Weekend remodeling projects to do before the holidays

2:33 PM, Oct 24, 2019
2:35 PM, Oct 24, 2019

Holidays bring both joy and anxiety, especially when it comes to preparing the house for holiday guests. Something that is usually a minor annoyance can become a major inconvenience.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed when the first out-of-towner arrives, think now about what your house needs for the holidays. A quick remodeling project will help your house function and help you enjoy guests, instead of feeling stressed.

Here are some ideas for weekend projects to get your home ready for the holiday season.

Refinish kitchen cabinets

Since the kitchen is often where a lot of holiday socializing takes place, it’s a great place for an update. A splash of paint on cupboards can change the whole look of the room.

Choosing the right color is the tricky part.

“Before selecting an unusual hue, take into account the other items and colors in the room,” suggests HGTV. “If you already have a lot of color in the room, it’s best to go with white or neutral cabinets. … White cabinets can also brighten up a dark room.”

Gray and beige also go with most color schemes. Even with neutrals, you can add a fun accent in a popular color like buttery yellow, sky blue or mint green.

Install a backsplash

Updated backsplashes add a modern touch to kitchens and bathrooms. In the kitchen, backsplashes often make the biggest visual impact above a range or sink, according to Martha Stewart Home Design & Décor, but extending the backsplash throughout the kitchen can make the room feel bigger.

Bathroom backsplashes usually span the length of the counter and tend to be complementary with, but not necessarily identical to, other tilework in the room.

Backsplashes come in a variety of materials, including glass, stone, metal, ceramic and porcelain. A contractor that specializes in tile will help you choose which material works best for your project.

Update flooring in high traffic areas

While reflooring your entire house might not be in the budget, think about which rooms see the most foot traffic, such as stairs, entryways, kitchens, and living rooms. The flooring in these areas will be more prone to wear and stains than other parts of the house. You might also consider which flooring could be updated to be more modern or reflect your personal style.

If you want to replace carpeting with something sturdier, options range from cork or bamboo to laminate hardwood, reclaimed wood and wood-look tiles.

Depending on the size of the area, installation doesn’t have to take a long time. SFGate Home Guides estimates professional installers can refloor a 1,000-square foot space in a matter of days.

Accentuate a holiday focal point

Does your home have a natural gathering place where most holiday festivities occur? It could be a living room, kitchen, dining room or even outdoor area. Come up with renovation ideas that could make this spot fun and effective for the holidays.

That might mean mounting your TV to get rid of your entertainment center and free up floor space, adding mood lighting with fairy lights in the garden or pendant lighting in the dining area, upgrading and rearranging furniture, or painting an accent wall.

Choose something that will make a meaningful difference to how your family experiences the holidays this year — and then enjoy showcasing your remodel to guests.

Don’t take it all on yourself. Remove the stress by calling or visiting Sal’s Tile for a consultation on all your flooring and tiling needs.

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