Remodeling your home is a great investment and you'll be happier if you take time to thoroughly plan your project before starting. Here are books to help you get started.
Remodeling A Great Alternative to Moving!
Americans are moving less and remodeling more. That's smart as moving isn't cheap and it's quite stressful for everyone involved. The perfect house that needs an updated kitchen is something I've dealt with numerous (3 times) so I know that remodeling is a great solution.
You'll find my favorite home remodeling books below and I own about half of them.
- Remodeling Basics for Any Project
- Kitchen Remodeling Books
- Books for Bathroom Remodels
- Finishing Basements, Attics & More
- Backyard Remodeling Books – decks, patios, gazebos, pergolas, water features, etc.
- Remodeling with Built-Ins – fireplaces, bookcases, stairs, window seats and more.
Remodeling Basics for Any Project
If you're a new homeowner and don't have specific projects planned, a more generic home remodeling book can help you explore the scope and complexity of future projects. Here are the important topics you want in one of these books if you buy only one.
- Planning your project from clarifying goals to hiring contractor(s).
- Structural carpentry that many remodeling projects need.
- Home interior home systems are affected – electrical, plumbing and HVAC.
- When your home's exterior is involved from the roof to doors, windows and more.
- Picking finishes and buying building materials.
Renovation 4th Edition
Revised and Updated
Home Remodeling:
Planning -Design – ConstructionRemodeling
Without Going BrokeProperty Brothers’ Dream Home
Finding & Fixing Your Perfect HouseNot So Big Remodeling
for the Way You Really LiveHow Your House Works:
Understand & Maintain Your Home
Kitchen Remodeling Books
You see wonderful photos of kitchens with everything you want. But there's a lot that has to happen inside the walls to create that dream kitchen. Make sure your kitchen remodel starts with planning your activity centers so the space you create supports how you want to use the room.
Walls have to support hanging cabinets (called blocking) and there are well documented measurements for how wide aisles need to be to open cabinets and appliances. This is a room where attention to details is critical and these books will walk you through every decision you need to make.
New Kitchen Ideas that Work Guide to Kitchens:
Plan, Remodel, Build Renovate Your Kitchen
the Smart Way &Save Money
Books for Bathroom Remodels
Bathrooms are small but they're stuffed full of so many fixtures that full remodels can be expensive and time consuming. In addition to the plumbing fixtures (sink, toilet, bathtub and/or shower), you've got vanities, flooring, lighting and additional storage when there's space. Then you've got accessories like a mirror, towel racks, toilet paper holder and more.
Before you overspend, you'll want to make a list of fixtures and a budget for each one … and a bathroom planning book will help insure you don't leave anything out.
- Bathrooms, 2nd Edition: Complete Design Ideas to Modernize your Bathroom from Creative Homeowner.
- New Bathroom Idea Book from Taunton Home.
- Bathroom Upgrades for a complete remodel or you might need to break the project down into multiple (affordable) parts.
Finishing Basements, Attics & More
If you need more space, finishing the basement or attic is the least expensive solution. You'll still need to consider building codes for things like windows (attic) and doors (basement) to get out of your home in case there's a fire … so take your time planning.
- Ultimate Guide to Basements, Attics & Garages from Creative Homeowner.
- Remodeling a Basement from Taunton's Build Like a Pro Series.
- Black & Decker: The Complete Guide to Finishing Basements perfect for DIY homeowners.
- Attics: Your Guide to Planning & Remodeling from Better Homes and Gardens.
Backyard Remodeling Books
While we tend to focus on the interior of a new house, we eventually move to the outdoors as it's nice to get outside and enjoy the breeze. Patios and decks are the most popular additions (read: Patio or Deck: What's Right for Your Home) where you can barbeque and enjoy eating outdoors. You can even find books like Creative Homeowner's Outdoor Kitchens for Every Budget.
There are lots of other features you can add from arbors to grow flowering shade cover to a fire pit to relax and make s'mores(read: Outdoor Living Trends: Firepits & More).
Deck & Patio Ideas: Outdoor Rooms, Walkways & More![]()
Ideas & Inspiration For Great Patios & Decks![]()
Complete Outdoor Builder: 150 DIY Projects From Arbors to Walkways ![]()
Remodeling with Built-Ins
Furniture comes in fixed sizes so often, built-ins are created to fit into unusual spaces. Built-ins vary from bookshelves that wrap around fireplaces, window seats in small nooks, desks and shelving in closets, under stairs and other places too small for furniture pieces.
- Built-Ins Idea Book from Taunton's Idea Book Series.
- This Old House Easy Upgrades: Built-ins, Shelves & Storage … from This Old House.
- Trim Carpentry and Built-Ins from Taunton.
