(ARA) - In addition to decking the halls of your home this holiday season, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere for guests by updating high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms with simple and inexpensive home-improvement projects. With a few easy steps and just one basic tool, these projects can be done on a budget and make a big impact:

Repair broken floor tiles/install new tiles
To spruce up the bathroom or kitchen, repair broken tiles and install new ones. Try using the Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Tool for best results. Insert a grout blade into the oscillating tool and orient the blade on the tool so you can best access all four sides of the broken tile. For hard set grout, use the maximum speed; softer and less-set grout can be worked at a medium speed. Keep the blade at a right angle to the floor, being careful not to knick the remaining good tile. Remove all the old tile and dust.

Continue working away remaining grout. Remove the remaining thin set material with a diamond coated accessory. Attach the sanding pad and diamond paper. With the sander flat to the floor, work away any old material, dusting several times throughout. Removing the excess material will allow the new tile to sit flush with the other tiles already in place. Once the surface is clean to the subfloor, remove any dust with a wet sponge. Finally, affix and grout new tile into place.

Refinish kitchen or bathroom cabinets
Refinishing cabinets in a kitchen or bathroom is an inexpensive way to update the look of the whole room. Detach all of the drawers and doors and store them in a clean, dry place. Inspect the cabinets for any damage, and repair with wood putty or by sanding. Then, wash cabinets to remove any dirt that has accumulated over time. In order to make the next step, sanding, as effortless as possible, use an oscillating tool with sanding pad and sand paper. 120 wood sandpaper is usually recommended. While sanding on medium speed, keep the sanding pad flat to the wood. Always move the pad in the direction of the grain. Finally, paint or stain the cabinets.

Tile grout
Removing and replacing tile grout is a small renovation project that pays big dividends in appearance and most homeowners find the project simple enough to do on their own. One of the primary reasons people replace grout is because of mold accumulation. The first step is to remove the existing grout material. Invest in an inexpensive power tool equipped with an attachment designed specifically for quick grout removal such as a rotary tool with a grout removal blade which will grind the old grout away in a matter of minutes. Then, thoroughly clean the areas where the existing grout was removed before adding the new grout between tiles. Remember to follow the grout manufacturer’s directions for a clean and thorough job.

Remove old caulk
Removing old sealing caulk from around a sink or bathtub is a simple way to refresh a room. Begin by lining caulk with masking tape to reduce the risk of scratching the porcelain or tile. For easy removal, use an oscillating tool with a flexible scraper blade. Set the tool at a low speed and insert the blade in between the wall and the caulk. Make sure that the screw head does not make contact with the surface during the scraping process by holding the tool at an angle to the blade. Work the line between the sink and the lower edge of the caulk and peel away the remaining caulk. When all the caulk is removed, wipe the area with rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining residue and remove the tape.

To re-caulk, line the seam with fresh tape. Hold the nozzle of your caulking gun toward the joint about 45 degrees out from it. Apply steady pressure to the trigger while moving the gun at a smooth speed along the length of the seam.

For more tips and project ideas, visit www.dremel.com or call the Dremel experts at (800) 437-3635.