Reno Round-Up: Details Make the Difference

One kitchen and two bathrooms get a fresh start

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in seeing thousands of renovations, it’s not the size of the remodel that matters; it’s how closely you pay attention to the details. Thoughtful and careful consideration of the materials and finishes used in a space can have a huge impact. Read on for three Sweeten homeowners who took their small spaces to the next level.

Project: Revive a tired bathroom

Location: Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Before: When the sink cracked in this homeowner’s outdated bathroom, it got her thinking about the rest of the space. She posted her project on Sweeten and was matched with this general contractor. Planning on keeping the plumbing intact, her to-do list included swapping out the tile, wallpaper, vanity, and lighting fixtures, in addition to reglazing the tub.

Beige and white bathroom with vanity and sink and green wallpaper before renovation

After:White subway tile paired with a marble hex floor tile increased the brightness tenfold. A brand new sink (free of cracks) and simple white vanity replace the old set while mid-century modern sconces flank the mirror. This clean and crisp makeover makes it hard for us to believe that we’re looking at the same bathroom from the “before” photos!

White subway tiles on wall with hex tiles on floor along with large mirror and vanity after renovationWhite bathroom with subway tiles along with nikel coated bathroom fixtures and wall mounted lighting after renovationWhite and gray bathroom with white subway tiles and recessed shower shelf after renovation


Project: A rip-and-replace opens up a kitchen

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Location: Murray Hill, Manhattan

Before: This homeowner’s newly purchased apartment was in great condition but the kitchen needed some work, so he posted his project on Sweeten and was matched with this general contractor. Aiming to create an open kitchen with clean lines, the focus was placed on knocking down walls, redoing cabinets and countertops, installing new appliances, and replacing the flooring.

Brown kitchen island and bar stools along with brown kitchen cabinets before renovation

AfterGlossy white upper cabinets are balanced by espresso wood-grain cabinets along the bottom, providing a sharp (and welcome!) contrast to the bland wood tone cabinets from before. Under-cabinet lighting boosts the overall brightness, reflecting off the bright white backsplash and countertops. The muted walls—painted in an almost buttercream shade—and blonde hardwood floors add just the right amount of warmth.

Glossy white upper cabinets over white countertop and white backspash along with under cabinet lighting after renovation
White upper cabinets paired with dark brown cabinets and cooking range and refrigerators after renovation
Stainless steel undermount sink on a bright white countertop and backsplash along with white upper cabinets after renovation


Project: Upgrade an outdated bathroom

Location: Washington Heights, Manhattan

Before: This postwar apartment had good bones but was borderline decrepit when the homeowner purchased it. Ready to gut-renovate, she posted her project on Sweeten and found this Sweeten architect. One of the rooms that needed a complete overhaul was the bathroom. Her plan: combine clean lines and useful storage with touches of vintage modern style (which may sound like an oxymoron but happens to be a real thing—it’s a combo of old-school style meets modern simplicity).

After: New fixtures and a double-wide medicine cabinet bring a much-needed functional upgrade. The slim profile of a pedestal sink takes up little floor space, allowing the opposite wall to take on extra storage in the form of open shelves and a spot for a hamper. A glass shower partition—as opposed to a shower curtain—improves the flow of light and helps make the space feel bigger. White square tiles lend a twist to the classic subway variety.

white bathroom with gray floor tiles and bathtub with glass wall and floating wooden storage shelves with iron brackets after renovation
bathroom with white pedastal sink and white toilet and medicine cabinets with mirror and gray floor tiles after renovationall white bathroom with window and toilet and bathtub with white wall tiles after renovation

Take a tour of the Upper West Side and see some of our favorite remodeling projects in the neighborhood.

Refer your renovating friends to Sweeten and you’ll both receive a $250 Visa gift card when they sign a contract with a Sweeten general contractor. 

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

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