Every week, decorating and entertaining editor Liz Gray will write about the highs and lows of remodeling her first home. Read her first post for more details.
In many ways, buying a house is like starting a brand new relationship: You meet the house, fall for the house and spend hours thinking about how great it is. But a couple of months in, once the boxes are unpacked, you start to notice the little things — like the design equivalent of realizing that your shiny new significant other puts the toilet paper roll on upside down (for those wondering, the paper goes under.)
After living in my house for two months, I’ve realized certain things bother me more than others. (Surprisingly, the wall-to-wall paneling in the main living area didn’t make the list.) I’m counting down the top 5 design crimes I’m itching to fix ASAP — which do you think is the worst offender?
#5: Grandma’s Wallpaper
We hated this so much that we started stripping it the second day we moved in. The equally ugly coordinating border is still up, but its days are numbered.
Buh-bye, floral wall and border!
#4: Stairway to Ugly
Okay, the entire second floor hallway is covered in burnt orange carpeting. Okay, it looks like it’s been hanging out here since the late ’70s. Not the worst part. My biggest pet peeve is this staircase:
Orange carpeting, don't bother to write.
Sun from the picture windows has faded the rise of each step, leaving behind a seriously depressing yellow hue. On the other hand: It was ombre before it was cool, right?
#3: Horror Movie Lighting
The first night we stayed in the house, the “bzzz” of the fluorescent lighting in the powder room and master bath made me feel like I was in a bad motel where the only other guest was a serial killer. Irrational fears aside, the lights take forever to come on — especially annoying in the middle of the night.
See ya, bad lighting!
#2 and #1: Kitchen Nightmares
As an avid cook, I spend a lot of time dreaming about how much better my kitchen (and life?) will be without these cabinets. They’re made of particle board and covered in peeling white contact paper, plus the doors are oddly uneven. I can’t wait to fix this.
Kitchen cabinets, it's not you, it's me.
The scuffed-up, flower-covered linoleum floor is another sore spot. I’m thinking about covering it up until I can completely replace it.
What do you think? Which is the worst, and how should I fix it? Tell me in the comments below.
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I have an identical staircase that I want to resurface. I think this is the worst. I don't know what material is under your carpet, but mine are made of concrete and it had been hard to find a material that is not too hard if someone falls. Me and my daugters have fallen a couple of times, but thanks to the carpet, there were any broken bones.
Fix a couple of the cheapest things first. Then you can get a couple of things done that are bothering you, rather than just one (expensive) item. i.e, remove wallpaper before remodelling kitchen.
Don't think this list will ever end. Once you get through your initial list, a brand new one will pop up unexpectedly. Things that you never noticed will suddenly start making you shudder with distaste every time you walk past them.
I am 3 years, countless projects and over $20,000 into my first home, and my list of "to dos" is longer than when I moved in. *sigh*
I currently have a gutted bathroom (down to the studs) and exactly 13 swatches of paint on my basement walls because the color that comes out on the walls bears no resemblance to that on the piece of paper.
Very rewarding creating your own space though.
And I have picked "Caribbean Coast" by Behr, which I'll have color matched by Sherwin Williams.
We're making a "now" and "later" list for remodeling…I think we'll be busy for awhile.
But, I think it will be worth it in the end. Good luck with finishing your bathroom project!
Fix the cheapest, fastest issue first so you will begin to build your momentum. Then, move towards the kitchen.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for the advice! Onward with the wallpaper removal…
My parents used to have carpet like that (theirs was shag though). They bought it in the late 70's when they were living in one house and it was so expensive that when they moved a year later they actually pulled it up and brought it with them to the new house. It wound up in one of the bedrooms (which was inhabited by my older sisters, then me, then my brother) and was finally removed in the mid 90s. It went great with the puke yellow carpet in the hallway and stairs
This is a difficult choice! I grew up with similar buzzing fluorescent lighting in the bathroom so I know I could live with it, but it is probably the easiest and least expensive to fix. The carpeting is bad — is there hardwood under it? When I was young a lot of new homeowners would cover great hardwood with carpeting to "protect" it, even though it meant no one would ever be able to see the beautiful wood! Hopefully this is the case in your house. The kitchen really does need help but this will be pricey to fix, especially if you want to use quality materials, so you may need to live with it for a while. I think you made the right choice starting with the "grandma" wallpaper, which is one of my personal pet peeves and also not too expensive to fix if you are willing to do the work yourselves!
Not sure what is under there. I *wish* it was hardwood, but think it's just subfloor. I might peel it up though…doesn't hurt to look. I've kind of gotten used to the light fixture as you did, but I still think it needs to go asap.
