Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Are You Creating More Work For Yourself?

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Sometimes we make our lives harder when we do certain things. We think we are being more efficient or moving more quickly, but often we end up making a cleaning job not very clean at all. Or worse yet, we make things unsanitary.

Start with your cutting board. Washing with hot soap and water is the way to go but go a step further. After you’re done with all the dishes, put the board in clean tepid water and add a couple teaspoons of bleach. Soak for 3 minutes, rinse, and air dry.

When washing clothes, more is not better. Too much laundry detergent doesn’t clean any better and will not rinse out completely. Too much fabric softener doesn’t make fabrics softer but will make them greasy feeling and make towels non-absorbent. Too many clothes in the load means nothing gets very clean. Do use your washer to clean reusable grocery bags- they can grow bacteria from food contact. Turn inside out to wash then air dry completely.

Speaking of overloading, don’t do it in the dishwasher either. Criss cross utensils to prevent nesting. Hand wash utensils (like garlic presses) that tend to have bits that stick. Always wash fine glassware by hand. Cloudy glasses can be cleaned but ones etched by detergent are a lost cause. 

Choose a cloudy day to clean windows. The sun will warm the window and dry your cleaner before you have a chance causing streaks. Wash sills and frame first with oil soap for wood. 

Furniture polish is another example where more is not better. Never spray directly on the wood. Polish can build up and will attract even more dust and dirt. Spray a small amount on a microfiber cloth. Speaking of cloths, keep a dozen or so microfiber ones on hand. Wash frequently; use certain colors for kitchen and others for bath. Keep your sponges clean and disinfected too. Wet and microwave on high for one minute; replace monthly. 

When you use cleaners, please give them time to work. This is especially true for bath and tile cleaner. I spray everything down and leave it for at least 5 minutes. Give it another light spray before wiping. Same goes for things you use bleach cleaning spray on- like garbage cans.    

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Summer Not Over Yet!

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Even though we’ve experienced some cooler temps recently, summer is not over yet!  However fall is quickly approaching, so get in as much summer as you can with these outdoor weekend events!!

Haven’t had your fill of BBQ and booze yet?  Well the 3rd finger-lickin’ good Chicago Bourbon & BBQ Festival returns to the Roscoe Village neighborhood at Damen Avenue and Roscoe Street this Saturday and Sunday.  This festival brings you Chicago’s finest smoked meats and barrel-aged bourbon tastings all under one roof.  There will also be live music from bands, artisans, and a kids’ area filled with fun family activities!  Nothing beats barbeque and bourbon as Southern hospitality meets Midwest outdoor fun!!

There’s no better way to send off the summer music festival season than with a weekend of rock, metal, and punk at this year’s Riot Fest.  Taking over a section of Douglas Park at West Ogden Avenue and South Sacramento Drive this Saturday and Sunday, this fest throws a rock ‘n roll carnival with tons of bands, sideshow acts, a Ferris wheel, and black T-shirt clad attendees.  Some of this year’s bands include Blink-182, Pennywise, Slayer, Bikini Kill, Anthrax, and many others!  So head over to the online festival scheduler and start planning your weekend!!

After a very successful inaugural event last year, the Printer’s Row Art Fest will return to the South Loop on Dearborn Street between Polk and Harrison Streets this Saturday and Sunday.  This fest is a buying opportunity for art lovers of all ages.  There will be art from all price points by painters, street artists, jewelers, up-cycling artists, mixed media artists, and more.  Plus area restaurants and bars will be on hand serving up their Chicago specialties and live music will add to the lively atmosphere!  Come be part of a new and super cool art festival!!

Powered by wish families, volunteers, companies, and friends, Walk for Wishes® is a Make-A-Wish® fundraiser celebrating thousands of wishes that have been granted, while raising funds for future wishes.  This year’s family-friendly walk takes place on Saturday at Montrose Harbor (601 W. Montrose Ave.) in the Uptown neighborhood with registration at 9 a.m. and the event at 10 a.m.  Participants are encouraged to wear costumes.  The morning includes children’s activities, refreshments, music, and costumed characters!  Come and enjoy the festival-like atmosphere and help make it possible for wishes to come true for children battling life-threatening medical conditions!!

