How to Prep Your Home for Holidays - on a budget

How to Prep Your Home for Holidays - on a budget

Lowe's helps make your home houseguest-ready with affordable weekend projects

MOORESVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As preparations begin to celebrate the joy of the holiday season with friends and family, it's time to add a little extra sparkle to the home and tackle the DIY projects still on the to-do list. All of these simple, budget friendly project ideas from Lowe's can be completed in a weekend or less. Holiday guests will be impressed with your home's updated style and comfort, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy the season.

Start with the kitchen

Guests will spend the most time congregating in the kitchen, the hub of your home. Make visitors and the chef more comfortable with a few stylish updates that will keep things organized and interesting in the kitchen.

    --  Start with a fresh coat of paint. The kitchen is a great area to
        experiment with a bold hue. With limited wall space, a bold color won't
        overwhelm the room. Try a food-inspired hue such as coffee date by allen
        + roth.
    --  Update the backsplash with peel and stick wall tile, an easy DIY project
        for individuals of all skill levels. The tiles are available in a wide
        range of colors and textures to add visual dimension and intrigue to the
        space.
    --  Refresh the lighting by transforming recessed can lights into pendants.
        With a simple, screw-in design, the recessed lighting conversion kits
        transform can lights in minutes, requiring no tools or rewiring. The mix
        and match glass pendants offer a variety of colors and styles, providing
        many opportunities to customize the space. During the season, swap the
        pendant glass for a holiday hue to add a festive touch.
    --  Declutter the cabinets and simplify kitchen chores with new drawer
        organizers. Also, update the cabinet and drawer pulls and add a
        touch-faucet to put style and control at your fingertips.

Move to the living room

Guests will naturally gather in the living spaces, so updating these rooms is a priority. Focus on DIY basics such as lighting and simple decor updates to make a huge difference in this space, with little impact to your budget.

    --  Layer lighting. Adding soft, ambient lighting, such as wall sconces, and
        task-oriented lamps to overhead lighting will create cozier spaces to
        spend time with loved ones. Coordinating finishes, like those in the
        allen + roth lighting line, will complement various fixtures and allow
        the room to shine.
    --  Pay attention to the details. Installing plush curtains, adding a mirror
        above a focal point in the room, such as a mantel or sofa, and arranging
        an area rug will add comfort and style to the space, without breaking
        the budget or taking valuable time.

Finish with the guest room and bath

Add a little extra TLC to guest rooms and baths, especially when hosting overnight visitors. Simple touches, such as adding a mirror or bedside table lamp, will give your holiday guests a sense of comfort when away from home.

    --  Ensure your home is accessible for guests of all ages. Update bathroom
        hardware with coordinating faucets, knobs and even grab bars so guests
        don't slip or fall when entering and exiting the shower. New items, like
        Moen's dual towel rod and grab bar, offer stylish functionality. Create
        a relaxing retreat by swapping your existing showerhead for a handheld,
        adjustable-height showerhead, which simplifies bathing for young
        children and older guests. Select a showerhead with massage features to
        soothe sore muscles.
    --  Add a bedside table - or create your own using a stock kitchen cabinet.
        This nightstand, built by the Lowe's Creative Ideas team, features a
        built-in charging station so guests can power up their cell phones and
        other personal electronics.

For more ideas to make your home holiday-ready, visit Lowe's Creative Ideas, where you'll find tips for creating a fabric headboard, coffee filter wreaths, storage chests and many more DIY projects. Plan your project, track your purchases and record your paint colors, along with your wish list items, to MyLowe's, a new tool to help make home improvement simple. With MyLowe's, you can even set maintenance reminders, providing one less thing to keep track of this holiday season.

The results of your efforts will last far longer than when the last guest leaves, providing an updated, more stylish home for your family to enjoy year-round.

About Lowe's

With fiscal year 2010 sales of $48.8 billion, Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE(R) 50 company that serves approximately 15 million customers a week at more than 1,725 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com.


    Source: Lowe's