SMALL REFRESHERS

Upgrading rooms doesn’t require extensive renovation

Seeking ways to have your home look and feel different and refreshed in the new year?

If the cost and prospect of an extensive renovation are undesirable, consider taking on smaller projects that can give your home a new look on a budget.

• Getting started: First and foremost, have a budget. Decide how much money you can allocate as renovation dollars.

• Determine needs versus wants: Before you splurge, first determine what design or functionality needs you want to address.

• Research and plan: Before you buy materials or appliances, do your research. Whether it’s going to visit model homes, retail showrooms or perusing magazines and online sources, research will go a long way to help maintain focus and clarity for your project goals.

Here are ideas for making upgrades.

Kitchens

• Repaint existing cabinets or replace hardware.

• Add porcelain ceramic tile. Porcelain tile comes in different patterns and grades and is an affordable alternative to stone. Consider vinyl tile for a more budget-friendly option. Select a tile that is groutable for a more realistic look.

• Replace a countertop. This can help make a kitchen feel refreshed. Consider a durable quartz or sealable surface. An attractive laminate can be a desirable choice on a budget.

Bathrooms

• Replace a sink. This can serve as an instant and affordable refresher.

• Replace faucet fixtures. An affordable design fix can often be achieved by replacing faucets and handles. Go a step further and replace showerheads as well.

• Replace a toilet. Ask any home flipper, and they’ll acknowledge that this is one key, affordable way to refresh a bathroom.

Other considerations

• Add hardwood flooring. Many homeowners prefer hardwood flooring. In many instances, flooring can be installed in a day. Preengineered flooring can be a durable and budget-friendly option.

• Repaint. Whether an accent wall or entire rooms, a fresh coat of paint can breathe life into tired, worn spaces.

• Add an affordable architectural feature. Molding, trim, chair railings or wainscoting are decorative features that can invigorate a space without breaking the bank.

Cathy Hobbs is a TV host and a nationally known interior designer based in New York City.

[DESIGN RECIPES PHOTOS] Before: An outdated kitchen in need of an update.

After: The same kitchen after repainting the cabinet fronts and replacing hardware.

After: The same bathroom after adding expensive wainscoting and a fresh coat of paint, replacing the toilet and putting in an affordable pedestal sink.

Before: A bathroom in desperate need of updating.