Prior to being a home-owner, I honestly was far from being the "hands-on" type.
I had zero patience for reading instruction manuals and assembling things and God forbid I ever had to touch a power drill.
Carol + Powerdrill = Not a safe combination.
I'm not a "girly-girl" but I was not a DIY type either.
The easier and quicker things could be done for me, the better.
Even if that meant spending more money on more pricier items and of course the added (and most often costly) expense of hiring help (contractors, painters, electricians, etc.)
Okay, maybe even after being a home-owner I still felt the same; however a lot has changed in the last 2 years.
Having 2 growing children and being a work-from-home-mom with really only one steady income in the home, we started relying heavily on doing our own mini-projects around the house to help cut costs.
And that it did.
Doing your own renovations, whether they are big and small, can significantly reduce your overall spending.
Yes it may take some more time, but if you invest the time and some money on some good tools, perhaps even seek the help of some family and friends, big and small projects can be conquered and most often done with more care from you than from strangers.
After all, you want the best for one of your biggest investments and the place you call home, then DIY (Do-It-Yourself)!
Of course with some heavier projects, there may be some requirements for professional help especially when dealing with electric or plumbing but that's not a problem.
The majority of the work can be done from you.
Take it from this non-DIY type girl that just completed my very first small project, my powder room.
We moved into our humble home last year and right away I knew there were many things I wanted to fix in the house, the washrooms being one of them.
The powder room is on the main floor and used quite frequently for family and guests.
It's not big, well it is a powder room, and when I walk in it I find it to be quite boring blah-zay.
Being a woman of good taste and an eye and passion for design, every single room in my home matters. I want people to walk in each room of my home and see our taste and style even if it's as little as the powder room.
So I teamed up with the home hardware shop we love and that we frequent (and in my opinion the best), Home Depot, and decided to conquer this small project DIY on my own (with the help of my husband of course!).
It's the summer and there's no better time to dust off your power tools than now.
My main issue with the power room was that there was absolutely no life to it.
I wanted to give it a chic and contemporary face-lift.
Here is the before shot.
It's amazing what paint and few items can do to completely change an entire look.
Below are the items we used to give our Power Room a nice little facelift.
- TANGERINE MIRROR CO: The Beverly Mirror (24x36")
Features a 1 inch beveled inside and offers a traditional and contemporary look fit for any decor style.
I loved this mirror instantly when I saw it. I knew right away that this would be the perfect one to offer the contemporary yet elegant look I was aiming for.
ARV $79.98
Link: http://www.homedepot.ca/product/the-beverly-mirror-mirror-frame-style-24-inches-x-36-inches/916864
- MAGICK WOODS: Dark Chocolate 2-Door Vanity with Square Sink
2 door Dark Chocolate finish vanity base with Chrome hardware with new space saving square White porcelain sink. Also available in Matte White. Vanity base (with top): 24In.W x 12In.D x 34In.H. Faucet not included. Vanity top pre-drilled for 4In. faucet centers.
ARV $156
Link: http://www.homedepot.ca/product/dark-chocolate-2-door-vanity-with-square-sink/913178
This vanity not only offered us storage for toilet paper, hand creams, hand soap, etc. hidden from the public eye but it actually saved us space than when the pedestal was in!
The square porcelain sink offering the contemporary style.
Along with the sink, we included a Delta ADDISON Single Handle Lavatory Faucet with Touch2O.xt™ Technology.
It's the perfect faucet to use for a powder room where there's a lot of traffic and where we usually wash our hands coming into the house from being outdoors. It's especially genius having small children! It's easy for them to use (plus they find it super cool that it turns on and off on it's own) and decreases the spread of germs.
Featuring both Touch2O® Technology AND Touch2O.xt™ Technology you can activate the flow of water by just moving close to the faucet - it senses your presence anywhere 4″ around it or or activate the flow of water by touching anywhere on the spout or handle.
I also love the graceful curves that provide a delicate beauty that adds a romantic touch to the sink.
It's also a PTPA Winner! And you know how much I trust that handy Seal of Approval.
- MARTHA STEWART LIVING: 3Lt Skylands Vanity in Brushed nickel with frosted glass
This classic modern vanity fixture was the perfect addition!
It was very easy to assemble and install and installation hardware is already included. Plus depending on your style, you can either have it installed with glass in up or down position.
ARV: $89.98
Link: http://www.homedepot.ca/product/3lt-skylands-vanity-in-brushed-nickel-with-frosted-glass/959123
- AMERICAN STANDARD: EverClean Elongated Slow Close Toilet Seat in White
On top of being loud and startling, a slamming toilet seat or lid also poses a hazard to small children. The good news is that American Standard’s innovative slow-close toilet seat hinges eliminate lid and seat slamming altogether. Plus, the hinges feature a tool-free lift-off design that allows for quick and easy cleaning.
