Failing to plan is equivalent to planning to fail, or so the saying goes. The same can be said in your Do-It-Yourself, or DIY home remodel. Planning gives you a framework and timeframe for the remodeling project, which exponentially increases the chance of its success.

This article will guide you on how to do a home renovation on a budget. It also discusses various DIY ideas for home improvement and other tips.

How to Survive a DIY Home Remodel

A DIY home improvement can be tricky, especially if you are unfamiliar with handiwork. Hence, to survive a DIY home remodel, you must familiarize yourself with the remodeling process.

You need to know about various tricks on tricks on a DIY project. To save money, you must learn how to redo bathroom cabinets for cheap. Aside from acquiring handiwork skills, you also need to know the most affordable materials that you can find.

Next, you need to learn how to manage your time and resources. A typical remodeling project usually takes three to six months. Thus, you need to plan which days you can allot for the project. You can hire a handyman or contractor to perform the more complex tasks.

DIY Home Improvement to Boost Curb Appeal

Aside from maintaining your property, a DIY home improvement can boost curb appeal. Home remodels can also keep or increase property value when done right.

But before you begin your DIY home renovation, first look at the building plans of your property. Doing so will help you better understand specific sections of your house.

Below are some of the critical elements you can incorporate into your DIY remodeling project:

Start with Proper Planning

Always start with a plan, whether your home renovation is as simple as repairing damaged parts or a complete section overhaul. If you don’t have any experience creating a building plan, hire an architect or an engineer to create one for you.

Moreover, you should also consider various factors such as the project’s budget and how long it would take to finish.

Freshen up the Walls

Painting the walls with fresh paint is one of the most common DIY home renovation tasks. Applying spray paint to walls and other objects is also relatively straightforward.

Freshening up the walls is simple and doesn’t require complicated tools. However, the real challenge comes in picking the right paint color that is the same as the old one or a new color that can complement the overall aesthetics.

Improve Window Treatments

There are three categories of window treatments: hard window treatments, soft window treatments, and layered window treatments.

Hard window treatments are made of vinyl, wood, and other hard materials. Examples of this type of treatment include blinds, shutters, and shades. On the other hand, soft window treatments are made of soft materials. Curtains, drapes, valances, and swags fall into this category.

Meanwhile, a layered window treatment is a combination of both hard and soft window treatments. You may want to get DIY ideas for home renovations on the Internet to improve your window treatment.

Refresh Bathroom Floors and Cabinets

Changing your bathroom floor mat and cabinets can easily give this part of the house a different look. However, you also have to consider whether it’s practical or not. While changing for aesthetic reasons is good, it would be ideal if the other reason is you want better functionality.

If you want to save money, you also have the option of altering your cabinets by adding new features such as slides in the storage area. Today, most modern bathroom use vanity cabinets, which combine a countertop, sink, and mirror into one piece of furniture.

Paint or Stain Kitchen Cabinets

Much like painting walls, staining your kitchen cabinets is something almost everyone can do. Painting cabinets generally gives them a cleaner and more modern look. Meanwhile, staining can give the cabinets a more classic and natural appearance.

However, you need to carefully research the products you will use. After all, some paints can be expensive, and removing or adding a layer is another challenge altogether.

Upgrade Cabinet Knobs and Drawer Handles

Replacing drawer handles and cabinet knobs is a simple way to upgrade the look of the room where they are in. You can also choose from various designs, from plain ones to those with intricate details. If you are choosing metal knobs or handles, choose those which does not rust easily.

Paint the Front Door

Painting your front door requires little effort as it requires only a few tools. However, you also need to take into consideration whether the color you choose matches that of the walls and windows.

Furthermore, it should blend well with the plants and the hardscape of your lawn.

Ask Help if You Need It

Performing a DIY home remodel can be confusing, especially if you are doing various renovations simultaneously.

If you are finding troubles in your DIY home improvement, don’t forget to contact us. We are a team of professional remodelers who can help you with project planning and execution. Our company also specializes in landscaping and improving outdoor spaces.

 

Spooky Season is fast approaching, and that means it is time to start preparing your Halloween decor. If you are looking to host a get-together to celebrate the holiday and want to serve some tasty snacks to your guests, you may want to consider crafting a spooky Halloween kitchen in your home.

