My apartment is very old-fashioned, the kitchen and bathroom are probably about 30+ years old. For example the bathtub is green

I probably could tear out everything and put brand new equipment but watching all these decorating shows on TV, I'm thinking it may be possible to modernize the apartment with some paint and a few good ideas for much cheaper. I'm basically looking for someone who would make my apartment look as good as the ones they remodel on the TV shows for the same amazingly low budget! Does anyone have experience in this, or even better, know someone in Zurich who specializes in this?

Hi, you dont say whether you own the apartment or rent it?

The only TV shows like that, that I have watched in the past was in UK. Here in Switzerland labour costs would be extremely high.

Maybe you wish to go to the expense of changing the bath etc, but in the meantime cheap alternatives would be neutralising shower curtains & room colour

If you're renting it may be in the contract that when you move out the apartment has to be exactly the same as when you moved in, i.e. same colours, fixtures, etc. Check to find out before you go to a lot of work which may need to be taken out later.

And yeah, most of the remodelling shows are US or UK based and it will probably cost you more to do it here.

the apartment is mine. If I tear down the bathroom and have a new one built in, it will certainly be more expensive than "beautifying" it with simple "tricks" (new paint, pvc flooring over the existing tiles, etc...). The first option would cost about 15000francs. I'm hoping the second option would cost more like 5000.- with good results

And no, I'm not comparing remodelling costs in switzerland vs in the US or UK... just wondering if something similar was available here or if anyone had any experience remodelling bathrooms and kitchens from the 70s.

I have not come across any companies here that do "budget" makeovers, there are a few renovation comanies but makeovers seem to cost more than "proper" renovations. We were quoted 8k to cover concrete stairs with laminate ie Chf2500 per metre square.

This hotel has done a very good job of "modernising" using what was there http://www.kurhaus-lenzerheide.ch/ku...ressionen.html .

Usually most people use an Architect of Interior designer but is not a low cost option. Maybe try to find a student in these fields who needs a project for their theisis or resume but they will usually not have the contacts to get the best prices so it is a double edged sword cost wise. Since you own the apartment renovations are tax deductable so this does help a bit.

I think the biggest cost will be changing out the tiled walls and floors. If they are still OK, then putting in white fixtures in the same place they are in shouldn't be very expensive and you should be able to do them yourself.

There is tile paint and enamels that you can cover the bathtub with. They may look good on TV but not in real life.

Kitchen you could paint the cabinets and change the counters, sink and appliances to modernize.

Another option is to look at Ikea for reasonable prices kitchens and bathrooms as well as places like Fust that have big discounts on display models. Of course those are more difficult as they may not fit the dimensions of your rooms.