Refinishing is a savvy choice for homeowners who want to update their space without a hefty price tag. While it may seem daunting, especially if you’re on a budget, with the right approach, it can be a cost-effective way to breathe new life into your home. In this article, I’ll share my top refinishing tips that won’t break the bank. Let’s dive in!
The Budget Dilemma
Imagine refinishing cabinets or furniture. The professional job is so expensive that you either don’t update the surfaces or tolerate shabby finishes indefinitely. What if you could finish something yourself and achieve a stunning or functional result without an enormous investment?
Objection Handling
You’re probably thinking: ‘But refinishing will cost me – the materials and tools can add up.’ And you’re right; refinishing something can be a significant investment. However, there are many affordable options out there. Some may even say you can refinish anything for practically nothing if you’re resourceful and creative. So, take a deep breath and know that you can do this without breaking the bank.
Open Loops
Read on for the secret: refinishing on a budget is all about thoughtful planning and maximizing what you’ve got. With these ten tips, you’ll create space affordably and like it so much you won’t want to leave. 1. Get supplies and materials at rock-bottom prices Here are your best bets: Habitat for Humanity ReStores Offering deals on both hard goods and finishes, Habitat for Humanity runs these centres that serve as donation sites or unclaimed parts of construction oversize. You can snag items such as mouldings, flooring, doors, windows, tiles, light fixtures, hardware, paint or even old furniture to be refinished yourself. Look for a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area. Architectural salvage Behind every garage sale or refrigerator magnet for these businesses is a haul of late-winter bargains. Reinvent part of your kitchen with doors from these suppliers. Look for architectural salvage firms such as Steele Brothers in Western New York, Robbins Architectural in Ohio, or Hammer and Hand in Oregon. Two other hidden gems: Columbia Forest Products and WPCOA. Ask builders to show you scraps or pine planks to turn into shelving.
2. Do your own repairs. It’s likely that a few hours of work and a tube of Liquid Nails would fix that wobbly table. If your lock sticks, lube it up with graphite or wax. Avoid the hardware store, and make do with things you’ve already got. Not only is it cheaper, but it also leaves you with a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of being a genius. Not sure of the problem? Ask.
3. Know the difference between the look you really want versus the one you simply like. Maybe bold, 2002 scarlet might be at the top of your list, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Go for colours and themes that inspire you and reflect your personal style. How do you feel when wearing that particular shade? Will you like it just as much in two years? If you hesitate, ask for opinions from others – a culmination of discussions can help you find what you’re really looking for.
4. Stick to a budget If money is tight, assure yourself there won’t be any financial wiggle room. Browse the bins before heading to the big-box store; it’ll save you both headaches and dollars.
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1. Appraise your needs: Take a look at the surfaces you want to refinish and determine how complete a project you want to undertake. Is your refinish more of a refurbishment to give the finish a shiny new look or do you have structural issues with the surface?
2. Pay Yourself First: Figure out how much you want to invest in the venture before you start working on it. Establishing a budget helps you to know what you’re willing to spend, thus ensuring you don’t exceed your limit.
3. Study DIY Techniques: You can harness the web to your advantage here by researching the techniques involved in refinishing grays. Seek out YouTube videos, articles and any other helpful modalities of media to prepare yourself before going into your project.
4. Do a Materials Check: Before going to the store and dropping a bunch of money on new materials, first do a material check – you might already have everything you need to get the project done right there at home. Old finishes, old tools, old supplies: can you repurpose them?
5. Shop Wisely: Keep an eye out for sales, discounts and even clearance items when purchasing materials. Quality items aren’t always as expensive as they seem if you just do your homework and look in the right places.
6. Ditch the paint and stain in favour of alternative finishes such as chalk paint or milk paint, which can be a lot less expensive than conventional stain or paint, and allow for a different aesthetic.
7. Do It Yourself: If your finish has minor scratches or dents you can do-it-yourself. Many do-it-yourself repair kits are available to help you correct and treat these blemishes when professional help is impractical or not needed.
8. Don’t Skimp on Prep: No matter how good the stain or varnish appears in the can, nothing will ruin a refinishing project like patchy and uneven application. Sand your surfaces flush, clean off any dirt and dust, and apply a primer before finishing your piece.
9. Make high-impact areas a priority: The more money you have, the more high-impact areas you can consider. However, if you are working with a small budget, refinishing kitchen cabinets or a lovely high-impact, freestanding piece of furniture is your go-to option. 9. Upholster: Consider regaining seating for your chairs, dining room chairs, ottoman, or any other upholstered piece.
10. Go Slow: And last, go quite slow: go slow with the refinishing process, so that each step is carefully and properly accomplished, making the results sufficiently professional to avoid having to call in an expensive professional.
11. Repurpose/Similarly, recycling supplies can help you do away with customs duties and environmental costs. Old furniture can be used in a new way, with a fresh stain or coat of paint. And old wood can be dismantled or salvaged to build custom furniture for less than the cost of a new set.
12. Paint or Spray Paint Hardware Don’t replace cabinet hardware; simply add life to it by painting and perhaps adding new finishes. Spray painting can transform old, dated hardware into a more modern, refreshed update.
13. Go with Refinishing Kits: Refinishing kits also can be a low-priced way of upgrading your surfaces. These kits usually include everything you need to refinish a set of cabinets or furniture14. Purchase Finishing Products in a Kit: Purchasing finishing products in a kit can offer significant cost benefits because they are usually cheaper than buying individual supplies.
14. Borrow or Rent Tools: If you haven’t built up your tool collection but find yourself in need of items like a belt sander for taking down shellac or a nail set to countersink nails in your project, don’t rent them, ask friends if you can borrow their tools. They’ll practically pay you to come take it off their hands.
15. Try Partial Refinishing: If your cabinets or furniture appear to be in relatively good condition look to refinish just the areas that are visible. This avenue will save you time and money, and still give the area a freshened appearance.
16 DIY Cabinet Refacing: If you are not a fan of the cost of new cabinets per square foot, refacing your existing cabinets might be a favorable replacement. For example, instead of purchasing a new set of cabinets, just replace your doors and drawerfronts while maintaining the existing cabinet boxes.
17. Use Quality Paints and Stains on a Budget It isn’t necessary to buy expensive top-line paints and stains. There are excellent products available at reasonable prices and it is worth doing the research. Look for paints and stains that deliver good coverage with length of life at reasonable pricing. Good quality finishes will last longer and not have to be retouched very often.
18 Do-It-Yourself Decorative Finishes If you can paint a room, you can create a decorative finish. Save a bunch of money by antiquing, faux finishing, or distressing your walls and furniture yourself; hire the professional only if you need their expertise.
19. DIY Upholstery Updates DIY upholstery updates can breathe new life into old furniture. Simply changing the fabric on a chair, sofa or cushion is easy DIY that doesn’t require you to reupholster the entire piece if you don’t want to replace the existing material.
20. Maintain Heirloom Refinished Surfaces: Keeping your heirloom refinished surfaces looking great is essential in order to save money on restoration costs in the future. Regular cleaning and care is an important part of the ongoing maintenance.
Conclusion
Contrary to popular belief, budget refinishing is possible with some savvy tricks: reuse, recycling, DIY hardware, refinishing kits, tool borrowing and renting, partial refinishing, budget paints and stains, DIY decorative finishes, DIY upholstery updates and surface maintenance. In addition, every time you refinish you save the world. Get to work! 10 Ways to Transform Your Space on a Budget By Andrea Lavine, ASID with James Bologna, ASID Founder ofChristopher Anthony Home.
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?