Amid a mood of collective belt-tightening, instead of moving out or moving up, Americans today are staying home and staying put. But just because they're keeping the homes they have, doesn't mean they have to compromise the way they live. In fact, now that new home construction is down, suppliers, contractors and craftspeople are more available and more amenable to negotiating their rates-even for small projects-than ever before. So, if you want to upgrade your home and improve its value without spending a lot, now is the perfect time to do so. 

 

Clearly organized room-by-room, including outdoor spaces, and filled with evocative before and after photos, the book shows readers how they can change the spirit of a room at various budgets, either with DIY decorative changes or modest remodeling efforts that transform their spaces for contemporary lifestyle needs. The book will also contain a selection of DIY project ideas with how-tos in each chapter, as well as sidebars including practical tips on space-saving ideas and storage solutions. Appendices will include a section on informative tips on Choosing a Contractor and advice on Creating a Punch List and Establishing a Budget.