Stages of cosmetic repairs. Pasting wallpaper. Painting the ceiling. Cosmetic renovation of an apartment Pasting wallpaper is the final stage of cosmetic renovation
“May the renovations in your apartment never end!” - the passer-by throws over his shoulder and goes home. And you stand there and think: “Why is he doing this? Did you wish for wealth or, on the contrary,... tax you?”
But really, the issue of repairs is an unpleasant matter for the average citizen. With today's prices for materials and services of construction Jedi, you will have to fork out seriously. And how much time and nerves you will have to spend, and even live in a ruined apartment! You wouldn't wish it on your enemy. But repairs are a vital necessity, and sooner or later you will still have to face them. Some craftsmen, even in times of crisis, still manage to renovate an apartment with their own hands quickly and inexpensively. But how do they manage to do this? Inexpensive - this is a cosmetic repair with your own hands and domestic materials. Such repairs will not require large financial investments, but you are guaranteed the cleanliness and freshness of your apartment. Cheap is not always bad.
Where to begin?
Keep a small notebook. In it you will write down all the ideas, prices and phone numbers of stores or specialists. But the main thing is that it will contain a plan for your repair and a cost estimate. The plan needs to reflect all your wishes: replacing windows with plastic, suspended ceiling or just whitewashing, new tiles in the bathroom, wallpapering or a couple of new sockets in the kitchen. Write exactly what you want. If you decide on wallpaper, that means wallpaper; if you want decorative plaster, then so be it. Pipes are humming - replace it, a cracked toilet - throw it away. You may think that, based on your desires, you won’t be able to do your own apartment renovation quickly and inexpensively. But you probably don’t know this, and you’re only forcing yourself into limits. If it works, you’ll do it; if not, it’s not a big loss, it’s just a note in a notebook. Next, start making an estimate: what exactly do you need and in what quantity. How many meters of tiles, grout, bags of putty, wallpaper, chipboard and other things. You can always correct these entries.
To find out exactly what materials, what quality and price you will need, go to online stores and construction forums for help. Carefully study the characteristics and pricing policy, approximately calculate the consumption. And at the same time, learn how to replace a faucet, hang wallpaper or install drywall yourself. Determine for yourself: I can do this myself, but here you need to look for an electrician or plumber. Write it down.
How can you save money?
There are many options. First, remember: it is better to buy materials for apartment renovation in the cold season - the price is much lower. But summer is construction season. In winter, you can come across a 50% discount in construction markets or a “Buy 2, get 3 for free” promotion! This way you can buy the same wallpaper at a low price, but of much better appearance and quality. And if they lie for a couple of months in a dry pantry or closet, then nothing will happen to them. Explore local forums, especially if you live in big city. There you will probably find many people who have already done inexpensive apartment renovations with their own hands. You will probably find photos of finishing, tips, addresses and phone numbers of specialists there. And you will also come across the heading “repair” and “remaining materials”. Periodically look at who is selling or giving away interesting things. People often end up with materials after renovation that no one will buy at the sale price, and it’s a pity to throw them away. So, you can buy a couple of bags of putty or even Spanish tiles for a ridiculous price. A person has an extra 2-3 meters left, there is nowhere to put it, but it will do just fine for you in the toilet. There you can also find the remains of a cable or grout “for a chocolate bar.” More respectable people, when moving into new buildings, often exchange brand new plumbing fixtures or PVC windows for more expensive ones, and these are given away for next to nothing. Why? Because they want “Rehau” or “only France”, and such a window will do just fine for you. Anything is better than the old wooden one. When you get rich, buy yourself a Rehau.Tools for repair
Construction tools cost a lot of money, so it’s better not to spend money on them. Another option is to rent it for a while; it is rented everywhere. And it will be even better if you borrow it from acquaintances, friends or relatives. And be sure to thank the person for their help. How? You know better. Take this opportunity to ask if they can help you decorate your apartment. Especially if your friends are well acquainted with construction literacy. This will also help you do your own apartment renovation quickly and inexpensively, and also with high quality. And your friend will probably make a significant discount for old times sake.
You will need:
Step-by-step instruction
1. The concept of repair includes the following list:
4. The next stage is ceiling repair. Sew all the cracks with a spatula so that they become deeper. Prime with primer, putty and let dry. After the primer has dried, sand the ceiling and prime it again. Before painting the ceiling, make repairs to the walls. 5. After working on the ceiling, start removing the old wallpaper. To do this, wet the old wallpaper with water, let it soak for a while, and as soon as it gets wet, remove it with a spatula. The wall must be dry and clean before you begin repairing it.
Walls
Sew all the cracks on the wall with a spatula, prime them with primer and seal them with putty. When the areas you putty have dried, sand them and then coat them with primer again. If you are gluing thick wallpaper, do not use finishing putty. 6. The next stage is painting the ceiling or wallpapering the ceiling. Dilute the water-based paint as written on the can and paint the ceiling 2 times. If you decide to glue wallpaper for painting, then glue it and paint it 2 times as well. Domestic paints are cheaper, so your budget will not suffer. 7. Before covering the walls with wallpaper, you need to paint the doors and window frames. If you buy “P” paint from Russian manufacturers rather than imported ones, it will cost you much less. After the paint has dried, proceed to wallpapering. To save money on purchasing wallpaper, choose a domestic manufacturer. In terms of quality and durability, wallpaper from Russian manufacturers is not inferior to imported ones. 8. The final stage is painting the floor. If the furniture was not taken out, then cover the legs and perimeter of the furniture with masking tape, and remove it after painting - the furniture will remain clean. Choose domestic paint - it will be cheaper, but will not affect the quality of the paint. Walls are the first thing that always catches your eye. Certainly, smooth walls
There is another option. The previous owners left a couple of rolls of wallpaper in the apartment, which were of no use to them during the renovation. For example, I simply replaced a few particularly dirty and torn areas of wallpaper. It was enough to replace the wallpaper strips where they were most noticeably damaged. These are protruding corners, places near door jambs, in the hallway at the entrance, in the kitchen not far from the stove - all this will cost much less complete replacement, and the housing will look much better.
Ceiling
If we are dealing with whitewash or layers of lime, it is best to clean them first. Numerous lime deposits that peel off and crumble are not only aesthetically unsightly, but also harmful to health. It is not difficult to wash away the lime; you first need to soften the layers by wetting small areas of the ceiling with water from a spray bottle, and then clean off the plaster with a hard spatula or scraper. If there is old peeling wallpaper on the ceiling, it needs to be removed.
After cleaning, the ceiling can be additionally sanded with ordinary sanding paper, that is, sandpaper, and primed. If the surface is smooth, without holes or cracks, it will be cheaper to paint the ceiling acrylic paint, it is better to use matte paint in light, pure tones. If there are small defects left, the wallpaper will hide them. Wallpaper for the ceiling should be chosen white or very light, without a pronounced pattern and with very fine corrugation. Another economical option transform the ceiling - glue foam boards.
Floors
If these are concrete floors, as a rule, nothing additional needs to be done with them in terms of preparation; they are quite smooth and durable. Creaking wooden floors are a much more serious problem, and repairing them, at least over time, cannot be avoided, but you can temporarily solve the problem of squeaking. Creak in wooden floors occurs when adjacent boards rub against each other. In particularly “loud” areas of the floor, you can drill several holes with a regular drill and fill in a little foam. The foam will fill and seal the voids between the boards and the floor will stop creaking. This must be done carefully, without fanaticism, so that the floor does not swell.
Level out strong “waves” and unevenness wooden floors You can nail hardboard, plywood or OSB sheets on top. For the required strength, the thickness of plywood or OSB should be about 1 centimeter. As a finishing floor covering, linoleum is still the most economical and durable. Fortunately, the choice of linoleum in stores is extensive.
