Riser For Nea-Angle Shower Connected To Saniflo Pump - Plumbing - DIY Home Improvement

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Cheapest Way To Fix This Shower - Plumbing - DIY Home Improvement

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Convert Two-Piece Valve To Single-Lever - Plumbing - DIY Home Improvement

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Need Some Help With A Tub Spout Diverter - Plumbing - DIY Home Improvement

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Two Shower Construction Questions For A New 3/4 Bath. - Plumbing - DIY Home Improvement

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Tapping Into Basement Tub Drain - Plumbing - DIY Home Improvement

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Cheap ways to use your tax refund to fix up your home

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Do small things around the house and make a big difference

New light fixtures are a good option to catch buyers' interest. (Dreamstime)(Photo: Dreamstime, TNS)

If you're looking to spend it on your home, the typical tax refund is no great windfall.

The average refund through early April was $2,851, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Almost any remodeling job requires more than a paltry $3,700. Even adding a deck can set you back more than $13,000, according to Remodeling's online Cost Vs. Value report.

Still, that refund check could come in handy around the house. It may not get you a makeover. But it can give you a marketing edge. It can pay for modest home fixes to spruce up your property before you put it up for sale. Even if you're staying put, it can turn a loathsome eyesore into eye candy. It can help you splurge on a trend.

Here are a few ways to improve — or indulge — on even a skimpy sum.

BRING THE BLING

The market is hot, home prices are up and interest rates are still low. Thinking of making a move? "I would focus on increasing the 'bling' in the house to capture the attention of buyers," said Ryan Lundquist, a Sacramento, Calif., real estate appraiser. He reeled off some smaller-ticket examples: New light fixtures, a few ceiling fans, an updated kitchen faucet, switch plates and some fresh paint in the living room. Even a new mailbox out front. In all, you'll be giving your home a more polished presentation, said Lundquist, who writes a lively blog to educate consumers about all things related to the housing market. "In contrast, I could spend $3,700 on brand-new insulation," he said in an interview. "But focusing on what buyers can readily see instead is a better way to get higher offers." However, adding cosmetic improvements to make your home more appealing doesn't mean it will eventually appraise for more, even if it may appear that way on reality TV. "That's not how the real world works," Lundquist said.

TRENDING NOW

A stroll through HD Buttercup at the SoCo Collection in Costa Mesa, Calif., revealed some items pronounced drool-worthy in House Beautiful's 2017 home design forecast. For one, you can embrace what the editors call hygge (pronounced "hoo-ga"), a trendy Danish concept that translates roughly to a cozy feeling, by purchasing one of the large, soft throws adorning sofas all over the sprawling store. A white, furry-looking one for $125 would just take a nibble out of that tax refund. That would leave plenty of money left over for furniture with nailhead accents, or something covered in what designers say is also popular these days: Benjamin Moore's 2017 color of the year, Shadow. (Yeah, we had to ask, too. It's a deep purple.) Nearby at Pirch, a kitchen and bathroom showroom, we found a sleek, oversized kitchen faucet that would eat up the whole $3,700 refund — and then some. But, as salesman Jon Brown (whose business card reads "Advisor, Lifestyle Experiences") noted, "It's a statement all by itself." The Gantry faucet, with an articulated spout (it moves a couple of different ways), goes for $3,895. We also saw a Coyote grill priced at about $2,500 with exact spots designated for beef, chicken or vegetables. In the bath section, shower heads in the shape of large water drops were grouped together. They cost $1,500 each, Brown said, and people typically like to buy them as a trio. "It's a piece of art," he said. "Plus a functional fixture."

'The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets To Happy Living' (Photo: Amazon.com)

What’s “hygge”? Think anything synonymous with "well-being": Coziness, ease and, above all, a warm glow. The truest form is found in candles. Scared of open flames? Try a low-wattage lamp instead. (Photo: Birch Lane via Associated Press)

SECURITY CHECK

You'll probably never come anywhere near to affording the James Bond-like set-up at the Fortress, a seven-bedroom house in the Hollywood Hills that recently wowed readers of the Wall Street Journal. But do you really want to bother with a key fob for every room? And how often would you use a bulletproof plate that slides down from the ceiling? You can put in a less intensive security system at your average castle for an affordable price. PC Magazine's Best Smart Home Security Systems of 2017 has an extensive round-up including a wide range of do-it-yourself products, professional services and reviews. At home improvement stores like Home Depot, video doorbells, motion sensors and security cameras sell for just a few hundred dollars.

