Every home has “that room” – the one space that’s desperately dated, in disrepair, or otherwise in need of serious help. Of course, that room usually is the one space that everyone can see (we’re looking at you orange kitchen, carpeted bathroom, and boring backyard). So, how do you transform the embarrassing into the astonishing? We’ll show you how to find your diamond in the rough.

Fixin’ the Kitchen

Not surprisingly, 33% of HomeAdvisor users reported that the kitchen was the room that could benefit the most from a refresh. And while many of us dream of gutting our kitchens, it’s possible to get a kitchen you can be proud by making a few key updates to your cabinets and countertops.

You probably don’t need to take a look at your cabinets to tell us whether you hate them or not. If you’re like many homeowners, you’re not too fond of them. Perhaps they’re broken and worn out. Or maybe they’re just plain ugly. Whatever the case, updating them will have a huge impact on your kitchen’s look. The question is: do you need to replace them, reface them, or simply paint them? In many cases, the answer depends on your budget. To help you decide, we recommend taking a look at our Cost Guide to see how much others in your area are paying for similar projects.

Let’s talk about your counters. If you aren’t happy with your kitchen there’s a good chance your countertops are partially to blame. While the reasons for your disdain are probably many, there are a couple of things you can do to rid yourself of your ugly counters. Your first option is to replace them. While this is the spendiest option, it’s the option that will have the biggest impact on the look and value of the room. Your other option (if you have laminate counters) is to resurface them. Far less expensive than replacing your countertops, resurfacing your counters is a labor-intensive, yet affordable option that can change the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank. To learn what option is best for you, we recommend talking to a counter pro.

Bathroom Breakthrough

Don’t like your bathroom? You’re not alone. You could open the checkbook and remodel your bathroom. Or you could make a few strategic updates that are guaranteed to have an impact.

When it comes to a bathroom update, one of the biggest areas of opportunity is to replace your shower or bathtub. Like most fixtures, bathtubs and showers start to show their age after a number of years. Sometimes the fix is as easy as having the tub refinished. This is a great option if you have a period tub that will be costly to replace. If refinishing is out, spending the money on a high-quality replacement will get you a tub or shower that will improve the look of the room and the value of your home.

If replacing your tub isn’t in the cards, replacing your cabinet hardware and light fixtures are affordable updates that can have freshen up your dated bathroom. While both jobs are doable DIY-projects, replacing your light fixtures can be tricky, especially if you’re not comfortable working with electricity. If you’d rather contract the job out to a pro, we can help you find a pro you can trust. (NOTE: When working with electricity, always make sure to turn the power off at your service panel.)

Luxe Landscaping

When it comes to remodeling, the yard is often one of the last spaces to be addressed. Though this makes perfect sense from a budget standpoint, it makes less sense when you consider how visible your yard is and how much curb appeal can affect your home’s value. So, what can you do to transform landscaping your loathe in a yard you can be proud of? Here are a few options.

Perhaps the project that will have the most immediate impact is clearing out or trimming overgrown shrubs, bushes, and trees. While it can be very labor intensive, cleaning up your landscaping is a project that can be tackled in as little as a few hours or as long as a weekend. Or you can clear your calendar and hire a landscaping pro to do the job for you. Think you look good after a haircut? Just imagine how your yard will look.

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