Home Improvement Just Got Easier With These Helpful Resources

You’ve decided to take on a home improvement project, but you don’t know where to start. We’ve got you covered with a list of helpful resources to help you do your own home improvement or find trusted professionals to do it for you.

Binge-worthy home improvement YouTube channels

Home improvement focused YouTube channels are beneficial for DIY projects because they show step-by-step instructions. No need to read through confusing instructions, just sit back and watch how its done.

HouseImprovements

The HouseImprovements channel is designed for DIY-ers of all skill levels. Shannon, a veteran of the construction industry after 25 years, breaks down everything so it’s easy to understand and follow. Whether you want to build a shed or simply patch drywall, HouseImprovements has the video for you.

This Old House

This home improvement brand’s channel is full of tutorial videos for everything from hanging a kitchen wall cabinet to installing a rain gutter and mulching a garden bed. The cast of This Old House is a powerhouse of DIY knowledge, and their videos are an easy way to learn how to do just about anything.

Matt Risinger

Matt Risinger is a builder who uses his videos to teach people how to construct homes. His YouTube channel covers topics like insulating an old house, installing a sliding glass door, or more involved projects like framing a staircase. His easy-to-follow videos make this channel a great choice for DIY-ers.

Essential Craftsman

Scott Wadsworth proves to be the “essential craftsman” on his YouTube channel. His videos focus on carpentry, general construction, and safety tips. He also chronicles in detail how to build a house from the ground-up. As his channel states, Scott shares his “knowledge that is gained through experience,” so you know he is the real deal.

Home improvement magazines and websites

These home improvement magazines and accompanying websites provide a plethora of relevant content to help you with your projects. With new articles and videos every week, these resources provide inspiration and helpful tips while keeping you up to date on trends and products.

The Family Handyman

The Family Handyman magazine is full of step-by-step instructions and helpful tips from industry professionals. With instructions and tips that cover almost every category imaginable, The Family Handyman also boasts an impressive website with helpful video tutorials and links to popular topics.

This Old House

This Old House magazine and website have just about any how-to imaginable. This Old House is also a TV show that started airing in 1979. Its longevity has led to a wealth of online videos that feature a myriad of home improvement projects as they renovate a home every episode. If you have a home improvement question, This Old House likely has the answer.

Better Homes and Gardens

A mainstay in all things house and home, Better Homes and Gardens is a great entry point for beginner home renovations. With projects such as optimizing a small backyard, and painting your kitchen, this magazine and accompanying website is filled with creative ideas and helpful tips.

Houzz

When it comes to designing your home, Houzz is the way to go. There you will find inspiration galore for your home remodel from thousands of other homeowners. Get everything from color schemes and sinks to finding local professionals and quality furniture.

Pinterest

Pinterest is a goldmine of home renovation ideas. Follow home renovation boards to find various types of inspiration. A quick search for “sliding glass doors” or “farmhouse sinks” brings up thousands of pins to help focus your own home goals.

Here are some great Pinterest boards to follow for inspiration and DIY help.

• Joanna Gaines – From Fixer Upper fame, Joanna’s Pinterest account is full of interior design boards filled with drool-worthy kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, and more, all of which she herself designed. If you don’t know where to start in your own home design, this Pinterest page will definitely help steer you in the right direction.
• The bloggers behind thediyplaybook.com give some serious advice and inspiration on their “Home Improvement” board. With pins on installing doors and choosing the right paint color, this board is a great mix of hardware DIY and design tips.
• The DIY Instructables “DIY Home Renovation” board is plentiful with practical how-tos, like installing a hard wood floor, as well as whimsical projects like painting your kitchen cabinets.
• This “Interior Design” board by online magazine Design Milk will satisfy those with a more modern taste. On this board you can find beautiful modern interiors of all kinds, so rest assured you can find something to inspire your renovation.

Must-watch home improvement TV shows

Home improvement and renovation shows have found their niche on TV, and for a good reason. The real houses they show are great sources to look to for renovation ideas. There is a show for almost everything related to the home. Whatever your specific focus is, there’s likely a show for that.

Hidden Potential

In this HGTV show centered on turning suburban houses from drab to fab, Hidden Potential host Jasmine Roth helps homeowners turn their cookie-cutter houses into dream homes. From small interior design work to complete renovations, you can find tips and inspiration for your own home projects.

Design on a Dime

Looking to do some home improvement on a tight budget? Design on a Dime is an invaluable resource. Host Casey Noble takes you through various projects you can do with a small or even no budget.

This Old House

Titled as TV’s original home-improvement show, This Old House shows remodeling projects over the course of a few weeks. The show teaches secrets of the construction trade so you can do your own home renovation, or at least get on the right track.

Grand Designs

This Netflix show chronicles homes being built from the ground-up, as well as home renovations. Every house is incredibly unique, and thus ripe for inspiration for home DIY-ers. You may even find yourself wanting to build your own home, especially if host Kevin McCloud could help you.

Yes, there’s a home improvement app for that

When you’re in the middle of a renovation, having home improvement resources that are easy to access and use can save you time and stress. These apps will help you streamline your home projects and have you feeling like a home renovation wizard.

Build.com app

Free (with in-app purchases) on iOS | Android From the Build.com website comes this app that allows you to browse thousands of home products, made even better by the fact you can preview the product in your home with the app’s augmented reality feature. That means you can see what your dream faucet looks like in your kitchen before committing! Home renovation professionals are available to provide free advice, and products can be purchased from within the app. This app truly does it all.

Paint Tester

Free (with in-app purchases) on iOS | Android This app allows you to envision your wall with a new paint job. No need to paint sample swatches on your wall anymore. Just take a picture of a section of your wall, and the app’s “smart paint bucket” allows you to choose which colors you want to see, saving you time for other aspects of your home renovation.

HomeAdvisor

Free (with in-app purchases) on iOS | Android For those challenging home improvement projects you don’t want to take on yourself, there is HomeAdvisor. This free app (and accompanying website) is a marketplace for home service contractors, all of whom are background-checked. You can easily compare services, and book contractors directly on the app.

Find what works for you

Home improvements projects, big or small, can be stressful. Using these resources can help you keep your stress level down and keep your home improvement projects going as smoothly as possible.

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Disclaimer: Vivint is not affiliated with any of the entities, organizations, websites, or resources listed in this article. All resources are provided for information purposes only.