DIY Save or Splurge: ‘Million Dollar Contractor’ Shares Tips for Bathroom, Kitchen, Lighting, Basement Improvements

— -- DIY home improvement can get messy and costly. Enter Stephen Fanuka, who appeared on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday to share his tips for how you can get a million-dollar look on your DIY home improvements without breaking the bank.
Fanuka, who stars in the DIY Network’s “Million Dollar Contractor,” told viewers where they could save money and when they should splurge on improvements to the kitchen, home lighting, and the bathroom versus the basement.
Here are his tips:
The Kitchen
It’s the most expensive room in the house to renovate. Fanuka said people can cut costs by painting existing cabinets and changing the hardware rather than replacing cabinets entirely, however he said people should consider spending more on stainless steel appliances and a tile backsplash.
Lighting
Lighting has a huge impact on the home. Fanuka suggested changing bulbs and adding a dimmer switch to change the look of any room. Adding new light fixtures in public areas of the home, such as the entry way, kitchen and hallway, can add drama in an instant, he said.
Bathroom vs. Basement
Which should you save money on? Fanuka said there are small changes people can make in their bathrooms to update the room inexpensively. He also said it was important to refinish areas such as the basement or garage.
Rather than changing tile – which can be costly – Fanuka suggested changing bathroom fixtures such as the toilet, sink, towel bars and shower trim. He also suggested painting the bathroom ceiling a highlight color, adding a new vanity cabinet and maybe adding crown molding. All of these changes can have a major impact on the room’s appearance, he said.
People should finish their basements in order to add square footage to their homes, Fanuka said, adding that homeowners should install flooring that’s durable and low-maintenance.
Extra Tips From Stephen Fanuka

• Glam up your kitchen by adding glass inserts to plain old cabinet doors.
• Don’t forget the fifth wall – paint the ceiling of a room a fun color or in a high gloss accent color.
• Spruce up a plain door. Get an expensive panel door look without breaking the bank by adding a square of thin molding and paint.
• Ditch the shower curtain! Install partial glass doors on your shower.
• And for a touch of luxury, stay in bed by installing a remote controlled motorized curtain bar.