Fall/Winter Home Improvement 2009

As your kids get older, so does their need to express their personality and individuality. And there's no better place for them to do this than in their bedroom. Taking your child from kid to tween and then to teenager in their room is practically a rite of passage for you both -- and a great time to let them take charge a bit.

With a little creativity, you can save big money on your next room redo by transforming flea market finds and garage sale steals into one-of-a-kind gems that make a statement. All it takes is a little patience, a bit of preparation and a whole lot of paint.

Crisp autumn days, chilly nights and the prospect of snow may seem far away when you're basking on a backyard chaise on a warm summer day. But if you're a savvy homeowner, it's not too soon to start weatherproofing your home, experts say.

Well-placed accents can turn a humdrum room into something that vibrates with personal energy. Your choice of colors and placement will do more than just decorate -- it can set a mood or create a focal point and bring the look of a room together and make it into a "home."

Comfort, economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are all terrific reasons to make sure that your home is properly insulated this year. The steps you take now for the fall and winter months will serve you year round.

When it comes to fall and winter decorating, just because you're short on time and cash doesn't mean you can't add some panache. As the seasons change, look around your house. If you are tired of the same old stuff in the same colors arranged the same old way, it could be time to give your roost a boost.

A galley kitchen, miniscule powder room and tiny bedroom all present monumental challenges when attempting to turn them into inviting, commodious living spaces. Most of us need some professional help to get it right, either with a personal consultation, a search of the Internet or by checking out how-to programs. But there are ways to get started.

You've heard it all before. Your house is too small, too old and the price is too high in a real estate market that's in meltdown mode. What can you do about it? Plenty, experts say -- if you're willing to take a gamble that the improvements you make will either make your house more livable now or more sellable down the line.

It's the first thing that many people see on your home, so why not make a statement? Create instant curb appeal and transform your door into a stunning focal point with a few quick fixes and a fresh coat of paint. For about $100 and a weekend of work, do-it-yourselfers can create an entryway that's as fashionable as it is functional.

Your attic doesn't have to be that dark, stuffy upstairs space you only use to store your belongings. Instead, it can be transformed into a great extra room. Attics can be used for anything from master suites, guest suites, family rooms, media rooms, studies, home gyms, home offices and apartments. You can even add volume to the space below by removing the ceiling and adding the vaulted space above into an existing room.

Attention do-it-yourselfers: If you haven't prowled through the tool departments recently, you're in for a treat. There are some cool new tools out there just waiting for you. For starters, consider cordless power tools. "Every tool maker you can think of has gone cordless," said Gabe Lael, tool expert for The Home Depot. "The tools have the same power and strength as models with a cord, and they have the added advantage of portability, less weight and smaller size."

You don't have to have that just-moved-in look with cardboard boxes and bubble wrap lying around. Today's furniture manufacturers have made many attractive and often out-of-sight storage options for every room of your house. But before you even consider adding more, begin by eliminating the clutter. If you haven't used something for a long time and it doesn't have serious sentimental or financial value, toss it.

When the time comes to remodel a room, few projects will have the impact that replacing the floor can achieve. By changing the color, pattern or material, the room transforms into something completely new and fresh. You'll fall in love with your house all over again -- if you do it right.

It may sound like a steal: a house available far below than market cost, or available through a bank, the U.S. departments of Housing and Urban Development or Veterans Affairs, and they are eager to offload. But alongside the financial gain a homebuyer can enjoy when buying a foreclosed home can come problems -- some obvious, some less so -- that could offset that profit.

Any home-design decisions, whether while building a new home or improving an existing one, need to be thought out carefully. That means taking into consideration the needs of every member of the family -- including your pets.

Frozen pipes, which may lead to pipe bursts, could cause a lot of damage to your home. Here are five things you can do to prevent the chill:

Hanging framed pictures adds a dramatic focal point to your wall, but getting the right look can be tricky. Here's some advice form interior designer and contractor Deborah Burnett:

Granite gives any dated laminate countertop a facelift. It also holds well against heat, scratches and stains, making it an excellent material that adds value to your home. Here are some tips for installing: