7 secrets of how to make repairs in an apartment cheaply and beautifully

We save on the construction team

By inviting professionals only for spot and special jobs, it is easy to save a decent amount. Part of the repair (dismantling old coatings, removing wallpaper and tiles) can really be done by hand. You can also take out construction waste yourself - many specialists charge an additional fee for this service. The process of leveling the walls, laying the flooring and decorating the walls is studied on video clips: with the time, it is quite possible to master these skills.

Before inviting specialists to the object, it is best to use the recommendations of friends and be sure to draw up an agreement, where all terms and prices will be fixed. Workers from official firms will come out more expensive than private traders, but in the second case it is difficult to get any guarantees.

Determining the style

Economy and classic style are incompatible: to recreate it, you will need finishing from noble materials and expensive furniture. Imitation using plastic and linoleum will look unconvincing. Art deco, hi-tech and neoclassicism also cannot be called budget.

To save money on repairs, you should adhere to simple, functional and visually attractive style directions: Scandinavian, contemporary, eclectic and loft. In the latter case, varnished concrete ceilings and authentic brickwork, the use of which will have little effect on the final estimate, will be appropriate. At the same time, bright spots and unexpected decorative solutions will distract attention from the modest decoration.

Which ceiling is cheaper?

The easiest and most economical way to save money on finishing the ceiling is to make a stretch one. The canvas has many advantages: its installation takes only a few hours, the plastic material does not deform and does not crack, and most importantly, it closes yellow spots and peeling whitewash on the old ceiling. The height of the room will be slightly reduced, but thanks to the glossy finish, the pressure effect will come to naught. Installing a stretch ceiling is also a contribution to the future, since the canvas is able to withstand several liters of water in the event of flooding of the apartment by neighbors from above.

An even cheaper way to finish the ceiling is to paste over it with thick non-woven wallpaper with a relief that will hide minor irregularities.

Budget wall decoration

The most inexpensive option for wall decoration is plain textured wallpaper. Canvases with small patterns can be attributed to the same category. The larger the prints, the more rolls you have to buy to fit the images. Expensive, but spectacular wallpapers can be found at a discount by choosing them in the store from among the leftovers: this is enough to create an accent area or decorate a niche.

Connoisseurs of brickwork in the interior can also save a lot by not buying ready-made gypsum tiles, but by creating a relief with their own hands. This requires a primer, plaster and narrow masking tape.We prime the surface, mark the bricks with a construction pencil and a level (template size 25x7 cm) and glue the tape on the wall. We apply plaster and, without waiting for drying, remove the tape. We form the relief in stages, if necessary, smooth the corners with a wet sponge. The final stage is painting in any color.

Inexpensive floor coverings

The cheapest option for floor protection is linoleum. It is hygienic and easy to care for, has a wide range of colors, and is easy to fit. Choosing between cheap laminate and linoleum, the latter should be preferred. It is more wear-resistant, not afraid of water and is not subject to scratches: therefore, after a few years, linoleum will look much more attractive than laminate.

The most important thing is to lay it according to technology, securely gluing it to the floor. Also, do not buy "commercial" linoleum: it costs more than "household", which copes with the load no worse. As an alternative to synthetic flooring, designers offer inexpensive and natural floorboards. Unfortunately, the material is not easy to care for, and the floor must be perfectly flat before installation.

We save on finishing the bathroom

It is difficult to save money when renovating a bathroom, but by carefully studying the catalogs of hardware stores, comparing prices and getting on promotions, you can significantly reduce the amount of expenses.

The cheapest way to decorate a bathroom is to paint the walls with latex paint. If you need to lay tiles, you should choose products from Russian manufacturers, which are almost as good in quality, but are cheaper than Italian products.

You can also choose cheap white tiles and make inserts from mosaic, glass or just original expensive tiles from the remains. If the tile is already laid, looks good, but does not fit in color or style, it is possible to repaint it. The process is detailed in this video:

When updating a bathtub, you will have to choose between two methods: restoration and purchase of a new product. Steel bathtubs are the cheapest, but, unlike acrylic ones, they cool faster and increase the noise when drawing water.

Some more useful tips

It is more profitable to order windows from the manufacturer, and not from the installer: if you change all windows at the same time, you will be able to get an additional discount. You can also save on locking fittings: the smaller it is, the cheaper the finished window will come out.

If it is not possible to purchase good doors, pine canvases for painting will do. They can be varnished or oiled, painted or aged. If you paint the canvas in the color of the walls, you get an invisible door, which is especially important for a small room. Before applying paint, it is necessary to brush with a metal brush and cover with a tinted varnish. Then apply acrylic paint. For a noble aging effect, use the dry brush technique.

Various trading platforms, where people sell things in good condition at low prices, will help to save on the purchase of furniture and textiles. Some furnishings are free to pick up and customize. Today, various hand-made decor is in vogue, which makes the atmosphere unique.

 

There are many ways to create an inexpensive and stylish renovation. If you have taste, time and desire, you can create an author's interior without losing quality and budget.