My dining room used to have wood paneling. Such a nightmare. I don't know how that was ever in style…
Christina
http://becauseofmadalene.blogspot.com/
Hi Christina,
What did you do about your wood paneling dilemma? I'm still figuring out what to do with mine. It's actually solid pine, but it's pretty overwhelming and doesn't mesh with the updated midcentury look I'm going for.
My vote is for removing the wallpaper. You've already started so keep on going. Then a coat of paint and it will be visually the biggest accomplishment and spur you on to tackle the stairs next.
I would start with covering the linoleum in the kitchen, then move on to taking down the wallpaper since it's fairly easy to remove with 3:1 water/ fabric softener in a spray bottle. When we bought the house we're in now we loved the yard but not the interior, it needed serious help as all the molding (chair rails, baseboards, and crown) were painted a purplish gray color, and each room in the house had ugly wall paper and/or borders that didn't match anything, so we started with the wallpaper and went from there. Amazing how much difference it made when it was all down & walls repainted.
We are definitely full steam ahead on the wallpaper removal. Do you have before and after pics of your house? I'd love to see them!
do the wallpaper , but is it sheetrock or lats with plaster
Start with the cheapest, easiest projects first, to build your confidence and skills. Peel & stick floor tiles for the kitchen are a good choice–cheap, easy, yet if well chosen, they can really improve the look of the kitchen floor.
And I agree, finish the wallpaper removal, then give that room a nice coat of paint–small bucks, big impact!
Or, IF (and only if!!) you know what's under that orange carpet, you could rip up that carpet and just live with the wood stairs for a while. As long as you know it's not WORSE than that carpet!
Hi Beth,
I'm not sure what's under the carpet, but even if it's subfloor, how much worse could it really be? Definitely going to finish stripping wallpaper and give the room a good coat of paint before tackling the stairs, I think.
Ohhhh, those are the ugliest kitchen cabinets. The only thing you can do with those is replace the cabinet fronts. That's what I would get rid of first. Yuck!!!
Hi Rhonda — We are on the same page. I strongly dislike them and can't wait to ditch them. I'm thinking about refacing the doors somehow until I save the money to totally replace the cabinets.
You might be able to repair–sand-prime and paint them–for now!
Definetly the entrance. It always makes the first impression..
Burn it down and start over??
Hi DodiM — There are actually some really great parts of the house, too — like the windows, setting and view! Check out my first post.
I have to agree with those that said to start with the cheapest and work your way up. You can start saving for the kitchen,which will be your biggest expense,while working on the smaller things.
Start at the top and work your way down.
no no the paper goes over and down the front ! its easy to find the end that way….
Yes, the paper goes over and down the front. The other way is upside down to me,ugh.
To each their own!
I bought my townhouse (built in 1984!) in 1994 and it had identical kitchen cabinets to yours. I was finally near making the decision to renovate my kitchen just last year (2011)…when one of those ugly cabinets fell completely off the wall. I wasn't hurt and little was broken, but you should be aware it could happen. It gave me the final mpetus to renovate!
Ha! I'll be sure to watch my back while cooking. What did you replace the old cabinets with?
I showed that cabinet! I totally replaced everything in the kitchen (except the fridge and the dishwasher)! Brand new honey oak cabinets, new countertop with undersink (sink under?), new flooring, new stove, and also got the kitchen painted. It had been an antique white, but I went with a shade called Parchment and couldn't believe how much warmer-looking it was. I also have not replaced things on my walls that I used to have and find I really like the "cleaner" look. I had mugs on hooks, and was using a flat curtain rod with "S" hooks on my wall for my pots and pans. The configuration of the new cabinets AND the bottom drawer in my stove afforded more storage space, so I now have some place to put the pots and pans. I still use small towel racks and "S" hooks on my cabinet doors for my large spoons, spatulas, that type of thing. I still need to figure something out for my mugs, but that'll come.
I'm a month into remodeling my first house and WOW! I thought I had my work cut out for me! You go girl, keep at it, I'm sure it will be amazing in the end. I'm also blogging my redecorating campaign here: http://www.houseandhome493.wordpress.com
Thanks for sharing your remodel, love the wallpaper you chose for your bedroom!
We have the exact carpet. It's called paperika. Previos owner put it in of cours. We moved here 7 years ago and we were suppose to get new carpet. We had kids and decided to wait,because of all the stains that may come. Kids are 7 and 4. I'm still waiting on new carpet. Our list of improvements are never ending. Seems like there is always something that needs repaired and the carpet has to wait! New furnace,roof etc. Seems like as soon as we have money saved up,we need the money for that!! Wish I had a money tree.
