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Posts Tagged ‘cabinets’

Except perhaps the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink takes the most abuse of any item in the home. Between normal everyday uses, it is also subjected to numerous chemicals from toothpaste, mouthwash and hair care products, not to mention drain and other cleaners and disinfectants. One of the easiest ways to update the look in the room is with a bathroom sink renovation.

A bathroom sink renovation may be forgotten if all the attention and budget is being spent on replacing cabinets, but a new sink can enhance new cabinetry. The finish erodes off many surfaces in bathroom sinks making them look dull and lifeless, and there is little short of replacing the sink that will bring back the original shine. There are products available, though, that claim to help restore the luster of the former finish of your sink, instead of having to replace the entire thing.

It may be more worth it in the long run, however, to replace the old sink with a new one that matches the décor you’ve chosen for the renovation. Choosing the right bathroom sink renovation finish can be just the think complete your new look. Depending on the cost of the new sink, updating the worn out vanity may also be recommended for a complete bathroom sink renovation to prevent the appearance of only doing half the job.

New Sink Begs For New Fixtures

In addition to replacing the sink and vanity, replace the faucets to complete your bathroom sink renovation. Faucets aren’t always provided with the purchase of a new sink. For the few extra dollars that new fixtures will cost, it will pay off in the appearance of the bathroom by replacing them at the same time. Be sure the sink, vanity and fixtures will fit into future bathroom remodeling plans so that when the job is complete it will all blend together.

If your bathroom sink renovation includes new flooring around the new sink and vanity, it is a simple matter to trim the floor around it. It is suggested to remove the old floor under the new cabinet and when the new floor is laid, seal around the base of the vanity to prevent water from seeping underneath. This will ensure that both the floor and the cabinet will last a long time.

Hot Products:
For those of you whose taste go further than IKEA and know what real craftsmanship means we have some product recommendations on our site that you might like. This week we feature the Cole & Company Premier Collection Medium Provence Vanity. Read our review of this piece of art and see if it might be right for your home.

Have you priced brand new cabinets for your kitchen recently? If so, you probably have come to realize that they’ve become quite expensive. It’s simply far more economically viable to redo your existing cabinets. Here are 6 helpful tips to assist you in doing just that.

1. Are your cabinet doors covered in paint? In the event this is the case, begin by eradicating the present varnish with a liquid stripper. For stained cabinets, you can also use a chemical refinishing agent or you can just clean the door surfaces very well.

2. Next, take a synthetic Brillo pad and dip it in either turpentine or mineral spirits, then begin to gently rub off any stains in the wood. Go over the entire surface of the doors, removing the remaining paint or varnish so that the new coating will adhere properly.

3. Now that you have removed all the remaining dirt and paint, apply several coats of a clear, oil-based finish (such as a product like Minwax). Most such clear finishes come in both satin and glossy finishes.

4. In tha case that you discover that you have more than stained/dirty regions on your doors, move on to using a chemical solvent type cleaner, one that easily dissolves upon application and removes the previous coating of paint or varnish. You can find such a strong cleaner at your local home store, so ask a worker at the store for assistance in choosing a product if you are at all unsure of your choice.

5. While applying the chemical refinishing agent, make sure you concentrate on small regions rather than working the entire door surface at one time. Once you have finished with applying these chemicals, the wood will be much smoother and more even in color.

6. As a final stage in your door preparation, you need to confirm that the doors are now the same in both their color and their texture. In the instance that it isn’t uniform and smooth, simply rub down the door once more in overlapping, lengthy strokes with a new steel wool-type pad and a fresh application of refinishing agent.

Your doors should now be ready for a fresh coating. Once you’ve re-stained or re-varnished, you’ll have doors that look good as new and a kitchen that will look far fresher and more up to date.  You can further spruce up your kitchen with new window treatments or a set of new kitchen stools such as kitchen bar stools or leather bar stools, adding a brand new look for not a lot of money.