Tile
If we have already figured out the wallpaper on the walls, then what to do with tiled covering? Replacing the tiles, of course, may be a solution if the tiles do not stick to the wall, because there is no other way out. In rare cases, when the tile easily comes away from the mortar, and the mortar itself adheres well to the wall, the tile can be easily restored by spreading it with a thin layer of PVA glue and pressing it firmly into place against the mortar. The main thing here is to get the back of the tile correctly into its imprint on the mortar, and PVA glue will glue the ceramics to the mortar very firmly - checked! But if the tiles are holding strong, and buying new ones is expensive, you can work a little on what you have. Firstly, the tiles can and should be washed thoroughly. Since it is tile, it will withstand much more aggressive cleaning agents than dish gel, but it will also look much better when it is cleaned of limescale, rust and other signs of use. It is also necessary to clean the seams between the tiles. There is no need to be afraid of damaging the grout; on the contrary, you need to clean off as much grout as possible. Mold often settles between the tiles in the bathroom and it is very difficult to remove it from there.
After removing as much grout as possible along with unwanted flora and fauna, the seams can be treated with a special antiseptic. After this, they can be filled with fresh grout. It is better to choose a grout color that is neutral or close to the color of the tile.
Plumbing
Carefully inspect your plumbing fixtures. Are there any cracks or chips? There is no need to change plumbing. Plumbing cleaning products will help make all sanitary surfaces look more presentable, and bright curtain for a shower will finish the job. By the way, you can also refresh a cast-iron bathtub with paint. Not from the inside, of course, but from the outside. But, shining with freshly painted sides, the bathtub will immediately take on a more elegant look. And if still inner surface bathtubs are damaged and worn out, it makes sense to contact bathtub restoration specialists who will cover the surface of the bathtub with new enamel right at home.
As a rule, such a service is cheaper than purchase and installation. new bath. Here's another option: make a bath curtain not only for the top, but also for the bottom (use glue and Velcro).
Electrics
Inspect all outlets. If you see melted plastic around the plug holes or even just dark spots, such sockets should be replaced without hesitation! Lamps are changed as needed. If they are intact, not obsolete and all the lights are on, you can simply remove them, wash them and hang them back. Do not forget to turn off the voltage in the apartment when working with electricians!10 ways to spend less on decorating an apartment and get a real masterpiece
Designer tips: 1. 100% polyester silk. Stone-like tiles, parquet-like linoleum, onyx-like laminate, Trekhgorka like Ralph Lauren. Python-like porcelain tiles. “Artificially aged” something... It’s embarrassing to even think about. Alas, the number will not work. Look through good interior design magazines. Everywhere there, stone is stone, tile is nothing more than tile, and wood is just that, wood. If you don’t have the money for parquet, and simple laminate is beneath you, look for a good engineered board. The result is a floor that looks worth much more than the money you spent on it. A good alternative to porcelain tiles for kitchens, bathrooms and hallways - cement tiles. The result will look a hundred times more expensive. 2. Adjacent rooms should contrast. If you have a bright living room, have the hallway painted a deep, relatively dark color. The cost of paint will be the same in any case, and the result can look really expensive. 3. If on good carpet no money, look for carpet made from viscose or blended fibers that imitate a silk or wool pile carpet.
4. Place the curtains on a thick lining. Even inexpensive curtain fabric will greatly benefit from this. Look for fabrics that are three meters wide. This results in significant savings. If you are not willing to spend a lot, avoid printed textiles (fabrics with a pattern). When cutting patterned fabrics, due to the need to properly join the fabrics, a lot of scraps remain. The more rapport, the more waste. Do not use curtain tape for curtains. Let the seamstress lay down the “hand” folds. It's not that expensive, and the pleats, gathered with braid, look very cheap. 5. Set-set-set. Identical things in the interior are permissible only in one case: if they are paired items that form a symmetrical composition. Leave the chandeliers, table lamps and sconces from the same set to those to whom God has not given imagination. They also have sets of upholstered furniture “a sofa and two armchairs” and similar gentle sadness. For more details, see the next paragraph. 6. Ready-made solutions. Bad news: there isn't any. At least for us. The shower room is built using construction methods because it is a room. Unless you run a student hostel or an underground massage parlor with striptease, a shower stall (that sad structure of yellow acrylic and lopsided doors) will not suit you. Don't spend money on “designer” plumbing fixtures. Let the appearance of the plumbing equipment in the bathroom (kitchen, toilet) be dictated by the function. Buy washbasins and faucets simple shapes, without inappropriate decor. The toilet should be inconspicuous and do its job. No one will admire him, right? 7. Paintings, prints, engravings, photographs and posters frame in simple but deep frames with glass and always with a mat. Even a picture printed on a home inkjet printer (or a naive children's drawing), in such a frame looks very significant. Play with the size of the mat. A small work in a very wide mat looks very “designer-like”. And, by the way, cardboard for mats can be of almost any color. 8. Cosiness. Another collective fetish. According to my observations, what in our Palestinians is called “comfort”, in 99 percent of cases, is poetic closeness. In many ways, this is a physical memory of a bygone childhood, of the warm and affectionate meager Soviet life with carpets teeming with saprophytes, a kind grandmother, Czechoslovak crystal and the unread Dreiser in the polished Polish wall of “Hanka”. Moreover, expensive devilry such as a round bed with music and a minibar, a bar counter with a built-in aquarium, etc. will not add comfort. The same is true for such rich things as lambrequin, garland and swag. Don't worry: in a good, well-thought-out interior, comfort inevitably comes naturally. Therefore... 9. ...Goodbye, gypsy Sera! Duvet covers made of calico in fine Nefertiti, towels in scarlet roses, pillowcases in eye-catching shades, nylon blankets with Shanghai leopards. All these are attributes of collective farm chic, forgive me for being blunt. They will not add comfort. Variegated coloring is often necessary for these things solely to hide their exceptionally lousy quality. Keep bed linen and bath towels simply white (options: ivory, ecru). But made from excellent Egyptian cotton. 10. However, it is also important not to overdo it with ivory. Peach, beige, sand... The average nuanced range is good for chain hotels. Because their stenciled interiors are bound to please everyone. You should like your interior. After all, he is a manifestation of your essence, right? Pick up a fan palette from any paint manufacturer. Do you feel pleasant heaviness? These are your possibilities. Don't miss them!
Even the most sophisticated interior begins to get boring over time, and you want something new. No matter what expensive finishing materials were used previously, they all have their “age”, that is, they begin to deteriorate, lose their attractiveness, decorative and performance. Other unforeseen circumstances can also bring their own “negative adjustments” - leakage of the roof or from upper neighbors, walls torn or painted by children, permanent stains accidentally placed on surfaces, the appearance of mold, etc. That is, there can be a great many reasons to think about interior renovation.
This is said to prove that the renovation of the apartment complete instructions which will be presented in this publication, sooner or later every owner has to carry out. Therefore, most owners have a fair question about what activities are included in this process, where to start putting the rooms in order and in what sequence to carry out finishing operations.
What is cosmetic repair and its features
What is the difference between cosmetic repairs and when is it carried out, what work is included in it, and what are its features? In this section of the article we will look for answers to these questions.
Cosmetic transformation of premises is carried out after a certain period after a major overhaul. Of course, there are no set deadlines for its implementation, and there cannot be. Usually it is planned in cases, one of which every owner of any home faces:
- If you want to change the interior design.
- During the period of operation of the rooms, the flooring was damaged, the design of lighting fixtures, sockets, furniture and other interior elements was obsolete.
- It is necessary to tidy up the apartment before selling it, in order to give the premises a more respectable appearance.
- Decorating surfaces after major repairs.
For comparison, it is worth mentioning the work that is included in the major reconstruction of an apartment - this is the need to carry out heat or sound insulation of surfaces, cleaning walls from old plaster, leveling the walls and ceiling, with plastering and installation of floor screed, with preliminary cleaning of them from old coatings, replacement electrical wiring, sewer and water pipes and much more.
