Beyond kitchens, bathrooms are an area of the home that we spend more time in than we might realize. Creating a relaxing retreat in your bathroom can provide a place to unwind and reset, and is also something that helps your home value when selling!
Bathroom makeovers can get expensive, and quickly if the whole room is being updated. From flooring to showers and tubs, vanities and accessories, doing a bathroom refresh on a budget might seem impossible.
This featured makeover by @allthingsnew_home walks through how a dated 90’s oak vanity was given new life with fresh cabinet doors, drawer boxes and faces – without ever replacing the vanity unit itself!
Before: Dated 1990s Oak Vanity
The “before” vanity was dated oak with exposed hinges, partial overlay doors, and drawer boxes that had passed their prime – becoming difficult to open with daily use. A refresh as part of the One Room Challenge made it like-new.
We had a very tired 90’s bathroom vanity that needed everything from new drawer boxes, hinges, and doors.
With other updates happening in the bathroom to bring it up to date – the door style chosen was our Shallow Shaker in Totally Taupe to create a neutral contrast color with the soft palette in the room.
While waiting for their custom cabinet doors and drawers to arrive, the vanity was given a fresh coat of paint to match the new doors – using the matching paint color to the doors. In this case, Sherwin Williams Requisite Grey was applied to the face frames, toekick and side panels for one cohesive look once doors arrived.
Install of Custom Vanity Cabinet Doors
In as little as an afternoon, new doors and soft close hinges were mounted to the made-over vanity, and drawer boxes and glides installed.
Bathroom vanities are a great, small project to try as a first time or seasoned DIYer! In a matter of a few short hours for small vanities, you can make a significant update to the space, without needing plumbers, demo, or hiring out the project.
By saving big with a DIY bathroom vanity project, you can spend any leftover renovation budget on a new mirror, faucets, or accessories to update the space.
If your old oak vanity is looking for a makeover, why not try your hand at a quick refacing project? You might surprise yourself with its simplicity – and can tackle a larger project with ease.
“The new drawer boxes they offer are a high quality and we love how the modern design of the doors really transformed our previously outdated vanity. I highly recommend Nieu Cabinet Doors, and will for sure be using them again for my next projects!”
When was the last time you replaced your kitchen countertop? If the answer to that question is more than 10 years ago, you might be surprised to learn all the ways that countertop trends have evolved in recent years.
Countertop materials are more varied than ever. As a homeowner, you have choices! Knowing your options, including their costs, pros and cons can help you choose the best countertops for your kitchen.
Here’s a look at the most popular counter materials in 2021:
Quartz Countertops
Cost range: $50 – $150 per square foot
It wasn’t that long ago when most homeowners had never heard of quartz countertops. Today, quartz is one of the most sought-after kitchen counter material available – and for good reason. Quartz is durable, affordable and available in a wide variety of patterns and colors.
This engineered material is made from crushed stone and resins mixed together to form the hardest, most scratch-resistant material found in kitchens. Homeowners also love quartz because it can be molded to take on the appearance of nearly any natural material, including marble and granite.
Want the look of a marble counter without the maintenance? White quartz countertops are your best bet. Seeking the beauty of a granite countertop, without the sealing to prevent staining? A granite look-alike quartz countertop is right for you.
Pros:
No sealing required
Very scratch and chip resistant
Almost indistinguishable from natural stone counters
Widely available from specialty counter suppliers, or stores like IKEA offer custom quartz options
Once upon a time, granite was the high-end countertop material that all homeowners craved. They loved its durability, longevity and its beauty. Today, granite’s popularity has declined in favor of quartz countertops. Still, homeowners who are dedicated to natural stone counters tend to prefer granite because of its incredible hardness and scratch resistance.
Pros:
Available in a range of patterns and colors
Scratch-resistant
Durable
Cons:
Requires regular sealing to be protected from stains
Granite offers natural variation in the stone, and a variety of color and textures to choose from.
Marble Kitchen Counters
Cost range: $65 – $95 per square foot
Marble is a lovely countertop material available in stunning colors and patterns. Its classic beauty is unparalleled. That said, marble has never been as popular as granite, probably because it’s a soft stone that can stain and scratch easily. You can prevent some of these problems by using trivets and hot pads, and by sealing your counters regularly. Families who are rough on their kitchens or have small kids often opt for an imitation marble-look quartz if they’re not prepared to maintain marble.
Pros:
Timeless beauty
Long-lasting when properly maintained
Cons:
Susceptible to staining and scratching
Regular sealing required
The veining and one-of-a-kind nature of every slab of marble make it a beautiful countertop choice.
Butcher Block Kitchen Counter
Cost range: $75 – $150 per square foot
Butcher block a.k.a wood countertops have their own unique charm. They’re not as hard as stone, which some homeowners like (no noisy clinking sounds when glasses and plates are set down!).
On the other hand, wood can rot, so special care is needed to clean up any spills as soon as they happen. Wood also needs regular oiling to remain water-resistant. Over time, that oil leads to the development of a patina that some homeowners like and others dislike. In a farmhouse or coastal style kitchen, butcher block can be a huge hit, and can softens the harshness of all-white kitchen cabinets.