The Les Turner ALS Foundation hosts its annual ALS Walk for Life this Sunday (9:30 a.m.) at Soldier Field (1410 S. Museum Campus Dr.) in the South Loop.  Participants take a two-mile stroll winding along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront and finish their walk going through iconic Soldier Field before crossing the finish line.  This event also features a children’s area with coloring, temporary tattoos, and obstacle courses; complimentary refreshments; DJ and dancing; a merchandise tent offering Foundation items; special appearances by Mickey & Minnie Mouse and Elmo; and much more!  This day is meant for all those who love or have loved someone with ALS to come together as one big family.  Come join us!!

Enjoy – Summer Will Be Over Before You Know It!!

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, River North, Edgewater, Evanston

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Bucktown and Wicker Park: To celebrate their 5th anniversary, Dove’s Luncheonette is hosting Dove’s After Dark! From 10 pm to 2 am on Friday September 13, this all-day diner morphs into a late night destination. There will be low lighting, discounted specials, craft cocktails, snacks, and more. Find more information here.

Lakeview: Mark your calendars now for the 48 Hour Film Project! It’s from September 22 to September 25 at the Music Box Theatre. This is a contest in which teams of filmmakers are assigned a genre, a character, a prop, and a line of dialogue. They then have 48 hours to create an 8 minute short film with those elements! This year’s 15th annual Premiere Screenings will showcase the work of filmmakers from all over the city. Audiences will get in on the fun by voting to select the Audience Choice Award, which will then screen with local celebrity judge’s choices at the Best Of Chicago Screening on Wednesday, September 25th. General admission tickets are just $14 and Music Box Member tickets are $11. Find more information on the official event website.

Lincoln Park: It’s time for Bike the 2nd Ward with Alderman Hopkins! Join 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins and the 14th Chicago Police District for a 12.5 mile bike ride through the 2nd Ward on Sunday, September 22. The route starts and ends at the 2nd Ward Office. The ride is at a casual pace and includes a rest stop with refreshments at the Walgreens in Bucktown. Participants must be at least 16 years old. Check in for the ride begins at 7:15AM. Line up will begin at 7:45AM, with the ride beginning promptly at 8AM. Participants will receive FREE t-shirts, refreshments, and bicycle safety checks! The event is free but you can RSVP here.

River North: It’s the 13th Annual Memory Rock! This rockin’ fundraiser is held at Old Crow Smokehouse on Thursday October 3 from 6 to 9 pm. The event features live music from two bands, a raffle, silent auction, open bar, and much more. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois. Purchase your tickets here!

Edgewater: This weekend is the 31st Annual Edgewater Home Tour! On Sunday September 15, for just $25 per person, you’ll receive a guided tour through the historic homes of the Edgewater Glen neighborhood. You’ll also get a souvenir Tour Booklet with a map of the neighborhood and descriptions of each home on the tour. Reservations are not required. Register at St. Gertrude Church between 12 and 4 pm. Find more information here.

Evanston: On October 20th, it’s time for a brand new event- Brews and Bites! This event is taking the place of the annual “Something’s Cooking”. Favorite local chefs, restaurants, and bakeries will gather in downtown Evanston; along with local breweries with the favorite brews. Each dining destination on the menu presents a signature dish for sampling, giving guests a tasting tour of the North Shore. The celebration comes complete with a full dessert display and bar alongside a culinary-themed silent auction that will tempt every food lover. Early bird prices are available until September 25th when prices will increase by $15. Young professionals and students under age 26 can attend for a reduced price of $30 (will need to show ID), and children 10 and under may attend free of charge. Adult tickets include access to all restaurant offerings, as well as 9 drink tickets. Young Adult and participant level tickets have all restaurant offering access and 3 drink tickets. Tickets are $60 and $30 respectively and can be purchased here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review – Fin Sushi