It is quite obvious that there are stages that can be included in the list of both major and cosmetic repairs. For example, this is dismantling old ones and installing modern doors and windows that match the design of the new interior and create more comfortable living conditions.
Features of the event repair work:
- Work can be divided into preparatory and finishing. Each of these two stages must begin at the top, gradually moving down.
- First, all dirty and labor-intensive work is performed, that is, the principle of their implementation is from dirty to clean processes.
- If cosmetic repairs are carried out in multi-room apartment, then it should start from the room that is farthest from front door. The final stage is. It is advisable to follow this sequence in order not to damage the lined surfaces in rooms where repairs have already been completed when carrying building materials through them, and not to spread dirt throughout the finished rooms.
- When carrying out work in other areas of the apartment, it is recommended to hang the doors of the room in which the renovation has already been completed. plastic film or an old wet sheet.
To know where to start putting your apartment in order, you need to understand what stages a cosmetic renovation consists of and in what sequence they are carried out:
- Drawing up a work plan, that is, a complete list of what is planned to be done.
- Development of sketches of the desired interior.
- Carrying out measurements and drawing up estimates.
- Purchase of materials.
- Clearing the room of furniture.
- Removal of old windows and interior doors and installation of new ones.
- Cleaning walls, floors, when necessary– and ceilings from old coatings.
- Priming surfaces.
- Ceiling finishing.
- Puttying and re-priming the walls.
- Wall decoration with selected decorative material.
- Installation of sockets and switches, as well as lighting fixtures.
- Floor covering.
Of course, this order is not a dogma at all - there may be certain changes in the sequence. But they still try to maintain the general “directorate” of work at approximately the same level.
Instructions for cosmetic repairs - step by step
The main stages of work to carry out cosmetic renovation of rooms were named above. But in every special case There are some nuances associated with the characteristics of a particular room. Some of them will be described in the instructions presented in the table below.
| Illustration | Brief description of the work stages |
|---|---|
 | The first thing you need to do when starting renovation work is to draw up a general plan, including everything that needs to be done. If at this stage the design direction has not yet been finally determined, it is advisable to make several sketches of the design of each room. This will help you personally evaluate the appearance of the room after completion of the work. It is best to think through even two or three similar “mini-projects” and complete them in different colors and with possible options furniture arrangement. |
 | Next, measurements are taken of the areas to be renovated. The linear dimensions of each of the walls, ceiling and floor are determined. The area of door and window openings is calculated separately so that, if necessary, it can be subtracted from the total area of the wall. In addition, it is necessary to count the number of electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, switches, faucets, door handles, locks and other elements that require replacement. |
 | Based on the data obtained, as well as after studying the average prices for materials in local stores, an approximate estimate for future repairs is drawn up. The resulting amount should be increased by another 15–20%, since usually, even with marginal savings, costs exceed expectations. The estimate includes the name and quantity of materials, as well as their approximate cost. It is best to do it in the form of a table, this will make the calculations easier. If some or even most of the operations are planned to be carried out with the involvement of craftsmen, you will have to take into account the payment for the work, which is usually no less than the cost of materials. So it is more profitable to initially focus on your own capabilities. |
 | The next step is to clear the room of everything that will interfere with the renovation or could be damaged by building materials. Items that cannot be removed from the room should be covered with plastic wrap. If you do not plan to replace the floor covering, it is recommended to cover the floors with cardboard and then with film, which can be secured around the perimeter with masking tape. |
 | After the space has been cleared and prepared, the old ones are dismantled and new window frames are installed, if this is included in the redecoration plan. a special article on our portal will help the reader. Typically, such work is carried out by teams from the window manufacturing company. But the owners need to prepare for a fairly large amount of garbage, which will also have to be immediately removed from the premises. |
 | When the windows are installed, the external and internal slopes are finished. Technological gaps between window frame and the wall are filled with polyurethane foam, which is sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, finishing external slopes is no less important than tidying up interior walls around the window. It should be noted that finishing slopes, especially external ones, is not an easy task, therefore, if there is no experience in carrying out this process, then it is better to entrust it to professionals. The external slopes of the windows of high-rise buildings are finished with plaster mortar for external work. Internal walls can be decorated in different ways - this is leveling with plaster and then putty, plastic panels or, for example, pasting with cork sheets. |
 | If you plan to improve the slopes using plaster mortar, with further painting, it is recommended to purchase fiberglass “gossamer” for reinforcing the surfaces, and metal or plastic for the outer corners of the openings perforated corner, possible with “wings” made of sickle mesh attached to it. First, on the outer corners of the opening using finishing putty metal corners are fixed. Both the corners themselves and the perforated or mesh “wings” must be hidden under the plaster mortar. |
 | After the final leveling of the slopes and drying of the putty, fiberglass is fixed to the slopes with special glue. After impregnating it with glue, it will not only hide minor imperfections in the putty layer and strengthen the surface, but also give it a pleasant roughness. When the glue has dried, the slopes can be painted with water-based paint. But painting is usually postponed until later - when the walls of the room are brought to their final form. |
 | Drywall is also an excellent choice for finishing slopes, as it performs two functions at once - surface leveling and additional thermal insulation. The sheets are easy to cut and fixed to the wall using gypsum-based glue. You can subsequently stick wallpaper or cork onto the primed drywall, or paint the slopes with water-based paint. |
 | Another option that is becoming increasingly popular in Lately- This is the lining of slopes with plastic panels. The convenience of this material is that its installation is quick, since there is no need to wait for the solution or glue to dry. But, in addition to the panels, for their accurate installation it will be necessary to purchase special profiles - a starting one, attached to the window frame and a corner that decorates the outer corner of the opening. Since the panels are fixed to the sheathing, and free space is formed between the wall and the panels, it becomes possible to insulate the slopes. But before choosing this cladding method, you must check whether the window will fully open after installing the panels. It is discussed in much more detail in a special article on our portal. |
 | Next, the interior doors are dismantled - this process can be done independently. The first step is to remove the door leaf. For convenience, you can use a claw pry bar as a lever. This tool will also be needed when removing door frame, which is dismantled after removing the canvas from it. If you do not plan to use the door frame again, then the easiest way to remove it is by sawing vertical racks in the middle part in two. |
 | Installation new door You can also do it yourself if this service is not provided by the product manufacturer. The door frame, together with the door, is placed in the wall opening 3÷5 mm above the height of the threshold and aligned construction level. To secure the structure in the required position, pads - pieces of timber or boards, depending on the width of the resulting space - are installed in the gaps between the wall and the frame, in two places on each side. These additional details must be prepared in advance. The wooden inserts must be wide enough to allow a fastening screw to pass through each of them when fixing the box to the wall in a given position. After the box is securely fixed in the opening, the gaps around it are filled with mounting foam, the excess of which will need to be cut off flush with the surface of the wall after it expands and dries. The gaps around the door frame are masked with decorative overlays - platbands. For safety, it is best to immediately cover a hung door with plastic film for the duration of the rest of the repair. If you plan, then the instruction article to which the link leads will be of help. |
 | Now you can move on to working on preparing the ceiling surface. If the decision is made to install a plasterboard structure or a “stretch ceiling” system, and the surface is not damaged by mold or mildew, and there are no unstable fragments of finishing or ceiling visible on it, then it is not necessary to clean off the old coating. But when wallpaper, painting or ceiling tiles, then the old coating will have to be removed. Whitewash can be scraped off with a spatula in dry or wet form, depending on the thickness of its layer and the strength of its adhesion to the surface. The wallpaper will also need to be removed, since to finish with all the coatings mentioned above, the ceiling must be absolutely clean. |
