How to remodel, project by project

The room where a remodel changes the most and forgives the least.

How to Remodel a KitchenThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small KitchenWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a KitchenThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a KitchenThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Kitchen Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Kitchen Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Small enough that every surface is visible at once, which is why finishes carry it.

How to Remodel a BathroomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small BathroomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a BathroomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a BathroomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Bathroom Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Bathroom Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

The one bathroom with room to make choices instead of compromises.

How to Remodel a Primary BathroomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Primary BathroomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Primary BathroomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Primary BathroomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Primary Bathroom Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Primary Bathroom Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

No shower, no storage, no reason to be careful.

How to Remodel a Powder RoomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Powder RoomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Powder RoomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Powder RoomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Powder Room Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Powder Room Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

The cheapest square footage in the house, if you solve the ceiling and the light.

How to Remodel a BasementThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small BasementWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a BasementThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a BasementThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Basement Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Basement Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

A room whose shape is already decided — the work is making it liveable.

How to Remodel an AtticThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small AtticWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out an AtticThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light an AtticThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Attic Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Attic Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

A slab, three walls and a huge opening where a room should start.

How to Remodel a GarageThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small GarageWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a GarageThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a GarageThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Garage Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Garage Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

A machine cupboard promoted to a room that works.

How to Remodel a Laundry RoomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Laundry RoomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Laundry RoomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Laundry RoomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Laundry Room Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Laundry Room Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

The room that decides whether the rest of the house stays tidy.

How to Remodel a MudroomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small MudroomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a MudroomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a MudroomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Mudroom Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Mudroom Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Shelf depth is the whole design.

How to Remodel a PantryThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small PantryWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a PantryThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a PantryThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Pantry Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Pantry Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

One piece of furniture sets the whole room, and it is already chosen.

How to Remodel a Primary BedroomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Primary BedroomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Primary BedroomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Primary BedroomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Primary Bedroom Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Primary Bedroom Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

The room most often remodelled with paint, flooring and nothing else.

How to Remodel a BedroomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small BedroomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a BedroomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a BedroomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Bedroom Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Bedroom Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Usually a fireplace, a floor and a lighting plan.

How to Remodel a Living RoomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Living RoomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Living RoomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Living RoomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Living Room Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Living Room Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

A table, the space to get around it, and one light that decides everything.

How to Remodel a Dining RoomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Dining RoomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Dining RoomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Dining RoomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Dining Room Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Dining Room Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Built-in desk, real storage, and a wall you can be seen against.

How to Remodel a Home OfficeThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Home OfficeWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Home OfficeThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Home OfficeThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Home Office Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Home Office Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

The one addition that either transforms a kitchen or blocks it.

How to Remodel a Kitchen IslandThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Kitchen IslandWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Kitchen IslandThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Kitchen IslandThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Kitchen Island Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Kitchen Island Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Hanging heights and depth. Everything else is trim.

How to Remodel a Walk-In ClosetThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Walk-In ClosetWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Walk-In ClosetThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Walk-In ClosetThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Walk-In Closet Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Walk-In Closet Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Four feet of floor that sets the tone for the whole house.

How to Remodel an EntrywayThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small EntrywayWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out an EntrywayThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light an EntrywayThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Entryway Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Entryway Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

The most-seen joinery in the house and the least often updated.

How to Remodel a StaircaseThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small StaircaseWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a StaircaseThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a StaircaseThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Staircase Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Staircase Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

A glass room that is either usable all year or empty for eight months of it.

How to Remodel a SunroomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small SunroomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a SunroomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a SunroomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Sunroom Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Sunroom Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Removing one wall, and dealing with everything that wall was doing.

How to Remodel an Open ConceptThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Open ConceptWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out an Open ConceptThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light an Open ConceptThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Open Concept Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Open Concept Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

An outdoor room, once it is big enough to hold furniture.

How to Remodel a DeckThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small DeckWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a DeckThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a DeckThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Deck Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Deck Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Paving, edges and drainage — then it is a room.

How to Remodel a PatioThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small PatioWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a PatioThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a PatioThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Patio Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Patio Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

The part of the house everyone sees and nobody measures.

How to Remodel a Front PorchThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Front PorchWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Front PorchThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Front PorchThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Front Porch Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Front Porch Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

A room that has to work perfectly for twelve nights a year.

How to Remodel a Guest SuiteThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Guest SuiteWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Guest SuiteThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Guest SuiteThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Guest Suite Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Guest Suite Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Designed twice over: for now, and for the four-year-old it becomes.

How to Remodel a NurseryThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small NurseryWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a NurseryThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a NurseryThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Nursery Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Nursery Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Storage at child height, and a floor you can be on.

How to Remodel a PlayroomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small PlayroomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a PlayroomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a PlayroomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Playroom Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Playroom Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Floor, ceiling height and mirrors — in that order.

How to Remodel a Home GymThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Home GymWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Home GymThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Home GymThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Home Gym Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Home Gym Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Seating distance and reflected light decide everything else.

How to Remodel a Media RoomThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Media RoomWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Media RoomThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Media RoomThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Media Room Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Media Room Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Six feet of joinery that changes how a room gets used.

How to Remodel a Wet BarThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Wet BarWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Wet BarThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Wet BarThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Wet Bar Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Wet Bar Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

A kitchen that has to survive weather, and still be worth walking out to.

How to Remodel an Outdoor KitchenThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Outdoor KitchenWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out an Outdoor KitchenThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light an Outdoor KitchenThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Outdoor Kitchen Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Outdoor Kitchen Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

The thing every seat in the room is already pointed at.

How to Remodel a FireplaceThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small FireplaceWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a FireplaceThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a FireplaceThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Fireplace Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Fireplace Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

Outdoor living with the insects and the weather taken out.

How to Remodel a Screened PorchThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Screened PorchWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Screened PorchThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Screened PorchThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Screened Porch Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Screened Porch Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.

A small room where the temperature matters more than the joinery.

How to Remodel a Wine CellarThe order the work happens in, and what to settle before anything is ordered.How to Remodel a Small Wine CellarWhat changes when the space will not take the standard answer.How to Lay Out a Wine CellarThe dimensions that decide whether the room works, whatever it ends up looking like.How to Light a Wine CellarThe layer people skip, and the one that makes the rest of the work visible.Wine Cellar Remodel Mistakes to AvoidThe failures that show up again and again, and what causes each one.Wine Cellar Before and AfterWhat actually changes visually, and how to see it on your own photo first.