Apartment renovation is necessary not only to replace outdated cladding with a new one, but also to create better living comfort. New design and high-quality repairs can bring you out of any depression, but there is not always a lot of financial resources for repairs. Let's look at how to make cheap renovations in an apartment.
We plan the expected costs
Purchasing the necessary materials and tools for work is the main expense item. In order to begin purchasing, it is necessary that a repair plan has already been drawn up. It is important that you have a rough idea of the financial costs required to complete the renovation, because the budget must be sufficient for all stages of the work.
After calculating your budget, make sure that you have enough funds to purchase all the necessary materials, rent or purchase tools, as well as elements for installing utilities. If this item is calculated incorrectly, the money may run out when the repairs are still unfinished.
When drawing up a renovation plan, it is necessary to indicate the sequence of room preparation, redevelopment, finishing, and so on. Follow your plan exactly, based on which the estimate will be drawn up. The estimate indicates the full range of work required for each room, as well as the amount of materials, devices and tools. After the calculations, it is advisable to add 25% to the planned calculations for unforeseen expenses; this will help protect the process from force majeure situations, for example, from a price jump.
When purchasing materials and tools, be sure to visit several stores to compare prices and choose best option, be interested in the availability of promotions that can save your budget.
Preparatory work
There are two ways to make inexpensive repairs: do the entire process yourself, or do only the preparation yourself, and invite specialists for the main work. The advantage of the first method is price, since doing everything yourself is cheaper than with the help of professionals. But in this case you must have some experience and skills construction work. For example, if you plan to decorate the walls using textured plaster, then this technology is not easy for a beginner, and repairing mistakes is unforgiving.
What can everyone do on their own? Without the help of specialists, you can dismantle plumbing fixtures, remove old finishing and other coverings, remove sockets and switches, remove shelves, and so on. But to perform the basic repair work that require a professional approach, you can invite specialists.
The main ways to save on repairs
When wondering how to make inexpensive renovations in an apartment, many believe that they can only save on the services of specialists and materials. But in fact, there are much more secrets to inexpensive repairs.
- Start repairs in the “dead” season - in winter. At this time, it is possible to hire skilled workers who have little business in the winter, at a lower cost than they would work in the height of summer. The discount can sometimes even reach 40%! But it is also worth considering the fact that winter climatic conditions are unfavorable for construction and repair work and that is why most of people organize repairs in the summer.
- You can save money if, instead of imported materials, you choose equally high-quality, but cheaper ones domestic analogues. Imported materials do not always live up to expectations, and are much more expensive than materials produced by us.
- The majority of renovation costs are materials. If instead of vinyl wallpaper you take paper wallpaper, which can now be no less beautiful, then you can sometimes even save 2-3 times on wall decoration. But instead of a ceiling made of hypocardboard or suspended ceiling you can use special paint, which will cost you much less. Of course, in cases where it is necessary to level the ceiling, it is better not to save money and make the ceiling from plasterboard.
- Sometimes the services of specialists are more expensive than the materials they work with, so before choosing a team for repairs, look through several offers and do not rush to grab the first specialists you come across.
- To make an inexpensive renovation in the kitchen, you can use fiberglass wallpaper or vinyl wallpaper; it is best to stick it to the ceiling, and finish the kitchen splashback area with ceramic tiles. But for the purpose of even greater savings, you can replace the tiles with plastic panels with a tiled pattern; the work area can be covered with self-adhesive film.
- If there is no money for expensive tiles in the bathroom, then you can decorate the walls in this room with acrylic paint or washable vinyl wallpaper. Walls also look very aesthetically pleasing. plastic panels for the bathroom, which are still inexpensive.
Features of inexpensive wall repairs
Inexpensive renovation of an apartment does not mean low-quality renovation. The easiest way to update walls inexpensively is in the hallway, because there are no plumbing or engineering systems there. For uneven walls You will need putty and a primer, this way you can hide all the depressions and irregularities.
A more stylish decor for the corridor can be paper or vinyl wallpaper, which can be decorated with contrasting inserts or other decor. You don’t even have to buy branded wallpaper glue, because you can make it yourself from starch and wheat flour. This glue must be boiled, and it is recommended to use it only if you are absolutely sure of the correct preparation adhesive composition, otherwise the wallpaper may fall off and the repair will have to be done again.
There is no desire to shell out a large budget for renovations in a rented apartment, so the ideal option to refresh the walls in such an apartment is painting. Such walls will be clean and tidy until the move. If the walls are well prepared, that is, primed, then using a sprayer and water-based or acrylic paint can be done perfect surface walls For the bathroom and kitchen of a rented apartment, you can use oil or enamel paint, which can also be used to paint radiators, if necessary.
For inexpensive renovations in your own apartment, you can also fork out for wall panels, which come in plastic, wood and cork. Sometimes high-quality wall panels made of plastic so successfully imitate various expensive materials ( natural wood, marble, and so on) that the average person at first glance cannot distinguish such walls from walls with expensive decoration. Moreover, the plastic will serve you until the time when you can carry out a “European-quality renovation”.
Inexpensive flooring
The cheapest option is to repair the floor, but if there is a need to replace worn-out coverings, you can use linoleum. This is one of the most inexpensive and practical floor coverings, but it also has expensive brothers: linoleum with a warm underlay or natural linoleum. But linoleum in its traditional version is inexpensive.
Cleaning this type of floor is very easy, and if you want to insulate the linoleum, you can lay a rug on top.
Even cheap linoleum has many advantages: it can be used in any type of premises, it is low-maintenance, wear-resistant, easy to install and clean. And if it loses its appearance over time, few people know that it can be refreshed with oil or acrylic paint. But this is only if there is no money at all for a new floor covering, but you want to make repairs. PVC tiles It is also a good alternative to linoleum; it is moisture resistant, looks good and is inexpensive.
Preparing the floor for marmolenum is almost never required (in 90% of cases). For the bathroom you will have to use tiles, since marmoleum is not suitable here. The good news is that the bathroom usually has a small square area, so very few tiles are needed here. For a bathroom, laminated hardboard can be used as a floor finish, which is a hygroscopic material that does not require preliminary preparation surfaces.
