Home Upgrades Under $600

194 Pages·2011·175.696 MB·English

by  Better Homes and Gardens

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ISBN 978-0-470-88718-9
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
S
Sometimes the process of home improvement gets
stalled because the next step is too big—calling for
more time, skill, or money than we have at our
disposal.
That’s a good time to take a second look. Look at
the big picture and ponder, “What can I do right
now, with the resources I have today?” You might
surprise yourself with the options in front of you.
There are dozens of valuable, worthwhile,
satisfying improvements you can make in an
evening or a weekend, all with a modest budget.
A series of any of these projects can become simple
steps toward realizing your home’s potential.
This book is about those opportunities, genuine
upgrades you can make now. You’ll gain a fresh
perspective on your home and a fresh appreciation
for your own abilities.
—The Editors
Home Upgrades Under $600
Contents
Introduction: Seeing the Opportunity........................... 7
Chapter 1 Enlivening Walls 12
Painting Walls and Trim...................................... 14
Taped Horizontal Stripes..................................... 18
Silk Strié ................................................... 20
Wall Decals................................................. 22
Chair Rail................................................... 24
Wall Frames ................................................ 25
Crown Molding.............................................. 28
Wainscoting................................................ 32
Chapter 2 Enhancing Floors 36
Flooring Preparation ........................................ 38
Ceramic Tile ............................................... 40
Mosaic Tile ................................................. 46
Stone Tile .................................................. 48
Resilient Tile................................................ 50
Parquet Tile................................................. 52
Carpet Tile ................................................. 54
Base Molding ............................................... 56
Snap-Together Floating Floor................................. 58
Painting a Floor............................................. 62
Painting a Checkerboard Floor................................ 64
Painting a Garage Floor...................................... 66
Chapter 3 Updating Kitchens 68
Kitchen Faucet Replacement ................................. 70
Painted Cabinets............................................ 74
Tile Countertops ............................................ 76
Tile Backsplashes ........................................... 82
Kitchen Sinks ............................................... 84
Hot-Water Dispenser ........................................ 88
Chapter 4 Brightening Bathrooms 90
Tile Tub Surround ........................................... 92
Tub and Shower Fixtures..................................... 96
Bathroom Faucets........................................... 98
Hand Showers ............................................. 101
Towel Racks and Grab Bars.................................. 102
Toilet Replacement......................................... 104
Tub or Shower Surround .................................... 106
Pedestal Sinks ............................................. 108
Vanity Sinks ............................................... 110
Drop-In Sinks ............................................... 112
Freestanding Bowl Sinks..................................... 113
Chapter 5 Beautifying Windows & Doors 114
Window Treatments......................................... 116
Drapery Hardware........................................... 118
Blinds and Shades.......................................... 120
Storm Door................................................ 122
Door Casing ................................................ 124
Pre-Hung Door............................................. 127
Chapter 6 Finding Storage Solutions 130
Basic Shelves.............................................. 132
Dressed-Up Plain Shelves ................................... 134
Custom Decorative Shelving..................................136
Off-the-Rack Shelving ...................................... 138
Closet Shelving ............................................ 140
Modular Closet Dresser ..................................... 142
Chapter 7 Improving Lighting & Wiring 144
Ceiling Fixtures ............................................ 146
Track Lighting ............................................. 149
Ceiling Fans ............................................... 152
Switches .................................................. 157
Chapter 8 Adding Yard Improvements 160
Flagstone Patios and Paths.................................. 162
Tile on Concrete............................................ 166
Flagstone on Concrete...................................... 170
Stepping Stones ........................................... 172
Stackable Retaining Wall.................................... 174
Freestanding Dry Stone Wall ................................ 176
Arbor..................................................... 180
Trellis ..................................................... 185
Low-Voltage Yard Lights.................................... 186
Low-Voltage Deck Lights.................................... 188
Index ..................................................... 190
TABLE OF CONTENTS 5
Chair railing and
Fresh colors like this flirtatious pink
wall frames of the
have powers to transform. Learn
same material are
about painting in Chapter 1.
simple projects
that give this
room a casual
elegance.
Just about any
bathroom can be
made new-
looking by
replacing the sink
and medicine
cabinet, then
Sumptuous trim is created with layers
adding some
of simple parts. We’ll show you how
lights and a few
nice shelves. easy it really is.
66 HHOOMMEE UUPPGGRRAADDEESS UUNNDDEERR $$660000
Engineered wood flooring can be
installed in a day, with no sanding
or staining.
Seeing the
Opportunity
Sumptuous trim is created with layers
of simple parts. We’ll show you how
easy it really is.
for all areas of the house
Take a fresh look at your home and look for its potential.
You’ll find inspiring examples on these pages—
plus instructions for many other projects throughout this book.
HOME UPGRADES UNDER $600 7
Kitchen cabinets
with simple, straight
lines are ideal
candidates for
painting. Check out
our cabinet painting
instructions to get
professional-looking
results.
88 HHOOMMEE UUPPGGRRAADDEESS UUNNDDEERR $$660000