Regardless of the size of your bathroom, there may be issues you run into during the project that could not be anticipated when the job started.  If you run into bad plumbing or wiring, you may need to replace flooring or walls which turns your small bathroom remodel project into a major headache.  So, really, it’s not the size of the bathroom that matters, but the amount of renovations you want to do.

One complication with small bathrooms is the lack of space.  Not having the space you need can make things more difficult, and it can cause the project to take longer.  Start by looking at the door.  Is it big enough to move things through or will you need to tear down walls?  With some construction jobs it is possible the last wall of the bathroom was built after the fixtures were installed, making the small bathroom renovation nearly impossible without removing a wall.

Smaller bathrooms don’t require as much materials, but you have less room to move around and get things installed.  Some cutting and fitting may have to be done outside the confines of the bathroom, using other household space for the duration of the remodel.

You May Be Stuck With Your Floor Plan

In a smaller bathroom, it’s not always possible to change the floor plan.  For example, it may be impossible to fit the tub in the room another way.  Rather than making major bathroom renovation renovations, you may only be able to change colors, styles, and some fixtures in a smaller bathroom.

While a sink or a commode can be changed, usually with one the same size, the overall design of the bathroom will out of necessity have to remain the same.  Updated fixtures can often give the appearance that a major small bathroom renovation has taken place, but using the same space can still be uncomfortable.  You can make your bathroom look larger by using lighter colors on the walls.

Bathroom Remodeling Idea – Of all the remodeling projects we’ve done, those that include a new bathroom vanity are the most appealing. We continue to recommend the Fairmont Design Bath Vanity Collage Collection to our more sophisticated clients and they are never dissappointed.

By Chet Lystrom

Most people prefer DIY style for their bathroom renovation. For readers who do not know what is DIY, it means do it yourself. DIY bathroom renovation is a good option if you enjoy learning new things, have patience and willing to get your hands dirty. This is one of the best ways to save money and still have a beautiful bathroom when you’re done.

Should you DIY?
DIY bathroom remodeling is definitely a cost saving and a satisfying process, but should you DIY? Most people DIY project management, color selection, demolition and remove and repair most fittings like hooks and towel rails. However, if plumbing or electrical jobs are involved you need to get professional help, unless you are very skilled.

Bathroom Renovation DIY Project Planning Tips
You need to first decide if your bathroom needs a full redesign or just a makeover. This depends on factors like number of people using the bathroom and the requirements of the family. If what you are looking for is a spacious and trendy bathroom you need to spend time with your bathroom renovation project planning. You can work this out with the help of computer software, or if you have a major renovation plan you can hire a professional.

If the layout and water proofing system is fine, you can renovate your bathroom by changing the color scheme, replacing cabinets and retiling. You cannot however do a major plumbing or electrical jobs in bathroom renovation DIY, as this is not permissible legally.

The bathroom renovation will take how long?
This is dependant on the plan for your bathroom renovation DIY project. It can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks depending upon the work that needs to be performed.

Legal issues
Whether you DIY or not, check with your local authorities if you need to obtain a permit. You would need a permit if you are planning to reconstruct your bathroom from a scratch.

Bathroom renovation DIY costs
The cost generally varies a lot depending upon the work. An approximate cost charged by a renovator would be between $12,000 -15,000 for a small job, up to $20,000 for a medium renovation and above $30,000 for a complete renovation. Check with your renovator for the exact costs.

Hiring a Professional Takes Consideration
DIY bathroom renovation would definitely work out cheaper by a few thousand dollars, but it needs some skill, time and motivation. This is extremely satisfying and you are the boss for implementing the plans. Also this would make you feel proud of your achievement each time you are in the bathroom.

However if you are planning to hire a professional, be clear on what youíre expecting from them and get the complete details before finalizing contracts with them. Hire an industry qualified, licensed and insured tradesperson to avoid hassles.

By: Chet Lystrom