Cheap and beautiful ceiling
If you need to carry out cheap repairs, then you don’t even have to think about a suspended or suspended ceiling. For an inexpensive ceiling there is no better alternative than paint, you just need to choose special paint for ceilings. Since the ceiling is sometimes called the “fifth wall,” the finishing of this surface can be the same: leveling with putty, priming and painting.
You can also wallpaper the ceiling, but this is a rather complicated and time-consuming process. You can choose wallpaper for the ceiling with an interesting pattern, which will help visually make the room taller. Wallpaper with an interesting design can be chosen even from inexpensive ones. To decorate the ceiling, you can also use decorative panels made of plastic, chipboard or fiberboard. It is worth noting that such panels are finished using decorative film, which can imitate any of the most expensive finishing materials.
We do the repairs ourselves
Inexpensive repairs can only be like this if you do it yourself, because the wrong decision would be to save on materials but spend a lot of money on the work of specialists. Unfortunately, not everyone can carry out all the stages of repair on their own without the help of professionals, because many types of finishing work require appropriate skills. In this case, you can use the services of home-grown builders who work for themselves, and not for a reputable construction company.
In most cases, such specialists have quite a lot of experience, relevant skills and recommendations, so you can find out about such workers from your friends who have already used their services.
The main thing is to draw up an agreement indicating the terms and types of work.
Where is it difficult to save on repairs, and where is it possible?
Any repair, no matter whether it is expensive or not, must be carried out on a quality basis. It is necessary to have a flat floor, smooth walls and 90 degree corners. The unevenness of the walls will mean that due to the loose connection of the baseboards to the walls, a gap will be visible, which will spoil the appearance. If the angles of your walls differ from 90 degrees, then this problem will become acute when installing the cabinet corner furniture. In turn, a crooked floor will not be able to provide stability to cabinets and other furniture. Therefore, it is impossible to save time or money on creating a high-quality foundation for repairs.
In addition, if your renovation involves installing a suspended ceiling, pouring floors or decorative plastering walls, then this work should only be performed by specialists. Having saved once, you risk losing a large amount on reworking repairs and correcting errors.
You should not save on laying pipes or wires in your apartment. Engineering communications must be of high quality and installed by specialists. Concerning finishing works, then even the most expensive decorative finishing It will look ugly if it is laid out crookedly or with gaps.
The only stage of repair that will be very difficult to handle on your own is redoing the electrical wiring. For those who want to save money here, there is a way out - negotiate with the electrician servicing your home, but he will only be able to do the work in the first place. free time. Such a master is unlikely to be slack, since he will have to service your apartment in the future. It is better not to skimp on the wiring itself, since your safety will depend on its quality. But you can install sockets yourself for the same purpose of saving.
Tools for repairs, if you don’t have them, you will have to buy or rent. But a more economical option is to ask neighbors or friends. Scroll the necessary tool should be drawn up in advance so that in the midst of the repair itself you will not be left without available means.
Windows and doors
It is possible to obtain high-quality heat and sound insulation of a room only with the installation of modern metal-plastic windows, so saving in this regard is not recommended. But to make window installation more affordable, you can inquire about the availability of promotions on window installation, which are sometimes generously provided to companies in the constant struggle with competitors. Sometimes you can save up to 20% of the cost of windows.
You also cannot save on entrance doors and locks, because your safety and the safety of your property largely depend on this. Only strong and reliable entrance doors can provide an atmosphere of comfort and safety for residents. Metal doors with several secure locks are the best option. Today, manufacturers allow you to choose a door with any sound or heat insulating fillers, fire-resistant, heavy-duty doors, so you can choose the appropriate option.
Why should you attend construction sales?
Since a large share of the cost of repairs falls on materials, in order to maximize savings, you can visit construction sales. Since all finishing materials have a limited service life, construction companies producing these materials sell their products at bargain prices at the end of the season, so you should look at such advertisements in advance.
How to save money on plumbing?
When making economical repairs on your own, it is not always possible to allocate funds for expensive plumbing fixtures these days, so if plumbing fixtures If they just look bad, they can be cleaned or even painted. But if the plumbing has already cracked, then the only option left is replacement. You can also save on construction waste removal if you organize it yourself.
Laminate cladding is considered a very economical option for finishing the walls of residential premises. If the owners are a little richer, then you can use more expensive MDF. Large labor and financial costs are eliminated by the fact that when covering wooden sheathing There is no need to level the walls from slab. To save even more, you can cover the walls up to your chest or even your waist, and cover the rest with non-woven wallpaper.
Stylish and modern renovation apartments
The desire to renovate your own apartment is caused by a thirst for change, renewal, and shake-up. At the same time, these desires are accompanied by distrust of the contractor, as well as a wild desire to spend as little time and money as possible. That is why the option of quickly renovating an apartment with your own hands is considered so popular. It's not that difficult to make if you have at least basic DIY skills.
First of all, all vital components in the apartment are changed, such as heating system, electrical wiring, water supply and sewerage. At this stage, you should think about the possible redevelopment of the space, as well as the installation of a modern “warm floor” system.
If you purchased housing in a new building, you will need it, since most often such apartments do not have a fine finish. Even if the apartment was purchased on the secondary market, we also recommend that you carry out a complete renovation of the apartment quickly and efficiently in order to feel absolutely safe. You may have to spend a little more, but your apartment will not need alterations for many years.
In the process of installing a new electrical wiring system, various metering devices are usually replaced. It should be noted that this work is extremely unsafe, which is why it is best to seek help from an experienced electrician. You can bring the wiring directly into the room with your own hands. All you need is a hammer drill. This tool is used to make grooves in the wall; this must be done according to a previously drawn up project.
Electrical installation in the apartment
The selected cables must have the strongest possible insulation layer. Otherwise, it is best to place them in a special box. At the end of the work, the wall must be thoroughly plastered.
Next, using a hammer drill and a special round attachment, you need to make holes in the wall for sockets and switches. The gating locations are also determined using a pre-compiled project. In addition, the project provides for the layout of lighting fixtures.
After installation of electrical communications, the walls and ceilings are usually leveled. If plaster is used, the process promises to be very complex and very dirty, but at the same time this particular material provides the utmost high-quality alignment. Many may have a question - what is this for? And we have an answer to it, because further finishing depends on how smooth the walls are. Paint, wallpaper, and other possible materials fit well on smooth surfaces.
Leveling walls with plasterboard
You can level walls during quick and inexpensive repairs using one of the available methods:
- By plastering, as mentioned earlier, a very labor-intensive and dusty method;
- Using sheets of drywall.
