If you have to pay for labor, there isn't a lot that 1K can buy. DIY is the key. New laminate countertops in a kitchen, even a pretty large kitchen, can be done for under 1K if you DIY. A pretty tile backsplash. Even at a relatively pricy $30 a square foot for something special, it's still under 1K for the average kitchen if you DIY. New knobs and pulls, DIY again. It's pretty easy to go overboard on this, but doing it under 1K should be doable. New tile floor, DIY. Even if you have to buy a wetsaw, there are plenty of bargain tiles out there that look great! Replace a window with a french door. If you're OK with a moderate priced door and can DIY it yourself, including redoing the exterior and interior trim, you can do this for under 1K. The bigger factor will be if you have the right sized window to change out where you don't have to reframe any of the headers. A paver patio adds a lot to any landscape and is inexpensive to DIY. A 10 x 12 patio and some new furniture can be done for under 1K. A new landscaped garden bed with a focal point like a pretty bird bath or new mail box can be done for well under 1K, and that's with decorative edging as well. A new accent chair in a funky color can be had for under 1K. You can also roam Craig's List and recycle an older one with new upholstery. A basic new stainless steel refrigerator can be had for under 1K, especially with the Cash for Clunkers appliance rebates that many states are offering. There is plenty that can be done for under 1K that dramatically impacts a home's current livability and will still be appealing at resale time.

I'm glad you asked this question because I'm planning to redo our master bathroom and like you I want to do it thoughtfully to avoid problems of upkeep. I definitely will second that suggestion - no bar soap, only liquid - both hand and shower gels. I too would love a clawfoot tub but not in this bathroom. My tub area is a defined area sandwiched between three walls - no way to get access easily around the tub to clean from different angles. Beautiful but not practical. I can't wait to rip out that horrible whirlpool brand whirlpool tub which not only is a disgusting mess to clean the jets, but also turned yellow instead of remaining white. I haven't had any problems with my glass doors/wall in my shower and I suspect it's because the shower is large enough that the water normally doesn't hit the glass during a shower - I only have to deal with some mild steam condensation which is easy to wipe down. I often wonder about those with bathrooms where the shower has no door - what do you do about the steam - that steam carries fine particles of soap and shower debris and deposits them on the walls - at least if you have some closure on the shower itself, most of that gets deposited inside the shower which is a pain to clean - but much easier to clean a small shower area than all the walls of the bathroom? I love the look of the vessel sinks plunked down on top of the vanity top, but I think they are more difficult to keep clean than an undermount sink - I have no experience, just my guess. I hope maybe others with experience can comment. I will be looked to minimize sharp angles - so I'll opt for an oval rounded sink etc. I'm also looking to minimize nooks and crannies in places where I wipe often - so simple straight lines on faucets is a plus.

Interesting thread. This was the house I lived in from age 10-18 with my parents and 3 siblings. Eventually my dad left so then it was "just" the 5 of us. And no, he didn't leave because of the size of the house. 960 s.f., 3 bdrms, 1 bath. And we were THRILLED when we moved there from our 2 bedroom apartment. We even had a yard! No garage at the time but my brother eventually built one for my mom (some kit thing). I had my own room (crazy) as the rooms were so small my mom thought it too difficult to cram my 2 younger sisters in with me. My brother slept on the pull out couch. I remember in high school when a visiting choir was coming to town we hosted 4 boys at our house (sleeping bags on floor). And when my grand parents came to visit they often stayed with us rather than my cousins who had HUGE homes. I also remember hosting friends (all of whom had much larger, nicer homes), including boyfriends who would visit after dates, etc. and we would sit at the kitchen table talking (or kissing on the couch after my brother moved out) until the cuckoo clock gave us away at midnight. My mom could hear the cuckoo clock of course since every door opened to the living room and kitchen. She would lean over her bed and open her door and mimic the cuckoo clock if she needed to. We had a small mechanical room off the kitchen where we eventually put a portable washing machine (yippee!) but you had to manually stay with it and run each cycle. Clothes on the outdoor line, even in the winter in MN, or off to the laundry mat. It was a standard joke to literally run to the bathroom if my brother mentioned he was going to take a bath (we didn't have a shower) because we knew he would hog the bath for awhile. Funny, I don't remember feeling anything but lucky to have a home and a family to share it with. All the kids got themselves through college and on in life just fine. All of us have larger homes now because we can and choose to. But we know we don't NEED it! So of course it can be done. Millions in this country and elsewhere would love to have a 1000 s.f. house for their family. Maybe they just aren't hanging out on HOUZZ trying to figure out their decorating style.

Wow, we could be research twins. Thank you for your detailed sharing. I've had a very similar experience with bathroom venting - Internet & YouTube info, the 95% love-our-contractor aspect, calling around for estimates, etc. Except I haven't found a happy result yet, like you have. I started thinking I was being unrealistic, but you've given me hope!