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The weather was absolutely gorgeous in Chicago this past weekend! I knew I had to find a patio for an outdoor meal. Walking through Ravenswood on Saturday evening, I happened upon Fin Sushi. They have a lovely, inviting outdoor patio, with twinkle lights, colored umbrellas, and ample seating. I knew this was my spot! My friend and I decided to start with a few appetizers. We ordered the Gyoza and the Bacon Wontons. If you’re not familiar, gyoza is pan-seared pork dumplings, usually served with a shoyu sauce. These were fantastic! The outside was perfectly crispy and the pork was juicy and delicious. The wontons were stuffed with bacon, cream cheese, celery, and garlic. I love wontons and these did not disappoint. I’m used to a more traditional wonton, so I really enjoyed the surprise of the bacon. The menu is expansive with lots of different options, but I was in the mood for sushi. I decided on the Spicy Salmon Roll: salmon, scallion, spicy sauce, chili oil, cucumber, and masago; and the Lava Spider Roll: crispy soft shell crab, cream cheese, avocado, tempura crumb, mozzarella cheese, bacon chip, and unagi sauce. The Lava Spider roll was very interesting- the whole roll was covered in baked mozzarella! I had never had a roll like that before. I loved the inside- the soft shell crab was delicious and the combination of the cream cheese and avocado was rich and tasty. The Spicy Salmon Roll was wonderful! The flavors were simple and it had a great snap to it! My friend ordered the Crazy Noodles with Shrimp: stir fried noodles, shrimp, hot chili, broccoli, tomato, bamboo shoot, bean sprouts, mushrooms, bell pepper, and basil. She loved it and after the bite I had, I can understand why. The noodles were perfectly cooked and all the veggies were fresh and crisp. The sauce had a lovely bite to it, but wasn’t overpowering. I can’t wait to come back and try more menu items here!

Fin Sushi is located at 1742 W Wilson Ave. They are available for online ordering and delivery. Check out more info on their website.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Types of Inspections a Property May Need Besides the Typical Home Inspection

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A home inspection is one of the most common contingencies to be included in a real estate contract. Even if a home is only a couple of years old, anything can happen, which is why it’s important to take the opportunity to have the home inspected before your purchase agreement goes firm.

While certain minor issues can be quickly and easily fixed with minimal cost and effort, other issues are much more severe and can wind up costing tens of thousands of dollars to fix. It’s these types of issues that may prompt buyers to walk away from a deal, but without a home inspection clause, the opportunity to uncover such issues is lost.

As important as home inspections are, they don’t necessarily cover absolutely everything under the sun when it comes to issues with a home. As such, there are plenty of other types of specialized inspections that can be undertaken in order to uncover certain problems with a home that will require further attention.

Termites

It’s easy to spot mice and cockroaches in a home, as well as the damage that they leave behind. Termites, on the other hand, are not readily seen and can wreak havoc behind the walls and under floors of a home. A termite inspector will take the time to look in a property’s crawl space and attic and look for any evidence that termites are around and chewing up the beams. They’ll also look for dry rot that can disintegrate the wood and leave it unable to support the home’s structure.

Asbestos

If the subject property was built before 1980, there’s a good possibility that asbestos is lingering within some of the materials, including insulation, window caulking, and popcorn ceiling. While not dangerous when left alone, asbestos can be hazardous if it is broken up and disturbed. Once its particles become airborne, they can be easily inhaled, which can lead to serious medical conditions, including cancer. An asbestos inspector will look for signs of asbestos and conduct patch tests to identify its presence.

Soil

If the soil upon which the home sits is contaminated, a professional soil inspector will be able to confirm this. Testing the soil for contamination is especially helpful for those who plan on doing a lot of gardening. You might also want to have the soil tested if the house is located atop a hill to see if it’s stable enough to withstand incumbent weather that could cause the home to slide away.

Mold

Mold can easily be spotted if it’s on the outside of window sills, trim, ceilings, and walls. But if lurks behind drywall, in attics or crawl spaces, a typical home inspector might not be able to find it. A specialized mold inspector will scope out the home and be able to conduct tests on spores and look into areas that may have been subject to past water damage.

HVAC Systems

If there is anything wrong with the home’s furnace or air conditioner, an HVAC specialist will be able to identify if there is anything wrong. If there is, you’ll be informed about the approximate cost to fix the problem, or whether the units will need to be replaced.

Plumbing System

Old galvanized plumbing pipes may need to be inspected by a plumber, especially since the chances of them being clogged are much higher compared to more modern copper pipes. If severe blockages are identified, the pipes may need to be replaced.

Electrical System

If a home is older or has been renovated over the years, it’s possible that the electrical wiring has been played with. If the job was done properly, then there’s nothing to worry about. But if the rewiring work was shoddy, not only will it violate building codes, it can even lead to a fire hazard. An experienced electrician will be able to identify any faulty wires that may need to be rewired to bring the home back up to par.