BOOST CURB APPEAL

Dean Zibas, like Lundquist, cites small fixes that can add up — especially outside your home. "In general, it is typically best to just do an overall cosmetic improvement if one is looking for the best return," said Zibas, a real estate appraiser based in San Clemente, Calif. "Put in some elbow grease. Buy some new plants at the local nursery or home improvement warehouse and spruce up the front landscaping. Most homes, I believe, can be repainted for less than $3,000, so perhaps get the house painted," he said. Install new window screens, and do minor repairs to the hardscape and planters yourself, Zibas added. And don't stop at the curb. "Carry that effort over to the side and rear yards," he said. If you think that's too much DIY, or you won't get enough of an ROI, there's always another option. You can do nothing. Sock the money away. Add it to other savings to add a room someday or go full-on solar. Over the years, tax refunds can add up. So can your home equity.

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Simple Tips for a Successful Bathroom Renovation

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From design inspiration to choosing the right materials and fixtures, we’ve got all the information you need to complete the perfect bathroom renovation project.

Regardless of whether you live in an apartment or a house, the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the home.

A practical and modern bathroom dramatically enhances the appeal of any home, so if you’re planning a bathroom renovation it’s important that you get the details right. So if you’re looking for a host of handy tips and tricks to help you turn your tired and impractical bathroom into a relaxing and luxurious retreat, you’ve come to the right place.

Getting started

Before you start thinking about design ideas, colours, and choosing shower heads and tiles, you need to sit down and work out exactly what you want to achieve with your bathroom renovation.

If you’re renovating an ensuite to create a peaceful space where you can unwind, warm tones and a modern free-standing bathtub might be high on your wish list. If you need a bathroom for your growing family, then durable materials and plenty of storage will be essential inclusions.

So take the time to develop a clear idea of what the bathroom will be used for and any features on your must-have list. Once that’s done you can start planning the finer details.

Design ideas for different projects

There are several features and factors you’ll need to consider when planning your bathroom renovation, including:

Layout

The right layout is essential to create a functional and comfortable space, so consider ambience, flow and practicality when deciding on your bathroom layout. Speak to an architect or a builder about the functionality and layout of the space. There’s a seemingly endless array of floorplan options available, though you may be constrained by the location of existing plumbing connections. Consider the features you want in your bathroom, for example maximising natural light or ensuring an easy flow from the bedroom through to your ensuite shower, when deciding on the right layout.

Shower

The shower is one of the features of your bathroom that will get the most use. From choosing a screen for privacy to deciding on a shower head to sourcing the right water flow, there’s plenty to think about when selecting your shower. You can choose a fixed or hand-held shower head, massage showers, waterfall showers and high- and low-pressure jets. In terms of shower screens, do you want a framed, frameless or semi-frameless screen, or perhaps no screen at all? Chat to an interior designer and shop around at bathroom specialist stores to learn more about the different options available on the market and how they fit into your plans.

Bath

A contemporary bathtub is a must — and there’s a seemingly limitless range of beautiful designs to choose from. There are freestanding tubs that are statement pieces in their own right, recessed baths that use minimal space, easy-access baths for the elderly or those with a disability, as well as full jacuzzi setups for a touch of luxury. However, if you live in a second-storey house, be mindful of having a bath on the second floor as the weight of a full bathtub may put pressure on the upper floor. The amount of space available is also going to have a big influence on the bath you select.

Vanity and basin

Every bathroom needs a sink, but if you and your partner are usually getting ready at the same time, could the space benefit from his and hers sinks? Ample storage space is a must for any vanity unit, while looks should never be neglected in order to ensure that the vanity you select matches the rest of the bathroom. The right vanity will combine good looks and handy storage options with plenty of usable bench space. From wall-mounted vanities to cabinet vanities and even minimalist vanities with a simple shelf system, there’s a huge range of choices available.

Fixtures and fittings

From taps and towel rails to frameless shower screens, the right fixtures and fittings are practical inclusions that complement the design of the rest of the bathroom. Taps come in an extensive selection of materials, including chrome, brass, gold and stainless steel, and there’s no limit to the styles available depending on the space available and the look you want to achieve. The sink, shower, bathtub and toilet should all serve a practical purpose but should also seamlessly integrate with their surrounds and complement one another perfectly.

Tiles

Tiles play a hugely important role in determining the look and ambience of your bathroom. From floor tiles to wall tiles and even special feature borders, choosing the right tiles is crucial to the success of your bathroom renovation. It can also be a daunting process, You’ll need to consider the ambience you want to create in your bathroom, your colour scheme, the size of tiles you want and how they will be laid out. For example, do you want to use contrasting tiles to add a feeling of space to a small bathroom, or do you want tiles with a textured surface to create a unique and interesting feature? Tiles come in ceramic, glass, natural stone, porcelain and clay, so research the looks and benefits of each option before making your choice.

