If you want to tackle DIY projects, save money, and improve your home, having a comprehensive home improvement book can be invaluable. These guides offer step-by-step instructions, expert tips, and inspiration for everything from basic repairs to major renovations. Whether you’re a novice handyperson or an experienced DIY-er, having the right reference material can make all the difference. This article will explore some of the best home improvement books available, covering a range of topics and skill levels.

Top Home Improvement Books for Every Skill Level

Home improvement books come in various styles and formats, catering to different needs and expertise levels. Here are some of the most highly recommended titles that can help homeowners tackle projects with confidence.

1. Family Handyman Before You Call a Pro

In today’s world, where professional help can be expensive and hard to schedule, Before You Call a Pro is a must-have for homeowners. It is organized into sections covering a variety of projects, so you can find the right solution for your needs. This book doesn’t just show you how to fix things, but how to make them look great as well. The photos and detailed guides are a lifesaver when trying to avoid costly mistakes, and the safety tips are a solid reminder to approach DIY with caution.

2. Dare to Repair, Replace & Renovate by Julie Sussman and Stephanie Glakas-Tenet

Dare to Repair, Replace & Renovate takes DIY a step further by guiding you through more advanced home projects. The detailed tool lists—complete with pictures—ensure you’re well-equipped to tackle each task, even if you’re unfamiliar with the terminology. With its focus on careful planning and thoughtful execution, this book is perfect for homeowners looking to feel confident in their abilities, and it encourages teamwork by suggesting a helpful friend as part of your toolkit.

3. The Garden Refresh by Kier Holmes

As more people extend their living spaces outdoors, The Garden Refresh offers fresh ideas for transforming your yard into a beautiful and functional space. From plants to hardscaping, this book provides valuable tips on everything from design to execution, helping you avoid common mistakes. It also highlights the importance of understanding your environment—something crucial for achieving long-lasting, sustainable results in your garden.

4. Safe & Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair by Mercury Stardust

Safe & Sound is a vital guide that goes beyond repairs. It includes advice on finding and maintaining rental properties, with a focus on avoiding mistakes that could result in costly damage, which are equally helpful for renters and homeowners, alike. This book offers clear explanations of what can and can’t be done in a rental and includes helpful resources for legal and tenant rights. Its preventative maintenance tips will also help homeowners and renters minimize the need for repairs, making it an all-around practical and empowering guide.

5. Weekend Refresh by Tastemade

If you want to make noticeable improvements to your home but are short on time, Weekend Refresh is the perfect guide. It offers a variety of projects you can complete in just a weekend, making it accessible for even the busiest homeowners. The book categorizes projects by difficulty, so whether you’re new to DIY or experienced, you’ll find something to enhance your living space—without a huge time commitment.

6. Gardening Your Front Yard by Tara Nolan

Front and side yards are often overlooked, but “Gardening Your Front Yard” shows how to turn these smaller, more visible spaces into something extraordinary. Whether it’s creating a veggie garden or a water feature, this book provides innovative ideas and practical advice for improving curb appeal. It also emphasizes the importance of checking local regulations, helping you make sure that whatever improvements you make won’t cause future issues.

7. House Love by Patric Richardson and Karin Miller

Sometimes the most transformative changes are simple—cleaning, organizing, and adding personal touches. House Love focuses on creating a home that feels comfortable and lived-in by offering small, manageable tasks that make a big impact. Whether you’re tidying up or adding decor, this book helps you create a space that reflects your style. The 10-minute cleaning plans paired with fun playlists make home upkeep feel achievable and enjoyable.

8. The Hardworking Home by Mark Johanson

With more people working remotely, The Hardworking Home is an essential guide to creating functional and stylish workspaces within your home. It provides creative solutions for setting up offices or study areas, whether you have a dedicated room or are working with a small corner. From space-saving designs to ergonomic tips, this book is perfect for anyone looking to optimize their home for productivity while keeping comfort in mind.

