New Backsplash, New Kitchen

When’s the last time you thought about your kitchen backsplash? If it’s been a while, changing or even painting your tile can give your kitchen an instant lift.

White tile can be livened up by a coat of paint. Solid colors are simplest (and easy to repaint in a few years), but don’t be afraid to go bold and add a pattern if you’re looking for a big change!

Don’t feel like painting? Installing new backsplash tile is a slightly bigger project, but one that brings major payoff. Choose from one of the many styles of backsplash, then get ready for your renovation. If you’re confident in your DIY skills, use a hammer and pry bar to remove your existing tiles, then use mortar and grout to apply the new tiles.

But don’t worry–if you’re not feeling great about a hands-on tiling project, the professionals at National Design Mart can help! We’ll guide you through the process and even provide a free in-home measure for your project. You’ll have gorgeous new backsplash in no time!

Upgrade Your Hardware

For such a low-effort, low-cost home improvement project, switching out your hardware can make a big impact on the look of your space. Take on one room, like the kitchen or bathroom, or transform your whole home!

There are plenty of cabinet pulls to choose from–from neutral and minimal to intricate, global, and eclectic styles. 

Usually, all you’ll need for this home improvement project is a screwdriver. Unscrew your existing cabinet pulls and replace them with the new ones. Bonus: this project is renter friendly, since you can replace the original hardware at the end of your lease. 

Style from the Ground Up

While many of us rearrange furniture, swap out decor, and even paint often, flooring can be an overlooked factor when it comes to home design. So often, flooring feels like something we’re stuck with–something we have to ‘make work.’

Make this summer the summer you finally install flooring you love! Whether you’ve been eyeing new ceramic tile for your bathroom, gorgeous stone for your kitchen, or hardwood for your living room, summer is the perfect time to take on this home project.

When it comes to a flooring renovation, you have a few options:

1. Want hardwood floors? Check under your carpet. If you’re lucky, you may already have stunning hardwood underneath. Then, tear back the carpet, sand down the wood, and refinish for new-to-you flooring. 
2. DIY new flooring by laying down vinyl, laminate, or carpet tiles. These are the easiest DIY flooring, so you can transform your space with confidence.
3. Hire professionals for new hardwood, stone tile, and ceramic tile. There are some projects better left to professionals. Unless you have a lot of experience with flooring installation, save yourself the headache and call in the experts from National Design Mart! 

Freshen Up Bathroom Vanities

The bathroom is one of the most-used rooms in the home, but can sometimes be overlooked for larger spaces. Summertime is a great time to get creative about what you want your bathroom to look like, and then make it happen!

There are a number of small bathroom home improvement projects you could try, or you could go for a whole transformation–the choice is up to you.

Some of the most popular bathroom improvements include:

• Change out the mirror or medicine cabinet for a bold, minimal, or vintage mirror
• Paint the walls a fresh new color
• Install new bathroom countertops–while you’re there, swap out your sink and faucet, too!
• Change out your vanity light fixtures
• Redo your shower or floor tiles
• Swap out you towels, bathmat, and shower curtain for a quick refresh

Create Open Shelving

Open one or two of your upper kitchen cabinets for DIY open shelving that will make it easy to grab what you need. Removing the cabinet doors should be simple, and then you get to have some fun. You can paint the inside of the shelves or even cover them in wallpaper for a fun pop of color. Or, paint them to match the cabinet exterior to cut back on visual noise for a more minimal look. 

One word of caution, though–choose your cabinets carefully! It’s best not to open up any cabinets that live right above your oven to avoid grease buildup on your dishes. 

Swap Out Area Rugs

Looking for a low-effort, high-impact summer home improvement project? Simply shifting your rugs from one room to the next can completely transform the feeling of your home. How would the rug under your dining table look at the foot of your bed? Could you change up the hallway runners?

If you’re looking for something completely fresh, or if all the shifting around inspires you, stop by to explore National Design Mart’s extensive selection of designer area rugs! Natural material rugs, like jute area rugs, are a summer favorite for their light and airy look and feel.

Investing in a new rug you love is one of the easiest ways to change up your space for summer.

Entryway Makeover

Entryways and mudrooms get a lot of traffic in the summer. Kids go back and forth from the yard to the house, bringing with them toys, kicked-off flip-flops, and mud. Guests come and go more frequently. 

If you find your entryway getting more and more cluttered as the summer goes on, or if the area feels like a forgotten section of your home, maybe it’s time for a makeover! 

Lay a solid foundation by making sure your flooring is solid and can stand up to heavy foot traffic. Then, consider laying down an indoor-outdoor rug that’s built to withstand the elements (and an occasional spraydown with the hose) to make sure your entryway stays dirt-free. 

Finally, shop for stylish entryway decor to spruce up your home’s first impression! Some common entryway essentials include a small mirror, a tray for keys and sunglasses, and comfy but functional storage benches.