 | In order to quickly finish with the most dirty work, after cleaning the ceiling, it makes sense to immediately move on to freeing the walls from the old finish. There are several ways to carry out this process, from which the one that is most suitable for a particular case is selected. Sometimes it is enough to pick up the wallpaper with a spatula, and it is completely separated from the wall. In other cases, you have to soak them in warm water, applying it several times, after which the wallpaper is also cleaned off with a spatula. Another frequently used way to separate canvases from the wall is to treat them with damp hot steam. For this purpose, a special steamer or an iron with a steam function is used. The process of removing old wallpaper is quite tedious, but not even a small piece of material should remain on the walls, otherwise it may show through the new finish. |
 | It's harder to get rid of old paint, which still covers the walls of some kitchens and bathrooms. It’s especially difficult if it’s oily. But there are also several ways for this purpose. The simplest, but at the same time dirty and labor-intensive cleaning method is abrasive, that is, using metal brushes, manual or in the form of attachments on a power tool. You can use a chemical remover - applying a special composition to the wall that softens the paint, after which it can be easily removed with a spatula. |
 | Another method is to heat the coating using a hair dryer. P Under the influence of high temperatures, the paint also softens and separates from the surface, so it can then be easily removed with a regular spatula or the nozzle included with the hair dryer. |
 | Now that the entire room is free of the old finish, all that remains is to remove the flooring, if, of course, you plan to replace it too. The first step is to dismantle the skirting boards that hold the material around the perimeter. A mount is also suitable for this purpose. If linoleum is laid on the floors, it will be easier to remove than any other covering, even if it is secured with special glue. The flooring must be separated from the floor on one of the narrow sides of the room, and then, peeling it off from the surface, immediately roll it up. |
 | Dismantling the parquet will take more time, but removing it is also easy - just catch on one of the slats. A mount is also suitable for this job. If the parquet is in good condition, then it should be removed more carefully, as it can be reused for flooring. |
 | A more difficult task is removing ceramic tiles from floors or walls, especially if they were laid with high-quality glue. This work can be done manually, using a hammer and a special chisel, or using a hammer drill, on which a similar attachment is also installed. After decorative coating will be dismantled, the floor surface must be thoroughly cleaned of glue and debris, as the surface must be clean. |
 | Once the surfaces are cleaned, they should be inspected for any cracks that need to be repaired, otherwise they will definitely show through the new finish. The cracks widen and, if possible, deepen. Then they should be cleaned and treated with a primer - it is better to do this with a spray bottle, so the primer will penetrate the entire depth of the damage on the wall. After waiting for the soil to dry, narrow cracks are filled with concrete or putty mortar, and wide cracks, more than 15 mm, can be filled with polyurethane foam with an average expansion coefficient. When the foam expands and dries, the excess must be cut off to the level of the wall. The process is very messy and tedious, but it should not be ignored or simplified. More details on this can be found in the article to which the recommended link leads. |
 | Before moving on to the next stage of work, it is necessary to de-energize the room and remove sockets and switches. It is best to seal the empty socket boxes that remain from them with masking tape. Now that the room is ready for preparatory treatment for decorative coating, a primer is applied to the ceiling, walls and floors deep penetration. It is capable of binding the surface of the base material and penetrating to a depth of up to 10 mm. If you apply two or three layers of primer, the quality of the treatment will only improve. Each subsequent layer is applied after the previous one has completely dried. |
 | If the ceiling is flat and needs to be prepared for painting, wallpapering or foam tiles, then it is covered with a thin layer of putty, which will hide minor flaws. The work is carried out with a wide spatula. Next, the surface prepared for wallpaper is sanded using a construction float with an abrasive attachment (mesh or sandpaper) having a medium grain, approximately P160. We will not describe the details here - a separate article on the portal is devoted to this. |
 | If you plan to paint the ceiling, then it is recommended to stick fiberglass “cobweb” onto it. This will greatly simplify the process and improve the quality of the finish. |
 | Then, after painting, the ceiling will have a pleasant texture, uniform matte surface, which is quite difficult to achieve by applying putty, especially if you have no experience in this work. We advise you to pay close attention to this interesting material -. He will help out more than once! More details about it can be found in a separate publication. |
 | The next step is to putty the walls. The number of layers applied and the quality of processing depend on the chosen decorative coating. Before painting, the surface of the walls must be perfectly smooth, but if something goes wrong, then the same “cobweb” can save you, which will mask small errors. The wall should be smooth before wallpapering, but ideal smoothness may not be achieved. |
 | So that when carrying out puttying work defects are clearly visible, experienced painters use backlighting. Properly set light will reveal even the smallest unevenness, as it will cast a shadow. |
 | After the putty layer has dried, it is sanded using a construction float. The process is carried out in a circular motion, counterclockwise, without strong pressure on the surface. Belt, vibrating or eccentric sanders are also used. But since they produce a huge amount of dust, such an operation should be carried out only if it is possible to connect the equipment to a construction vacuum cleaner. It is written simply, but in reality it is subtle - very difficult task. To deal with it, read the recommended instruction article. |
 | It is recommended to prime the finished puttyed and sanded surfaces again. This layer will help increase the adhesive properties of the materials, so the paint on the coating will lie more evenly, and the wallpaper will easily stick to the wall. |
 | Next, if provided for in the plan, a suspended ceiling is installed. The process is complex and unsafe, and it requires special equipment, so it is better to entrust this stage of work to specialists. |
 | If you plan to paint the ceiling or cover it with wallpaper or tiles, then a ceiling plinth is marked and glued along its perimeter. To fix it, one of the polymer adhesives is used, and many craftsmen even use a diluted solution of finishing putty. The framing will limit the areas to which decorative cladding will be applied. To prevent paint or wallpaper glue from accidentally getting on the baseboard, it should be removed before installation. decorative materials must be covered with masking tape. |
 | The ceiling surface is painted using a roller with a fur attachment. The ceiling is painted in two layers - the first of them is applied from the window to the door, parallel to the longer walls of the room, the second is perpendicular to the first, that is, parallel to the wall with the window opening. |
 | If you plan to use wallpaper with a certain relief or color pattern to cover the ceiling, then you need to take into account that combining it on the ceiling is much more difficult. The canvases can be pasted both along and across the room - this choice depends on the homeowners’ preference for the location of the wallpaper decor. But it is still recommended that the joining seams be located from the window to the entrance - this way they will become less noticeable. |
 | When cutting wallpaper, they need to be made longer by 50÷100 mm, and they are glued with a small allowance onto the baseboards, matching the pattern if necessary. After gluing the canvas, it is easy to straighten it - press it with a spatula exactly along the line of the plinth, like a ruler, and then cut off the excess with a knife. |
 | Everyone installs polystyrene foam tiles differently. Some people believe that it is better to stick the baseboard on top of the tiles. This is wrong, since sometimes the glue is not able to withstand such a load, and both the baseboard and the tiles can move away from the ceiling at once. Therefore, the plinth should only be glued to the ceiling, and the tile covering should be adjusted to it. To ensure that the tiles are evenly distributed on the ceiling, the surface must be marked before installing them. Typically, two perpendicular lines are drawn on the ceiling, which intersect at the point where the chandelier is planned to be placed. Based on them, the tiles are glued - with glue or with finishing putty. If necessary, the side plates glued along the plinth line are trimmed. |
 | Next, you should finally finish with the dirty work, which includes leveling the floor for a new coating. The floor surface must be primed and dried again. A damper tape is glued along the perimeter of the entire room along the baseboard area, which is designed to compensate for the expansion of the screed or self-leveling floor when temperatures change. |
 | To quickly level the surface of a floor that has minor errors, special self-leveling self-leveling solutions are used - they are available for sale in a wide range. The prepared composition is poured into puddles on the floor and spread over the surface first using a wide spatula or squeegee. After this, the master puts on studded paint shoes, takes a needle roller on a long rod and finally evenly distributes the solution over the floor. The composition tends to occupy all free spaces, that is, cracks and dents, and its surface independently occupies a perfectly horizontal position, as a liquid should. Now all that remains is to wait until the renewed floor hardens - and you can move on to the next stage of work. How to choose and how - in a separate publication on our portal. |
