BATHROOM on a Budget

Is your bathroom in need of a spruce up? Renovations can run upwards of $30,000 depending on what you’re doing, but if you’re on a budget, take an inventory and consider what you really need to do to make yourself comfortable in your bathroom again. Here are some tips to reset your bathroom without breaking the bank.

Just Paint It

A fresh coat of paint goes a long way. It can take your bathroom from grandma’s Mid-Century Modern style to just about anywhere else. White or bright, it doesn’t really matter, although style influencers suggest shades of white, ivory or cream for those doing makeup in the mornings. They also suggest homes with colorful bathrooms tend to fare poorer in the resale market. Whatever color you choose, opt for mold-resistant paints and primers, which help prevent peeling and help the paint bond to the wall. Cabinets and trim can also be painted to fit your new style.

Update The Hardware

Speaking of cabinets - what about the hardware? A simple update of knobs and handles can have a drastic impact on the look of any space and bathrooms aren’t an exception. Choose brushed nickel or bronze and consider pairing them with a new faucet, lighting fixture, door hardware or all of the above, if your budget allows. Newer models of fans also do a much better job at removing moisture, so consider updating the fan as well.

Utilize Statement Pieces

Does your shower have a door or a curtain? Yep, those can be swapped out for new, too. Just be sure whatever you choose matches the paint and the hardware you’ve chosen. Shower curtains are massive, so they take up a lot of the visual space in bathrooms that are notoriously tiny by comparison. Don’t skimp on this. Find a style you love and go for it. Mirrors can also be easily swapped out in most bathrooms. This Old House rec ommends re placing an old window with stained glass, or simply hanging one from chains in front of the original window. You can also buy your own materials and create a faux stained glass look.

Vanities

There are so many style options when it comes to vanities and as such a staple of the room, why not consider updating your storage space to something you love. You can also get mirrors that match in many circumstances. The Home Depot suggests updating the faucet at the same time. If the budget doesn’t allow for a new one, again - you can always paint the old one and add new hardware, but also consider hunting down a flea market find for revitalization. Better Homes & Gardens suggests repainting it, removing the doors and any extra shelving needed, then using decorative storage baskets, perhaps one for each family member.

Add New Decor

A new towel rack, battery-powered LED candles, and a wall-mounted cabinet are all suggestions This Old House has for ways to better your bath. Wallpaper is also coming back into style with a vengeance. Gone are the days of floor-to-ceiling floral or stripes. New varieties have about anything your heart desires. You can opt for a wild display of zebras or a casual paisley design on a single wall of the bathroom as an accent. You can also opt for wainscoting, beadboard or subway tile. n

Julie Young House and

For 40 years, the BANCI Warsaw Home & Outdoor Show has given homeowners the chance to find everything they need for their home improvement project all under one roof. No matter if you plan to DIY or call in the pros, you’ll find a wide range of professionals in every area who are ready to talk about the latest trends in their respective fields and give you the tools, tips and expertise you need to get the job done.

Where else can you learn about the latest trends and technologies, speak with professionals in a no-pressure atmosphere and get inspired to get things done? Find a local professional with whom you click? Why not book an appointment right away and take advantage of any special pricing/ show promotion they may have to offer?

Best of all, visitors can shop with confidence knowing BANCI only books the highest quality of vendors for their events and their members subscribe to a strict code of ethics that can help homeowners feel good about doing business with a local firm knowing there is a reputable Builders Association behind them.

Kim McKibbin, executive officer for BANCI, says the Warsaw Home & Outdoor Show has been expanded this year to include a number of new vendors and special presentations throughout the event.

“Educational seminars will be available at individual booths, and we are pleased to have Toasted Roast Coffee with us as well,” she said. “Over the course of the weekend, we expect to have more than 1,500 people come through the doors and we are excited to give the public the opportunity to get those remodeling projects accomplished that they have been putting off!”

Kosciusko Connect is the premier sponsor for the 2023 Home and Outdoor Show. Cottage Watchman Security Systems is the gold sponsor.

Once again, admission and parking for the 2023 Home and Outdoor Show is free. The show runs from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, March 24; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 25; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26. n

House hunting is all about the checklist. It can be hard to find a home that checks every box. But at Interra, we make it easy to find a mortgage that does. Because everyone’s needs are di erent, so is every loan—and we’re always here to help you navigate the process. Afterall, the only debt you should worry about is the one you owe to the people who help you move. Pizza, anyone?

We’ll unpack the paperwork. So you can unpack… everything else. Get moving at interracu.com/mortgage.

MARCH 1-31 (SELECTED DATES) | SOUTH BEND FARMERS MARKET

Indoor market featuring home-grown produce, dairy products, meats, eggs, maple syrup, jams and jellies, handcrafts, artwork, jewelry, more.

7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 1105 Northside Blvd., 574-282-1259 southbendfarmersmarket.com

MARCH 1-31 | WINONA LAKE “VILLAGE MADNESS” SHOPPING CONTEST

Pick up a Village Madness Passport at any shop or eatery and shop to collect passport stamps. Contest lasts all month. Downtown area. 574-268-9888 villageatwinona.com

MARCH 24-26 | WARSAW

BANCI HOME & OUTDOOR SHOW

Admission and parking is free. Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday T-RAC at Warsaw Community High School, 1 Tiger Lane buildnci.com

APRIL 1-2 | PLYMOUTH BANCI HOME & OUTDOOR SHOW

Admission and parking is free.

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The Zone Sports Complex of Northern Indiana, 2923 VanVactor Dr. buildnci.com