In order to perform leveling with plaster, it is necessary to prepare a mixture; it must be viscous. Next, the resulting mixture is applied to a pre-primed wall. This is done using a wide spatula using semicircular movements of the hand. After the plaster has dried, it is necessary to apply the primer over it again. Only after the walls have completely dried can you start painting.
The technology for attaching drywall is somewhat more complicated. It is worth noting that for rooms with high humidity you should select a moisture-resistant variety of this material; it usually has a light green color. For the remaining living rooms, you can use traditional gray plasterboard. Thanks to plasterboard, you can create arches that are fashionable today, as well as partitions in rooms.
Among other things, using plasterboard sheets you can build:
- Original walls, inside of which there will be shelves;
- Imitated stucco on the surface;
- Various terrain.
The sheets are installed using crab fasteners, then their surface is carefully plastered, and also painted or finished with other materials.
In order not to waste time and effort on leveling ceilings before quickly doing it, you should consider the option suspended ceilings. This method faster, simpler, and also does not involve a lot of dust and dirt.
Stretch ceilings with LED lighting
It is installed in this way: a PVC film or textile is stretched over a profile mounted around the entire perimeter of the ceiling. A distinctive feature of suspended ceilings is their high decorative effect. Here you can choose any pattern, print, design. Photo printing or painting is possible, as well as the design of mirrored ceilings. You can only be limited by your imagination and this is a definite plus.
Advice! It is very difficult to install this structure yourself, which is why it is best to turn to a professional technician.
Traditionally, wallpaper is used to decorate walls in residential premises. However, today, draping walls with textile materials that are produced specifically for these purposes has returned to fashion. This option It will not only provide an attractive wall decoration, but will also create a unique coziness and atmosphere in the room. Modern impregnations allow draped walls to repel moisture, not fade or fade, and also provide fairly simple care for them.
Using decorative plaster for wall decoration
Decorative plaster is also becoming increasingly popular. Key Feature This material is the ability to recreate an imitation of anything - wood, metal, velvet, stone or leather. Here materials that are similar in texture are very successfully combined, or, on the contrary, completely different. “Combine the incongruous!” - says today's fashion, and we try to follow its laws.
It is very important to maintain harmony in the interior. For example, if you used bright and colorful patterns in the decoration of the walls, then the furniture design should be more restrained, preferably monochromatic. The same law also applies vice versa, since for plain walls It is best to choose bright and colorful furniture.
Advice! Don't focus on just a few color combinations, it’s enough just to highlight one or two colors.
Today, modern dyeing technologies are also often used. Decorative paint Can be applied to both smooth and embossed plaster. It may contain various impurities, for example, creating the effect of mother-of-pearl, shine or imitation of the surface of a precious stone.
This type of paint is quite simply applied to any surface, while filling microcracks.
Also very often used for rooms with high moisture ceramic tile. The best alternative to tiled ones, and at the same time it looks much more beautiful. The walls in the bathroom, kitchen or toilet will look great under the tiled finish.
Ceramic tiles are laid on pre-applied glue mixture. You can install the tiles without seams, or with an indentation that should not exceed three millimeters.
Before you start finishing the floor, you should determine how smooth it is. If the detected unevenness does not exceed two centimeters, then it can be eliminated using a self-leveling mixture. If the unevenness is more significant, then without concrete screed not enough.
Finishing floors in a wooden house
Once the floors are completely leveled, you can begin finishing. Usually linoleum, laminate, parquet, and porcelain tiles are used. It is best to use porcelain tiles, as they are the most durable and wear-resistant.
Do-it-yourself apartment renovation
So, we have sorted out the entire repair process, now we should think about how to minimize costs in the process:
- Creating a project will allow you to significantly save on alterations, amendments and corrections. It is thanks to the project that you will be able to understand which of the obligatory tasks will not tolerate delay, and which can be left for later;
- Drawing up an estimate, as well as completely following it. It is best to purchase the necessary materials and tools at large construction bases;
- Solving some of the nuances yourself will also allow you to significantly save on third-party help;
- We recommend choosing modern technologies over traditional finishing options; this will also allow you to save significantly;
- Expensive materials should be replaced with more budget-friendly ones, but not inferior in quality.
“May the renovations in your apartment never end!” - the passer-by throws over his shoulder and goes home. And you stand there and think: “Why is he doing this? Did you wish for wealth or, on the contrary,... tax you?”
But really, the issue of repairs is an unpleasant matter for the average citizen. With today's prices for materials and services of construction Jedi, you will have to fork out seriously. And how much time and nerves you will have to spend, and even live in a ruined apartment! You wouldn't wish it on your enemy. But repairs are a vital necessity, and sooner or later you will still have to face them. Some craftsmen, even in times of crisis, still manage to renovate an apartment with their own hands quickly and inexpensively. But how do they manage to do this? Inexpensive - it's redecorating with your own hands and domestic materials. Such repairs will not require large cash investments, but the cleanliness and freshness of your apartment is guaranteed to you. Cheap is not always bad.
Where to begin?
Keep a small notebook. In it you will write down all the ideas, prices and phone numbers of stores or specialists. But the main thing is that it will contain a plan for your repair and a cost estimate. The plan needs to reflect all your wishes: replacing windows with plastic, a false ceiling or just whitewashing, new tiles in the bathroom, wallpapering or a couple of new sockets in the kitchen. Write exactly what you want. We decided on wallpaper - that means wallpaper, whatever you want decorative plaster- so so be it. Pipes are humming - replace it, a cracked toilet - throw it away. You may think that, based on your desires, you won’t be able to do an apartment renovation with your own hands quickly and inexpensively. But you probably don’t know this, and you’re only forcing yourself into limits. If it works, you’ll do it; if not, it’s not a big loss, it’s just a note in a notebook. Next, start making an estimate: what exactly do you need and in what quantity. How many meters of tiles, grout, bags of putty, wallpaper, chipboard and other things. You can always correct these entries.
To find out exactly what materials, what quality and price you will need, go to online stores and construction forums for help. Carefully study the characteristics and pricing policy, approximately calculate the consumption. And at the same time, learn how to replace a faucet, hang wallpaper or install drywall yourself. Determine for yourself: I can do this myself, but here you need to look for an electrician or plumber. Write it down.
