Cabinet Paint Chips
Having uniform cabinets in your kitchen is important - any home decorator knows that an inconsistency in the color of your cabinets can upset the balance of the entire ensemble. This doesn't just mean that your cabinets should match, it means that they should be consistently colored a certain way, often a stained wood. But if all of your cabinets are painted white, it will be immediately noticeable if your paint has chipped in one spot. Don't worry; it's an easy fix.
If the chip is superficial, your only concern should really be finding the right color of paint to touch it up with. Many hardware and home improvement stores should feature touch-up paints. It would be very helpful if you knew the manufacturer and color of the paint itself so that you can simply apply more of the same and cover the paint chip. This will promote an overall consistency that you should be striving for.
There are other types of paint damage on your cabinets, however. For example, if one area of the paint has seen its color change (for example, because it stands over the area where you usually cook), then you'll have to do much more painting in order to restore a uniform color. The wider the discoloration, the more painting you can expect to do.
What confuses many people is the deeper chip - a chip that not only digs into the paint but the wood of the cabinet itself. For this job, you'll need a few more tools, such as sandpaper, wood filler, an evening trowel, primer, and the paint itself. First, clear out the area of the chip and clean it up - sometimes it even helps to wash it. You want as little debris as possible so that you can fill it completely.
Use the wood filler next - give yourself a little extra so that you can perfectly even it out using a trowel. Wait for the filler to dry, and then sand down the area - this will help the primer and paint stick and will also even everything out. Once you've sanded, make sure all of the degree is clear, and then apply the primer. Allow the primer to dry and then apply the properly colored paint to the area. Voila!
You might want to note that primer may not be necessary depending on the size of a chip. If you're still in doubt, be sure to ask your local hardware store.
Photo Credits: penny (peninah)
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 19, 2009 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix, paint
How to Update Your Bathroom
One of the things that says you like to take care of guests in your home is the quality of your bathrooms. Not only do people want privacy and cleanliness, but they appreciate an ambiance and at atmosphere that suggests you've thought of everything around your home. For the do-it-yourselfer, the bathroom also presents some interesting challenges in and of itself.
For one, you have to work with plumbing when you're updating a bathroom. This is in addition to the rest of the work, including cabinets, floors, and walls. But if you follow a detailed plan, follow through with it, and are willing to adapt to obstacles, you might just be able to update your bathroom efficiently. Here are some steps for doing just that.
1. If you don't have experience, don't start with the bathroom. The bathroom is not exactly do-it-yourselfer rookie territory. As has been mentioned, issues like plumbing are combined with electricity and upholstery in order to make a perfect storm of difficulty for the first-time homeowner. If you want a new bathroom, you simply might think about hiring a contractor. At the very least, don't make updating your bathroom your first project. Start with your basement - where you can at least start from scratch - and build up your experience. You'll be glad you did.
2. Seek out some professional advice. One of the most important things you can do when updating a bathroom is not to treat it like it's your own personal pet project. Make it a community effort - listen to your spouse's take on the look of the bathroom and be willing to get some consultation from a contractor, or even outsource some of the work that you can't handle, like the plumbing. Remember that there's no shame in not doing it all yourself - if someone asks how you did it, you can be perfectly honest. Don't get caught up in your own ideas so much that you forget why you're doing this in the first place.
3. Measure twice, cut once. The old adage "measure twice, cut once" also applies to bathrooms: make sure that your preparations are clear and definitive. You'll want to be as thorough as possible. But don't let exhaustive preparations become a reason for you to forget actually following through on your blueprints. Get to work after you've "measured twice," and set a schedule for yourself. If you get behind, at least be willing to work on it a little bit every day so that you can keep your momentum going.
Photo Credits: brooklyn
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Posted by Fix Handyman on July 28, 2009 in
Bathroom, Handyman, How to Fix
Five Ideas for Remodeling Your Kitchen
Whenever a spouse brings up the possibility of fixing up the kitchen, it's usually the other spouse's job to think about the money (hint: I'm on the money thinking side). After all, remodeling anything your home probably won't be a cheap situation, especially the more ambitious your plans are. But if you really want to fix a kitchen and make some necessary repairs while upgrading a room's look, there may be no avoiding it.
Don't forget that fixing a kitchen can increase the value of your home if you plan on moving to a larger home in the near future. That's just one of the reasons you'll want to remodel your kitchen, but if your heart's already set on it and you're not sure you have the cash, don't fret. This article will tell you five ways that you can remodel your kitchen while slashing the prices.
- Change the wallpaper or paint the walls.
Perhaps one of the quickest and cheapest ways to change the overall look of your kitchen is to look past the cabinets, countertops, and appliances, and to the wall itself: is the wallpaper dragging the rest of the room down? Does the color contrast in all the wrong ways with its environment? It might be time to either try new wallpaper or give it a new paint job. Make sure you consult with someone to be sure you're picking a color that will improve it, not do further damage to the ambiance.
- Update your countertops.
Countertops take up a lot of the space in the kitchen, and making sure that they're top-of-the-line can be a great bonus for kitchen lovers. Expensive stone countertops can make the entire kitchen seem more expensive without breaking the bank.
- Modernize your appliances.
If your kitchen is clean and looks good, maybe it's time to modernize the appliances you're actually using. Even if you plan on showing your house to prospective buyers who won't be taking your appliances, the better your kitchen looks, the more perceived value your home will have. Besides, since you get to keep the appliances and use them, it works better for you.
- Redo the cabinets.
Perhaps the first place most people look in the kitchen is to the cabinets: old dusty wood can be replaced by new, strong timber. It's not an easy project but if you tackle it yourself, you may be able to save a few bucks.
- The floors!
Although the floors will be under your feet 100% of the time, they can still have a dramatic impact on how the rest of the room looks. If you can't figure out anything else to do with your kitchen, maybe you should stop looking around and simply look down at your feet.
Photo Credits: brianc
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Posted by Fix Handyman on July 16, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix, kitchen
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