 | Walls are painted using a roller with a fur or foam attachment, depending on the desired effect. The paint is applied to the surface starting from the ceiling plinth with up and down movements, gradually covering unpainted areas. To get an evenly painted wall, at least two layers of paint must be applied to its surface. |
 | Wallpaper is applied starting from the corner of the room. At the beginning of the wall, stepping back from an angle of 20÷30 mm, a perfectly straight vertical line is struck, along which the first sheet of wallpaper will be aligned and glued. The upper side of the canvas should be 20÷25 mm on the baseboards, so that it is possible to align the drawings or patterns, and not leave an unsealed strip on top. |
 | To ensure that the top edge of the wallpaper is even, it should be pressed against the baseboard with a spatula and carefully cut off the excess part with a sharp stationery knife. For work, it is best to use a spatula 250÷400 mm wide with a smooth blade edge. The process is not as simple as it might seem. The nuances of this stage of finishing are in a separate article. |
 | When the wallpaper is dry, sockets, switches, and wall lighting fixtures are installed in place. |
 | The last stage of work is the installation of the floor covering. It is started when the manufacturer’s recommended hardening time for the self-leveling floor has been fully met. If a laminate is chosen for finishing, then it is mounted on a special substrate, which will reduce the noise from steps on the coating and provide the required level of shock absorption. A special article-instruction posted on the pages of our portal will help you carry it out efficiently. |
 | Unlike laminate, linoleum must lie down and straighten out before fixing it to the floor; about a day is allotted for this. The covering is spread in the room for which it is intended and left for the above-mentioned time. After that, the evenness of the installation is additionally checked, then the linoleum is pressed against the junction of the horizontal and vertical planes and the excess strips are carefully cut off from it. There should be a gap of 5÷7 mm between the wall and the coating, which is necessary to compensate for the thermal expansion of the material. Previously, linoleum was certainly glued to the base, but today this installation technology is rarely used. More often quality material installed as described above. About the technology with all the details - a special publication at the link. |
 | Another material option that is becoming increasingly popular is cork tiles or roll coverings. The tiles are laid according to the laminate principle, and roll material fixed with a special glue applied to the prepared base. |
 | The covering will not look properly if it is not framed with a plinth. Similar finishing details may have different designs and various types of fastenings. It is important that the skirting boards fit well into the overall interior design. color scheme and harmonized with the floor covering. At the same stage, the threshold is fixed in doorway, which also presses the edges floor coverings adjacent rooms. |
The result of the cosmetic repair should be a neat space, ready for furniture arrangement and further use.
Agree that most operations, except for some specific ones (which, by the way, may not be included in the general plan of work), can be performed independently.
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The reviewed article presented only short description stages of work to replenish cosmetic repairs. But on the pages of our portal, in the section, a lot of attention is paid to each of the mentioned processes. In this array of information, the reader will find not only detailed instructions for carrying out repair and finishing work, but also recommendations for choosing the necessary materials, with a comprehensive consideration of their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
And finally, as an example, watch a video about redecorating an apartment.
Video - Quick and not very expensive cosmetic repairs in the apartment
Redecorating - the best option inexpensively and in a short time to update and refresh the ambience of the apartment premises. It should be noted right away that in this case we are not talking about fundamental changes and major repair and construction work. The main distinctive feature of redecorating an apartment is that it is quite possible to do it yourself without the involvement of a private master.
Photos of the best inexpensive apartment renovations are shown below.
Required tools and materials
First of all, we will consider the finishing materials and tools that will be required to independently carry out cosmetic repairs of apartment rooms. First, let's talk about materials.
In most cases, the process of redecorating an apartment with your own hands involves replacing the flooring, repairing the ceiling and replacing wallpaper on the walls. Please note that if the walls in your rooms are painted and not covered with wallpaper, then you, accordingly, will need paint not only for the ceiling, but also for the walls.
Flooring materials
If we talk about flooring materials, then the choice here largely depends on the price you are willing to pay for it. For example, the lowest priced flooring material is linoleum. In addition to its low cost, the advantage of linoleum is its ease of installation. Anyone can lay and trim it with their own hands. House master. Trimming linoleum with your own hands is shown in the photo:
If the high cost does not scare you, you can opt for a more expensive material – laminate. But here it is necessary to take into account that if you do not have experience in installing laminate flooring, it is unlikely that you will be able to do it yourself. In any case, you will have to call a private master who will perform this work efficiently.
Laying carpet would also be a good option. In terms of price, this material lies approximately in the middle between the cost of linoleum and laminate. As in the case of linoleum, carpet can be laid independently without any problems.
Ceiling finishing materials
When redecorating apartment rooms, done with your own hands, wallpapering or painting is most often used to finish the ceiling. The cheapest method, which was widely used during the Soviet era - whitewashing with lime, is now practically not used. As for painting, in this case ordinary water-based paint is used. As for wallpapering, absolutely any plain wallpaper can be used here.
Wall finishing materials
Cosmetic renovation of an apartment and one of its main stages - finishing the walls of rooms - can be done either by painting the walls or by covering them with wallpaper. It is impossible to say which finishing method is better, since it all depends on personal preferences.
When covering walls with wallpaper, absolutely any wallpaper can be used - paper, non-woven, vinyl. In terms of price, the most affordable are paper wallpaper. However, gluing such wallpaper yourself requires some experience. Non-woven wallpaper is more expensive in price. It is much easier to hang such wallpaper with your own hands than paper wallpaper, since it is much denser. Non-woven wallpaper is shown in the photo below.
Additional materials and tools
Additional materials that may be needed include the following:
- Dry gypsum mixture. This mixture may be needed if it is necessary to seal microcracks and level out small irregularities. You should not opt for inexpensive dry mixtures, especially if you are doing cosmetic renovations to your apartment yourself without involving private craftsmen.
- Wallpaper glue. As you might guess, this material will be needed for wallpapering the walls and ceilings of rooms. Today, wallpaper glue is sold in the form of a dry mixture, which is diluted in a certain amount of water. The approximate glue consumption is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. Based on this information, you can calculate the amount of glue required. Dry glue mixture for wallpapering photo:
- Dye. The type and amount of paint directly depends on the work you have planned. For example, water-based paint is used to paint ceilings and walls, and alkyd or acrylic enamels are used to paint heating radiators. When choosing, it is important to remember that, as a rule, a low price indirectly indicates its quality. In a word: the too low cost of paint should alert you. The best paints are not cheap.
- Deep penetration primer. The primer is intended and used for treating the surfaces of walls and ceilings. Thanks to this treatment, adhesion between the base and the material that is applied to it is significantly increased. Priming is a mandatory process before painting and wallpapering. As for the choice, in principle, you can save money here - it is quite possible to purchase an inexpensive primer. Applying the primer yourself is done using a roller or paint brush (wide brush).
Now let’s talk about the tools needed to carry out cosmetic renovations to your apartment yourself. You don't need any rare or expensive tools. Minimum set listed below:
- hammer, set of screwdrivers, pliers;
- paint rollers, brushes;
- paint tray;
- small spatula.
We draw up a redecoration plan
If you decide to carry out cosmetic repairs yourself, drawing up a work plan is a mandatory step. Firstly, you will know exactly where to start, and secondly, you will be able to quite accurately determine the price of cosmetic repairs in the apartment. A plan for redecorating the apartment’s rooms is drawn up in the following order:
- Determine the general concept for redecorating the apartment’s rooms. In other words, try to define in as much detail as possible what you want in the end result. In order to get a more or less accurate picture in your head, you can look through various photos of redecorating apartment rooms.
- Decide on the flooring you plan to use. If you plan to use different materials, decide where and in which room this or that material will be laid.
- Decide how the ceiling and walls will be finished.