Radon Test

Radon is a radioactive gas that’s naturally found in soil and rock, and can be found at concentrated levels in a home. Small levels of radon in a home may be fine, but elevated levels can be dangerous when exposed to over the long haul and can even lead to cancer. A mitigation contractor will be able to test for the presence of radon in the home and recommend ways to eliminate it.

Chimney

A wood-burning fireplace might be an attractive feature in a home, but the chimney that releases its smoke might need to be checked. A chimney inspector will ensure that smoke is being ventilated properly and that the interior bricks and flue liners are in decent shape.

The Bottom Line

There are so many facets of a home that make it extremely difficult for a traditional home inspector to be able to uncover every issue that may be present. Depending on the type, age, condition, and location of a home, you may want to consider calling in specific specialized inspectors to make sure there are no major problems with the home that you’ll wind up taking over.

Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Fall Yard Clean-Up

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Temperatures are definitely getting fall-like! It’s my favorite time of year. Let’s start in the garden. Just because it’s getting cool outside doesn’t mean growing edibles is over. You can still plant greens, lettuces, and kale. These are quick growing and will be good until the first hard frost. Kale even gets better with a little kiss of frost! If frost comes early, cover them at night. If you don’t want to plant these, consider doing a cover crop for the garden. Plant the entire garden with winter ryegrass or clover. In the spring, turn it under to enrich your soil for planting. Add some fall annuals to the landscape. Pansies, garden mums, and ornamental kale will add color through the first frost.

Fall is a great time to plant bulbs for spring. Wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently in the 40s and 50s. Crocus, tulips, alliums, and daffodils will give beautiful color in the spring. Don’t forget to add mulch! If you have digging squirrels, cover with a piece of plywood and weigh down. Mulch your perennial beds and cut them back. Keep weeding till the hard freezes come. Now is the best time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials too. Just remember to water well and regularly till the ground freezes to get them through the winter. 

Once grass cutting has ended, drain the mower. Grease the engine and replace the sparkplug if necessary. If you have any other gas-powered tools, drain them too and clean the air filters before storing. Drain the rain barrel before freezing temperatures. Clean all the garden tools. Use steel wool to remove any crusted-on dirt and rust. Rub linseed oil on any wooden handles and wipe off excess. 

Last but not least, go shopping! Many garden centers will discount patio furniture, garden tools, and other lawn and garden implements. Trees, shrubs, and perennials will usually be at a discount too. 

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – What will this cool, Chicago weekend bring you??

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The weather is getting cooler, but the fun isn’t stopping here in Chicago! Need plans for this weekend? We’ve got you covered! There’s a variety of indoor, outdoor, family-friendly, fun- check it out below!

Tonight is a very special night at Millenium Park! It’s the Stars of Lyric Opera concert! Bring your picnic basket, a blanket, friends, and family for this FREE concert under the stars. Lyric Stars will perform with the Lyric Orchestra and the Lyric Chorus. Lyric’s Music Director Sir Andrew Davis will conduct! Performers include Marianne Crebassa, Adam Plachetka, Lawrence Brownlee, and more. Gates open at 5 pm and the concert begins at 7 pm. Find more information here!

Elmhurst Park District is hosting “Touch a Truck” at Berens Park! Bring the kiddos and let them touch, feel, and climb their way through a variety of vehicles. On Saturday September 7 from 9 am to 12 pm, your kids can check out a Bobcat trailer, a concrete mixer truck, an ambulance, a large school bus, a 53-foot trailer tractor, a helicopter, and much more. Come hungry; there’s food trucks on site including BabyQ’s BBQ, Mario’s Cart, Smallcakes, Windy City Ice Cream, and more. Starbucks will also be providing free coffee while supplies last! 

The 40th Scandinavian Day Festival is this Sunday, September 8 at Vasa Park in South Elgin. This festival celebrates the heritage of the five Nordic countries in a day full of fun from 10 am to 5 pm! There will be live entertainment, celebrating both traditional and modern music. Food and beverage vendors at the festival provide a variety of offerings to whet your appetite. Grab some refreshing Lingonberry Saft or a coffee with skorpa! If you’re feeling adventurous, try fried herring! There will also be a Nordic Beer Tasting- back by popular demand! You’ll try 5 Nordic beers, see a presentation about beer and brewing in Scandinavia, and receive a festival tasting glass. There will be a large number of vendors with Scandinavian focused treats, artisan crafts, local Scandinavian organizations, museums, lodges, and more. The event is totally kid friendly too; with a newly installed playground, face painting, pony rides, and much more. Plan your visit here!

