We're moving soon, and there are several DIY projects we'll need to do in our new abode. Since we're on a very tight budget, we've been looking for money-saving ideas. This Old House's "Cheapskate Hall of Fame" offers 7 tips sent in by readers. The photo above is a clue to our favorite...
7 Money-Saving Home Improvement Tips
This Old House
Tips sent in by TOH readers include:
• Performing prep work before the contractor performs the actual work
• Purchasing cheaper products at places such as restaurant supply stores and IKEA, and then having them cut to size
• Salvaging items from dumpsters outside houses being demolished (after obtaining permission)
• Buying anagylptic (embossed, paintable) wallpaper and using it as a faux tin ceiling (we love this idea, especially after becoming infatuated with Sibella Court's Silver Ceiling)
Image: patrickwoodward
Comments (9)
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the embossed ceiling trick could also hide all manner of uneven ceilings.
view DahliaCactus's profile
"Purchasing cheaper products at places such as restaurant supply stores and IKEA, and then having them cut to size"
Purchasing cheaper products doesn't always work - Many times the cost for the labor/hours it takes to modify the cheaper thing adds up to the cost of the real thing.
view bepsf's profile
I put up a faux tin ceiling in my bathroom 3 years ago and it still looks great. The cost was $10 for the textured wallpaper from Home Depot and $24 for the metallic copper paint.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howudoing/2843845953/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howudoing/2844680990/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howudoing/2843845835/
view Lori's profile
Lori, I can't believe how well this worked out for you!
view cwk184's profile
I put up anaglypta wallpaper on the ceiling of the kitchen in my old house a few years ago. An absolute nightmare to apply, but the end result was positively stunning.
view scottsch's profile
Lori, how did you handle the molding? That finishing detail really pulls the look together. Fabulous work!
view ChrisToronto's profile
Chris,
The molding is that cheap white molded plastic stuff they sell in home centers. It took the paint beautifully.
view Lori's profile
as a renter, is there a sneaky way to do this so that the wallpaper could be easily removed when i move out?
view curvatura's profile
Well, it is really important to look for ways in which you can save money. Well, budgeting and planning is good thing to have in the family. We are aware with the situation of the country's economy, so we better anticipate for the future to avoid problems especially in financial matters. The unemployment rate is still on the rise as people are facing more and more layoffs. Everyone is looking for ways to save money. I found an interesting article that offers money saving tips and creative ways to do it. I also read about how Gannett Inc. managed to save money without having to send its people down to the unemployment line. Rather than to lay off more workers, the Gannett newspaper employees were given required unpaid leave for a week. What a brilliant idea! One week of unpaid leave is better than no job at all. They still have their job and can still be qualified for payday loans if needed. To get more ideas on creative ways to save money, I suggest you read this article I found on the payday loans Personal Money Store blog.
view Sincere Y's profile