- Decide on the amount of materials you need. Perform an approximate calculation of not only the quantity, but also the cost of materials. You can find out approximate prices for this or that material on the Internet.
- Decide whether, during the process of redecorating the apartment’s rooms, any additional work will be performed, for example, in the form of replacing lighting elements, sockets, switches.
- Decide whether you can do this or that work yourself, or is it better to find private craftsmen. If you decide to do the work yourself, start preparing: watch training videos, photos, printed materials.
There are quite a lot of opinions among craftsmen about which room an apartment renovation should begin with. However, as a rule, if we are talking about a radical renovation of an apartment with the replacement of floor coverings, updating the ceiling and walls throughout the apartment, the renovation is carried out simultaneously in all rooms. However, this solution is not always the best, because not everyone has the opportunity to temporarily move to another apartment or house while redecorating their apartment.
If you do not have the opportunity to start renovations in all rooms at the same time, then apartment renovations begin in the kitchen, bathroom, and toilet. Why do renovations start with these particular areas of the apartment? It's simple - renovating these rooms is the most labor-intensive and takes the most time. In addition, these premises are the most frequently visited.
After the renovation of the kitchen, bathroom and toilet unit of the apartment is completed, they begin to renovate the most remote room of the apartment. Typically, such a room is the bedroom. The redecoration of the apartment is completed by renovating the corridor.
Where to start redecorating an apartment with your own hands: stages of renovation, expert advice
Regardless of whether you do the renovation of the rooms yourself or entrust it to a private master, the repairs are carried out in the following sequence:
- First of all, they are carried out preparatory work. During this work, old coatings and old finishes are dismantled. By the way, at this stage you can save a little (if you plan to entrust the apartment renovation to a private master), because, you see, removing old wallpaper yourself is not particularly difficult. The dismantling of old coverings when redecorating rooms is shown in the photo below:
- After completing all the preparatory operations, they begin to repair the ceiling. If there is whitewash or old wallpaper on it, they are removed. If the ceiling was previously puttied and painted, then the entire surface is cleaned of dirt, primed and painted. Primer of the ceiling surface - photo:
- The next step is to repair the walls. If the wall is to be covered with wallpaper, then all cracks and crevices on its surface should be filled with putty. Only after puttying can you start wallpapering. If the surface of the wall is completely plastered, and it will subsequently be repainted, then it is cleaned of contamination, primed and only then painted. A photo of puttying cracks and holes on the walls of the room is shown below:
- The final stage is replacing the flooring. Also, if necessary, baseboards are replaced. Installation of skirting boards is shown in the photo.
The best option for those who do not want to do the repairs themselves is to turn to professional designers and craftsmen. Of course, in this case, the cost of redecorating the apartment will increase significantly. However, on the other hand, you will save yourself from having to carry out any repair work yourself and get a truly high-quality result.
Separately, it is necessary to say about the services for developing a design project for the renovation of your apartment. The price of such services is quite high, and if you are planning an inexpensive cosmetic renovation of your apartment, then turning to professional designers is simply unreasonable. In this case, it will be quite sufficient to familiarize yourself with photos of cosmetic renovations of rooms and videos telling about the implementation of certain design projects. Photos of such works are shown below.
- If you have a relatively small apartment, don’t try to cram in as many original design elements as possible. Remember that in most cases, excessive pretentiousness makes rooms unattractive and uncomfortable.
- Deciding on color scheme, always remember about color contrast. Thoughtful color contrast is the basis of absolutely any design. Photo of the correctly selected color scheme.
- Choose the color scheme for wall decoration taking into account the intended purpose of the room. It is no secret that, for example, red color in the bedroom should be used with extreme caution.
- Directly during the process of renovating an apartment, use only natural materials. Agree, parquet made from real wood looks much better than linoleum with artificial turf. Photo of parquet flooring:
How to make an inexpensive cosmetic renovation of an apartment: expert advice
- Delve into all the intricacies of the upcoming cosmetic renovation of your apartment. Remember that the more work you can do yourself, the less price you will pay.
- In order to eliminate the need to contact designers to draw up a project, try creating such a project yourself. Look at photos of apartment renovations, read the relevant literature - it may well be that the project you created will be even better than a professional one.
- Try to save as little as possible on materials. For example, very often cheap paint after drying does not provide a high-quality, uniform coating. In this case, you have to repaint the surface again, and for this you will have to purchase paint again. Photo of a poorly painted wall:
How much does it cost to renovate an apartment?
How much does it cost to renovate an apartment? Of course, it is impossible to name the exact price you will have to pay for redecorating your apartment. After all, in fact, the cost directly depends on the volume of work and timing. If we talk about average numbers, then approximate cost is about 3 thousand rubles for the repair of each square meter of living space in an apartment.
Here are a few useful tips, which will help home craftsmen avoid many mistakes when performing cosmetic repairs with their own hands.
- Observe the right technology preparing putty (if you use it): the dry mixture should be added to clean water, and not vice versa.
- In order to protect the windows from paint when painting the slopes, cover them with special paper masking tape. Do-it-yourself taping of windows during redecoration of an apartment is shown in the photo below.
- Be sure to treat the surfaces of walls and ceilings with a primer. Thanks to the primer, adhesion is significantly increased finishing material, which will be applied subsequently.
- Cleaning surfaces painted with water-based paint from dirt can be done with an ordinary well-moistened clean rag. Cleaning painted surfaces during redecoration of an apartment is shown in the photo:
- If you do not plan to carry out repairs yourself and are wondering how to choose good craftsmen, then the condition and number of their tools can be an indirect confirmation of their competence. Agree, you can hardly expect a high quality of cosmetic renovation of an apartment from a master who has nothing but a spatula and a hammer.
Finally, for maximum clarity, we suggest you watch a video about doing cosmetic repairs with your own hands.
Reading time ≈ 4 minutes
Quite often we are faced with the fact that when we move, our new home requires repairs, and the budget does not allow us to make major changes to the situation. In this case, you can carry out cosmetic repairs to the apartment yourself.
Preparation for cosmetic renovation of the apartment
Before you begin redecorating your apartment, you need to define the scope of work. To determine what you want your apartment to look like after the renovation is completed, we recommend looking at photos of apartments with cosmetic renovations - perhaps you will discover finishing ideas that never occurred to you. In the photographs you can explore options for cosmetic renovation of one-room or two-room apartments.
The first stage of cosmetic repairs - windows
Inspect the windows carefully - if you are planning cosmetic repairs in a Khrushchev-era building, the frames may be wooden and dry. In this case, be sure to replace the double-glazed windows with plastic ones, otherwise your apartment will be very uncomfortable during the cold season.
Replacement of double-glazed windows should be carried out first, because this is the dirtiest and hardest work. It is quite possible to do it yourself, but it is easier to order installation from the company where you purchased the double-glazed windows.
If the condition of the frames inspires optimism, you can get by with repainting.
When renovating your apartment, don't forget about the ceiling
We recommend paying attention to the ceiling. There are a huge number of ways to finish the ceiling. Often in apartments there is a danger of flooding from neighbors above - in this case it is better to install a suspended ceiling, but such work no longer applies to minor cosmetic repairs of the apartment. Therefore, if you are confident in your neighbors and the ceiling does not require special attention, you can get by with painting or whitewashing, or wallpapering the ceiling. Before any of these works, the ceiling must be prepared - cleaned of the previous coating (remove chalk, old wallpaper, if any), cover up defects in the ceiling tiles, prime the ceiling.
Working with walls
It would seem that during the renovation of an apartment, the walls will require the least attention. What could be simpler - hang wallpaper and that's it. Before gluing new wallpaper, be sure to remove the old coatings, clean the walls from glue residues, and treat them with a primer. Modern wallpaper do not require any additional preparation of the walls. Carefully study the recommendations for gluing the selected wallpaper; in some cases it is necessary to coat only the wall with glue, in others - both the wall and the wallpaper. When wallpapering and for several days after, there should be no drafts in the room.
