Aging houses are fueling a home improvement boom

Every manufacturer has many different models and all different price ranges. Whenever possible we provide photos, illustrations and videos to help make things easier for you. Energy-efficient thermal insulation, replacement windows, and lighting. Norm Abram, a regular fixture on “This Old House,” hosted his own home improvement series, “The New Yankee Workshop,” on PBS for two decades. Occasionally, episodes also include information on how to maintain and restore antique furniture as well as short biographies of notable furniture makers from decades past.

For a pro look, curtains should puddle slightly or just kiss the floor. Not brave enough to go totally open with your cabinetry? Try this project on just the set of cabinets flanking your stove or the cabinet over the coffee counter. You’re always on time and most of all you know what you’re doing.

  • One of the first living walls, window boxes have been a longtime favorite of gardeners.
  • A well-made light fixture looks better, lasts longer, and gives clearer light, so inspect your fixture’s construction the way you would a piece of furniture.
  • Make a worn dining table or old countertops look luxurious by transforming them into chic marble focal pieces.
  • The images are a mix of Taylor family members as well as the crew that worked on Home Improvement.

“Even just adding two chairs and a table to the patio makes it livable,” says Monaghan. “That’s another 400 square feet of living space,” which can feel like a lot in a 1,000-square-foot home. Consider installing a skylight in the kitchen, bathroom, or hallway where other natural light is limited. Skylights are best suited for homes with slanted roofs, and you’ll generally want it to face north for all-day soft lighting that won’t overheat a room. Instead, for the interior walls of your small home, opt for cool colors that give rooms an open and airy look. “It actually makes the house feel bigger,” Monaghan explains.

Home Improvement: 10 Hidden Details You Never Noticed About The Taylors’ House

A common DIY home-improvement mistake, especially when finishing a basement, is making access to essential plumbing valves difficult. When you remodel, leave space or an access door to the main water valve, exterior spigot valves, water heater valves and any others your home may have. It’s probably less expensive and certainly more convenient to install a backyard shed or hire a handyperson to create access to hidden places in your house than renting space long-term. Many homes in rural parts of the U.S. rely on well water rather than city water. But well water has pros and cons that city people may never have considered. Aluminum foil is one of those everyday kitchen items that we don’t really give much thought to, but it can be used for a lot more than wrapping leftovers.

Home Improvement A

Buying a new sink allows you to customize the number of holes to fit your preferred faucet. For an impactful weekend update, swap out the surface of your kitchen island. Give outdated floors a refresh with our step-by-step guide to painting and stenciling ceramic tile. All you need are a few basic supplies and a free weekend to totally transform the look of a laundry room, bathroom or anywhere in your home that’s plagued by old or dirty tile.

Replacing carpet or repairing flooring is an improvement that 26% of homeowners make, according to Zillow. If you’ve got lots of rooms with many types of flooring, you might want to bite the bullet and invest in new flooring for all, to create a seamless feel throughout the house. Wood floors, or even faux-wood floors, are preferable to carpeting even though those options can be more costly, Matke says. If, however, you can’t afford to upgrade to wood, new carpeting is still a major selling point.

What Can You Use That Cash For?

My husband and I tried to install our new over the range microwave. However….he insisted I mount the bar slightly lower than the template so he has room to place the microwave on the bracket. We also feature a Home Improvement Forum where you can ask questions pertaining to your home improvement or repair issues. It’s totally free, just click the Forums link in the top navigation bar. Home improvement was popularized on television in 1979 with the premiere of This Old House starring Bob Vila on PBS.

By sambo