Home Makeover Diva

Home Design Makeover Ideas

Refinishing Or Replacing Your Bathroom Vanity Cabinet

09.13.2019 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Carissa writes:

Dear Diva, I’ve lived in my house for 4 years now and I can’t take my master bathroom any longer! It’s fixtures are old and I’m ready for a re-do! Problem is, my budget isn’t very big. I have given it a lot of thought, and I think if I change the bathroom vanity I can get the biggest bang out of my buck! Problem is, I don’t know what to do. How do I decide whether I need to completely replace the vanity or if I can get away with just refinishing it? Any help would be gladly accepted! 

replace-or-refinish-bathroom-vanityCarissa, depending on the age of your home, this question may be easier to answer then you think. If you live in an older home or the fixtures in the bathroom are ancient, you may need to figure out what needs to be replaced first. To quote my grandmother; “If it won’t last the winter, then you need to replace it!” The reason I’m pointing this out is because I’ve seen countless home owners refinish items on the outside that were aesthetically displeasing, and then run out of money to replace the internal items that actually needed to be addressed. For example: refinishing the outside of an outdated vanity cabinet is nice, but if your plumbing is leaking or problematic, you won’t be able to use it.

Your first step should be figuring out what really needs to be replaced. Put aesthetics aside for a moment, and consider the state of the plumbing in your existing bathroom vanity. Is anything internally leaking, cracked, or just unusable? If you can answer yes to any of these, then you need to fix that item first before you move onto the cabinet portion of the vanity. If the answer is no, and you just don’t like the look of your bathroom vanity, then check out the pros and cons list below to help you decide on your next step.

Refinish your bathroom vanity cabinet

To refinish your vanity cabinet, you’ll need to first remove the old hardware. This means removing all vanity handles and pulls, as well as the hinges. The logic behind this is that you’ll have an easier time painting the doors and cabinet once they are removed. Next, wash the cabinet with a good household cleaner to remove any surface residue and dirt. For vanities that have been previously painted, I’d recommend sanding off the existing paint before applying a new coat.

  • For cabinets that have been stained on the other hand, I’d recommend using a deglosser before applying a primer. Watch this video on how to paint old cabinets to learn about Deglosser and go over the basics of refinishing a bathroom vanity cabinet. Once you’ve sanded or deglossed your vanity, apply the primer, and wait the recommended time for it to dry. Then apply your paint. Read the instructions on the paint can for best results. Typically, you’ll apply a minimum of 2 coats of paint. Then apply the new hardware and you’re set!

Vanity Cabinet

  • If you are new to painting cabinets, have multiple cabinets to paint, or just like having everything you need paint-wise in one handy kit, you might want to check out Rust-Oleum’s Cabinet Transformations painting system. It’s DIY friendly, comes in a variety of colors and helps simplify the process. I’ll admit it would be a little spendy if you’re working on only one tiny vanity cabinet since it starts at around $75 per kit. But for newbies and larger projects, I think it’s well worth the extra money.

One quick additional note, not all bathroom vanities are created equally. For example, a solid wood cabinet will be easier to refinish then a particle board one. Not to mention, that as life happens in your bathroom the new paint on the particle board will scratch and crack much easier than a painted piece of solid wood. For vanity cabinets that are made of particle board or have laminate veneers, I strongly suggest going the replacement route instead.

Refinishing Pros: Inexpensive, easy to do, and versatile – you can make the cabinet any color you choose!

Refinishing Cons: Doesn’t work well on particle board or laminate veneers, will not fix functional concerns, or increase storage space.