How can you save money?
There are many options. First, remember: it is better to buy materials for apartment renovation in the cold season - the price is much lower. But summer is construction season. In winter, you can come across a 50% discount in construction markets or a “Buy 2, get 3 for free” promotion! So you can buy the same wallpaper at a low price, but much more best view and quality. And if they lie for a couple of months in a dry pantry or closet, then nothing will happen to them. Explore local forums, especially if you live in a large city. There you will probably find many people who have already done inexpensive apartment renovations with their own hands. You will probably find photos of finishing, tips, addresses and phone numbers of specialists there. And you will also come across the heading “repair” and “remaining materials”. Periodically look at who is selling or giving away interesting things. People often end up with materials after renovation that no one will buy at the sale price, and it’s a pity to throw them away. So, you can buy a couple of bags of putty or even Spanish tiles for a ridiculous price. A person has an extra 2-3 meters left, there is nowhere to put it, but it will do just fine for you in the toilet. There you can also find the remains of a cable or grout “for a chocolate bar”. More respectable people, when moving into new buildings, often exchange brand new plumbing fixtures or PVC windows for more expensive ones, and these are given away for next to nothing. Why? Because they want “Rehau” or “only France”, and such a window will do just fine for you. Anything is better than the old wooden one. When you get rich, buy yourself a Rehau.Tools for repair
Construction tools cost a lot of money, so it’s better not to spend money on them. Another option is to rent it for a while; it is rented everywhere. And it will be even better if you borrow it from acquaintances, friends or relatives. And be sure to thank the person for their help. How? You know better. Take this opportunity to ask if they can help you decorate your apartment. Especially if your friends are well acquainted with construction literacy. This will also help you do your own apartment renovation quickly and inexpensively, and also with high quality. And your friend will probably make a significant discount for old times sake.
You will need:
Step-by-step instruction
1. The concept of repair includes the following list:
4. Next stage- ceiling repair. Sew all the cracks with a spatula so that they become deeper. Prime with primer, putty and let dry. After the primer has dried, sand the ceiling and prime it again. Before painting the ceiling, make repairs to the walls. 5. After working on the ceiling, start removing the old wallpaper. To do this, wet the old wallpaper with water, let it soak for a while, and as soon as it gets wet, remove it with a spatula. The wall must be dry and clean before you begin repairing it. Sew all the cracks on the wall with a spatula, prime them with primer and seal them with putty. When the areas you putty have dried, sand them and then coat them with primer again. If you glue thick wallpaper, then do not use. 6. The next stage is painting the ceiling or wallpapering the ceiling. Dilute the water-based paint as written on the can and paint the ceiling 2 times. If you decide to glue wallpaper for painting, then glue it and paint it 2 times as well. Paints domestic manufacturer cheaper, so your budget won't suffer. 7. Before covering the walls with wallpaper, you need to paint the doors and window frames. If you buy paint "P" Russian manufacturers, and not imported ones, it will cost you much less. After the paint has dried, proceed to wallpapering. To save money on purchasing wallpaper, choose a domestic manufacturer. In terms of quality and durability, wallpaper from Russian manufacturers is not inferior to imported ones. 8. The final stage is painting the floor. If the furniture was not taken out, then cover the legs and perimeter of the furniture with masking tape, and remove it after painting - the furniture will remain clean. Choose domestic paint - it will be cheaper, but will not affect the quality of the paint.
Walls
Walls are the first thing that always catches your eye. Of course, the walls are smooth and beautiful stylish wallpaper Everyone will like it, but if there is no money for leveling and expensive materials, you can limit yourself to simply replacing old wallpaper. Just by re-pasting the wallpaper you will already transform the apartment. It is quite possible to choose inexpensive thick wallpaper on a paper or non-woven basis, and you can stick it even on not very smooth walls. Non-woven wallpaper hides minor irregularities especially well.
There is another option. The previous owners left a couple of rolls of wallpaper in the apartment, which were of no use to them during the renovation. For example, I simply replaced a few particularly dirty and torn areas of wallpaper. It was enough to replace the wallpaper strips where they were most noticeably damaged. These are protruding corners, places near door jambs, in the hallway at the entrance, in the kitchen near the stove - all this will cost much less than a complete replacement, and the home will look much better.
Ceiling
If we are dealing with whitewash or layers of lime, it is best to clean them first. Numerous lime deposits that peel off and crumble are not only aesthetically unsightly, but also harmful to health. It is not difficult to wash away lime; you must first soften the layers by wetting small areas ceiling with water from a spray bottle, and then clean off the plaque with a hard spatula or scraper. If there is old peeling wallpaper on the ceiling, it needs to be removed.
After cleaning, the ceiling can be additionally sanded with ordinary sanding paper, that is, sandpaper, and primed. If the surface is smooth, without pits or cracks, it will be cheaper to paint the ceiling with acrylic paint, it is better to use matte paint light pure tones. If there are small defects left, the wallpaper will hide them. Wallpaper for the ceiling should be chosen white or very light, without a pronounced pattern and with very fine corrugation. Another economical option to transform the ceiling is to glue foam boards.
Floors
If these are concrete floors, as a rule, nothing additional needs to be done with them in terms of preparation; they are quite smooth and durable. Creaking wooden floors are much more serious problem, and their repair, at least over time, cannot be avoided here, but the squeaking problem can be temporarily solved. Creak in wooden floors occurs when adjacent boards rub against each other. In particularly “loud” areas of the floor, you can drill several holes with a regular drill and fill in a little polyurethane foam. The foam will fill and seal the voids between the boards and the floor will stop creaking. This must be done carefully, without fanaticism, so that the floor does not swell.
Level out strong “waves” and unevenness wooden floors You can nail hardboard, plywood or OSB sheets on top. For the required strength, the thickness of plywood or OSB should be about 1 centimeter. As a finishing floor covering, linoleum is still the most economical and durable. Fortunately, the choice of linoleum in stores is extensive.