Renegade Craft’s Flagship Fair is finally here! This Saturday September 7 and Sunday September 8 (both days from 11 am to 7 pm), get yourself down to Wicker Park for a craft fair extravaganza. This huge marketplace features over 400 makers and designers, hands-on workshops, art installations, food trucks, live DJ sets from Reckless Records and Lumpen Radio, shuffleboard, drinks and cocktails, and more. Featured food trucks include 5411 Empanadas, Donermen, Duck Inn Dogs, Lucy’s, The Fat Shallot, and more. The festival is located between Damen and Ashland on Division St. Find more information here!

Join Brookfield Zoo this Sunday September 8 for ZooRunRun! Courses are entirely within the Brookfield Zoo- what fun! Each year, more species lose their race for survival and disappear from the wild. The Chicago Zoological Society Animal Care and Conservation Fund is dedicated to making a difference for these species across the globe and with each race entry, they raise both awareness and funds for this great cause. Each participant will receive a moisture-wicking t-shirt, a bib containing a timing chip, snacks, and beverages! The chip-timed 5K begins at 8:30 am and is $45 for registration.The chip-timed 1 mile Kids Dash begins at 9:30 am. Find more information and get ready to run here!

What will this cool, Chicago weekend bring you??

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Chicago Loop, Lincoln Square, Oak Park

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Lakeview: Mark your calendars for Music Box of Horrors 2019! From Saturday October 19 to Sunday October 20, the Music Box Theatre hosts a 24-hour fright fest with the most terrifying, heart-racing movies you’ll ever see! General admission tickets are $30; Music Box members are $25. The day of the show, ticket prices increase to $35 and $30, respectively. Featured films include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Fly II, Event Horizon, Alligator, and more. Check out more information and purchase your tickets here.

Lincoln Park: SEA Blue is the largest and longest running prostate cancer event in Chicago- and it’s coming right up! On Sunday, September 15 it’s the SEA Blue Prostate Cancer Run and Walk. Money raised will help fund the work of Us TOO International (www.ustoo.org), a nonprofit that provides educational resources and support services to the prostate cancer community at no charge. SEA stands for Support, Education, and Advocacy. Individuals and teams participate in a 5K race or a celebration walk through Lincoln Park. In addition to the walk and run, SEA Blue features a “Talk to the Experts” education tent, an event t-shirt, free lunch and snacks, free beer, live music, a family fun-zone for kids, and more. The event is from 8 am to 1 pm. Registration is $50 for adult runners, $40 for adult walkers, $30 for child 5K runners, and $25 for child walkers. Find more information here.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Get ready for a jazzy night of fun with The Peggy Lee Legacy at Davenport’s Piano Bar & Cabaret! Jazz vocalist Jenifer French stars on Saturday October 5 at 8 pm. Enjoy your favorite jazz hits spanning the lifetime of one of the greatest jazz vocalists and singer-songwriters of the 20th century. General admission tickets are just $22! Get yours here now.

Chicago Loop: Summer’s over- but summer drinking doesn’t have to be! Learn how to make your own summer cocktails at a cocktail class at The Commons on Wednesday September 25. From 6 to 8 pm, this interactive cocktail class will help you master a classic bourbon mix. Then you’ll learn how to turn it into the perfect big-batch drink for any party (summer or otherwise!) There will be small bites provided and you’ll take home extra barware needed to batch the perfect cocktail. Tickets are $35 and you must be 21 to attend. Buy yours here!

Lincoln Square: Did you know that DANK Haus offers cooking classes?! On Friday September 27 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, join for the September Kulturküche German Inspired Cooking Class. You’ll learn first hand from Chef Peter Andros how to hand craft Blaue Zipfel homemade sausage! You’ll put your knife and sausage grinding skills to use as you prepare, encase, and cook this dish! Steaming with onions, your friends and family will love this addition to your cooking repertoire. The course fee is $28 ($24 for members). The course also includes one free drink! Register here now.

Oak Park: Mark your calendars for Oak Park After Dark! The Oak Park Auxiliary hosts this 2nd Annual event on Saturday October 5 from 7-10 pm. This fundraising event benefits the Hephzibah Children’s Association. It’s at the Oak Park River Forest Museum and the evening is a cocktail reception featuring a local visual artist, performance artists, and much more. Find more information here!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review – Bourgeois Pig

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It’s back! This week marks the return of our regularly scheduled Restaurant Review. We hope you enjoyed the Summer Series- it sure was fun for us to see all the fun things Chicago has to offer during the summer! 

