We Answer Wednesday - Quick Bathroom Updates

"I am in need of a makeover for my bathroom.  I don't have a big budget so I cannot renovate but I need some quick and easy ideas to freshen up my bathroom."

The bathroom is one of the smallest but also one of the most used rooms in the home.  A renovated bathroom can be costly and time consuming but you definitely have some easy updates that are quick and affordable that can really make a splash!

Try working with the colour scheme in the bathroom instead of against it.  So if you have coloured tile - add some complimentary colour in there.  If you fight with the colour or ignore it - you won't get the end result you want!

Change up the textiles - easy and affordable! So add a new shower curtain and liner, add some new towels too and maybe even a bathmat! Stay from toilet covers...



Add some fresh bling - so switch out your old cabinetry hardware and add some new knobs or handles! This is a quick change but it really makes a difference (this is also a great update for a kitchen). If you are handy, you could even update your towel bar an toilet paper holder.



Switch up your mirror - adding a new mirror with a decorative frame will instantly freshen up your space and give it a custom look and feel without the custom price tag! If your lighting is looking a bit dated (and you are handy) consider updating the lighting as well.



Add some accessories - a plant, some art, candles, new soap dispensers - easy updates that make the space feel and look new again!

 

If you are looking to take it to the next level, consider paint! It's a small space so it would be a quick weekend job but be sure to get the right paint so let the salesperson know that you are painting a bathroom. 



Sprucing up your bathroom is also a great idea if you are considering selling your home.  When we stage bathrooms we like to keep them clean and clutter free but also styled in neutral tones and add some accessories to set the scene.

How to make an old home look (and feel) new

My husband is a real estate agent and he often finds himself in homes that just look old and tired but many seem to have great potential, they just need a few updates to bring it into current day style.  He shares a lot of easy tips and tricks with his clients on how to make an old home look and feel new again without compromising on character.  As an interior decorator and home stager, I couldn't agree with him more. Plus these are great tips if you are thinking of selling your home in the not-so-distant future - keep it current looking - buyers will take notice

Here are some easy tricks to get an old home feeling new, again....

1 - Clean or replace carpets.
Make the space feel fresh with new carpet. It will instantly add a brand-new feeling to your home. If you are living there and like carpet than that's fine but if this is an update for sale - price out replacing the carpet with hardwood or a laminate (that looks like hardwood). 





2 - Make it cohesive.
A lot can be lost through the years—an update here and an update there can leave your house in a state of mismatched chaos. Determine whether you want room-by-room finishes to be the same throughout the house. The cohesive pattern will help your home feel polished, thus giving it new life.

 

3 -  Install new doors.
 If you really want to go all out, replace your doors with Shaker-style doors or six-panel ones. A front door can also add a lot of curb appeal. If that doesn't fit in your budget - paint the front door!

 

4 -  Update outlets, light switches, and plates
My husband and I have found that this is something that made a significant difference in all three of the older homes we've lived in. Some may have yellowed, been painted over, or have had various shapes and styles. Update your house by switching all of the light switches and plates. Note: If you're not experienced in doing this, hire a licensed electrician or find a great online video source and watch a few tutorials. It's relatively simple, yet tedious work. We also updated yellowed alarms, thermostats, doorbells and smoke detectors.

 

 5 - Repair walls.
In the past, we had purchased our home, it was apparent that years of poor quality DIY patching had taken place. We had our painter fix the blemishes and fill all 240 nail holes. Yes, 240. Now when the light shines on them, it looks like new drywall.

 

6 -  Add light...
 Whether it's adding curtains, replacing light bulbs, or removing screens, adding light in your home is an easy way to breathe new life into each room. Remove vertical blinds they are so dated!

 

7 - ...and paint.
A current and cohesive paint palette brings your home into the present and makes it feel fresh. If you stay away from yellow based tones that is recommended, when this get 'yellowed' they look aged.

 


8 -  Remove dated fixtures.
Updating lights and hardware on kitchen and bathroom cabinets are easy ways to make your home feel like new.

 

9 -  Refinish hardwood.
 Choose an appropriate stain and give your hardwoods new life. I remember being astonished at how inexpensive it was to do the living room in our previous home and it made such a huge difference!

Spring Change Up

Spring is finally here!  And it's time to refresh your space and you can do just that without blowing the bank.

For an easy bouquet try a few clippings of leafy branches in a clear vase.

 

For a quick update for your sofa, try adding some new pillows, mix colour and pattern.  And for a total refresh try a slipcover especially if your current sofa is dark try a light slipcover

Looking for a new coffee table, swap out a traditional coffee table for an upholstered bench or ottoman.  the fabric is a great pop of colour or an injection of print in the space.  for a flat surface just add a tray for serving drinks and snacks


Change up your wall decor with a simple gallery; mix up one large piece, two medium and two small - you can mix up your frames: black, white or metallic just have a theme with your artwork

Refresh those dining chairs with some new upholstery with some colour and print.  and if it is the type of seat that can pop off this is an easy DIY project

Change up your main light fixtures like in the eat-in kitchen or dining room.  There are tons of great options - farm house, industrial, chandelier or modern

 

Refresh your bed, a make over in minutes - turn down the coverlet, add a contrasting colour with a throw and add a few small pillows or a bolster in a colour or print

Rearranging your furniture is an easy and cost effective way to refresh your space.  Move furniture around or even try it in different rooms

Refresh your 'old' pieces by adding some new ones.  Your older items will look new again or at least they will stand out more due to the contrast

 

Have a statement piece in each room - it could be art, a furniture item, a rug really anything!  That piece can really set the tone of your space and make a huge impact

Freshen up those windows with some new pre-made curtain panels.  Easy to install, affordable and wow what a difference. 

Update that fireplace with paint!  Yes paint!  If you have a dated brick fireplace and need a quick and easy makeover, try painting it.  Lighter is better - it looks clean and chic!

Hooray for Hardware!!

So one of my favourite and easy fixes for a kitchen, bathroom and an outdated piece of furniture is new hardware.  This is a great way to update a piece or just give it a new 'style spin' .  This is a very easy and inexpensive way to make a big impact!  This is a great tip if you are looking to sell your home and what some easy ideas to update the space.

In my last home, we had a very plain faced kitchen cabinet door - we purchased a very modern looking handle and it made our kitchen look so new and current - it really changed the look of the whole space.  In our current home, we changed out our old brass very 1980's cabinet pulls and opted for a more current one in a brushed chrome. 



Sometimes the pulls and knobs can be the show stopper of the space.  Last year, we renovated a turn of the century home into a real estate office.  In the kitchens and bathrooms we used crystal knobs which added so much sparkle to the rooms and also worked well with the age of the home.



The installation of knobs and pulls is so easy and takes next to no time at all!  What a little fix for a big impact!!