I guess I have been looking at this the wrong way: If I spill coffee, it won't get any uglier. Thanks for that.
why did you say …..grams carpet.I am a granny and I would not have that carpet in my house and or any other kind of carpet for that matter..good luck on your projects.
Gut and don't look back!!! rip out carpet, maybe there are hardwood floors under there? I hate carpet, a dust-trap, dirt trap, and wood floors will clear your sinuses!!! LOL… New cabinets in your budget? If not, try paint? Take down the wallpaper, paint light colors and try a tan and gray color scheme with pops of color (lime green, yellow?) Get the heck rid of the horror movie lights in your bathroom!!! You can redo all this stuff for under X amount of dollars…
I will be beautiful!!!!
Hi Barbara, We plan to remodel the kitchen in the next couple of years, but for now we'll probably try paint. Love your idea for the color scheme!
On the positive side, it looks like you have some nice windows – especially above the sink in the kitchen. Take your blessings where you can!
Yes, there are lots of great features — check out the view I wrote about in my last post.
Pull out all stained carpet and paint the walls and cabinets. I would not live in a house that smell like old funk! NOW when that is done you will feel more inspired or better about decorating it!
Hi Mari,
I'm not sure what's under them. I think it's wood, but unfortunately not hardwood. However, wouldn't hurt to look, right? What would you like to do to your set?
First, finish the wallpaper stripping, then paint the room. Get rid of the lace valance, if the blinds are ok keep those (otherwise replace). As others have said, big morale boost for minimal effort/expense.
Figure out the electrical setup in the bathrooms and get new medicine cabinets and lights ASAP. Hire an electrician if necessary. You could actually do this first too.
Then see what's under ALL that carpet. If it's hardwood, pull it ALL up (pad too of course). Vacuum the hardwood about a dozen times, then wash it with wood floor soap another dozen times, then it will probably be livable until you can refinish it.
Agree with the peel-and-stick tiles over the linoleum. That's what we did, again big return for relatively light effort.
If the kitchen layout is good, or even workable, investigate refacing the cabinets. We had this done last summer, INCREDIBLE difference.
And the other posters are right – if you had a magic wand and could have this all done tomorrow, several other things would suddenly emerge as aesthetic disaster areas. Welcome to home ownership.
The kitchen layout is good, so we are planning to paint or otherwise dress them up until we can do a full remodel. I'm definitely learning that there is lots to do, but it's exciting, too!
I agree to take down the wallpaper and then paint. It will give you some visual impact that will motivate you to work on another project. I have been in my home 6 years and am still working on it. When you see how great one room looks you want to improve on other rooms in the house. Good luck .What a great feeling of accomplishment when you get a room or area the way you want it.
Thanks Norma! There is a lot of work, but it's exciting. I'd love to see photos of your house!
We bought our first house 3 years ago (a century old Victorian), and before we moved in, ripped out the soiled carpet from the stairs and the entire second floor, only to discover that the previous owner had used tar, yes, tar (that sticky black substance they use on rooftops) as glue to secure the carpet to the floor. Not only was it difficult to remove (3 brawny men with giant metal ice scrapers were exhausted after a couple of feet), but it was very dangerous to our health! Be aware that this could be a very expensive and labor-intensive job. We're still living with just subfloor on the second floor (and throw rugs) 3 years later – ugh.
Start with the wallpaper, then switch out the light fixtures (you can get affordable ones at Home Depot that are really nice!)
If I were you, I'd wait on the kitchen for now, just buy a can of paint to paint out that hideous wooden wall and trim until you can afford to put in the kitchen of your dreams. It really is amazing how a coat of paint can make things easier to live with. At least it will hide the little imperfections more. That's what I've done in my kitchen too, and it made all the difference!
Good luck!
Oh, what a nightmare! But, do you think it looks better even with just the subfloor? In any case, the wallpaper seems like a low-work, high payoff project so we're definitely sticking with that for now.
I hope you got a real bargain on that house. The most glaring defect to me is the stair's carpet. That is ug-ly!
I would do the wall paper and painting in that room, then the bathroom mirror and light. Both easy relatively inexpensive fixes. Then check to see if the floor under the awful orange carpet is hardwood or lesser quality wood. If it is hardwood, I would definitely take it off the stairs and refinish them. If lesser quality wood that wouldn't be worth finishing, put laminate down for now. I box should do it. or maybe even if it is hardwood do laminate for now and wait and refinish all the floors at once. I agree that the cabinets are hideous but not as bad as we had in our old house. I would paint them for now and put some new inexpensive hardware on or take the hardware off and spray paint it to coordinate. Peel and stick tiles or inexpensive replacement vinyl put down in one sheet and not glued down ( that way it is salvageable and recyclable to someone. And yes, something new will always pop up but doing the main parts of the house that everyone sees gives you a moral boost and you can keep doors to other rooms closed…LOL
I would get rid of the carpet, then take down the wallpaper and then bathroom light. Good luck.
