Freshen Up Your Home Without an Extreme Makeover

(ARA) - Remodeling a room (or several rooms) in your house can be a big undertaking. Of course, there’s practical planning that goes into it. Can you live there during the remodeling? Will you need to move in with relatives, or rent an apartment? Or, can you stick it out with the dust, tarps and lack of facilities? Then there’s the financial planning. Do you re-finance? What about home equity lines of credit? Or will you decide to save first, which could delay the project for months, or even years?

Sometimes, a complete remodel is overwhelming. But, you can spice up a room or two in your house without having to call in the troops or take out a second mortgage. Small changes can make a big difference in the look and feel of a space, and many projects are available for do-it-yourselfers.

“For people looking to freshen up their bathroom, we often tell them that even the faucets and bath accessories can completely change the décor and personality,” says Jeff Pratt, vice president of sales for Danze, a manufacturer of decorative plumbing products.

You can also change the “era” of the room. According to Pratt, a fun way to change a room’s personality is to change it from a traditional-looking room to a contemporary style or vice versa. “We have several fun lines of contemporary, traditional (Victorian-like styles) and transitional lines, which look good in any environment,” he adds.

If you’re simply looking to soften a room’s décor, choosing a faucet and accessories with a brushed finish may be the way to go. Manufacturers offer many brushed finishes including brushed nickel (an option to the brightness of a chrome finish), brushed brass (as opposed to the polished brass), oil rub bronze, antique copper and many others.

Of course, fixtures and accessories are only one aspect to a bath or powder room. Another way to instantly, and dramatically, change the feeling in a room is by painting. When selecting your paint colors, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Observe which direction your windows are facing in that room. If it’s a Southern or Western exposure, cool colors will work best. If a Northern or Eastern exposure shines on that room, don’t be shy to heat up the room with a vibrant red, orange or yellow.
• If you’re using multiple colors, keep in mind that your eye will be drawn to the brightest color. Be sure you use those bright colors in an area you want highlighted.
• Paint is an inexpensive and quick solution to changing a room’s décor. Choose something trendy or bold without fear. Besides, it’s important to remember that “it’s just paint.” If you change your mind or your style later on, it’s easy to update the room with new color choices.

If it’s your shower that needs a little work, consider a fun, unique showerhead (or two in oversized showers). Danze offers a wide range of more than 130 styles of showerheads and shower arms.

“Home owners love many of our large sunflower and bell showerheads,” says Pratt. “Our new 10-inch antique bell showerhead is one of the largest on the market and it provides a drenching, yet relaxing overhead shower - like standing in the rain.”

Just as faucets, fixtures or other decorative elements can dictate a contemporary or traditional style in the room, so can showerheads, and Danze offers a wide array of choices. You’ll get a stately look with a Victorian-styled ceiling mount showerhead with an antique copper finish, or try something whimsical, like a sleek contemporary showerhead that spins.

So, maybe you’re not ready for a complete over-haul of your house. But even some of these simple, small ideas could give you the fresh, new room you’ve been waiting for!

For more information on the beauty and variety of the Danze line or for a retailer nearest you, call (877) 530-3344 or visit www.danze-online.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content