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It's likely where you start and end each day. A small, simple space, the bathroom can easily be
overlooked in home decorating. Time to give the most-used room in the house an easy makeover! Its size
makes it an affordable weekend do-it-yourself project.
Browse high-end department stores, catalogs or Web sites to find a look you like, then replicate it
without busting your budget. Discount stores often have similar items at significant savings.
SHOWER POWER
If your shower doors are outdated, consider replacing them with a stylish shower curtain instead.
Curtains and liners eliminate the need to scrub soap scum and can easily be replaced as seasons or styles
change. They come in a vast array of colors and fabrics, often with matching accessories.
Coordinating the shower curtain with the window curtain, rugs and towels gives the bathroom a
cohesive feel. Matching soap dispenser, trash can and other accoutrements round out the room.
Outdated drawer pulls and cabinet knobs are also affordable and easy to replace. Whether your taste
is traditional or contemporary, you can extend the life of old cabinetry by sprucing it up with new hardware.
QUICK FIX
Take the opportunity to make minor repairs before painting. Fill in any cracks or holes in the walls.
Minor imperfections can be masked with a few coats of paint.
When Jeremy Huffstedtler painted his master bathroom, he noticed a chip in the bathtub. He says an
inexpensive repair kit from a home-improvement store solved the problem.
"It was a simple process. I just filled in the chip with the resin mixture, let it dry and sanded it smooth," he
says. The fill comes in a variety of colors to match bathtub finishes.
A SPLASH OF COLOR
A fresh coat of paint can revive a room. From bashful to bold, the color possibilities are nearly endless.
"The color you choose depends on your taste. There's no right or wrong choice. Typically lighter colors
open up a room and make it look larger, and darker colors close it in," says Jon Waganer, an interior
painter with more than seven years of experience. "Most people seem to prefer lighter colors in the
bathroom, but a rich, bold color can look really nice, too."
Waganer says prep work is the most important step in the painting process. Lightly rubbing the walls
with drywall sandpaper before painting will ensure a smooth surface, he says. Water spots should be
covered with a primer prior to painting
Using moisture-resistant paint is important in the bathroom, he says. If the paint is moisture resistant,
any finish-from flat to glossy-is fine. If the paint isn't specifically moisture resistant, Waganer recommends
choosing a semi-gloss, which is washable and more moisture resistant than flat paint.
BRIGHT LIGHTS
Before you select new lighting, consider the style of your current lighting. Some lights mount in the
ceiling, while others are attached to the wall. By maintaining the existing style, you can avoid the costly
electrical work necessary to rewire and relocate lights.
Another factor to consider is the amount of light produced. Some decorative lights require low-watt
bulbs that are inadequate for shaving, applying makeup and other daily rituals. Choose bathroom lights
that will accommodate bright bulbs so you can see well.
CLEAR THE CLUTTER
To control the clutter on countertops, invest in affordable storage. Wicker baskets, small cabinets and
decorative shelves provide alternative ways to organize bathroom necessities. Decluttering not only
simplifies your life, it also makes the room feel bigger.
overlooked in home decorating. Time to give the most-used room in the house an easy makeover! Its size
makes it an affordable weekend do-it-yourself project.
Browse high-end department stores, catalogs or Web sites to find a look you like, then replicate it
without busting your budget. Discount stores often have similar items at significant savings.
SHOWER POWER
If your shower doors are outdated, consider replacing them with a stylish shower curtain instead.
Curtains and liners eliminate the need to scrub soap scum and can easily be replaced as seasons or styles
change. They come in a vast array of colors and fabrics, often with matching accessories.
Coordinating the shower curtain with the window curtain, rugs and towels gives the bathroom a
cohesive feel. Matching soap dispenser, trash can and other accoutrements round out the room.
Outdated drawer pulls and cabinet knobs are also affordable and easy to replace. Whether your taste
is traditional or contemporary, you can extend the life of old cabinetry by sprucing it up with new hardware.
QUICK FIX
Take the opportunity to make minor repairs before painting. Fill in any cracks or holes in the walls.
Minor imperfections can be masked with a few coats of paint.
When Jeremy Huffstedtler painted his master bathroom, he noticed a chip in the bathtub. He says an
inexpensive repair kit from a home-improvement store solved the problem.
"It was a simple process. I just filled in the chip with the resin mixture, let it dry and sanded it smooth," he
says. The fill comes in a variety of colors to match bathtub finishes.
A SPLASH OF COLOR
A fresh coat of paint can revive a room. From bashful to bold, the color possibilities are nearly endless.
"The color you choose depends on your taste. There's no right or wrong choice. Typically lighter colors
open up a room and make it look larger, and darker colors close it in," says Jon Waganer, an interior
painter with more than seven years of experience. "Most people seem to prefer lighter colors in the
bathroom, but a rich, bold color can look really nice, too."
Waganer says prep work is the most important step in the painting process. Lightly rubbing the walls
with drywall sandpaper before painting will ensure a smooth surface, he says. Water spots should be
covered with a primer prior to painting
Using moisture-resistant paint is important in the bathroom, he says. If the paint is moisture resistant,
any finish-from flat to glossy-is fine. If the paint isn't specifically moisture resistant, Waganer recommends
choosing a semi-gloss, which is washable and more moisture resistant than flat paint.
BRIGHT LIGHTS
Before you select new lighting, consider the style of your current lighting. Some lights mount in the
ceiling, while others are attached to the wall. By maintaining the existing style, you can avoid the costly
electrical work necessary to rewire and relocate lights.
Another factor to consider is the amount of light produced. Some decorative lights require low-watt
bulbs that are inadequate for shaving, applying makeup and other daily rituals. Choose bathroom lights
that will accommodate bright bulbs so you can see well.
CLEAR THE CLUTTER
To control the clutter on countertops, invest in affordable storage. Wicker baskets, small cabinets and
decorative shelves provide alternative ways to organize bathroom necessities. Decluttering not only
simplifies your life, it also makes the room feel bigger.
| Written by Lori Harlan. All Rights Reserved. Published September 2007 by The Homesteader - York County & Lancaster County, South Carolina, Edition. |
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