Pros:
Unique appearance that can’t be replicated with other materials
Soft surface that is not as loud as hard stone
Wood is antimicrobial
Scratches and stains can be sanded out
Cons:
Can be stained by liquids
May swell or shrink with changes in humidity
White cabinetry pairs well with butcher block for a warm, farmhouse look.
DIY Kitchen Countertops
Cost range: variable
Whether you’re making your own wooden counters, creating an epoxy countertop surface, or trying your hand at concrete countertops, there are many pros and cons to this kind of home improvement project.
Pros:
Most cost-effective way to install a countertop
Can be fun to install, if you enjoy DIY projects
Cons:
Done incorrectly, DIY counters may not be as durable as commercially sold countertops
Many people are not comfortable installing their own counters
If the work is not done properly, it may not look like your dream counter
Before deciding which counters to install, you’ll have some things to consider. Doing research in advance can help.
Make a budget. If the material of your choice seems like more than you can afford, be prepared to shop around.
Visit a material supplier. Visiting a material store is a great way to find the look and product that appeals to you the most. It’s always helpful to see these materials in person, and take home a sample if you can!
Consider value, durability, maintenance. Be sure you’re prepared to perform maintenance on the countertop of your choice. Do not install a counter you’re not willing to care for.
With a little research, you can find the kitchen counter material that’s right for you, whether that’s solid surface countertop, a DIY, or the ever-popular quartz. Shop around! Be sure to see the materials you’re considering in person. Seeing the materials up close will give you a much better sense of how you’ll feel about those countertops if you decide to install them in your home.
Now that 2020 is behind us and the holidays are over, many of us are looking around the house for something to do. With more time in our homes than ever, it’s going to be a long, hard winter – unless you can find satisfying tasks to fill your time. We’ve got the answer with these fun DIY ideas!
Keep yourself entertained with a DIY home project – or several DIY projects. Beautify your property with new finishes, colors, hardware and fixtures. Improve your home’s functionality and boost your quality of life in subtle ways through DIY projects.
1. Glam Up Your Kitchen with Cabinet Refacing
Are you tired of the same old look in your kitchen? Make a change. You don’t have to install all new cabinets to give your kitchen a facelift. Refacing is one way to make your cabinets look new without the expense. You don’t even have to hire a contractor to do the work – you can do it yourself.
Start by measuring your cabinets, then go shopping. You can pick your color, or paint them yourself. Buy your new cabinet doors from a reputable company to ensure long-lasting beauty.
2. Refresh and Refinish Furniture
Old furniture has a way of getting scratched up. Refinishing makes old furniture look like new. Use environmentally-friendly chalk paint to give your old end table or bench an antique look, or try re-staining your old wood chairs to give them a like-new glow.
Furniture refinishing is something that many people do as a hobby, and there’s also many small businesses that offer custom furniture refinishing. It’s a great DIY home project if you’re looking for an ongoing task to occupy your time. Once you’ve refinished one chair or table, you won’t want to stop! Before you know it, everything you own will look like new.
3. Clear Clutter with Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are the perfect contemporary furnishing for improving home organization in 2021. Get clutter up off the floor with your floating shelves. If it’s not the kind of clutter you want to see, use attractive baskets to keep it hidden, organized and tidy.
Customize your floating shelves to get the perfect fit and look for your home. With the right tools, you can install floating shelves yourself. They look great in the living room, bathroom, kitchen and so on. Want to make your small room look a little taller and airier? Try installing them near the ceiling. Want a pop of color in your room? Paint them before installing.
Painted accent walls were very popular a few years ago. That popularity has waned, but recently new types of accent walls have taken their place: board and batten accent walls and wallpapered accent walls! Adding texture to a wall creates an intant focal point in any room.
Board and batten, chevrons, plaid, and abstract accent walls can create a 3D effect and add depth to your room. Paired with a bold or neutral color, you can take a bold stance or play it safe depending on your style. Wallpaper accent walls are slightly more understated but still add focus and a sense of thoughtful beauty to home interiors. Installing wallpaper isn’t the easiest of DIY projects, but as far as wallpapering projects go, one accent wall is doable even for inexperienced homeowners.
Accent walls can take a variety of shapes, textures and materials.
5. Get Creative with Cabinet Hardware
You don’t have to completely reface your kitchen cabinets to make them look like new. Replace your kitchen cabinet hardware with something unique like leather pulls, ceramic knobs or modern minimalist handles. This is a relatively inexpensive home improvement project that can easily be completed in an afternoon.
6. Make Rustic DIY Wall Hooks
Just about anything attached to a board can become a wall hook. Wine corks. Old railroad ties. Even a bent spoon! Find a piece of reclaimed wood, refinish it, attach the hooks of your choice, then install your new wall hook board on a space like the wall of your bedroom or maybe near your backdoor.
DIY wall hooks are convenient, cute and and easy DIY for a rainy afternoon. There are lots of tutorials online that you can follow – just find the one that you like best.
DIY wall hooks can be made with scrap wood for a rustic touch
Don’t wait. Get started with winter DIY home projects today!
Have fun remaking your space for the new year with these DIY projects. Try a kitchen refresh with all new cabinet doors for your kitchen, or to get started with your custom floating shelves today.
