HINTS FOR HOMEOWNERS
Simple solutions for do-it-yourselfers
Updating your digs doesn’t mean having to take out a second mortgage or spending months with your home turned upside down.
You can boost the style and livability of your home without busting your budget or disrupting your home life. And if you do the work yourself, you’ll not only have bragging rights for a job well done, you’ll save big-time when it comes to labor costs.
To help you get started, the do-it-yourself experts at Minwax offer a series of project booklets called “Wood Beautiful Simple Solutions.” Each booklet provides tips and ideas on popular home improvement topics, such as how to remodel a bathroom, customize a kitchen, transform a closet, organize storage and update a bedroom.
Check out these project ideas from “Simple Solutions.” Any one can be done in a weekend or two:
Bathing beauty
Does a tired bathroom with ugly wall tiles have your home in the doldrums?
Give your bath an instant face-lift by covering up the dated tiles with classic wooden bead board and moldings that you stain and install directly over the existing tiles.
To give the wood a rich, warm tone that complements any decor, you can use Polyshades in Classic Oak. It’s a one-step stain and topcoat that will give the bead board and molding a rich natural luster.
Closet conversion
Make the most of unused space by transforming an alcove or closet into an entertainment center. Simply sand and prep unfinished wooden audio/video cabinets and shelving, stain with Water-Based Wood Stain in White Oak, and then finish with a topcoat of Polycrylic. Fit the cabinets and shelving in the empty closet, then install the audio/video equipment, relax and enjoy.
Clutter control
No need to sacrifice style for function in a mudroom or foyer when you can have both. Organize your family’s boots, gloves, shoes and sports equipment in clever cubbies made from unfinished pine modules that you stain and stack to form spacious storage and a handy bench. Just sand and prep the unfinished cubbies. Then stain with Polyshades in Classic Oak in a satin sheen.
To obtain free copies of the “Wood Beautiful Simple Solutions” booklets, stop by your local home center or hardware store or visit minwax.com.
– Courtesy of NAPSI.
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