Home Improvement

Your basement need not be damp and drab

Homeowners hoping to spread their wings around the house are increasingly heading downstairs to create more living space. Whether it's for a home office, a home theater room, a playroom for the kids, or even a laundry room, more and more homeowners are turning their dark, damp and dreary basement into a brighter, more functional space.
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Things to consider when building an in-law suite

Perhaps thanks to a struggling economy and an unpredictable stock market that has resulted in many retirement nest eggs being decimated, more and more adult children are welcoming their aging parents into their homes. Such living situations have led to a growth in in-law suites. In fact, in 2010 the National Association of Home Builders found that 62 percent of builders surveyed were working on home modifications related to aging.
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Home features that are disappearing

There is no denying the profound impact that the recession has had on the real estate industry. For the last several years, the real estate market went from booming to one characterized by homes sitting on the market for months on end. New home sales also have been conservative, and builders are cutting back on some offerings that were once commonplace.
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How to save on home improvement projects

With the economy still struggling, money is tight for many homeowners. That reality can present a problem to those who want to improve their homes without spending too much money.

The cost of a home improvement project depends on a host of factors, including the scale of the project and the availability of materials. Upscale projects like a full roof replacement will set homeowners back a substantial amount of money. In its 2011-2012 "Cost vs. Value Report," Remodeling magazine revealed that the average cost of a such a project was nearly $38,000. However, a smaller project like a garage door replacement could be completed for fewer than $3,000.
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Did you know?

According to TGB Enterprises in Burlington, Ontario, kitchen renovations are the most popular home improvement projects. Renovating a kitchen is a great way to increase the value and also the functionality of a home. The National Kitchen & Bath Association's latest market report says that, in the first three months of 2012, the number of homeowners who started a kitchen renovation was up more than 50 percent from the previous quarter. A kitchen is a central gathering place and is one of the most popular family gathering spots in the house. With traditional dining rooms being eliminated in favor of open, eat-in kitchens and entertaining spaces, more attention than ever is now placed on a well-designed kitchen. The average remodeling budget for a kitchen renovation exceeds $30,000. But there are ways to keep budgets in check.
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Financing a home improvement project

After years of funny financing and few limitations on loans, banks and other lenders have tightened up their lending policies. As a result, homeowners considering a home improvement project might need to look elsewhere to secure financing.

There are no certainties in the real estate markets. Though statistics suggest marked improvement in home sales over just a few months ago, many homeowners remain weary about selling their home to try to move up to something bigger and better. The National Association of Home Builders says many people are choosing to stay put in their homes and remodel or make renovations to transform the house into something more comfortable.
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Pros and cons to acrylic tub systems

Increasing the value of their home is a goal for many homeowners. Bathroom renovations are among the more popular home renovations, and they're often beneficial to homeowners thanks to their impact on a home's resale value. But bathroom renovations can be costly and messy and can disrupt the use of the bathroom for a week or more, depending on the scope of the renovation. The popularity of acrylic tub systems has risen due in part to their cost and convenience, but some homeowners wonder if an acrylic tub system is worth it in the long run?
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Construction Quick Tip: Future homes strive to be energy self-sufficient

Housing and energy experts call the goal 'net zero.' It represents a building that has been constructed in such an energy-efficient way -- with methods and materials -- it is able to produce, on site, as much energy as it uses over the course of a year.
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Acclaimed interior designer shares her top color tips

When designing a home, color is one of the most powerful tools to add life to a space, says Genevieve Gorder, one of television's best known interior designers.

"Painting is one of the simplest ways to incorporate color into a home, but people often feel intimidated by it until they have some guidance. This must be why so much of our country is beige and off-white," she laughs.
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