Putting together your own DIY Halloween kitchen decor is a lot simpler than you would think; here are some of our best decorative ideas for your Halloween party!

Start by Decorating the Windows

An easy place to start designing your horror-themed kitchen is the windows. Surround your party area with creepy decorations, and you will instantly set a spooky mood for your guests.

Ideal Halloween window decorations are spider webs and plastic spiders; they’re easy to apply, suit being on windows and some of your guests are sure to get a fright thinking you have actual arachnids crawling around!

Decorate Your Kitchen Cabinets for Halloween

We are passionate about kitchen cabinets here at Majestic Cabinets, and we have a few tips on how to decorate yours for Halloween!

Hang a few orange kitchen towels from your cabinets to tie into the orange-themed holiday of Halloween to set the mood, and stick a few Halloween decorations to your cabinets to really make them pop.
Apply fake blood, hang a plastic bat or two or plastic barbed wire, and your kitchen will look like a murder scene in no time.

Your kitchen cabinets shouldn’t always look like a horror movie set, though; if you are looking to upgrade your kitchen cabinets, contact us and get a quote today!

Consider Shelves With a Creepy Touch

Adding a few Halloween-themed decorations to your shelves is an easy way to create a spooky atmosphere in your kitchen area with minimal fuss.

Pop a few plastic skulls, jack-o’-lanterns, or other scary props in and amongst what you usually keep on your shelves, and transform your kitchen into an eerie environment.

Hide a few decorations inside your cabinet’s shelves to get a jump scare or two out of your poor guests when they go fetch themselves a glass or a drink.

Add a “Trick-or-Treat Board” to Your Spooky Halloween Kitchen

Food is a must to keep your guests happy if you are looking at hosting your Halloween festivities in your kitchen. A Halloween Trick or Treat Charcuterie Board is an easy method to keep your guest’s tummies full all night long!

Since Halloween is all about candy, filling your Trick-or-Treat Board with sweet treats is essential! Sour worms, Skittles, and Twizzlers are not only delicious options but are also super vibrant in color, making them an excellent fit for this colorful holiday.

If some of your more health-conscious guests are not into sugary treats, consider providing healthier colorful alternatives such as melon cubes or orange slices, which are not only on theme due to their orange color but taste great and are good for you too!

Don’t Forget About Freaky Faced Pumpkins

Jack-o’-lanterns are a staple of Halloween tradition for a good reason. These eye-catching and visually striking decorations are fun to make and instantly add to the overall Halloween aesthetic.

When it comes to decorating your kitchen for Halloween, no spooky season decor would be complete without a glowing jack-o’-lantern or two.

Use the Kitchen Curtains Creatively

The age-old hiding behind the curtain cliche is a staple in the world of horror movies, so why not integrate this tactic into your Halloween horror kitchen to really get the hair on your guest’s neck standing up?

Hide a decorative skeleton or bloody hand behind your curtains, and the poor guest who is unlucky enough to take a peak will be left with goosebumps.

Choose Classic Halloween Colors For Horror-Themed Kitchen

Most important of all, when trying to create the spooky Halloween vibe, is to use the correct colors. Orange is by far the most associated color with Halloween, so make sure to prioritize having as much orange as you can in the form of carved pumpkins, candy, and general decor.

Due to their dark and gory nature, black and red are also synonymous with Halloween. A little bit of fake blood goes a long way in creating the most unsettling kitchen space you can for your party.

Black is a great color as it is not as visually striking, so it can be used to get a scare or two out of your guests sneakily; consider hanging toy spiders or bats from your roof to catch partygoers off guard.

When Should You Start Getting Ready for Halloween?

Halloween is a super popular holiday worldwide and has developed into a cultural phenomenon due to its close association with horror movies.

This is why getting started on your Halloween preparations early is crucial, to make sure you attain all the perfect ingredients for a night of fun and fear!

Do you need a kitchen layout that saves space? If you don’t have much room available, don’t hesitate to consider a galley kitchen design. It doesn’t matter if you are doing the project from scratch or remodeling an existing space. Here’s what you should know before you start a galley kitchen remodel project!

What Is a Galley Kitchen?