This week took me to a lovely neighborhood cafe- Bourgeois Pig Cafe. The atmosphere is absolutely charming! After walking from the busy six point intersection of Fullerton, Lincoln, and Halsted, you find yourself in a quaint, garden-like oasis. There is an ample amount of seating, with two indoor levels, and both upper and lower front patio seating. The lower patio has an adorable lending library where you can take a book and leave a book. The decor is eclectic and charming, with warmly lit chandeliers, dark wood furniture, bookshelves, and antique knick-knacks. The weather was beautiful, so we chose a seat on the patio! The menu is comprised of All-Day Breakfast, Combo Packages, Classic Sandwiches, Paninis, Salads, and Soups. 

After much debate, I finally settled on Pilgrim’s Progress: sourdough bread slathered with mayonnaise, topped with oven roasted turkey, avocado, red onions, and Swiss cheese; then grilled to perfection. This was wonderful! The bread was perfectly grilled and the Swiss cheese was melty and delicious. I love avocado and this added a really nice creamy, texture to the sandwich. My friend ordered the Chicken Parm Panini: pulled white chicken smothered in Mandarin sauce, with artichoke hearts, garlic, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and provolone. This was delicious too! I really liked the addition of the artichoke hearts- it was unique and a very tasty surprise. 

They have a gorgeous pastry case at the front of the restaurant, with jumbo cookies, cheesecakes, cakes, pies, and more. We decided we had to have a slice of the apple pie. It was just the treat I needed for a Friday afternoon- flaky, cinnamony, perfect. 

The Bourgeois Pig is open Mondays through Saturdays from 7 am to 9 pm and Sundays from 8 am to 9 pm. Find more information on their website.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Affordable Ways To Enhance Your Bathroom On A Budget

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Updated Accessories

Accessories can never be underestimated, no matter what room you’re using them in. You can easily create a luxe look by sprinkling your bathroom with opulent accessories such as candles, perfume bottles, soap dispensers, and others to make your bathroom look fit for royalty.

Decorate Using White

If you’ve looked through home design magazines or stayed at 5-star hotels, you may have noticed that the more expensive-looking spaces are those that are spa-inspired. These bathrooms tend to have a monochromatic look that exudes feelings of luxury. Typically, an all-white bathroom is used to create an elegant space. From the wall color, to the vanity, to the linens, all white in the bathroom provides the feeling of richness despite its incredible simplicity.

Add Extravagant Lighting

Don’t underestimate the power of good lighting. One of the easiest and fastest ways to introduce extravagance into the bathroom is to install gorgeous light fixtures, particularly a chandelier. This type of light fixture can make a dramatic impact in the room without occupying any space, which is important when dealing with small areas like the bathroom.

Add Wainscoting

The addition of wainscoting on the walls in your bathroom can instantly give the space an enhanced look. For this project, you might need to enlist the help of a contractor to make sure the job is done right. Once it’s up, paint the wainscoting in a neutral color, such as white, grey, or steel blue to completely change the look and feel of your bathroom.

A Unique Mirror

Nothing brightens up a space more than the reflective properties of a mirror. To give your bathroom a luxurious boost, hang an oversized mirror in an interesting frame that takes up the majority of the space on the wall that it’s hanging on. Install a couple of wall sconces on either side and you’ll really have something that will stand out and enhance the richness of the room.

Diagonal Tiles

While a little more complicated than laying them in a square fashion, tiles that are applied diagonally look a little fancier. Not only that, this type of tile arrangement can also make a very small bathroom appear larger than it really is. Just be sure to use the appropriate tile size in relation to the square footage of the space that you’re working with.

Line your Walls With Wallpaper

Wallpaper has made a splash on the home design scene over the past few years, offering homeowners a host of different patterns to choose from. Adding wallpaper to bathrooms, in particular, has become a popular trend, as the right pattern and color combination can truly being this understated space to life.

The Bottom Line

Who says you can’t have luxury in your bathroom without spending a pretty penny? With these crafty ideas, you can take your bathroom from outdated to opulent in no time, without making a dent in your wallet.