Replace your bathroom vanity cabinet

  • To replace your vanity cabinet, you’ll need to remove the old one and replace it with a new one. Keep in mind, you will also have to uninstall and reinstall all of the plumbing, as well. Depending on your DIY skill level, you may want to consider hiring someone to do this project for you. Watch this video on how to install a bathroom vanity to help you decide if you are up to the task. Plumbing is one of those home improvement projects that I warn people to only do if they’re confident in their DIY abilities and they can follow directions closely. I’m not trying to scare anyone, rather warn them that if it isn’t done correctly you could be creating a bigger problem for yourself – like a water leak or mold issue down the line.
  • Bathroom vanities come in a wide range of colors and styles, so you should be able to find the right vanity for your home. Not to mention, a wide range of prices, starting at as little as $39 and going up in the thousands of dollars. Because of this, I recommend waiting to choose a new cabinet until you’ve had a chance to sit down and go over your budget. This way you’ll have enough money to get the entire project done and won’t spend it all on the new vanity. Another important tip to mention, is to make sure you measure your old vanity or the space you have for a new vanity before going shopping. There is nothing worse than falling in love with and purchasing something that won’t work in your space!

Replacing Pros: Choose a whole new style, get more storage and increased functionality.

Replacing Cons: There are many steps involved in the installation process, and it can be expensive to have someone do it for you.

Whether you replace or refinish your existing bathroom vanity, I’m confident that you’ll make the right decision based on your own personal needs, style and budget!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Categories // Bathroom, Featured

Best Place to Buy Window Blinds on a Budget

09.12.2019 by Amanda Hartley //

Finding the right type of window blinds for your home without spending a lot of money can be challenging. The real secret is locating a window covering that is functional and cost effective. To do this, you’ll need to learn to shop differently than you might have in the past. Be open to online deals and most importantly, ask questions.

What are you looking for in a new window blind? There are important factors you must consider before buying new blinds.

Cost, value and placement for your window blinds

Our gut instinct when shopping for window coverings is to get the best deal possible. We try to balance this out with our decor, yet we often “settle” on window coverings due to budget constraints.

It’s an easy trap to fall into, so please consider the following advice:

  1. How often do you want to replace your blinds? Buying low end window coverings now can save a few dollars, but is it worth it long term? Buy new blinds once, get as many years out of them as possible.
  2. Put cheaper blinds in areas that make the most sense. Consider installing cheaper blinds in rooms that see less activity. Blinds that aren’t opened and closed as as often see less wear and tear over time. In higher traffic living spaces, consider a quality blind that has greater resilience.

Bargain shopping for blinds

Wood Blinds

Most people do their window blind shopping locally. On the surface, this makes sense. You can touch, test and examine potential blind choices in person. Unfortunately, this luxury can come at a cost. There are also challenges with online shopping. Prices can be better, but you might forget pricing from one day to the next. Worse, you forgot where you found a good blind sale.

To get the most out of your blind shopping (locally or online), incorporate the following tips:

  1. Keep a working notebook with you at all times. Use a pen and paper to track down potential blind choices you’re looking at. Write down the date, store, price of the blinds in your notebook. Also, write down what your like about the specific blind you’re considering.
  2. Broaden your search to include the Internet. Most people find the only advantage to shopping locally is the showroom to look at blinds. There are exceptions of course. Sometimes you can gain access to an industry veteran who has years of experience. But more often than not, they know brand names and little more.

Best places to shop for budget friendly blinds online

To be all inclusive in your search for window blinds, leave no stone unturned. Here are some of the best places to find budget friendly blinds:

  1. The Home Depot. This company has stores just about everywhere. They also have an online store where you can buy blinds and pick them up locally without shipping costs. The same exact thing would also apply to Lowe’s, so be sure to include them in your quest for cheap window coverings.
  2. Overstock’s blind and shade department. They have ongoing sales running along side of their already discounted pricing scheme. I’ve seen blinds going for clearance prices here more times than I can count.
  3. Bed Bath & Beyond includes Blinds. It’s worth noting you’re not going to find much in the way of window coverings at your local store. However, searching Bed Bath & Beyond’s website for “window blinds” yields promising results. Search results can be sorted by color, type and size.
  4. Factory Direct Blinds. Fantastic deals here, especially if you pay attention to their “budget friendly” section. Window blind types available range from 25% off their regular price or more. This site has an outstanding selection of blinds available.