Tile
If we have already figured out the wallpaper on the walls, then what to do with tiled covering? Replacing the tiles, of course, may be a solution if the tiles do not stick to the wall, because there is no other way out. In rare cases when tile easily came away from the mortar, and the mortar itself adheres well to the wall, the tile is easy to restore by spreading it with a thin layer of PVA glue and pressing it firmly into place against the mortar. The main thing here is to get the back of the tile correctly into its imprint on the mortar, and PVA glue will glue the ceramics to the mortar very firmly - checked! But if the tiles are holding strong, and buying new ones is expensive, you can work a little on what you have. Firstly, the tiles can and should be washed thoroughly. Since it's tile, it will withstand much more aggressive cleaning agents than dish gel, but it will also look much better when it's cleaned off. limescale, rust and other traces of use. It is also necessary to clean the seams between the tiles. There is no need to be afraid of damaging the grout; on the contrary, you need to clean off as much grout as possible. Mold often settles between the tiles in the bathroom and it is very difficult to remove it from there.
After removing as much grout as possible along with unwanted flora and fauna, the seams can be treated with a special antiseptic. After this, they can be filled with fresh grout. It is better to choose a grout color that is neutral or close to the color of the tile.
Plumbing
Carefully inspect your plumbing fixtures. Are there any cracks or chips? There is no need to change plumbing. Plumbing cleaning products will help make all sanitary surfaces look more presentable, and a bright shower curtain will complete the job. By the way, you can also refresh a cast-iron bathtub with paint. Not from the inside, of course, but from the outside. But, shining with freshly painted sides, the bathtub will immediately take on a more elegant look. But if the inner surface of the bathtub is damaged and worn out, it makes sense to contact bathtub restoration specialists who will cover the surface of the bathtub with new enamel right at home.
As a rule, such a service is cheaper than purchase and installation. new bath. Here's another option: make a bath curtain not only for the top, but also for the bottom (use glue and Velcro).
Electrics
Inspect all outlets. If you see melted plastic around the plug holes or even just dark spots, such sockets should be replaced without hesitation! Lamps are changed as needed. If they are intact, not obsolete and all the lights are on, you can simply remove them, wash them and hang them back. Do not forget to turn off the voltage in the apartment when working with electricians!10 ways to spend less on decorating an apartment and get a real masterpiece
Designer tips: 1. 100% polyester silk. Stone-like tiles, parquet-like linoleum, onyx-like laminate, Trekhgorka like Ralph Lauren. Python-like porcelain tiles. “Artificially aged” something... It’s embarrassing to even think about. Alas, the number will not work. Look through good interior design magazines. Everywhere there, stone is stone, tile is nothing more than tile, and wood is just that, wood. If you don’t have the money for parquet, and simple laminate is beneath you, look for a good engineered board. The result is a floor that looks worth much more than the money you spent on it. A good alternative to porcelain tiles for kitchens, bathrooms and hallways is cement tiles. The result will look a hundred times more expensive. 2. Adjacent rooms should contrast. If you have a bright living room, have the hallway painted a deep, relatively dark color. The cost of paint will be the same in any case, and the result can look really expensive. 3. If on good carpet no money, look for carpet made from viscose or blended fibers that imitate a silk or wool pile carpet.
4. Place the curtains on a thick lining. Even inexpensive curtain fabric will greatly benefit from this. Look for fabrics that are three meters wide. This results in significant savings. If you are not willing to spend a lot, avoid printed textiles (fabrics with a pattern). When cutting patterned fabrics, due to the need to properly join the fabrics, a lot of scraps remain. The more rapport, the more waste. Do not use curtain tape for curtains. Let the seamstress lay down the “hand” folds. It's not that expensive, and the pleats, gathered with braid, look very cheap. 5. Set-set-set. Identical things in the interior are permissible only in one case: if they are paired items that form a symmetrical composition. Chandeliers, desk lamp and leave the sconces from one set to those to whom God has not given imagination. They are the kits upholstered furniture“a sofa or two armchairs” and similar tender sadness. For more details, see the next paragraph. 6. Ready-made solutions. Bad news: there isn't any. At least for us. The shower room is built using construction methods because it is a room. Unless you run a student hostel or an underground massage parlor with striptease, a shower stall (that sad structure of yellow acrylic and lopsided doors) will not suit you. Don't spend money on “designer” plumbing fixtures. Let the appearance of the plumbing equipment in the bathroom (kitchen, bathroom) be dictated by the function. Buy washbasins and faucets of simple shapes, without inappropriate decoration. The toilet should be inconspicuous and do its job. No one will admire him, right? 7. Paintings, prints, engravings, photographs and posters frame in simple but deep frames with glass and always with a mat. Even a picture printed on a home inkjet printer (or a naive child’s drawing) looks very significant in such a frame. Play with the size of the mat. A small work in a very wide mat looks very “designer-like”. And, by the way, cardboard for mats can be of almost any color. 8. Cosiness. Another collective fetish. According to my observations, what in our Palestinians is called “comfort”, in 99 percent of cases, is poetic closeness. In many ways, this is a physical memory of a bygone childhood, of the warm and affectionate meager Soviet life with carpets teeming with saprophytes, a kind grandmother, Czechoslovak crystal and the unread Dreiser in the polished Polish wall of “Hanka”. Moreover, expensive devilry such as a round bed with music and a minibar, a bar counter with a built-in aquarium, etc. will not add comfort. The same is true for such rich things as lambrequin, garland and swag. Don't worry: in a good, well-thought-out interior, comfort inevitably comes naturally. Therefore... 9. ...Goodbye, gypsy Sera! Duvet covers made of calico in fine Nefertiti, towels in scarlet roses, pillowcases in eye-catching shades, nylon blankets with Shanghai leopards. All these are attributes of collective farm chic, forgive me for being blunt. They will not add comfort. Variegated coloring is often necessary for these things solely to hide their exceptionally lousy quality. Keep bed linen and bath towels plain white (options: Ivory, ecru). But made from excellent Egyptian cotton. 10. However, it is also important not to overdo it with ivory. Peach, beige, sand... The average nuanced range is good for chain hotels. Because their stenciled interiors are bound to please everyone. You should like your interior. After all, he is a manifestation of your essence, right? Pick up a fan palette from any paint manufacturer. Do you feel pleasant heaviness? These are your possibilities. Don't miss them!
Repair is a sore subject for most owners. country houses and apartments. It often takes a lot of investment and effort to make rooms look stylish. modern look. Do not know, how to renovate an apartment with your own hands inexpensive and fast? Replacing windows, painting the ceiling, re-gluing wallpaper, covering the floor - all this can be done without outside help quickly and inexpensively. With the right selection of materials and a little more effort, you can make high-quality and beautiful renovation with modern finishes.
