Home Improvement 101

Home improvement, also known as house renovation or home remodeling is the process of improving or repairing the interior and exterior of a residential property. Home improvements are often done to increase the value of a home, though some homeowners do them for their own enjoyment. There are many different types of home improvements, including painting, sanding and staining woodwork, replacing windows, adding doors, and landscaping. Home improvement projects can be very expensive, but there are some that offer a good return on investment.

Almost all types of real estate can be improved with some type of home improvement project. However, the term “home improvement” most commonly refers to remodeling and repairs that make a home more comfortable or attractive, such as upgrading kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms; adding garages or decks; and painting or refinishing woodwork. Some major home improvements involve extending the living space by adding rooms or building additions.

The home improvement industry is a large and important segment of the economy. It includes the sale of construction materials, furniture, appliances, and other home furnishings, as well as the hiring of contractors, tradespeople, and others to help with renovation and repair projects. In recent years, the home improvement industry has enjoyed excellent growth results. This has been due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw homeowners focus more on their homes, and partly because of increased longevity in the current housing market, resulting in homeowners wanting to stay in their houses longer.

There are many ways to improve a home, and the list is constantly growing as technology evolves. It’s important to consider the return on investment for any project before you start, and never go into debt to complete a home improvement. Also, make sure you don’t overdo it with a renovation that might be out of step with the rest of your neighborhood (like that koi pond in your backyard). You want to add value to your home, but not detract from its curb appeal.

There are a wide variety of resources available to assist with any home improvement project, from the novice to the expert. Home improvement books, magazines, and television shows provide inspiration and instruction. Online home improvement forums and message boards are also helpful for getting advice from experts in the field. Hardware stores, home centers, and DIY websites cater to the needs of do-it-yourselfers. In addition, eBook and database resources give detailed instructions on how to perform various home improvement and remodeling projects. Gale OneFile: Home Improvement puts the research of hobbyists and professionals on solid ground with 4.5 million articles from more than 200 home improvement-focused titles, covering topics such as architectural techniques, tool and material selection, zoning requirements, and much more. Exclusive features, such as Topic Finder and InterLink, streamline the search experience and support researchers at every level of expertise. In addition, a mobile-optimized interface and full-text searching make finding the right information easier than ever before.