Uphoria Studios

When planning a party with friends and family, some outdoor games that everyone can partake in is a good idea. If the weather is inclement, these games can be taken indoors to a finished basement or entertainment space as well. Keeping children busy with games allows the parents to mingle a little more.

Ping-Pong
Having a Ping-Pong tournament is fun. It gets a little friendly competition going. It is best to have an adult tournament and one for younger players. Singles or partnered tournaments can be setup. To get the competition really going, offer a silly prize for the winning player/s.

Cornhole
Cornhole is popular and competitive. Some take the game so seriously that they have custom cornhole boards created. This is ideal for sports enthusiasts as many play cornhole while tailgating. The game requires two boards, one for each side of the playing field. The goal is to get the beanbag in the hole, or as close to it as possible. The team that reaches the designated point count first wins.

Horseshoes
Horseshoes is a game of skill. It is better for outdoor play as quite a bit of room is needed, but there are indoor game sets available. If both children and adults plan to play, it is ideal to have a course setup for each group. Children will not be able to throw the horseshoes as far as an adult, and require a lighter horseshoe as well.

Jax Hopscotch
This combines two traditional outdoor games into one. Make a hopscotch pattern on a concrete space outside or use tape on the floor for indoor games. Give each participant a set of jax and a large bouncing ball. The trick to this game is that the hopper has to pick up all of their jax in one scoop before they can go through the pattern. The fastest time wins.
These games are fun for party goers of all ages. Adults can easily put a spin on Jax Hopscotch by incorporating beer pong or a similar drinking game. Keep the games stored in a dry area as moisture can cause hinges on cornhole boards and Ping-Pong tables to rust and become weak. It is also a good idea to keep the accessories bagged up to remain dry as well.

Have you been thinking about remodeling your bathroom, but put it off because of the costs? If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you can still give your bathroom a fresh, new look that will fit your small budget.

Typically, an average bathroom remodel can cost about $10,000. The amount you spend will be determined by the extent of changes you make. If you have a small budget, less than $5,000, stick to cosmetic changes like new paint, fixtures, hardware and decorative accessories. With a bigger budget, you can consider new tile, new tub or shower, and new lighting. Talk to a local contractor to get your free quote.

Paint

It you’re on a tight budget, new paint is the cheapest way to give your update your bathroom. You can repaint the walls, ceilings and cabinets for minimal costs. Although your bathroom may be small, painting will take some time due to the amount of other surfaces that need to be masked off. When purchasing paint, invest in a good quality paint with a gloss or satin finish for easy cleaning. Since mold and mildew grow easily in a bathroom with temperature and humidity changes, you may want to invest in a specialty paint that will resist mold growth.

Tile

New tile can be expensive to purchase and install, but you can cut costs by limiting the tile. Focus on major areas like the floor, shower stall or tub enclosure. If you can’t afford to tile all three areas, just do one area and accent the other areas with a border. Look for floor tiles with a non-slip surface or finish and wall tiles that are easy to clean. If you have existing tile you want to keep, clean the grout and add new caulk around the sink and tub. New grout and caulk are inexpensive ways to freshen up your old tile.

Countertops

Bathroom vanity tops are rather small, so a new granite countertop may not cost as much as you think. Neutral colors like beige, tan and brown are popular, so they’re often more expensive. To save money, consider less popular colors. You can also save money by buying a slab with imperfections. If the imperfections are located in the middle of the slab where your sink and faucets will be installed, they will be cut out.