Galley kitchens originate from ships and other transportation options, such as trains and planes. They refer to kitchenette areas used to prepare food for the crew and passengers. The specific “galley” design involves counters, cabinets, and appliances on one or two sides.

There would be a hallway that serves as a traffic aisle between them. The alternative name “corridor kitchen” comes from that mandatory hallway. The fixtures could be on a single side or both if there’s sufficient space.

What Are the Pros and Cons of a Galley Kitchen?

Why would you consider a galley kitchen remodel? Here are the main advantages of this design:

• It saves space. This kitchen idea is perfect for tight areas, especially if the room available is long and narrow.
• Everything is nearby. Whether you need something from the fridge or a utensil, you won’t have to take more than a few steps to reach it.
• It’s an affordable design. Kitchen remodeling can be expensive. If you are on a tight budget, a galley kitchen makeover is a smart move, especially since it can save money on flooring and cabinets.
• You get an efficient and safe kitchen. Most interior design experts suggest clustering major kitchen hubs like electrical and water. It optimizes the workflow and makes your kitchen safe.

Before you remodel the galley kitchen space, here are some downsides to consider:

• It doesn’t offer excellent traffic flow. The hallways in most galley kitchens.  kitchen remodel ideas are narrow, making them crowded for two people. Additionally, there’s often a dead end on one side.
• It’s hard to fit large appliances. The limited space makes it hard to fit big dishwashers and other appliances.
• The countertop room you get isn’t impressive. If you need a larger space to prepare food, consider putting countertops on both sides.

Galley Kitchen Remodel Tips and Ideas

Although offering a bigger space feel is the main reason why people go with a galley kitchen renovation, it can be a good fit for large areas, too. Here are some design ideas that will help when planning a galley kitchen makeover!

• Paint the Walls a Space-Enhancing Shade

The cheapest way to “renovate” any room is to repaint the walls. Different colors will give the entire space a different feeling. You want a shade that creates an illusion of space. You can’t go wrong with white cabinets, but walls are more important.

It’s necessary to choose a space-enhancing color, so go with a light shade. Gray will fit a modern or traditional galley kitchen as a neutral color. Apart from the walls, don’t forget the ceiling. Pick a lighter tone or even emphasize contrast by combining dark fixtures with a white or beige ceiling.

• Add Windows and Let There Be Light

Natural light can make any room look more spacious. It can be a challenge but look for a way to secure sufficient sunlight in your kitchen. It’s best to place windows on one side, but that requires having enough space for that move.

Galley kitchen remodels experts also suggest considering adding glass to the kitchen door. This “window” would connect the kitchen to the next room and secure light from it. It also makes the kitchen less isolated from the rest of the house.

• Choose Understated Flooring

Your galley kitchen remodels ideas shouldn’t involve much experimentation with the flooring. Abstract patterns attract too much attention and make the space crowded. Even simple square patterns aren’t the best choice.

Instead, you want to go with wood floors. Pick light hardwood that looks classy but doesn’t draw attention. These floors are an excellent fit for a classic or modern galley kitchen, and they won’t be a significant item on your budget list.

• Install Sleek Cabinetry

Unlike flooring, cabinetry is where you can get creative while you remodel galley kitchen spaces. If you prefer a modern approach, go with straight lines and avoid panel doors. The hardware shouldn’t feature ornaments but be as simple as possible.

If you want to maximize the use of the space, consider adding upper kitchen cabinets. You can even pick a floor-to-ceiling set to secure more storage space. Either way, you get more space. If you want to create an illusion of a bigger area, a white backsplash is another smart move.

• Install Island on the Galley Kitchen

The galley kitchen basics don’t include an island, but how about spicing things up by adding this fixture? According to experts, you need at least 13 inches of space for an island and about 40 inches to move around it.

And the best part is you can go with a portable island. It’s movable, which allows using it as necessary. During food preparation, you can remove it to have a better traffic flow. But once the food is ready, it can serve as a dining table.

• Mix Up Your Materials

The biggest downside of a galley kitchen is that it can look “boring.” Even if you add open shelving and decorative elements, the design might not seem creative enough. If you want to make it stand out, the secret lies in using different materials.

Marble countertops are incredibly durable and look classy. You can combine them with stainless steel faucets and appliances. Glass fronts are an excellent addition to appliances and cabinets, primarily since glass reflects light and creates an illusion of space.