Final thoughts to remember before buying your blinds

Bamboo Blinds

No matter where or how you buy your window blinds, remember to always ask the following:

  1. Shipping, is there a deal to where you can get free shipping? If the answer isn’t readily available, ask. Locally, ask a sales rep. Online, email or chat with customer service to find out if this is an area you can save some money on.
  2. Can you get a discount if you include more than one blind? Also ask if buying over a certain dollar amount in blinds allows for a discounted rate on your total bill. The worst anyone can say is no.
  3. What is the return policy if you have buyer’s remorse? This last tip is an important one. Damaged goods, colors looked different in a showroom or in a web browser – these things do happen. Find out how easy it is to return purchased blinds should you need to.

Categories // Window Treatments

1 Inch Blinds vs 2 Inch Blinds

09.10.2019 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Thomas asks:

I’m getting ready to put new blinds in my condo and I’m not sure what I want. What is the difference between 1″ blinds vs 2″ blinds?

Well Thomas, that is a very good question.  It’s very difficult to decide what type of window blinds to purchase, especially if you don’t know much about window treatments.  So I’ve narrowed it down to the four most important differences between 1″ blinds and 2″ blinds:

one-vs-two-inch-blinds#1 Light control – When you have the blinds all the way down and the slats tilted open, you can see out easier with a 2″ blind then you can with a 1″ blind. Thus, you maintain more of your view and you get more light coming into a room with a 2″ blind tilted open than a 1″ blind.

#2 Clean-ability – Generally speaking 2″ blinds are easier to clean as well.  Especially if you are comparing a wood or faux wood blind to an aluminum mini blind.

#3 Weight – The 1″ mini blind weighs less than faux or wood blinds.  This is especially important for windows over 6′ long.  The slats of a window blind that large may bow with the weight.

#4 Price – When comparing price 1″ mini blinds can be less than half the cost of 2″ blinds.  This price gap grows the larger the blind gets.

As you can see, these four differences are substantial. What it comes down to for most people is price and functionality.  If you are still having trouble deciding between the two choices, pick the feature that is most important to you!  This will help you be happier with your choice in the long run!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe(diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Categories // Featured, Window Blinds Tags // 1" blinds, 2" blinds, aluminum mini blind, faux wood blinds, faux wood shades, min blinds, wood blinds

Cheap Cellular Shades

09.09.2019 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Kathy writes:

Can you find cheap cellular shades? I saw your article on hunter douglas but I don’t want to spend that much. I’m purchasing them for a vacation home and don’t want to spend that much money on somewhere we only spend a couple of months out of the year. What do you suggest?

Kathy, I don’t blame you for not wanting to spend as much money in your vacation home. If you’re just looking for cheap cellular shades there are many options out there. First of all, you can dramatically reduce the price by purchasing something off the shelf instead of something special ordered. This can be done by shopping online to more locally at home improvement stores. With just a little research I’m sure you’ll find something that is right for your vacation home! Here are a few places you could go to check out prices and available selections.

1) Lowes – Lowes Improvement stores have a couple different styles in stock that are ready to go. Most stores carry at least two brands; Levolor and allen + roth. At the store near my house, they carry Levolor Cellulars that can be cut down to size, happen to be cordless and offer the blackout option. The color is a neutral off white called “sand” and I remember the price being pretty reasonable considering they’re cordless and blackout options included.  The allen + roth cellulars were also cordless but they didn’t offer the blackout option. That said, they did come in a nice tan/brown color that was very reasonably priced at under $50 for a 47″ wide by 58″ high cellular shade.

2) Super Centers – Also check out local super centers. I know that places like Target, Fred Meyer and even Walmart are starting to carry select colors and sizes in stock and online. I was surprised to find that top down/ bottom up cellular shades were available at Target here recently. The color is neutral and the price is $39.99 for a 23″ W x 64″ H shade. Sizes are limited but depending on your window size, you may be able to make it work out.Cheap Cellular Shades

3) On the Web – Don’t forget to look online. There are a ton of virtual storefronts offering cheap cellular shades. Just grab a list of your sizes and start your search from there. If you know what size you are looking for, it’s easier to compare prices from site to site. There are places like Blinds Galore which is a great site that has a lot of choices. Perhaps instead you can look at discount sites and department stores such as JCPenny or Sears. You’ll find a plethora of choices once you start searching.