- Elongated plastic slow close toilet seat with cover
- Convenient Slow-Close features prevents seat from slamming
- EverClean surface inhibits the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew
ARV: $66
Link: http://www.homedepot.ca/product/everclean-elongated-slow-close-toilet-seat-in-white/954086
- MOEN: Stockton Chrome Pivoting Paper Hold
plus it's pretty!
ARV: $21.23
- MOEN: Stockton Chrome 18 Inch Towel Bar
ARV: $34.00
- BEHR PREMIUM PLUS ULTRA Interior Satin Enamel Paint & Primer In One
There is nothing that changes the look of a space more than paint.
We love Behr products and have always used them with no issues.
I absolutely love the Behr Premuim Plus Ultra line with Paint & Primer In One which reduces the time painting and it's quicker drying!
I like that the smell doesn't stick around for long (perfect with little ones).
Our old powder room's paint colour was a really boring and unattractive cross between a yellow and light green and I was not a fan at all.
We went with the Gentle Rain which is a in the Blue colour family and a nice subtle light blue-grey colour. It's calming and neutral.
ARV: $33.98
It took us only a day and a half to get the powder room done and I am in love with the final look.
I just added a couple of small decor pieces (wall art and flowers) that I picked up from Homesense (another favourite store) to add some more character and boost of colour.
It was that easy and what a difference it made.
Our family and friends have commented and love the change as much as we do.
Here's After shot of our new and improved Power Room:
Our little girl loving the new Powder Room! "It's pretty, mommy!" |
Check out the comparison! What do you think?
Big thank you's again to Home Depot Canada for collaborating with me on this project!
Next up is the Master Bathroom and I cannot wait to share the results!
Stay tuned!
To keep posted on updates on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, watch out for the #CACBathroomDIY Hashtag.
To get you started on some DIY, the good folks at Home Depot Canada is offering one of my readers a chance to win a $200 Home Depot Gift Card.
Open to Canadian Residents only.
Contest ends Sept 9th.
1) Leave a comment below telling me which room in your home you would love to DIY first! (This is mandatory to be eligible)
2) Enter via rafflecopter below for additional entries.
Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
96 comments:
What a difference!
It's beautiful - great job! You have inspired me to start some DIY.
Very pretty! Good job at choosing the paint and items.
It's very nice!
I agree that paint and decor can change up a space significantly.
Can I purchase everything in-store?
- Cathy
I really like how informative this post is and great pictures too.
I am looking to re-design my main bathroom upstairs but found it daunting.
I think it can be done. My husband and I also find Home Depot to be a great place to shop for all house stuff.
dholmes@rogers.com
Thank you all for taking the time to read and comment.
@Cathy: All items I used in this project are in-store items. I much prefer that as I like to see how they look prior to buying.
Thanks for your comment!
@Diane: Good luck on your project! I know you can do it. Home Depot really makes it easier for you.
Looks awesome! Well done, guys!
Thanks for the read & comment, Christine!
Once you start DIYing, you will want to do it for every room in the house! It's an addiction! :)
Definitely the bathroom
We rent, but several rooms could for sure use some TLC in the form of paint etc. We have 5 sons, so the walls could definitely use some love (the entire house lol)
I would renovate my kitchen
Bathroom!
I'd use this for our kitchen because the colour to our kitchen cabinets are warring off.
Our whole house needs a good lick of paint!
Beautiful job!!!
I think the next job will be a bathroom in our house, for sure!
My bedroom. It is too dark and I need more storage space =)
Kitchen
Your powder room is so pretty!
Loving all the pieces you selected plus paint-it all went well together.
I'd definitely want to redo my laundry room/mud room!
Such a nice change! Great choices!
I'd love to renovate my powder as well. You are right that it's a high traffic spot and guests often see it so it would be nice to re-do!
Thanks for the great post and giveaway!
Oh wow! Such a simple yet beautiful transformation.
You have really encouraged me to start "getting my DIY on".
I have always enjoyed DIY but have been lazy as of late. Would love to redo my bedroom.
Paint, closet shelvings, art, lighting... etc.
Thanks for the giveaway and awesome post!
So nice! I really like how you redid your powder.
I know small spaces can be tricky but you did it so perfectly.
I love that mirror too! And I just had to chuckle out loud about the toilet paper holder-men mention. HA-HA!
Definitely need to revamp my living room a bit.
Thanks for the giveaway too!
Wow! Congratulations, very well done! Everything looks perfect :)
I would love to re-design our playroom, needs more shelves for toys, books and crafts, and touch up paint too!