However, very often in old houses the walls in the rooms are uneven, which is very noticeable and cannot be hidden by simply gluing wallpaper. In such cases, it is recommended to combine wall finishing methods. For example, a wall that is very uneven can be finished with chipboard panels or plastic panels, and the remaining walls can be covered with wallpaper of a matching color. It should be borne in mind that if you are going to make a suspended ceiling, then the panels are installed in advance. In any other case, the ceiling is repaired first, and only then the walls.
Floor coverings
Most often, redecorating an apartment does not imply changing the floor covering, but if such a need exists, it is better to do this after working on the ceiling and walls.
If it is necessary to replace the floor covering during the renovation of the apartment, remove the old covering and inspect the floor. Use polyurethane foam to get rid of cracks at the junctions of walls and floors and in corners. If the floor is plank, seal the gaps between the boards with primer. Subsequently, the floor can be painted or covered with linoleum or laminate. The easiest option for redecorating an apartment with your own hands is painting. If you decide to use linoleum, do not forget that before cutting the purchased piece of material to the size of the room, it needs to lie unfolded for at least a day.
Minor cosmetic repairs
These are the basic jobs that you will have to deal with when redecorating your apartment. Upon completion, you will need to screw the cornices and glue ceiling moldings and install switches and sockets.
Photos of apartments with cosmetic renovations
The photo shows apartments with cosmetic renovations.
Cosmetic repair is a concept familiar to almost everyone. Traditionally, it is defined as a quick and economical renovation, the purpose of which is to restore the properties of the exterior decoration of a residential property that have been lost over time.
In this case, the type interior decoration does not change or is adjusted to a minimal extent. It is cosmetic repairs that we most often mean when talking about the renovation of an apartment or house, and, in general, this definition most accurately corresponds to the true meaning of repair as a restoration process.
Very often, cosmetic or partial repairs are contrasted with “major” repairs, during which the interior is completely modified or created from scratch. This is not entirely correct, since the term “overhaul” refers to the restoration of a set of basic structural properties of a structure and in relation to interior spaces means - restoration of masonry walls, strengthening of floors, etc.
Thus, no matter what operations you carry out in the interior, it is unlikely to be a major overhaul. To denote a “full” renovation, it is more correct to use the definition “comprehensive finishing”.
Principles of cosmetic repairs
Cosmetic repairs have certain features that distinguish them from complex finishing. These characteristic features are:
- absence of significant volumes of dismantling work - only fragments of finishing and interior elements that cannot be restored are dismantled;
- the bulk of the work consists of restoration operations, finishing is carried out only if it is impossible to carry them out;
- work is completed in a short time and with minimal financial costs.
When is cosmetic repair effective?
Cosmetic restoration operations will bring maximum benefit in three cases:
- There is no possibility to perform a full-fledged complex finishing. Very often, simple cosmetic repairs are carried out for the most trivial reasons - lack of funds or time to carry out high-quality and complete work;
- It is necessary to perform the so-called “pre-sale preparation”. As you might guess, a presentable appearance significantly increases the cost of a residential property, and also increases the motivation to purchase it without delay. Preparing a residential property for sale or rental, at first glance, does not seem to be too difficult, but the process has certain specifics and requires a professional approach;
- It is necessary to update the interior by restoring the properties of its decorative part, in addition, the space can be functionally supplemented. The key to the success of such a cosmetic renovation is the high quality of the initial finishing and design. A competent approach will help not only refresh the space, but also completely transform it, resulting in a completely new original interior. Cosmetic repairs carried out in this way can be quite expensive (depending on the quality of the original finish).
In each of the above cases, cosmetic repairs have their own characteristic features:
- In the first case, the cheapest materials are used, and only finishing elements that have completely lost their functionality are restored (replaced);
- The second option involves more A complex approach. If possible, all properties of decorative finishing are restored, and emergency elements of engineering communications that are in the public domain are replaced;
- The third type of cosmetic repair should be carried out taking into account the characteristics of the previously completed finish. Interiors with premium finishes require a very delicate approach. In order to restore their appearance, you must have information about the types of original coatings, as well as be able to work with them. It should be taken into account that many decorative coatings, in principle, are not subject to restoration and must be removed if they lose their performance properties.
Functionalism of cosmetic repairs
Since cosmetic repairs mainly affect the external elements of the interior, it is advisable to classify them according to the quality of visual perception. Thus, all elements of interior decoration can be divided into three categories:
- The most expressive ones are wall surfaces, lighting elements, plumbing fixtures;
- Perceivable upon closer examination are slopes, corners, windows and doors, sockets, switches, etc.;
- Hidden - plumbing spouts, electrical wiring and other elements of engineering systems.
The main impression of the quality of the interior is formed thanks to elements belonging to the first and second categories. It is worth noting that elements of the third category, being hidden, often have a much higher interior value. That is why, when performing high-quality cosmetic repairs, attention should be paid to all of the listed categories of elements, and not just the most noticeable of them.
Defining a repair as partial does not mean that it is necessary to limit ourselves to restoring only the decorative part of the finish. Redecoration should be understood as an economical restoration of both the aesthetic and functional properties of a living space. Thus, replacing the plumbing spout hose will go unnoticed, but a clog in the sink will immediately create a lasting, unpleasant impression of the interior. The importance of a healthy electrical system is even more obvious.
IMPORTANT: When restoring sockets and switches, as well as repairing or changing lamps, inspect the contacts and, if necessary, cut off burnt sections of conductors; When replacing plumbing spouts, be sure to also change the corrugated hoses. Also inspect the area sewer pipe to the cross and if clogged, clean the pipe.
Execution of work
Next, we will consider the main functional and decorative elements of interior decoration, which can be quickly restored using repair operations. Since not all types of original finishes can be restored, we will additionally consider those materials, the use of which will subsequently allow you to quickly and effectively carry out cosmetic repairs.
Walls
The surface of the walls, as a rule, is the most significant part of the room in terms of area and, of course, one of the most expressive elements of interior design. Decorative wall decoration has a significant impact on our perception of space. Its role increases even more in minimalist interiors, in which perception the most important element design - free space - directly depends on the decoration of the walls.
Thus, by restoring the decorative finishing of the walls, you will immediately breathe new life into your interior. To perform cosmetic repairs to walls, the following methods are used:
Coloring
It is used when using paints, paintable wallpaper, decorative textures that can be painted, panels made of MDF, wood or plastic as the initial finish. Any painted base can be easily restored to its original appearance without significant expense.
If the old coating holds up well enough, it is enough to prepare the surface. But if fragments of the coating crumble, or there are pronounced cracks on the surface, the damaged areas must be thoroughly cleaned and leveled with putties (the type of putty is chosen in accordance with the wall material), and then sanded (see). Only after this the wall is primed and painted;
Restoration of decorative texture
If the decorative texture applied to the walls was not covered with protective layers (wax, transparent putty) and no additional decorating effects were applied to it (craquelure, abrasion, etc.), minor surface defects can be restored using a material of similar modification and tinting. To be able to restore the textures later, be sure to save technical documentation for all materials and coatings used;
Recovery decorative panels
Potholes and chips on the surfaces of decorative panels are repaired with wood or plastic putty;
Creation of new finishing coatings
If it is not possible to restore the original finish - effective solution a new finishing coating will be created. For this purpose, inexpensive decorative textures, many of which can be applied directly to the old coating. Also, when performing cosmetic repairs, inexpensive non-woven wallpaper and fiberglass are widely used.
Ceilings
Cosmetic repairs of ceilings are carried out according to the same principles as wall repairs. One more inexpensive material, often used for ceiling redecoration, are tiles made of polyurethane or polystyrene. It is easy to install yourself; in addition, ceiling tiles, with proper selection of texture, can significantly smooth out the curvature of the surface (see).