9. Ultimate Guide to Home Repair and Improvement, Updated Edition by Creative Homeowner

This comprehensive guide focuses primarily on home upgrades rather than basic maintenance. It includes 325 project guides covering a wide range of topics, from building decks to reinforcing doors. While it may not cover every basic repair task, the book provides thorough information on plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Each guide comes with detailed illustrations, including cutaway figures, and lists of required tools and materials. The section on working with contractors and managing complex remodeling projects is particularly useful for those planning larger renovations.

10. How Your House Works: A Visual Guide to Understanding and Maintaining Your Home by Charlie Wing

How Your House Works is an excellent resource for new homeowners looking to understand the various systems in their homes. It covers electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems, explaining how they work and how to care for them.

The book also delves into potential problems and their causes, helping readers diagnose issues before they become major headaches. While it focuses more on understanding and preventing problems rather than repairs, it provides a solid foundation for homeowners to build their DIY skills upon.

11. Black & Decker: The Book of Home How-To

This book covers a broad selection of tasks, from common maintenance jobs to involved renovation projects. With clear instructions and detailed photos, it’s particularly useful for visual learners. While the guide provides a thorough overview of how to perform each task, readers may need to consult additional resources for in-depth information on material selection or specific tool usage.

12. The Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual, Newly Updated by Family Handyman

This classic manual, published by Family Handyman in October 2014, has been a favorite among DIY enthusiasts since its debut in 1973. It covers an extensive range of home improvement jobs, from essential plumbing and electrical work to exterior upgrades and landscaping.

The book also includes a section on making homes healthier by reducing toxins, addressing a growing concern among homeowners. With professional tips that even experienced DIYers can learn from, this manual serves as an excellent foundation for those seeking a thorough education in home improvement.

13. Big Book of Home How-To by Better Homes & Gardens

Published in October 2011, this guide stands out for its exceptionally easy-to-follow layout. It features thousands of highly detailed, exploded view illustrations for each step of the more than 200 projects covered. The book is designed to cater to both beginners and more advanced DIYers, allowing readers to look up specific techniques as needed. It provides expert tips on buying and using tools, selecting building materials, and improving worksite safety. The guide also helps readers determine when it might be more cost-effective to hire a professional.

14. Home Improvement 1-2-3: Expert Advice from The Home Depot

This is a comprehensive guide for homeowners looking to tackle DIY projects, from basic repairs to more advanced improvements. The book covers a wide range of topics, including plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work, with detailed step-by-step instructions that make even complex tasks manageable. With a wealth of photos and diagrams, it’s designed to help both novice and experienced DIYers complete their projects with confidence, ensuring a professional finish every time. This guide reflects the latest techniques and tools available, making it a valuable resource for anyone upgrading or maintaining their home in 2024.

15. This Old House Easy Upgrades

This Old House Easy Upgrades offers practical, affordable ways to improve your home’s comfort, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. With a focus on projects that can be completed without professional help, this book is perfect for homeowners who want to breathe new life into their spaces without taking on major renovations. From kitchen and bathroom upgrades to energy-saving fixes, the editors provide clear instructions, tips, and inspiration to help homeowners add value and enjoyment to their homes. Ideal for those looking to modernize their living spaces without a huge investment of time or money, this guide emphasizes easy wins that make a big difference.

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Henry Parker

Henry Parker

Henry Parker is a home improvement enthusiast who loves to share his passion and expertise with others. He writes on a variety of topics, such as painting, flooring, windows, and lawn care, to help homeowners make informed decisions and achieve their desired results. Henry strives to write high quality guides and reviews that are easy to understand and practical to follow. Whether you are looking for the best electric riding lawn mower, the easiest way to remove paint from flooring, or the signs of a bad tile job, Henry has you covered with his insightful and honest articles. Henry lives in Florida with his wife and two kids, and enjoys spending his free time on DIY projects around the house. You can find some of his work on Today’s Homeowner, where he is a regular contributor.

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