My husband has remodeled the 110 year old house we are living in. We are old school, do the hard project first which means the Kitchen since it is a complete tear out, next replace the bath. When you have a nice new kitchen to work in and a new bathroom the other projects seem small to tackle. The other projects are less expensive your desire to finish is greater. Check under the carpet old homes usually have hardwood floors, a little weekend of sanding and refinishing is an easy project. Paint in any room makes a complete change and an easy fix. I would recommend for health reasons to tear out all carpet and live on what ever is under it until you can replace it with proper flooring. When you complete your projects you will enjoy your home so much, because you have put your stamp on it. When you walk in the door at the end of the day it is a space that you completed that gives you pleasure and rest. Good Luck!
Wow, I admire your resolve to do the hardest parts first. Good luck with the kitchen and bath remodels!
The carpet has to go regardless of what is underneath. Then the wallpaper. Those two projects are easy and can be done fairly quick. In the meantime, think about what you can do to the kitchen to make it more appealing to you for the time being. Then the bathroom, new lights, new medicine cabinet. Then go back to the kitchen. Maybe rip off the contact paper, sand and paint the cabinets, cover the floor, even paint a couple of paneled walls. Then enjoy until you have the time and energy to totally redo!! Good luck picking your battles!
That is way better than ours. Imagine putting 5 boxes beside each other and every one of them has door to connect to the other box. When I saw this house it broke my heart because our garage door is straight to the master bedroom. If anybody could help I would appreciate it big time.
Definitely do wallpaper room first. Paint it and address the floor, hang some nice window treatments too. Having a completed room feels good and you can use it to relax between projects
You sound just like me. After we left the closing, the first thing I did was to grab a corner of the wallpaper & TEAR! I would also pull up the carpet. You might as well see what you're dealing with and once you pull it there's no going back. That way you won't end up looking at it years from now because you put it off. If what you find is bad news, new carpet in possibly a berber would be an inexpensive quick fix. If you do the quick easy fixes that will give you instant impact It will encourage you to keep going.
Haha, I guess you were like us — we couldn't wait to get rid of it. I'll keep everyone posted about the carpet situation!
Take care of your master bedroom first! It is your sanctuary and your place to go when you can't stand the mess in the rest of the house. Who cares what the visitors think when they walk into your kitchen? Make your bedroom beautiful 100% right down to the sheets before you move on to the next room. Which, by the way, should be your master bath. It will get your through it! Just sayin'
– AspenKate
Good idea, Kathy! The master bedroom is definitely high on our to-do list — luckily there's not as much to do up there, though.
kitchen – the cabinets, the counter, ceiling spot lights everything in the kitchen.
Wallpaper first, before you do anything with the floors. Don't buy fancy tools & chemicals! A bucket of warm water with some liquid Downy –sponge it on, wait a few minutes and peel from the corners using a putty knife/scraper for stubborn spots…and re-wet if necessary. Clean the glue residue with clean water and wait a few days to paint till it's good and dry. Smells nice and looks a whole lot better!
If there's wood under the carpet, rip it up!!! even if it's not in good condition, cleaning it and applying a coat of Rejuvenate until you get to refinishing or replacing…
Crank up the Ipod, grab a beer and get to work — Have fun!
Wallpaper removal is happening as we speak, with music, of course.
I haven't got past the first paragraph yet, got hung up on the toilet paper. The "paper goes under"? I'm 61. The paper must roll from the Top. There's no right or wrong, just a preference. One reason I never married; I want things my way.
Haha, everyone has their own way!
If I had the money I would change everything, wouldn't matter which was first because I'd want to change all of it…. Love the name of your puppy, Miles. I had a Siamese named Myles, miss him every day.
Thanks, sorry to hear that you lost your Myles.
First on the list is anything that is DANGEROUS. Then, definitely cheapest next. However, FINISH ONE ROOM AT A TIME! This has been my downfall; I have been using the shotgun approach and after six years I can seriously say that only ONE of the rooms in my 1984 house is completely done. FINISH A ROOM AT A TIME (dangerous first, cheapest nex.)
Good advice, which room of your house did you finish first?
My old house was on a slab, the first floor was concrete blocks our first room to remodel was the living room. The walls were covered in wallpaper that looked like wood paneling and when took it down newspaper was used as insulation.
