September 14, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 31 Home improvement projects have become de rigueur for today’s homeowners. Be it a kitchen remodel or the ever popular man cave project, home improvement projects remain a goal for many homeowners. As enticing as a home improvement project might be, no project can be successful until a budget has been established. The right budget will keep homeowners from going deep into debt when improving their homes, ensuring that, upon the project’s completion, they can fully enjoy their revamped castles without the specter of significant debt hanging ominously over their heads. Before beginning a home improvement project, homeowners should take the following factors into consideration. Things to consider when budgeting your projects Personal finances: It sounds simple, but homeowners must examine their finances before starting a home improvement project. Just because a bank will loan money for a project doesn’t mean the project is affordable. Homeowners should compare their monthly expenses with their incomes, and then determine what is left that might be able to go toward a project. Monthly expenses include everything from groceries to mortgage payments. When the comparison between monthly expenses and monthly income has been made, homeowners can get a grasp of just what they can and cannot afford. Credit score: Many homeowners finance home improvement projects with loans from the bank. Particularly in the current economy, when banks are being (ARA) Redecorating a room is an exciting way to freshen up your home, but might also seem like a daunting task if you don’t identify with just one conventional style category. Traditional design, for instance, is classic, inviting and elegant, while contemporary design includes more clean lines, modern accents and natural hues. But what if you like a little from each category? With the right tools and a proper balance, you can blur the lines between traditional, transitional, and contemporary design to create a room that represents your own unique style. More and more, the tendency to mix and match furniture, materials or colors from different design categories is becoming popular among homeowners looking to turn their space into an extension of themselves. “Whether hosting a family dinner or neighborhood party, the kitchen and bathroom are two areas of the home most frequented by guests,” said Judd Lord, director of industrial design at Delta Faucet Company. “That’s why there is so much emphasis placed on the design of these rooms. Homeowners should take the opportunity to experiment with different design elements and truly personalize these spaces so they reflect their individual personality.” An easy place to begin is at the faucet, which serves as the focal point of the room and can be simply updated. If you’re torn between style categories, consider this tip: In general, a warmer finish on a contemporary faucet is well suited for someone who wants a modern design, Discover your design personality but doesn’t want to sacrifice the cozy atmosphere of a room. Delta Faucet’s contemporary Trinsic collection, for example, delivers a big impact on the overall look of the space. But, for those who like the sleek, modern architecture, yet prefer a more traditional overall design scheme, selecting a less contemporary finish will balance out the look. A great option would be champagne bronze, which has soft, brushed gold hues. Cabinetry can also be customized to fit your storage needs and your niche style. Depending on what you are looking for, different door shapes, wood finishes, or color selections can add an air of modern chic or create an inviting atmosphere. Glass windows or open cabinets allow you to showcase accent pieces, which can also help you achieve your desired design style. Plus, one can never underestimate the power of hardware. Simply mixing a rustic drawer pull with an understated wood and finish can give the entire cabinet and room a different feel. Whether you want to make a bold statement or create a traditional, clean backdrop for the other elements within the room, infusing wall color and texture provides another easy way to achieve a custom design aesthetic. Don’t sweat it if you find yourself confused by which design fits your personal style. There are a multitude of products available that can help you defy the lines between cut and dried design categories and have fun creating your own customized look. forced to tighten lending requirements, securing such loans is not easy. Homeowners with significant credit card debt should eliminate such debt before beginning a project. Doing so serves multiple purposes. First and foremost, eliminating outstanding debt will free up more money to allocate toward the project. Eliminating debt will also make loan applicants more attractive to prospective creditors, increasing their chances of securing a loan and a lower interest rate. The project’s priority: Budgeting a home improvement project also involves being honest as to just how necessary the project is. For example, a man cave might be a dream project, but should it be a priority over other things around the house? If wear and tear is taking its toll on the roof, for instance, the money going toward the man cave should probably be allocated to replacing the roof instead. If a project is low on the priority list, but high on the want list, re-examine those projects higher up on the priority list to determine which jobs are more deserving of immediate attention and funds. Overrun costs: Not every home improvement project will come in at or under budget. Many, in fact, go over budget due to a host of factors. Homeowners should not be caught off guard when a project goes over budget. Instead, plan for the project to go over budget and expect such frustration. Allocate extra money in the original budget for overrun costs. This will reduce stress and frustration, and if the project comes in under budget, then there is extra money when the project is completed.