The area that requires the participation of a specialist if repairs or replacement is necessary is electricity. The most economical option in this case is to call a specialist. Installation of sockets in the apartment can be carried out without his help. The cheapest way to rent tools for apartment repairs is to rent them.
Photo of inexpensive ceiling repair
Before starting inexpensive repairs, first of all, determine suitable design and a plan is made. Best time for repairs it is autumn. In warm weather, façade work is carried out, and interior work is carried out with the windows open.
In addition, prices for materials are always reduced by 15% by autumn. Many materials, such as putty, plaster, sealant, assembly adhesive, leveling screed, have a limited shelf life, and by the fall the store sells it at a big discount.
Photo of inexpensive room renovation
Replacement if necessary old plumbing with a quick repair, you can try to restore the old one, but if this is not possible due to significant damage or chips, you can buy the plumbing fixtures second-hand. Many new settlers in apartment buildings change new technology immediately after moving in, and the equipment, going to the landfill, is sold by the employees of this organization at a bargain price.
Photo of the bathroom before inexpensive renovation
Export construction packaging, garbage is a rather expensive repair item in an apartment, but if you wish, you can take everything out in bags to the nearest trash can.
How to choose the right materials for inexpensive repairs
Plywood, beams, slats, boards can be bought on the building materials market. The slats for cladding can be taken unplaned. Croaker is bought raw in advance and dried. By autumn, this material dries completely when purchased in the spring. Plywood of the required thickness can be taken from waste packaging material (containers). The material can be made waterproof using two buckets of PVA-based putty.
Photo of inexpensive bathroom renovation
The floor is covered with film. The temperature should not fall below thirteen degrees. A sheet is laid out. Putty is poured into the center and applied to the ends with a paint brush. The plywood sheet is covered with plastic, another sheet is laid, and the puttying process is repeated until all sheets are covered.
Photos of inexpensive home renovations
A bend is placed on a stack of putty plywood (over the entire surface). After a week, the sheets are turned over and puttied on the other side, then also pressed. After two weeks, you can use moisture-resistant plywood. Thick timber and boards can also be taken from disassembled containers and pallets. An inexpensive option for finishing walls and ceilings is covering the surface with laminate or MDF.
Beautiful and inexpensive bathroom renovation
If slab stitching is done on a wooden sheathing, leveling the surface is practically not necessary. Wall covering in an apartment can be done at chest or waist level, the remaining space can be finished inexpensively and quickly with non-woven wallpaper.
Inexpensive finishing for quick renovation
An economical type of flooring in an apartment is marmoleum. This material is not suitable for wet rooms. For baths and toilets, any type of tile is used. When using laminate, the floor requires leveling before installation. For the walls in the bathroom you can use laminated hardboard.
Photo of inexpensive flooring in an apartment
If it is necessary to insulate or glaze the balcony, this is done in the spring. The outer part is covered with siding. The interior is finished with plywood and the surface is covered with self-adhesive film. Used for windows wooden frames, which you can install yourself. Windows are purchased in early spring and installed closer to summer.
Where to start for inexpensive repairs
The doors can simply be updated. The door is sheathed on both sides with moisture-resistant plywood. The plywood is glued to the removed door using mounting adhesive, then everything fits under oppression. Before gluing the sheets, the previous lining is removed from the door. Afterwards, the door in the apartment is covered with self-adhesive wood-like tape and varnished. The slopes are covered with the same plywood.
Old plumbing fixtures can be cleaned inexpensively acetic acid and washing powder. For stubborn stains, hydrochloric (technical) acid is used for quick removal. Cracked tiles can be restored quite easily. First cleaned with pemolux and vinegar.
The edges are closing masking tape. The seams are painted with two layers (from a spray bottle) of nitro paint. Splashes and drips are removed with solvent, the tape is removed.
Photo of a beautiful inexpensive bedroom renovation
Tiles and seams are sprayed after cleaning silicone grease(liquid) from a can. The lubricant is applied until it stops being absorbed. After three days, the silicone surface is wiped with vinegar. A cast iron bathtub can get a second life after painting with epoxy or acrylic compound. The heated towel rail in the bathtub is cleaned until metal surface and covered with compound.
Useful article: DIY liquid wallpaper, made from paper
Before repairing, it is better to look at the photo, then make a plan and get to work. You can give your apartment an attractive appearance with the help of inexpensive renovations, which can be done fairly quickly.
In this material:
When in advertising lines on the Internet we come across catchy phrases “repair for $50”, “repair in a week for half a salary”, etc. – somehow you automatically think that the authors either forgot to put a question mark, or that they are also scammers. This is partly true: international micro-offices like “sharash-montazh” can indeed undercover low prices“per square meter” to fleece a gullible customer who dreamed of saving money on repairs like a stick, or to do a terrible job. At the same time, from original videos from YouTube, where resourceful people share their experiences economical repairs with your own hands, you can gain a lot of benefits for your wallet and personal experience.
With your own hands? – some readers will exclaim. - Yes, I can’t hammer a nail straight into the wall... However, fear has big eyes. You can do everything, you just don’t want to. There is no moral and material incentive for you. And you don’t have to go far to find it, it’s nearby. All construction companies make a significant share of their income from work that does not require special qualifications. Those. money from your wallet, which could be spent on the sea, fishing, a fur coat, will finally fall into the calloused palm of the dark-skinned son of Central Asia for something that you could handle yourself... However, stop. Let's figure out which of the simplest repair tasks even the average junior student can handle?
Definition of scope of work
With a smart face, walk around the arena of upcoming repair actions and write down what exactly is planned to be done, what are the dimensions and area of the surfaces planned for restoration, and what needs to be purchased. Just write it down: a repair vacuum greatly dulls the most brilliant memory. And then scour the Internet for the cost of consumables and make notes: what in the plan corresponds to the capabilities of the wallet and common sense. Cross out the excess.
Definition of associates. If our student lives alone, the question disappears; she can handle it herself. However, if there is good friends- this is a reason for team unity, and if there is a candidate for the role of a handsome prince, this is an opportunity to test his love from a purely practical point of view. However, if there are roommates or apartment neighbors, you will have to coordinate Napoleonic plans with them. Neighbors are for it - great. The neighbors are against rescheduling the repair period or the neighbors themselves: to mom, to friends, to the devil, in a word - not to complicate your work. Repairing in an environment of constant squabbles is a waste of nerves, time and money without a particularly brilliant result.