Definitely, start with the wallpaper first, once you get the walls done then you'll feel alittle better. Having just what you want on the walls can make a big difference in how you feel.
Wow, wallpaper that looks like wood paneling — that sounds like a new low. Thanks for the tips Susan!
My comments assume you are willing to tackle some DIY work for each project. Obviously cheapest first:
- Wallpaper removal is free (you do the work yourself)…then add $7 for a gallon of oops paint in a nice shade from your nearest home store.
- Staircase…free to remove the carpet. Paint the stairs…a little sanding, sealing, painting. Anyone in the family have any talent? Use multicolors &/or design or stensil elements to risers. Use the paint from the wall in the dining room and cover with a clear poly for durability and you've saved some money.
- Next tackle the cabinets…remove that contact paper and glue…sand completely and paint. New handles and pulls and you have a new kitchen…that will hold until you can replace the fronts/cabinets completely. It's work, but the results will be worth it. If it's a temporary fix have some fun with the paint…stay away from browns, beiges, whites…go for a pale blue or green…or liven it up with a bright yellow or lime green…find some cool retro knobs and work away. This all assumes fairly good bones to the cabinets. BTW – cover up that dark paneling…it brings the whole space down!
-OK…the floor in the kitchen. Another DIY project…As long as it's a safe material bring in a floor polisher and scuff the heck out of it….smooth scuffs…paint the floor one color and then paint on a "rug" to reflect the fantastic colors of the cabinets…cover with a couple of coats of poly. Have some money? Floor in good condition re: structural integrity? Cover the whole thing with an inexpensive hardwood or even tile.
- Finally….the bathroom lights. I only left these until last because it might mean bringing in an electrician. If the side lights are not an integral part of the medicine cabinet remove them and replace with side lights that use incandescent. Bringing in an electrician? Have him/her move the wiring to above the medicine cabinet and install a standard bathroom light…you will need to have drywall fixed on the side of the cabinet. The medicine cabinet is easy to remove – a couple of screws inside – while you fix. If you do remove the cabinet be VERY careful for razor blades…lots of the old medicine cabinets had a small slit in back where used blades were disposed…they just fell to the bottom of the framing. All else fails?….replace the florescent and ballast so the lights come on more quickly…just a brief stopgap. Any of these projects could also be done top of the line with a contractor – or if you have the talent. Good luck.
Wow, thanks for the ideas, Marylee! We are definitely in the market to do a lot of the work ourselves, if possible. I love the idea of painting the stair risers with a design!
Not sure where to post this or if anyone from HGTV even reads these posts……I love HGTV and would watch it alot more if you would offer something else besides House Hunters over and over again later in the evening.( after 7:00 central time.) I work days, and by the time I get home and do the things a mom has to do, and finally get to bed, there are never any design shows on (my favorite), never anything but House Hunters and House Hunter's International, over and over and over……. Geez..can you please shake it up abit. I can't believe I am the only one who works days in the US, and hopes to enjoy a design show when I sit down to relax. Thanks, I feel better venting tho I'm sure it won't change a thing.
How about being grateful that you had the money to buy the house and apparently still have enough to make needed changes? Apparently the people who preceded you didn't.
I have to disagree — the toilet paper should unroll on top!
If you are not ready or you dont want to spend much in the kitchen, painting it will change the whole look of it.
Paint the pine wood walls with a warm color and all the cupboards and cabinet trimmings with white to match the doors. This way it will just blend in. Replace that light fixture, remove the hanging plant, and get an inexpensive roman blinds that will match the wall paint..
This will have a big impact but really cool on the budget.. good luck!
Red http://www.redesign4more.com
Same with the bathroom, all it needs is painting. You can have a really beautiful vanity/sink combo (home depot, for less than $400), and just pair it up with an inexpensive and beautiful mirror.
It looks overwhelming but its not, you can have this as a wkend project..
Red http://www.redesign4more.com
Wow, this is a "happenin' post" Liz!
As I recall, you get to wake up to beautiful, picturesque sunrises from your master suite. There is so much opportunity for improvement it will be an adventure and things can only get better (that's the upside). I would have to say my biggest pet peeve you listed first . . . wallpaper, especially borders. Not my thing at all and I'm guilty of using borders a time or two in past homes I renovated. I guess I dislike them simply because they can date a room quickly and nobody enjoys removing wallpaper. BTW, hope miles has finished moistening that lower wallpaper with his licks. You could build him a little, doggy-safe scaffold so he can start working on that border.
Yes, removing wallpaper isn't the most fun…but it's also pretty low-work for a big impact. I'll see what I can do about that doggy scaffold.