January 3, 2008 -- So, another year is upon us and that "Rosy Red" paint didn't quite turn out to be the color you wanted on your bedroom walls. Sometimes, repainting your living room or rearranging your furniture (again!) isn't enough to freshen and revamp your space. But with some imagination and a modest investment of around $500 (or less), you can make dramatic changes to your home and give it a clean, organized start to 2008.
1. Kitchen facelift. You won't able to replace your countertops with new granite or marble for $500, but you might be able to afford new laminate - depending on the size of your kitchen. Laminate comes in many styles that mimic stone or look gloriously modern. Paint your kitchen cabinets a glossy white and add new handles and knobs.
2. Lighten up. Change hanging fixtures and add sconces to the walls of your living room or bedroom. Depending on the cost of the fixtures, you can find replacement lighting and have it installed by a licensed electrician for about $500 per room. Check eBay for vintage versions (new wiring is a must) or big home centers for modern looks.
3. Roll out the carpet. For a wall-to-wall look without the hassle, cover a floor with sisal or jute that's been trimmed with a contrasting fabric.
4. Fixture it. Change all fixtures in your bathroom: shelves, towel bars, bathrobe hooks, soap dishes, etc. This might seem daunting, especially if your walls and shower are tiled. But with the right tools, it's pretty simple. Make sure you have a 12-volt drill with variable speeds (try my barbara k! drill) and a set of masonry drill bits. Put heavy-duty tape over the tile. Also, use toggle bolts, which help strengthen and distribute the weight of what you're hanging.
5. Whiten up. Don't just clean your bathroom tile, re-grout it. If you're like most people, you've put this job off for too long! The best time to deal with this problem is as soon as you see cracks that indicate the wall grout is weakening. Extract existing grout by using an abrasive grout saw to remove as much as possible from the joint. Make sure you vacuum all debris and dust. Remove all mildew with a commercial mildew remover. Make sure the surface dries thoroughly. Apply new grout with a grout trowel and spread diagonally across the tile. Go over the area at least two to three times.
6. Replace window shades. Replace mini-blinds or paper shades with bamboo or matchstick blinds. Big-box stores such as Target and Kmart sell quality, inexpensive versions. For $500, you can likely outfit three to four rooms.
7. Mirror mirror. Hang large mirrors in your living room or bedroom instead of artwork. Mirrors bring sparkle and light into rooms, and give them a chic, modern look. A great tip: To locate an exact spot on your wall for a heavier mirror, use construction paper or newspaper, trace the paper over your mirror and use tape to hang on the wall. Now you know exactly where to hang it without fumbling or risking seven years' bad luck.
8. Minimize and replace. De-clutter one room - and be ruthless. Simplify by getting rid of furniture or accessories that are broken, old, tired or just plain unattractive. Then, bring one new piece into the room - such as a sculpture, a new rug, a fabulous pair of table lamps, a side chair or a coffee table. If you shop wisely, each of these items can be found for $500 or less.
9. A-door-able. Freshen up your room by replacing a drab or broken doorknob. You can pick one up at any home center or hardware store. And all you need is a screwdriver!
10. Stencil painting. Cover one or more of the walls of your bedroom or living room with new paint by using stenciling. This effect will make it look like you spent thousands of dollars on fancy wallpaper. (I created a headboard in my bedroom using stenciling.) Buy the stencil for pennies at any good hardware or paint store, which leaves you some money for expensive paint.
If I can do it, so can you!
Barbara K is the author of "Invest In Your Nest: The Insider's Guide To Adding Style, Comfort, and Value To Your Home" (Rodale).
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