There is a lot to think about when remodeling a galley kitchen. We know how important it is to design a kitchen that is perfect for your family, so get in touch and we’ll be happy to help create the ideal kitchen for your home. Remember, a family that spends time together in the kitchen is a happy one.

Is it time to paint your bathroom? This isn’t the most glamorous job in the world but from time to time your home needs a bit of a refresh. The bathroom has to deal with a lot of moisture and conditions that other rooms don’t, so there are tips for painting a bathroom that may not apply to other rooms. We’ve covered some common painting mistakes in this article and we’re looking into tips on how to paint a bathroom..

Whether you are going through a full bathroom remodeling or just need a bit of a spruce up, these methods can be extremely useful, and make sure you don’t make any errors that mean having to start the whole job again!

Mistake #1: No Prep

Many people are guilty of just starting painting and don’t know how to prep the bathroom for painting. This means not doing the most effective job. In the bathroom, a lot can build up on the walls. For instance, soap scum and other annoying build-ups can occur and you need to make sure you clean the bathroom first. Cleaning the walls is vital.

Tip: Prepare Your Bathroom for Painting

The bathroom is the worst area for gunk and unwanted build-ups. So here is how to clean bathroom walls before painting

You can clean with Trisodium Phosphate, a cheap option that does a great job of cleaning. It is also a way to protect the paint job. Don’t start without cleaning the walls or you might find that the paint job is not as thorough.

Mistake #2: Using Regular Paint

Don’t just use any old paint you buy from the hardware store. This is a big mistake but one that is made very often! The bathroom is not the same as painting other rooms. Mildew and mold usually build up in it due to temperature changes and the bathroom being a hotbed for issues that can stem from damp conditions.

Tip: Know What Type of Paint is Best For A Bathroom

There are specific bathroom paints that are water and mold resistant The best type of paint for bathrooms is a satin, semi-gloss, or glossy finish with a mildew-resistant additive. The right chosen paint should last a while. Also pay attention to color to make sure it also looks nice.

Mistake #3: Uneven Paint

We know that painting a bathroom isn’t top of the list for things to do this week! However, rushing can cause streaks and uneven paintwork and then you will have to find ways to fix uneven paint on the walls. Make sure the walls are completely dry before you try to paint them. If doing multiple coats, make sure the previous has had a chance to dry.

Tip: Let Everything Dry Thoroughly

Rushing things can also lead to errors in detail. Be willing to spend a bit of extra time to make sure you’re happy with the job. Of course, if these tips don’t make it quick enough, our painting contractors can help you and take the job off of your hands.

Mistake #4: Not Taping

This can cause the paintwork to look messy and untidy. You need to put a little extra work in to make sure that paint is even and you don’t get splashes where you don’t want them. Otherwise, you can end up with paint everywhere, such as on the toilet, the shower, and other areas you don’t want it to be!

Tip: Tape for Clear Edges

Taping can give you a border and allow you to paint freely. If you do happen to go over the edges then the masking tape should protect the areas you don’t want to paint. Things like the toilet tank and borders. This gives an all-around more polished and pro finish. This is one of the common painting mistakes that are very easy to avoid.

Mistake #5: Using Random Brushes

Ideally, use a roller to paint the bulk of the bathroom and then just use the brushes for some of the detailing if required. Rollers can be a great way to get an even coating. There are even specific roller techniques you can look at that can help the painting. Some people start by a W shape and then fill in the areas in between. This can ensure even coverage.

Tip: Use the Right Type of Paintbrush

There are a variety of paint brushes. Do a little research and choose the one that best applies for you. It is the most important tool for this job to say the least.

Mistake #6: Skipping Primer

Primer is always a good idea when doing any sort of painting, but bathroom paints definitely need a primer. Oil-based primers can be a great way to coat the surface, covering up any old stains and providing a fresh surface for your new bathroom paint. Yet again, this is a tip for painting a bathroom that is not particularly difficult, it is just a case of being thorough and trying not to cut corners.

Tip: Use the Correct Type of Primer

You can find primers that have damp seal technology to stop the negative effects of the damp getting into the paintwork over time and causing it to lose its vibrancy. Some primers are quick-dry so you don’t even have to wait too long for them to do the job before you can paint the whole room.