Purchase of consumables
Arm yourself with your old notebook, a friend with a car (or, at worst, a cart) and go on a raid on building materials stores. “LeroyMerlin”, “K-rauta”, “Obi” and others stand apart; it’s very good to buy these from them Consumables like wallpaper, paint, linoleum, tiles: there is a large choice, and for every budget.
What you should pay attention to:
- Remaining wallpaper is always sold at a price reduced by at least 1.5-2 times. Knowing the area of the proposed pasting, you can easily choose the best option. Don’t forget about the original 2-color pasting method, it looks stylish and unusual (plain dark wallpaper on the bottom, light wallpaper with a pattern on the top). Border wallpaper is expensive, it’s better to take a discounted roll of the remainder with a longitudinal pattern and cut it out yourself.
- No matter how cheap they attract paper wallpaper– choose vinyl, or better yet, non-woven fabric. It will best tolerate everything that ordinary paper will not forgive: uneven walls, and mistakes of crooked hands. Do not take wallpaper with a large pattern that requires careful butt fitting - this way you can save more than 2 rolls.
- Gluing wallpaper joints is very useful, but you don’t need to take a beautiful tube called “wallpaper joint glue” for this. It contains banal PVA, which will cost five times less.
- Acrylic putty is much more expensive than gypsum putty, but if you plan to putty a wall under wallpaper, there is practically no difference: draw your own conclusions. If the putty requires several small holes in the wall, you shouldn’t even buy a package of putty: “quick” PVA-based putty is sold in ordinary plastic cans that strongly resemble herring ones.
- To remove particularly stubborn wallpaper, there is a special liquid (very smelly and expensive). However, it can be almost completely replaced with an aqueous solution of vinegar (8k 1).
- Paintable wallpaper is somewhat more expensive than regular wallpaper, but you should remember that you can hang it only once, and then simply repaint it to suit your mood.
- If we have two buckets of white acrylic paint for ceilings, but one is more expensive under the pretext of “better coverage,” we take the cheaper one. You still need to apply it in two layers, and when it dries it will still be equally white. For interior paint (say, for radiators, doors and floors) you can take the cheapest one: in indoor conditions it is no different from expensive paint.
- Do not neglect the primer. If you cover the walls and ceiling with it, the adhesion of paint and wallpaper glue will improve significantly. An economical option in a canister at a minimal price is quite suitable.
- The range of wallpaper pastes can now compete with the choice of cosmetics. Meanwhile, practice has shown: the most ordinary (not branded) wallpaper glue called “Wallpaper glue”, when mixed strictly in the proportion indicated on the packaging and in combination with gluing PVA joints, gives no less good result. And don’t be offended by the manufacturer if suddenly your non-woven wallpaper comes off after being glued with vinyl glue: it’s better to carefully look at the purpose of the glue on the packaging.
- Versatile and most cheap option for the floor - paint everything. However, the best option for frequently visited rooms (kitchen, hallway) is tile. Linoleum or paint will do only for a single student or a young couple who spend most of their time at work. If there is a child, a dog in the apartment, or the prospect of regular parties on weekends, in a couple of years the linoleum can be safely thrown away and the paint can be renewed. Carpet is good for bedrooms, however, even in the second year of use, “paths” may appear in it, so to save money, it is better to choose linoleum. Laminate and parquet, of course, are also quite good, but there is no point in considering them in an article about the “economy option”: even if you win them in the lottery or buy them with a 90% discount (which is equally likely) - without qualified craftsman There's no need for installation.
- Plates, panels and baseboards made of foam plastic, polystyrene, etc. - an excellent find for decorating any ceilings, especially problematic ones, when traces of a flood, scratches, potholes and other troubles are difficult to disguise with paint. Such panels adhere perfectly to glue (“Moment” and “Titanium” occupy a well-deserved leadership), are not afraid of moisture, are easy to clean, change and adjust, and at the same time look great in any room. Considering that this eliminates the need for any treatment of the ceiling (except for fungus, if any), this is also a good way to save money.
- When everything has already been purchased, we remember what tool can be useful beyond the list: is there a roller at home, does it need a long handle, are there enough brushes and flutes, gloves, covering film, and other little things. By the way, if your shopping list still includes ceiling paint, consider that you now have a couple of convenient containers for all kinds of solutions. At the same time, remember that any board can replace a tray for rolling out paint, and a micro-roller for wallpaper joints can be replaced with a tightly folded dry cloth, in other words, don’t take too much.
- If the repair hero is alone in his impulse, and even does not have a car, many large stores offer the service of delivering purchases to the stated address. However, please remember that delivery costs money and may not be scheduled for the day of purchase. Otherwise, you can distribute your visits to the store over several visits, and take away the heaviest items last by getting a cart.
Preparing the area for renovation
Move the furniture to the center of the room (you can use the help of a group of girlfriends), wrap it with covering material, because there will be a lot of dirt and dust. The most necessary things are casual clothes, documents, everything that can be useful in the process of living “beyond renovation” - move to the “temporary headquarters” (in one-room apartments, this usually becomes the kitchen). Set up a sleeping place there: for obvious reasons, it’s not worth spending the night in the “repair” area.
Washing whitewash from the ceiling
Yes, you need to prepare for this too, since especially in rented apartments with old renovations, a white-washed ceiling with chalk is not that uncommon. None special means, except for a stepladder, water and a rag are not required for this, although the process is accompanied by abundant movement of whitewash from the ceiling to the washer. However, with a competent approach, it is worth considering that by stretching upward, and even with such humidity, you are actively losing weight. Plus, you can invite your friends to a “chalk” party. And what gorgeous selfies you will make! Just don’t forget to wipe the floor after each repair day.
Whitewashing the ceiling (or tiling)
Difficult? Yes, it’s elementary, especially in comparison with the wash. The ceiling is covered with liquid primer using a roller on a long handle (half an hour to an hour of work), and the next day - with the same roller - water-based paint. Neither the primer nor the paint is odorless and can be easily washed off from the operator and his clothing with plain water. A wonderful philosophical lesson in bringing chaos to order, a minimum of effort, a maximum of visible results in an hour of time. Don't be afraid that when you apply the first layer the paint doesn't look so white and something shows through: it will become much whiter when it dries. It is better to apply the paint in two layers with a break for complete drying. After priming and each painting, carefully wash the roller under warm water: it will be useful when gluing wallpaper.
