Table of Contents
Contents
Introduction: Adventures in Home Improvement
Warming Up: Getting Ready for Home Improvements
Section 1 Inside Your Money Pit
Chapter 1 Designing Confidence
On the Walls: Solutions for Surfaces
Finding Your Way to Fabulous Flooring
Looking Up: Ceiling Solutions
Chapter 2 Cooking Up the Kitchen of Your Dreams Without Getting Burned
Assess Your Abilities: How Much Can You Do on the Kitchen of Your Dreams?
The Basics of Kitchen Space Planning
Kitchen Flooring: Begin at the Bottom, and Everything Starts Looking Up
Counters: High-tech Tops for Beauty, Convenience and Safety
Cabinets: Put It Away
Plumbing: Solutions for Sinks
Lighting for Task and Effect
Appliances: Where Most Kitchen Remodels Begin
Chapter 3 Bathrooms
Facelifts: The Lighter Side of Bathroom Remodeling
Let There Be Light . . . Lots of It!
Plumbing Fixtures
Bathroom Décor: The Finishing Touch
Biggest Bathroom Remodels: Home Spa Sanctuary
Blown Away: Whirlpools, Air Baths, and Bathtubs to Sooth Sore Home Improvement Muscles
Chapter 4 Kids' Space
Spaces That Grow
Easy Care and Cleaning
Safety Considerations
Giving Your Kids a Say
Chapter 5 Laundry Rooms and Mudrooms
Laundry Rooms: Spaces to Keep You and Your Clothes Happy
Mudrooms: The Official Entrance of Your Family
Chapter 6 Bonus Spaces
Basements, Not Wetlands
Garages That Kick Butt
Up, Up in the Attic
Chapter 7 New Spaces: Additions and Repurposing
Masterful Master Suites
Cool Workshops and Creative Hobby Rooms
Entertainment Centers and Home Theaters: The Vacation Home Within Your
Home
Home Offices and Family Computer Centers That Work
Chapter 8 Avoiding Freezing, Sneezing, Frying, and Fizzling . . . and Freaking Out Over Utility Costs
Heated Discussions About Hearings
Cool Down: Air-Conditioning Talk
Hot Tips for Comfort and Efficiency
Water Heaters
Troubleshooting System Snafus
Breathing Easy: The Fungus Among Us and Other Irritating Irritants
Carbon Monoxide: Solutions for a Serious Safety Issue
Comfort on the Cheap: Top Ten Tips to Save Costs
Charged Up: You and Your Electrical System
Chapter 9 50 Design Ideas Under $50
Section 2 Outside Your Money Pit
Chapter 10 Bringing the Inside Outside with Decks, Patios, and Porches
Getting All Decked Out
Perfect Patios
Perfect Porches
Bringing the Inside Outside with Outdoor Rooms
Chapter 11 Curb Appeal and Other Strategies to Keep Your Neighbors and Homeowner's Association Happy
Points of Arrival: Driveways and Walkways
Days on the Green: Lawns and Landscaping
Making an Entrance: Door Belles
Fabulous Fences
Outdoor Lighting for Safety and Impact
Chapter 12 The Building Envelope: Siding, Roofing, and Windows
Siding Selections
Picture-Perfect Exterior Painting
Roofing Review
Window Shopping
Chapter 13 Critter Control
Battling the Wood-Destroyers: Termites, Carpenter Ants, and Carpenter Bees
Warm-Blooded Pests: Mice, Rats, Moles, and Squirrels
Vampire Varmints: Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Yes, Bats
Critters in Flight: Woodpecker and Pigeon Proofing
Chapter 14 40 Fabulous Facelifts to Improve Your Façade
Section 3 Managing Your Money Pit
Chapter 15 Hiring Help: If Do-It-Yourself Will Do You In, Don't Do It at All
Types of Home Improvement Professionals
Due Diligence: What to Look For, and How to Hire
Evaluating Bids
Contracting with Your Contractor
Chapter 16 Protecting Your Money Pit, Part 1: Homeland Security
Fired-up Fire Protection
Get Smart on Security
Vacation Protection for Your Home
Chapter 17 Protecting Your Money Pit, Part 2: Earth, Wind, and Fire
Creating a Plan
Storm-Tossed: Secure Your Home Against the Tide
Lighting Protection
Power Protection: Avoiding Sags, Surges, and Spikes
After the Storm
Products That Protect
Chapter 18 Home Selling Tips and Advice
Hiring a Home Selling Pro
Styled to Sell
Home Inspection Survival
Seller Disclosure Can Reduce Liability
Chapter 19 30 Under 30: Best Maintenance in Under 30 Minutes
Appendices
Appendix 1 Home Improvements by Number
Appendix 2 Best Return on Investment
Appendix 3 Life Expectancy of Home Components
Index