‘Tis the season for home entertaining, and you want your home to look its best. For the semi-seasoned handyman with a weekend to spare, here are three projects that can be completed for $500 or less:
Give the guest bath a mini-makeover. For the elegance of natural stone in your guest bath, consider a new granite vanity top, available from your local big box home store. Prices range from $150 to $450, depending on size. Complete the new look with a new faucet and mirror, and you’ll still keep the cost under $500. Keep the old vanity if it’s in good shape, painting to freshen if needed—and replace the old pulls with new ones. Paint the walls and add the new mirror, mount the faucet, install your new granite top and connect the plumbing. Voila! You’re ready for visitors.
Paper a wall. If you haven’t visited a wall-covering retailer lately, you’re missing a treat. With the revived popularity of wallpaper, stores are offering an expanded range of choices at low prices. Best news is, you don’t have to cover every wall of a room to make a dramatic change. Papering a single wall will do, and that’ll make some of those fine, expensive papers or fabrics affordable. Some papers can be hard to hang, especially fabrics or rolls with uncut edges. If you’re a novice paperhanger, consider hiring a pro. The cost should be modest for one wall, from $150 to $250, and it shouldn’t cost more than $122 for a double roll.
Add curb appeal. Welcome your guests with style by transforming your front walk with a few minor changes that will impress. Renew your trim and siding, if painted, and take a hard look at your front door. Consider painting it a color that makes a statement, then buy new accessories, like the house number, mailbox and light fixture. In most cases, a screwdriver is the only tool you’ll need. Also consider replacing a worn door handle. The cost should be under $100.
