sacrifice
beauty for functionality. Replace dated dressing
room style bulb-bars with sconces or a fixture that
features decorative shades. Swap out old
incandescent lights with energy-efficient
alternatives and you’re not only beautifying the
room, but reducing energy costs as well.
As a crowning touch, tie the room together
with accessories. A new shower curtain and
matching window treatment can give the bath a
fresh look. Decorative hand towels placed on a
towel ring beside the vanity are both practical
and pretty. And don’t forget to throw in a touch
of indulgence, whether it’s some high-end scented
candles or a luxurious towel warmer.
Finally, remember that time is money, even
when you’re doing your mini-makeover yourself. Take
advantage of online resources, like Faucet.com, to
avoid wasting gas driving around looking for just
the right products or the frustration of trying to
find what you want in a big box store. The site
offers thousands of products and plenty of ideas for
your bathroom mini-makeover project – plus friendly
customer service that’s easily available over the
phone.
“The bathroom is one of the most used
rooms in the house,” says Auer. “Easy updates will
make sure it’s more enjoyable for both you and your
guests.”
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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