Storage space

A bathroom with insufficient storage space is impractical and cluttered, so make sure you’ve got ample room for all the toiletries, towels and other odds and ends you need to store in your bathroom. Vanity cabinets, shelves and drawers are the obvious places to keep your items so they don’t clutter up the rest of your bathroom, but there’s plenty more you can do to maximise storage space. There’s a huge range of clever internal hardware options available to cleverly use the available space, while a recessed niche built into the shower cavity is great for storing shampoos, soaps and the like. Even installing a simple ledge-style shelf can help keep the vanity top free of mess.

Lighting

Last but certainly not least, don’t overlook the importance of lighting in creating a welcoming and refreshing space. The bathroom is one area of the house where it’s important to be able to see clearly, but where you can also relax in comfort if that’s what you feel like doing. Whether you’re looking for soft LED down lighting, a feature pendant that stands out or simply the warmth of natural illumination, include lighting considerations in your initial renovation plan. Light fixtures will obviously need to be moisture-proof and capable of standing up to life in your bathroom, while you may also want to consider heat lamps if you live in a cold area. One other thing to remember when choosing lighting is energy usage - the right choices can make a noticeable difference to your power bill.

Bathroom design ideas

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Renovating a small bathroom

When you’re renovating a bathroom, space is the final frontier. In a larger space, having more room to work with often means that you have more flexibility to add privacy and create different zones for each bathroom task.

When you’re renovating a bathroom, space is the final frontier. In a larger space, having more room to work with often means that you have more flexibility to add privacy and create different zones for each bathroom task.

Unfortunately, most bathroom renovators only have a limited area to work with, so they need to take advantage of clever ideas and design solutions that help them make the most of the available space. For example, a normal hinged door can eat up much more space than you have to spare, so a sliding door can offer a better solution. Other great space-saving and space-creating ideas include wall-mounted toilets, neutral colour palettes with occasional bursts of colour, and including handy built-in storage nooks and crannies wherever possible.

Renovating a small bathroom means you’ll also have to be more ruthless when deciding what belongs on your bathroom wish list. For example, while soaking in a hot bath might sound appealing, are you really willing to sacrifice such a large amount of floor space to include a tub?

Do it yourself or get in the experts?

If you’re keen to save as much money as possible on your bathroom renovation, you may want to consider a DIY project. While this lets you take control of your bathroom renovation, it’s always wise to think about your options before going the DIY route as bathroom renovations can become complicated very quickly.

Some jobs are fairly simple for the DIY renovator, such as stripping out your old bathroom and prepping the space for your new bathroom. Other jobs, for example waterproofing and tiling, you might also be able to do yourself if you have the right experience under your belt.

Plumbing and electrical work will need to be done by the professionals, however. A good plumber can help you through your renovation from start to finish, so find a plumber you trust before you start knocking down walls or stripping out tiles.

What can you DIY and what's best left to experts?

Where to buy bathroom renovation supplies

From tiles to toilets, there are several options when you need to stock up on the right supplies for your bathroom renovation. A good place to start your search is a large hardware store like Bunnings, Masters Home Improvement or Home Timber and Hardware. This will give you a good idea of some of the fixtures and fittings available to include in your bathroom.

It’s also a good idea to browse specialist renovation and bathroom supply stores — research online to find one near you, and where you find one bathroom store you’ll often find a few more. There’s a huge range of products to choose from for every aspect of your renovation, from the smallest of tiles to the largest of freestanding baths, so take the time to consider all the options available before making your decisions.

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Top tips to help you save money on your bathroom renovation

• Do your research. Jump online and visit local bathroom renovation specialists to see what kind of materials and fixtures are on offer. Speak to architects, building experts and bathroom renovation specialists to ensure that your renovation plan and budget is feasible. Source several quotes from different suppliers before deciding which company to go with.
• Plan ahead. Don’t start your renovation unless you know exactly what you want to achieve. Getting halfway through your project and then deciding that you don’t like the layout, you want different tiles or you’d like to make room for a bigger bath can be an expensive and stressful mistake. Work out exactly what you want before you reach for a hammer.
• Make a budget and stick to it. Bathroom renovations have something of a reputation for unforeseen costs and budget blow-outs. Around $15,000 to $20,000 is a realistic estimate for many bathroom projects, see our guide on the costs of bathroom renovations, but sit down and work out the material and labour costs for your project. Once you’re fully aware of how much your project should cost and how much you can afford, it’s time to start work.
• Know what you can do — and what you can’t. While DIY renovations are great for saving money, it’s important that you don’t get ahead of yourself when choosing what jobs to take on and what to leave to the professionals. If you’re at all unsure about your ability to complete a particular task, you’re much better off getting the experts in to avoid problems occurring later down the track.
• Take your time. While it can be frustrating having your bathroom out of action for a couple of weeks or more, when you’re doing it yourself it’s important not to rush things. Measure everything twice and be certain you’re doing the right thing before you cut, lay or install anything.
• Plumbing costs. You might want to completely rearrange the features and layout of your bathroom, but take note that plumbing costs can sometimes make this prohibitively expensive. Moving plumbing pipes and outlets for sinks, toilets, showers and baths can cost thousands of dollars, so you may be better off leaving some fixtures where they are to lower your costs.