Thanks for the chance for the giveaway and your informative and helpful post!
We are re-doing the bathroom right now. It would be awesome to have this for help. After that, the basement!
I would love to finish the bathroom we started! Also love a chance to spiff up my kids rooms for a great back to school start!
We have been planning a bathroom enlargement and reno. It is on the top of the list - we have a lot of the supplies already, just need a few more bits and the time to get it done!
I would to finis our master bathroom as it has been ripped apart for a couple months now!
I would also love to have my bathroom redone. Old and out of date. This would be a huge help! Thank you!
I'd love to do the master bedroom.
I want to do the bonus room
The bathroom. It's so small.
billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com
I am going to say our Kitchen. We don't have enough space for our pots and pans so I tend to store them in the oven.
I love how you re-created your powder room without having to do any major renovations.
It looks amazing!
I would really like to renovate our laundry room. It's a mess and also doubles as a storage room too so must get organized! I also love Home Depot too!
Thanks for this!
Oy, the kitchen...
My bathroom is on the agenda. It needs desperate work. Funny thing is that the chocolate vanity you posted is one piece that I bought at Home Depot. My son and I decided to exchange it for something else though.
Your bathroom looks fab! I'd love to makeover my bedroom!
I would love to DIY - the bathroom in my house.
I would have to say the bathroom.
I would definitely redo my kitchen pantry!
I'd love to redo the kitchen.
My bathroom needs a DIY!
Tammy Dalley
My kitchen, it's awful!
Have been doing the kitchen and the dining room, the bathroom is the one that I want to DIY
The kitchen!
Our bedroom is in need of some tlc
Wow! Very impressive! I love the final result. We've recently replaced our toilets and updated one of our bathrooms. Our powder room is next on my list, and you've reaffirmed my need to replace our pedestal sink. Thanks for the decor ideas!
What a lovely powder room!
I love all the products you selected and what's funny that the vanity did make it look more spacious compared to when the vanity was in and made use of great space.
Plus that mirror is pretty!
Simple yet fresh and chic.
I have to also redo my powder. It's so boring!
I would renovate my daughters room, it's a space she'll be using for a long time and I'd like to make it as functional as possible. (Sabrina Tong)
my laundry area
I would renovate our bathroom as well - and might look at yours for ideas!
That is gorgeous! You did a great job!
I'd love to try a little DIY on my living room. It's had the same paint colour forEVER, the floors are looking tired and the cats have had their way with the furniture :(
I am in the midst of DIY'ing my laundry. It is a slow process!
my powder room
I would love to DIY the laundry room. It's so drab and dreary in there.
I'd like to do some updates to my kitchen including my countertop and handles and knobs.
Angela Mitchell
My bathroom too!
I really need to do my basement.
My kitchen because it is so small.
It would definitely be the main bathroom.
I would love to do a DIY in the bedroom. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
Definitely my kitchen. The blue is getting dated after 13 years.
My bathroom :)
Marla
I love the blue bathroom,so pretty!! I need to paint n decorate my laundry room!
Lynn M
My bathroom needs to be renovated badly! ;)
(karla Sceviour)
Amazing transformation! I love to redecorate my son's bedroom.
my bedroom needs a DIY badly
I'd love to do the family room in the basement...right now it is unfinished.
Love the nw look I could do mine over also
My son's bathroom.
I'd love to DIY my kitchen.
My upstairs bathroom.
Our entry foyer area!
Love to DIY bathroom, looks like a mess.
I would redo my bathroom
Bedroom.
We are trying to frame a new bedroom downstairs. This is a major project as we need drywall, lumber, electrical and Insulation not to mention paint, electrical covers and light plate switch and lights.
our kitchen needs serious help,,,,
Oh my goodness...the basement...it so NEEDS it!!
I would love to DIY our laundry room!
bathroom needs a lot of help. thanks
The bathroom!
I would love to diy my bedroom.
What a great transformation!
Our powder room too could use some DIY changes; it is rather drab.
Cheers.
i would like to put a tile backsplash in my kitchen
(stacey h)
I would love to DIY my bathroom
thanks
I would love to DIY my spare bedroom, it has just become a place to stick everything and I would love to get it back to a functional space. (Judy Cowan)
I need to DIY my basement
To be honest, our whole house needs renos! It's an old farm house. The bathroom, kitchen and basement need work. For now, my first priority will be the bathroom.
I would absolutely be redoing my bedroom closet
I'm not very handy but I guess I could manage to DIY the bathroom!
Pinned: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/514184482427181116/.
I would love to DIY my kitchen... Needs a facelift
We are "trying" to do the kitchen.
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