So how do you want to make best use of this unique space? Amp up your garage’s curb appeal. Park your vehicle(s) out of the weather. Create storage for your stuff. Create a workshop for your DIY projects. Convert your garage to living space. Amp Up Your Garage’s Curb Appeal With a focus on home improvement projects, especially those on the outside, it’s easy to forget that the garage makes a massive design statement....

To create a functional workspace, consider who will be using it and for what purpose. A home office can range in size and complexity from a corner of the kitchen counter to the whole top floor of your house, depending on its uses—and users. Should the space be private or out in the open? These factors will help determines the location. Only then can you begin to think of practical matters: desk height, lighting, storage, etc....

Also consider if you’ll be moving in a few years or staying put. If you plan to sell in the near future, you may want to limit your remodel to a cosmetic update, but if you’re going to remain in the house for the long haul, you might want to incorporate universal design upgrades that will make your bath more comfortable and accessible as you age. And don’t forget to gather inspiration for your new bath; look at images on websites and in home design magazines to get an idea of what layouts and styles appeal to you....

Putting up crown molding, installing beadboard wainscoting, and creating an archway may sound intimidating. But, we’ve got everything you need—including step-by-step instructions chock full of pro tips and advice, shopping lists, and tool lists—to help you get the job done with confidence. Before long, your home will be looking old again—just the way you like it. Install Three-Piece Crown Molding A common decorative flourish for traditional homes, crown molding enriches a space by forming an eye-catching transition between the walls and ceiling....

The ‘before’ was very plain; there was nothing memorable about it,” says Beth Anne Wilhelm, who owns this 1923 home in Cabin John, MD, with Matt Canter. In fact, the builder-grade exterior finishes were so forgettable, she says, “when all the demo was done, neighbors walked by and asked what it looked like prior—no one could remember!” Enter architectural designers Anthony Wilder and Maria Fanjul, who reworked the porch with a gabled roof, paired columns on plinths, and open trusswork to usher in more light....

There are a wide variety of home security systems available in Boston, but they differ widely in terms of packages, equipment, cost, and more. The This Old House Reviews Team has evaluated the best home security systems on these key factors to help you decide the best fit for your Boston home. Top 6 Home Security Systems in Boston ADT: Best Overall Vivint: Best for Smart Home Integration SimpliSafe: Best for Easy Installation Frontpoint: Best for Smartphone Integration Abode: Best for Customization Alder: Best for Medical Alerts...

Here, embrace your craving to build a cozy nest with twenty-four neighborhoods featuring homey cottages and bungalows. Historic Garden District, Montgomery, Alabama Twelve short blocks from downtown Montgomery, the Garden District is home to 2,500 residents as diverse as its architecture. Young singles and 30-something professionals are drawn to a community that is ethnically varied, socially diverse, and still every bit as genteel as any small town in the old South....

There’s no better place to exercise your green thumb than in front of your beautiful old house. Here, twenty-two neighborhoods perfect for growing your garden. Historic Garden District, Montgomery, Alabama Twelve short blocks from downtown Montgomery, the Garden District is home to 2,500 residents as diverse as its architecture. Young singles and 30-something professionals are drawn to a community that is ethnically varied, socially diverse, and still every bit as genteel as any small town in the old South....

Are Cordless Drills Worth It? If it’s a cordless model, you can drill holes and drive screws with the same tool—and not have to worry about finding an outlet near the work to power the drill. The good news: There are hundreds of these drills on the market. The bad news: It’s not always clear which drills you should be considering. What Drill To Buy Match the Tool to the Job With all the different models of drill/drivers on the market, it’s easy to buy more tool than you really need....

Spindle Chair Thanks to its simple frame, this Windsor-inspired seat looks right at home in a country-, colonial-, or Shaker-style space. About $90; Sturbridge Yankee Workshop Colorful Hooked Rug Brighten a room of heavy wood furniture with this vibrant round mat, which features patterned bands with a Fair Isle motif. About $198 for a 5-foot-diameter rug; Garnet Hill Walnut-Hued Basket Leather trim and wood handles update this woven maple container, a fresh alternative to the standard fruit bowl....

Victorian-Style Towel Bar Keep dishcloths handy by mounting this simple rod on the side of an island. $25; bedbathandbeyond.com. Printed cotton cloth, about $7 for four; homegoods.com for stores Vintage Stool This former milking perch boasts a handsome painted patina. Spice up your kitchen’s seating with similar models, found at online auctions. From about $20; green.ebay.com. Cup Pull Lend drawers old-school appeal with classic zinc hardware coated with an oil-rubbed bronze finish....

Floating stairs and glass railing: Viewrail Customize your kitchen to your cooking style I chose white oak cabinets in a European overlay design and matched the vertical grain for a seamless look. Sizes and quantities of cookware, spices, and kitchen tools were all considered in order to make each cabinet and drawer truly custom. I love that my carpenter burnished the inside of the dovetail drawers with the This Old House Idea House logo!...

We polled contractors, designers, and other pros for their top tips and insider tricks for getting every detail right. Whether you’re on a budget or ready to pay a pretty penny, follow these DIY bathroom remodeling ideas and you’re sure to create the bathroom you always wanted. Radiant Floor Heating Radiant heat beneath tiles makes them toasty underfoot. But you don’t need to have it throughout your house; you can simply add an electric mat to boost a bath’s existing heating system....

Happily, you don’t need deep pockets or lots of land to enjoy your own water feature. You can install a fully equipped, landscaped, fish-filled pond for around $500, provided that you do your own digging. Creating a lush habitat like the one at right requires rubbery liners, powerful pumps, effective filters, and, without question, a commitment to care for them. But when you’re finished, whether it’s tucked into a corner of the yard or next to a deck or patio, your pond will provide an endless source of fascination for family and visitors alike....

Hidden Litter Box Ideas 1. Upcycled Cabinet or Dresser Take an old base cabinet and refinish it to hide that litter box. Use a jigsaw to cut a hole in the side large enough for kitty to pass through and lay a scrap of carpet in the bottom to catch any litter stuck to kitty’s paws. For a finished look, trim the hole with something to match the cabinet’s style. Apply a fresh coat of paint, add a new top, and switch out the hardware to bring new life to the piece and match your decor....