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• Bathrooms by Gerard •

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Bathroom Design from Modern to Traditional: Ideas, Pictures ...

Browse more than 400 photos of HGTV's most beautiful designer bathrooms. The experts share pictures of their bathroom design ideas in many styles - modern ... 

Bathrooms.com | Bathroom suites & designer furniture - Best ... Bathrooms.com | We have thousands of contemporary and traditional bathrooms. We can help you create your dream bathroom, at a price you can afford.  Bathrooms - Bathroom Design Ideas & Pictures - Bath Tiles ... What’s New in Bathrooms. Update a Bathtub Surround Using Beadboard. Use beadboard and trim to give a contractor-grade bathtub a designer update.  Bathrooms Bathrooms. Look at these fresh ideas for bathroom decorating, style, and color. Whether you are completing a bathroom remodeling project or a simple update, we have ...  Bathroom Designs Magazine - The Latest Trends in Bathroom Design Featuring bathroom design and remodeling tips, as well as bathroom advice and articles on everything from bathroom tiles to furniture.  Bathrooms | Bathroom Suites | Bathroom Design | Tesco Finest ... All Tesco Finest Bathroom suites are designed to your exact requirements. With a FREE design visit, up to 20,000 Clubcard Points + Free thermostatic shower  Bathrooms | Bathroom suites | Showers | Taps | Basins | Baths ... UK Bathrooms Shop offers a huge range of bathroom suites, baths, taps, toilets, showers, radiators, boilers and more  Bathrooms - DIY Network - Home Improvement How-To ... Find design ideas, pictures, and project tips for decorating or organizing your bathroom from DIY Network.  Your Guide to Bathroom Design and Remodeling From asian to modern and traditional, discover different styles and pick your favorite looks. Ultimate Comfort 5-star bathrooms are not only about good looks – they also ...  Designer Bathrooms and Pictures - Bathroom Decorating Ideas ... Check out more than 50 different styles of bathrooms from House Beautiful, all beautiful and all our favorites!  Bathroom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A bathroom is a room for bathing in containing a bathtub or a shower and optionally a toilet, a sink/hand basin/wash basin and possibly also a bidet. In North ...  Bathrooms - Modern Bathroom Furniture,Toilet, Water Closet ... Are you looking for Bathroom Furniture? We offer Bathrooms Modern Bathroom Furniture, Orkey,Horzt:u, ,Basins,Toilet, Water Closet and other top quality bathroom ...  Bathrooms from Better Bathrooms.com Betterbathrooms the UK's largest independent bathroom retailer, with nationwide delivery, you can buy online and choose your ideal bathroom suite.  Traditional Bathroom Suites | Freestanding Baths | Tradtional ... Tradional Bathroom Suites from Victorian Bathrooms - Basins, taps, towlel rails, toliets and baths. Burlington bathrooms, Imperial bathrooms, Bc sanitan bathrooms  Cheap Bathroom Suites, Showers, Taps, Furniture, Ideal Standard Cheap Bathroom Suites, Bathrooms, Showers, Taps, Ideal Standard, Bathroom Furniture - Bathrooms 365 are a leading internet bathroom showroom.  Bathroom Furniture & Ideas - IKEA Visit us for innovative and practical bathroom furniture and more. Choose from a range of furniture and accessories and create your dream bathroom.  Blog - Bathrooms.com. Latest posts: Read the Bathrooms.com Blog: ... Our blog is a random collection of articles recording the thoughts and opinions of the staff across all roles at Bathrooms.com  Danze Bathrooms BathroomS: Where is it written that a bathroom is simply a place to, well, go to the bathroom? At Danze, everything we make is designed to delight all your senses.  Bathrooms and Bathroom Remodeling Advice | Repair Home Having a luxurious bathroom is sure to make your life a little bit sweeter. Whatever your style, you can equip your bathroom with indulgent fixtures, such as a claw ...  Bathstore - The UKs largest bathroom retailer Bathstore the UK's largest bathroom retailer with over 160 stores nationwide. Find your ideal bathroom suite online now. 

Electric Shock Off Bath Tap? - Electrical

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70's Bathroom Remodel - Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

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Adding Hand Rail To Tile Shower - Carpentry

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Does This Quote To Build My Bathroom Shower Seem Too Cheap? - Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

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1920's Bathroom Remodel Opinion - Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

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