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January 2007
Dear Divas,
We're thinking of moving and need to get our house ready for putting it on the market. Most of it is in pretty good shape, but a friend, who has just gone through selling a house, thinks our bathroom needs updating. Do you have any ideas on how to do that on a budget?Nervous on New York
Tracy:
First of all, you're lucky to have a friend who is brave enough to be honest. Ask her exactly what she means and then try to pretend you're seeing your bathroom for the first time. Remember, clean sells. That means really clean and free of any discoloration or wear. Just one leaky faucet or tile chip can make a prospective buyer worry that the whole house has been neglected. So roll up your sleeves. It's time to get to work.
Della:
I particularly look at the age of light fixtures, tile, caulking and the floor when I'm checking out a bathroom. If any of these are shoddy, I think, "Oh boy, this will be a lot of work."
Tracy:
But, Della, most of those things can be changed for relatively little hard cash, considering what homes cost today. If I were selling a house, I'd clear the bathroom of every movable item, repaint everything and put replace what can't be made to look spotless, including the floor, the sink and counter and ever a shabby fixture. Make it as fresh looking as possible and be willing to negotiate anything that you can't afford to change.
Della:
I'd also ask potential realtors to go through your house and give you an estimate on what they think you'll need to do to get it in the very best shape you can so you'll get the quickest and highest bids possible. Also, today there are lots of television shows that address these issues. Spend some time watching them. You'll learn a lot.
Dear Divas:
My bathroom looks more like a closet with faucets than a real bathroom. I can't change its size, but I'd like to change its attitude. -- Cramped in California
Della:
I hear you, Cramped, there nothing much more annoying than a bathroom with no space. I tripped over my dropped hair dryer once too often when I was in that predicament and I have a couple of ideas to share that bailed me out. Some will trick the eye, others will actually make some real space.
First - assess the hoped-for solution. Do you want it to look better or function better? Or a little/lot of both? That will determine where you spend the most time and money.
Tracy:
First of all, the colors in a small bathroom and how they interact are all important. Get rid of busyness. Out with fussy wallpaper and bright contrasts. Walls and floors and ceilings don't have to be blah neutral, but they need to be within the same color family if you want the room to look bigger. Also remember that ceilings don't need to be stark white, they look just great in a similar, but lighter, color than the walls. If you have dark, dark tile and light everything else the contrast makes the room look cut up.
Della:
Here's where style comes in. If you want the bathroom to reflect the style of the rest of your home, think cohesive. Do you have leftover wall artwork from other rooms? Bring it on in -- as long as it isn't a watercolor, a pastel or papier mache most home art pieces can handle occasional humidity as long as there's a good exhaust fan. The same goes for framed mirrors and small storage pieces.
Tracy:
As for a better functioning mini-bathroom, storage is the numero uno requirement. Sometimes there's just enough space around the ceiling area over the sink to build in little cabinets that can hold ceiling lights as well as storage. All good remodeling stores have lots of choices. Mirrors also add dimension to a little room. I like framed mirrors, personally, because they can also reflect your sense of style.
Della:
You didn't mention a budget, but if you're lucky enough to be getting new bathroom appliances, we suggest white. It doesn't go out of style and you can work around them. If you're stuck with a dated fixture color that isn't going away, consider having the sink and tub reglazed. It's not cheap, but an experienced contractor should know how to get it done correctly. Always ask for references.
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