No matter where you look, whether it be locally or online, I’m confident you’ll be able to find some cheap cellular shades that fit the bill for your vacation home. Just grab your window sizes and start searching!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe(diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Categories // Window Shades Tags // blackout shades, Cellular shades, cheap cellular shades, Levolor, roth cellulars

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Planks And Tile

08.09.2016 by Amanda Hartley //

The most popular and fastest growing flooring type on the market today is Luxury Vinyl Plank or Tile. LVP (wood look) and LVT (tile look) for short. But why has this type of flooring gained so much of the market and does it deserve it? In this article, we will examine what makes luxury vinyl products so popular, as well as it’s pros and cons.

Choosing The Right Luxury Vinyl

  • Luxe Plank™ Luxury Vinyl By Armstrong – Two types of vinyl tiles available from Armstrong, Alterna and Alterna Reserve. Both styles offer a great natural stone look. However Alterna Reserve boasts a more stunning overall appearance that you would find with higher end stones. Luxe Plank™can be installed without grout if you prefer. Another consideration is that this luxury vinyl is available in tiles or planks. This allows you the option of using tiles in one part of your home while installing planks in another area.  If you want a realistic looking floor that is modern and durable, Luxe Plank™might be right for you.
  • Floorte™: Luxury Vinyl Flooring By Shaw – Floorte™ offers you authentic luxury vinyl floors with a bright, impactful color palette. This vinyl flooring is waterproof, flexible, and durable. This vinyl flooring is a great idea for bathrooms, basements or anyplace else where exposure to water might take place. Floorte™is easily installed using its FOLD N GO™ locking system for easier flooring installation.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Popularity

So why is Luxury vinyl so popular? After all, isn’t Vinyl a bad word? Many clients have told me, “All the vinyl flooring, I’ve ever seen looks cheap.” It’s time to lose your preconceived notions and stop thinking about the vinyl flooring of yesteryear folks! Just in the last 15 years alone, the manufacturing technology has changed so much.Walnut_Vinyl_Flooring

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Offers Realism

Today’s vinyl flooring looks amazing. I’ve seen plank vinyl that looks like REAL wood. And vinyl tile I’ve had to feel with my own two hands before I could tell if it was porcelain or vinyl. And I’ve been doing this for 15 years. I used to be able to walk into a room and tell immediately what type of flooring is. Now I have to look closer, and often times feel it for warmth or texture before I can tell. On a few occasions, I’ve even had to pull up a flooring vent to see the cut edge of the flooring before I knew what it was. At first, I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t tell by just looking. After all, I’m the Home Makeover Diva. I should just know, right? Lol. Instead of being embarrassed, I’m ecstatic that vinyl looks so darn realistic. That means the flooring industry is doing something right and continues to innovate.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring is Waterproof

I strongly believe that the biggest reason Luxury Vinyl Plank is so popular is because it gives you the look of hardwood, but in a nice waterproof package. Meaning that people with kids and pets can finally have ‘nice things’. Want to put hardwood in the bathroom, but afraid of it swelling because the kids take baths in that room? No worries, luxury vinyl has you covered. Want hardwood in your kitchen, but afraid your Golden Retriever will get more water on the floor than in his mouth? That’s okay, water cleans up easy, and won’t cause the vinyl to swell under the water dish.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring is Durable

Luxury Vinyl comes in a variety of thicknesses with a range of warranties. Some are recommended for residential use only, but many have light to heavy commercial warranties. The reasoning for this is because most luxury vinyl products have the same type of finish as laminate flooring. Aluminum Oxide finishes are tough and help keep your flooring looking newer longer. Add this to a floor type that isn’t easy to dent and you have something that can take a beating but keep on ticking.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Pros And Cons