If you decide to cover the ceiling with tiles, washout still cannot be avoided, and the primer will come in handy (the glue will adhere to it much better), but you can forget about puttying any irregularities, if any. Let's stock up sharp knife(a stationery one is best) and begin gluing the tiles from the corner farthest from the entrance near the window (it is most noticeable at the entrance to the apartment). It is better to apply glue to the tiles along the perimeter in “stitches” and crosswise. Everything else is a real game of dominoes or Tetris - the main thing is to stock up on a reliable stepladder.
Preparing the walls
Now you can remove the whitewashed wallpaper. Watered generously with warm water from a spray bottle, or moistened with a vinegar solution, they come off perfectly. And tear the paper into large quantities at times it is no less useful than breaking dishes - even psychologists recommend it. Are there nail holes or uneven spots in the walls? - no problem. We smooth out any irregularities with sandpaper. We spray the holes with water (so that dust does not interfere) and carefully cover them with putty. You can take a ready-made one using PVA, you can dilute the powder, take a spatula and sculpt: any girl who has at least once used foundation can do it. When the putty has dried (the drying time is always indicated on the package) - take a roller and cover the walls with one layer of primer. All!
Wall repair
If we have firmly decided to save on repairs and we do not need to submit our work to the inter-district competition “Best single repairman”, then there is absolutely no need to bother with the favorite baubles of seasoned professionals such as “bringing it to zero” and the like. Understand: neither the cat nor the guests intend to walk along the walls with a level, checking the unevenness. The exception is the so-called “pregnant” walls - when the plaster on them cracks and lags behind the brick or concrete so much that, with sufficient strong impact, say, with a hammer, may crumble. This is not suitable for future wallpaper. In this case - yes, it is better to tap such areas with the same hammer, clean them of debris, moisten them generously with water and plaster them (this is no more difficult than putty, you just need to use the building mixture specifically for plastering). Another exception is fungus: you shouldn’t glue wallpaper on it either without pre-treatment, because no matter how thoroughly they clean it from the wall, it will still appear. Nowadays there are a lot of means for its destruction, you can take any, firmly remembering: all painting and gluing work must be carried out after the applied product has completely dried.
Lyrical digression: as a moral encouragement, it should be taken into account that with previous work we saved about 15,000 rubles (or even more) in wages for slave labor. As an additional bonus, remember that any construction company will charge at least 10,000 rubles for wallpapering the smallest room. If anything, a ticket to, say, Prague and back is seven and a half thousand rubles, plus cozy private hotels, and incredibly delicious food. With these positive thoughts, we set about painting everything except the floor.
Namely, heating radiators, doors and jambs, window sills and other elements of our interior, the coloring of which can damage the wallpaper. Naturally, before painting, you need to wash them and clean them from uneven spots and chips of old paint, and during the painting process, provide yourself with unnecessary clothing, which you don’t mind, a respirator, or at least a gauze bandage. Good ventilation will not only eliminate the smell, but also speed up the drying of the paint.
Pasting walls
One of the most creative elements of the renovation process. IN in this case a lot depends on the type and pattern of wallpaper you choose. To cut them, you will need a section of clean floor as long as the height of your walls. We unwind the first roll, make height marks, and (if we have chosen a monotonous pattern that does not require joining) - we simply roll the roll back and forth and cut it along the edges with a stationery knife. When a sufficient number of pieces are ready, apply glue. If our wallpaper is non-woven (which is optimal), then directly on the wall, using a roller that is familiar to us, and immediately glue the wallpaper. If it is vinyl or paper, you will have to apply glue to the wallpaper, fold each piece in half and wait for the glue to be absorbed. Then everything is simple: glue it to the walls, disperse the bubbles, coat the joints with the ceiling and coat the sides with a thin PVA brush, level the border or baseboards with the ceiling and enjoy finished work. And yes, don’t forget: at this stage there are no drafts, all the windows are closed tightly.
Floor preparation and covering
After the above work it will no longer cause any difficulties. The main thing is that you need to completely or at least half free the floor area from all the furniture. If you have bulky things, you should come up with a way to disassemble them or put them in the right place immediately after painting or covering with linoleum, otherwise you risk getting drag marks or tears.
Before covering with linoleum or paint, even a wooden floor or fiberboard slabs It is enough to wash it clean, filling the widest joints. Old linoleum is also quite easy to remove: in most cases it is no more difficult than removing wallpaper. Small angles of inclination of the floor according to the level do not require “zeroing” at all - we already remember that we are handing over our work to ourselves, and not to a harsh perfectionist judge. However, if the floor has large unevenness (most often it drops strongly and very clearly towards the corner), it is a good idea to level it with a building mixture. At the same time, if a herd of mammoths does not have to trample in the desired corner, any leftovers will do - gypsum, plaster, putty, cement, old tile adhesive: dilute, cover, and leave to dry. Next - just painting, or cutting out linoleum (remember that modern linoleum does not require any glue: it is simply placed on the floor and pressed with baseboards).
In general, here are all the jobs that you can do yourself. By the most minimal standards, you can save about 40,000 rubles on them. In addition to the work mentioned above, one can still carry out construction garbage– for this service, repair workers willingly charge a bribe of 1000 rubles. If you have the tools and some skill, if you have to renovate the bathroom, you can dismantle the tiles yourself (especially if they are already falling behind) and add to your virtual economy wallet from 200 rubles per square meter.
But there is a list of jobs that, without special qualifications, even with the most economical of economical options, are definitely not worth taking on. This includes laying tiles or laminate flooring, replacing and repairing electrical systems, installing plumbing fixtures and windows, and, perhaps, dismantling and hanging new doors. Here, poor familiarity with the “subject”, even in the most successful scenario, can negate all previous savings. If it goes wrong – especially in the case of electrical issues – your health may also be at risk.
Drawing a line under our economical repairs, you can make sure that not everything is as scary and expensive as it seems. And an apartment renovated with your own hands may well become a source of personal pride and a start for something more than just renovation. After all, sometimes by changing the environment, a person changes himself. And, as a rule, for the better.
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