Keep in mind that finishing the ceiling area is a rather important process, especially if it is done in an already completed interior. Preparation of the workplace must be carried out with special care to avoid contamination of the decorative finish of the floor and walls. When performing work, do not forget to take regular breaks to rest, as finishing the ceiling is quite tedious;
Window and door slopes
The use of high-quality plastered and evenly painted slopes in the interior makes a vivid impression, being a clear confirmation high level finishing. Such slopes are the most aesthetically pleasing and environmentally safe. However, plastered slopes are much more sensitive to the indoor microclimate; in addition, they require high-quality insulation and additional device vapor barrier when installing a window block.
Condensation is a frequent companion of a “budget” installation plastic frame— over time leads to the appearance of mold on slopes. If used plastic slopes- the fungus appears under a layer of plastic - on the plaster of the walls. At the same time, the appearance of the slope does not suffer at all, which, at first glance, may seem like a big plus, but the fungal infection, remaining unnoticed, continues to spread in the air of the living room.
When using plaster slopes, the fungus appears directly on their surface, this significantly spoils the appearance, but you can eliminate the infection in time, preventing its further spread. One way or another, the appearance of blackened and peeling slopes can spoil even the most positive impression of the interior. A significant advantage of plaster slopes is the possibility of their complete restoration, unlike plastic, which is most often impossible to replace.
Repair work
The wallpaper on the corners of the slopes is carefully peeled off, and masking tape is glued to the window frame.
Damaged and fungus-infected fragments of the slope are dismantled along with layers of paint or whitewash (see). Then all the seams are unstitched, and the surface is cleaned, dust-free and primed. For prevention reinfection special primers with antiseptic additives should be used, or an antiseptic should be added directly to the primer composition (see).
After the surface of the slope has completely dried, then several are applied to it.
IMPORTANT: In the process of forming the plaster layer, it should be taken into account that the surface of the slope is a very critical area - bright lighting in combination with the white paint used in most cases reveals all the smallest surface defects. Significant deviations in the basic geometry of the layer (hillocks and depressions) will be even more noticeable.
After the last finishing layer has dried, carefully apply wallpaper on the corners of the slopes again using wallpaper glue. To work with glue, it is more convenient to use a small flat brush. If the edges of the wallpaper are external angle the slopes have unevenness - after gluing, trim them with a construction knife.
At the final stage of finishing, a decorative coating is applied to the slopes - paint or texture (see).
Niches and heating radiators
To restore the appearance of classic cast iron radiators, painting with special heat-resistant enamels is used. Plastered niches are restored similarly to slopes;
Floor and ceiling skirting boards
Floor and ceiling skirting boards shape our perception of the geometry of the room and can either correct it or completely destroy it. The human eye perfectly recognizes lines, while the curvature of surfaces is quite difficult to visually determine.
If your walls have significant unevenness, be sure to use a ceiling plinth made of polyurethane along with the floor plinth. This type of skirting board is inexpensive and easy to install. Repair polyurethane baseboard inappropriate. Due to the low cost of the product, it should be replaced with a new one.
For the floor in an economy class interior, a good solution would be to use an inexpensive wooden baseboard for painting, made from spruce or pine. It has sufficient width and allows you not only to correct geometry errors, but also to choose a varnish of any color you like. In addition, such a plinth is the best option for subsequent cosmetic repairs. Its appearance can be easily restored by simple painting. The use of laminated MDF baseboards makes repair work impractical - it is almost impossible to restore its appearance.
Painting the baseboard
Before painting, thoroughly clean and, if necessary, sand the baseboard or - to create smooth surface. Then remove dust and degrease the surface (see). To perform the best quality painting, the baseboard should be removed. If this is not possible, the wall and floor are covered with strips. masking tape- close to the edge of the baseboard.
Painting is done with a small flat brush. Wood varnish tinted in the desired color is used;
External elements of the electrical system
Sockets, switches and other controls are almost always located in accessible and, as a result, most visible places. The operation of these elements involves frequent touching. After a certain time, their appearance easily reveals the true age of your interior. By completing, and also, if necessary, and, you will not only significantly refresh your interior, but also ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones.
A simpler and faster solution would be to simply paint the worn outer trims with air enamel (a can of spray paint). Before painting, elements should be removed;
Lighting elements
Good lighting can smooth out many imperfections in the interior, while emphasizing its advantageous areas. Install modern energy-saving lamps in the lamps, choose the type of lighting that best matches the style of your interior. Place additional lighting fixtures (floor lamps, sconces, LED strips) so that bright lighting highlights the areas with the highest quality finishes.
It goes without saying that faulty lighting creates a feeling of neglect even in a well-planned and well-decorated interior. All lamps in lighting fixtures must be working. If a lamp socket or part of the wiring fails in a lamp or chandelier, you can replace them yourself (see). When removing the lamp, be sure to check the contacts. If necessary, cut off the burnt sections of the conductors and clean the contact areas again;
Ventilation grates
A large amount of dust and dirt accumulates on ventilation grilles during their operation. The appearance of such a grill makes a very repulsive impression; in addition, a large accumulation of dirt can cause the spread of infections.
Simply cleaning the grate in soapy water can quickly return it to its original appearance. Also, as part of cosmetic repairs, it is possible to paint metal grilles with air enamel, or replace old grilles with new ones;
Plumbing spouts
Dirty, clogged spouts are not only repulsive in appearance, but are also a potential source of infection due to the huge accumulation of pathogenic microflora. One of the first operations performed as part of a cosmetic renovation is the replacement of all plumbing spouts, as well as corrugated drain pipes. While disassembling the connections, you can additionally clean the main sewer line using a plumbing cable. Replacement can be done if necessary small area sewer pipe;
Grouting tile joints
The grout material in tile joints is much less durable than the tile elements themselves. Broken grout not only significantly spoils the appearance, but also shortens its service life by allowing moisture to pass under the surface of the tiles. To return the cladding to its original appearance, the damaged seams should be painted and then returned to the desired color.
Floor
Cosmetic floor repairs are usually local in nature. Traditionally, the following methods are used to restore floor coverings:
Puttying
Sealing of large seams and potholes formed due to use wooden coverings(parquet boards and laminate), using a special parquet sealant.
New coating
The installation of a simple and inexpensive new coating (for example -) is used in cases where the original coating has completely lost its properties.
Doors and trim
Damaged seam between the bathtub and the cladding surface
An area that is regularly exposed to water and is also prone to infection by fungal cultures. The sealant is thoroughly cleaned and the seam is sealed again. Using plastic corner, it should also be replaced. If you used a ceramic border to line the edge of the bathtub, carefully dismantle it, then the surface is cleaned and degreased. After this, new ceramic corners are laid along the contour of the seam (see);
Yellowing of tiles and the appearance of fungus in the shower area
The grout affected by the fungus is removed and the seams are re-grouted (see above). Limescale deposits from the tiles can be effectively removed using or;
Yellowing, microcracks in enamel and corrosion of the bathtub body
Defects can be eliminated by cleaning the bathroom and repainting it with special high-strength enamel. However, a more aesthetic and durable solution would be to use acrylic liner, mounted directly into the old bathtub.
The piping device (installation of spouts), as well as the sealing of the seam in this case, is carried out after the final fastening of the liner.
Slots and gaps
In any finishing - cosmetic or complex - there must be completeness. Don’t forget to seal all the most noticeable gaps that appear during installation with sealant or putty:
- floor and ceiling plinths;
- decorative plastic corners;
- platbands and door frames;
- countertops
Additional Solutions
In order to completely transform your interior and create the feeling of a new, uninhabited space, you should inspect and, if necessary, replace the following elements:
- decorative thresholds and plastic corners;
- curtain in the bathroom;
- MDF kitchen countertops;
- curtains and cornices;
- tablecloths;
- old household appliances and dishes;