Writing out a separate list of pros seems redundant. The above items that make the flooring so popular are biggest reasons to purchase luxury vinyl. Add to that, the wide range of colors, styles and price points and it’s easy to see why anyone would choose luxury vinyl over another type of flooring.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Is Durable, But Not Bulletproof

Let’s not forget that while luxury vinyl is very durable, it’s not bulletproof. It’s important to remember that no matter what a sales person tells you, luxury vinyl isn’t invincible. Any type of flooring is susceptible to damage. This is true of Luxury Vinyl, even the commercial rated stuff. If you drag a piece of furniture across it, it will scratch. If you have a large dog and never clip its nails, it can leave marks. If you don’t put door mats at exterior doors and track in pieces of gravel and debris it will scratch or dent your flooring.  If you don’t use felt pads under your furniture legs, especially dining room chairs, you will scratch it. But these are all easily avoidable issues. And rules you should follow for any type of flooring. By simply using common sense you can avoid most of these issues.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Isn’t For Excessive Amounts Of Water

As for the flooring being 100% waterproof, if your fridge has a slow leak for days or weeks, it could damage the flooring. The fact is no flooring is warrantied for a water leak or excessive water. Let me repeat that, NO FLOORING IS WARRANTIED FOR A WATER LEAK. That doesn’t mean Luxury Vinyl will be damaged if you catch the water leak immediately. It just means it will probably fail if you go on vacation and come home 3 days after your water heater floods, and an inch of water has been sitting on it the whole time.

The Bottomline With Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Luxury vinyl is a solid flooring choice. This vinyl performs exceedingly well when common sense practices are used. If I had a dollar for every bad comment I’ve read online, about a product that ‘failed’ but was really an easily avoidable mistake, I’d be writing this article while sunbathing on a tropical island.

I would gladly put luxury vinyl in any room of my house. I have two older dogs, and my goal is to replace the flooring in the entire house with Luxury Vinyl Plank. My biggest reason, being because it’s waterproof. While pet accidents don’t happen very often, I’d love the peace of mind in knowing that I can easily clean up any mess.

 

Categories // Vinyl

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Cheap Cellular Shades

Cheap Cellular Shades

Today Kathy writes: Can you find cheap cellular shades? I saw your article on hunter douglas but I don’t want to spend that much. I’m purchasing them for a vacation home and don’t want to spend that much money on somewhere we only spend a couple of months out of the year. What do you […]

1 Inch Blinds vs 2 Inch Blinds

Today Thomas asks: I’m getting ready to put new blinds in my condo and I’m not sure what I want. What is the difference between 1″ blinds vs 2″ blinds? Well Thomas, that is a very good question.  It’s very difficult to decide what type of window blinds to purchase, especially if you don’t know […]

replace-or-refinish-bathroom-vanity

Refinishing Or Replacing Your Bathroom Vanity Cabinet

Today Carissa writes: Dear Diva, I’ve lived in my house for 4 years now and I can’t take my master bathroom any longer! It’s fixtures are old and I’m ready for a re-do! Problem is, my budget isn’t very big. I have given it a lot of thought, and I think if I change the bathroom […]

healthy-carpet-choices

Healthy Carpet Choices

Today Pamela writes, Hello Diva, Please help me as I’m confused on which eco-friendly/healthy carpet to choose for my bedroom!  I know wool is good but I cannot handle the idea of bugs leaving eggs in it.  After reading the blog I know my choices are: Mohawk Smartstrand vs Dupont Sorona vs Beaulieu’s Bliss.  I even read […]

smartstrand vs shaw r2x carpet

Mohawk Smartstrand vs. Shaw R2X Carpet

Recently I found a series of videos on YouTube that reminded me of the Mac vs. Windows commercials we’ve all seen on TV. The difference however, was that these videos were for Mohawk Smartstrand vs. Shaw R2X Carpet!  Needless to say I was intrigued. With the exception of Armstrong, I’ve found that most flooring commercials […]

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