thrifty home updates??

[blackbirdmama*3]

Our home is in desperate need of some updating. We need to do something for kitchen floors and are looking toward laminate, we also need to replace the toilet and vanity/sink in the bathroom. We do have some money put aside for this but I would like some suggestions specifically on the flooring for the kitchen. We honestly haven't even shopped around for any yet. Suggestions? Something thrifty but with a decent durability is what we are looking for. Dh and my dad and brother will probably install it so easy install is a must as well. TIA!

Also any other ideas for thrifty updating in all areas of the house would be appreciated as we are only just beginning.

[Leanbh]

Do you have a HOBO (home improvement something something?) store near you? They have in general cheaper flooring and toilets, vanities than other places.

I'm not sure what is a thrifty idea for kitchen flooring, I know tile is cheap though....like inexpensive as there is a huge range of cheaper to more $$

[Ducko]

We are in need of kitchen and bathroom flooring. My sister installed some resilient flooring in her home office/entry. It does actually feel and look like hardwood. Some don't but she paid a little more for a better quality. I love it in there and want some too. Very easy install.

The appeal to me is that it can be laid in very wet areas. It is quieter than laminate and hardwood. My kids are still little and make lots of messes.

Might be an option for you unless you are set on laminate.

[blackbirdmama*3]

Originally Posted by Leanbh Do you have a HOBO (home improvement something something?) store near you? They have in general cheaper flooring and toilets, vanities than other places. I'm not sure what is a thrifty idea for kitchen flooring, I know tile is cheap though....like inexpensive as there is a huge range of cheaper to more $$

I guess I am meaning a good value but not necessarily "cheap" as in cost. We can't afford the most expensive but can afford a good mid range option.

Originally Posted by Ducko We are in need of kitchen and bathroom flooring. My sister installed some resilient flooring in her home office/entry. It does actually feel and look like hardwood. Some don't but she paid a little more for a better quality. I love it in there and want some too. Very easy install. The appeal to me is that it can be laid in very wet areas. It is quieter than laminate and hardwood. My kids are still little and make lots of messes. Might be an option for you unless you are set on laminate.

Definitely not set on laminate, we just haven't really checked out anything yet. I will look into the resilient flooring.

[Leanbh]

I don't know what resilient flooring is, but I know you can do laminate, engineered hardwood or just hardwood......going in that order from cheaper to expensive.

We originally had engineered hardwood in our home, it was scratched up from previous owners dogs though. But we always thought it was laminate until we had a flood and the flooring person told us it was engineered and we could have even sanded it down and refinished before the flood damaged it...

[nichey]

Look on Craigslist for materials and fixtures. You can usually get very high end stuff for about what you would expect to pay for midrange supplies at a big box store. We installed grout able vinyl tiles. They are really nice and have the look of ceramic without being cold or hard. They are very easy to install also!

[briggsy13]

Do you have any habitat stores near you? They get leftover tile and it should be very affordable. No matter what you decide I would keep checking there to see what they get in, since it always changes.

[NotLad]

Originally Posted by nichey Look on Craigslist for materials and fixtures. You can usually get very high end stuff for about what you would expect to pay for midrange supplies at a big box store. We installed grout able vinyl tiles. They are really nice and have the look of ceramic without being cold or hard. They are very easy to install also!

Originally Posted by briggsy13 Do you have any habitat stores near you? They get leftover tile and it should be very affordable. No matter what you decide I would keep checking there to see what they get in, since it always changes.

This and freecycle! My sil did all of these things and gutted her bathroom for $300.

[drabekgirl]

I will say that the high grade wood floor look alike stuff holds up well and is easy to replace when its tears. friends just put it in for the 2nd time (first time their house burnt down).

We used a laminate from menards. It was an end so $20 but its look was amazing. I had bought as a temp fix to the problem, but we found the problem was deeper and we had to gut the entire bathroom so we didn't put it down until after that was done.

[pgkcb13]

I will second (or third?) Craigslist. We've been able to get fill dirt for our yard, stone for patio/walkways, bookcases, lumber, you name it for free on craigslist. There's a local add right now offering to pay someone $20 to take away a truck load of cedar lumber... trying to find a truck to borrow, lol!