Affordable touches, such as window coverings, can transform a kitchen or bath

For a striking new look in bathrooms or kitchens that look like they date back several decades, interior designer Lauren Liess has some good news for homeowners.

As she told the Washington Post, small, inexpensive changes, such as new window treatments, in these two vital rooms can brighten up a dated look considerably.

When she moved into her split-level suburban Washington D.C. home, Liess was confronted with just that dilemma and a limited budget. In her bathroom, she decided to overcome her 1970s olive fixtures by buying a white toilet, painting an epoxy white finish on the sink and hiding the green tub with a white shower curtain.

The kitchen took a little more work. Liess and her husband spent $2,000 to remove the upper cabinets and replace them with bead board from countertop to ceiling, then added open shelving from a home improvement store. They painted the lower cabinets and added new hardware to tie the transformation together.

For window coverings, homeowners can look to the large selection offered by Blinds Chalet in window shades and blinds. With discount coupons, ongoing sales and low-cost upgrades, the company's inventory is always affordable to turn a room into a homeowner's dream design.