Impress holiday guests with a stylish home refresh
Whip your home into shape with smart buys and DIY projects.
Bath Savvy Refresh your vanity:
In small spaces like guest bathrooms, simple changes can make a big impact. Easy swaps of hardware and fixtures may be all you need to set the stage for an eye-popping makeover. Swap out your faucet, fixtures and hardware with champagne bronze or aged brass materials for a timeless look, and then contrast with a fresh coat of paint. If you’re unsure about trying new colors, form a neutral backdrop with creamy wall paint like Valspar Signature Irish Cream along with porcelain tile and a quartz countertop, allowing your fixtures to pop. Don’t be intimidated if you’re doing it yourself. Countertops, like allen+ roth’s quartz vanity top, come ready to install with predrilled faucet holes and attached undermount sinks.
Squeaky clean: Showers and toilets impact more than just the functionality of your bathroom — they can also add an element of sophistication. To add privacy and style, look first at the shower enclosure. A coated glass panel door will obscure views without blocking light. Got a tub? A new shower curtain and matching accessories will do the trick. For a timesaving upgrade that guests will love, install American Standard’s new ActiClean self-cleaning toilet, available at Lowe’s. This new toilet takes the stress out of hosting guests by removing stains from inside the bowl while cleaning more than twice the amount of dirt than conventional toilets.
Finishing touches: Did you know you can install a dimmer switch in less than an hour? Give your bath a warm glow while helping overnight guests easily locate the bathroom during their stay. Finally, help guests find everything they need, and keep them out of your cabinets, with a basket packed with soaps, shampoos, scrubs and more.
New Life for Your Living Room
Color your mood: Warm spaces and soft textures beckon guests to relax during the holidays. To make your living room inviting, try a winter-inspired paint color like dusty rose, deep purples or frosty gray that draw inspiration from powdery snow and cashmere sweaters. Complement paint with soft lighting by adding a pair of wall-mount arm sconces that can easily be installed with a cordless drill and basic hand tools.
Fresh flooring: Give your space a face-lift with floating laminate floors. These floors have the same great look as hardwood and are easy to install (see step-bystep instructions at Lowes. com). You won’t even need adhesive, nails or staples.
For an instant new look, select an area rug by playing with shapes, colors and pattern to pull your room together. To determine which size rug is best for your living room, lay a bedsheet folded to that size on the floor, so you can get an idea of the area it will cover.
Spread holiday cheer: Find the focal point in your living room and decorate around it, like framing a fireplace with pre-lit Christmas trees or draping the mantel with garland. Add soft lighting by placing LED candles around the room — you don’t have to light them, blow them out or worry about dripping wax. Complete the look by adding minitreesand a sparkling wreath to create a festive feel.
For more ideas for getting your home ready for the holidays, visit www.Lowes.com.