Plug your money leaks
You don't need to spend big bucks to tackle sorely needed home-improvement projects. These smart short-term fixes can do the job.
Floors
Cheap fix: Let's say the finish (almost certainly polyurethane) is scratched but hasn't completely worn off. Scrub the floor with a nontoxic cleaner and apply one coat of a good-quality polyurethane such as Minwax Fast-Drying (about $50 for one room). It's a messy but easy DIY job.
Slightly less cheap fix: If there's no finish left in spots -- and the floor is made of solid wood -- have a pro sand it and apply polyurethane. (Wood veneer is too thin to be sanded.) For a long-lasting finish, ask for three coats. Cost: $500 to $1,000 for the typical 200-square-foot floor.
Make the fix last longer: Remove shoes inside and put felt pads under furniture. Consider an inexpensive throw rug (such as a sisal) for high-traffic areas.
Duo Dickinson is an architect in Madison, Conn. Additional reporting by Alexis Jeffries
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