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Do you want to change the look and feel of your house? Choosing the right project and design for you and your family is key to maintaining a remodelling job that keeps your house looking fresh for years to come while still complementing the existing features of your home.

First, make sure you take your family�s lifestyle into consideration when selecting an area of your home to remodel. For example, if your house is subjected to a lot of traffic, consider hardwood floors. Families who frequently entertain in the kitchen may want to expand the area, add an island, or incorporate some comfortable chairs. If your bathroom is the place where you escape from the world, a whirlpool tub or a deluxe shower can add a spa-like feel to your space.

After you have chosen an area of your home to remodel, the wide array of project options can be both dazzling and intimidating. To get started, consult the resources below, which can give you specific ideas on how to turn your house into the dream home you�ve always wanted.

TV Shows: Home & Garden Television (HGTV) features a number of shows on topics ranging from decorating to home improvement. To spark your creativity, watch projects evolve from start to finish on shows like �Building Character� or �Dream Builders.� Check your local television guide for show listings.

Magazines: Magazines that cater to home improvement, lifestyle, and remodelling are also an excellent source of ideas. Page through publications such as Home, House Beautiful, Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, Food and Wine, Country Living, Ladies' Home Journal, and Good Housekeeping to identify projects and materials that might work in your home. Additionally, you can request a wide range of free or inexpensive literature by completing the mail-in coupons inserted in such publications.

Websites: �Surfing the Web� is a great way to find new ideas and research projects. Many remodellers, manufacturers, and magazines host websites that feature project photographs, buying guides, and product information. Internet directories can also help you find professional remodellers in your area.

Sketches and Floor Plans: No two remodelling projects are the same, but you can gain some insight into how another homeowner solved a space problem by carefully studying sketches and floor plans. If you are easily confused by plans and drawings, imagine yourself in the middle of the room or space on the plan.

Books: Browse a bookstore with a well-stocked home-improvement section, but be wary of books telling you to be your own remodelling contractor. Most remodelling projects call for a level of skill and work hours beyond those stated in these books. The job of a professional remodeller requires experience and competence in a wide range of disciplines, and unless you are highly skilled and licensed in all the trades, you can quickly become overwhelmed.
Newspapers: Most newspapers publish regular sections devoted to real estate, home design and remodelling. Also, twice a year � usually in the spring and fall � many newspapers print special home-improvement supplements. Each of these sections contains timely articles and useful advertisements on remodelling, home improvement, repair, and maintenance.

Friends, Family, and Neighbors: Do you know people who have recently remodeled their home in a style you admire? They may still have product manuals, magazines, or other helpful information you can borrow, as well as practical advice drawn from his or her own experience.

Remodelling Professionals: One of the advantages of choosing a remodeller early is gaining access to an extensive library of resources prior to starting a project. Contractors can usually offer you a wide variety of materials including product manuals, magazines, brochures, and blueprints.

Manufacturers and Suppliers: The most obvious place to find information about new products and how to use them is on manufacturer�s websites and in magazine ads. Lumberyards, hardware stores, and other suppliers can also be valuable sources of information. Many suppliers now offer home planning centers, where you can browse comfortably among the following:

� Plan books
� Product manuals
� Sourcebooks
� Building tips
� Magazines
� Brochures
� Directories of local remodelers and builders

Firsthand Observation: Keep a loaded camera and some extra film in your vehicle. You never know when a trip to the grocery store might provide you a glimpse of just the right exterior door or window trim, so always be prepared.

For more information on planning your remodelling project or to find a professional remodeller, visit www.nahb.com/remodel or contact Cyndi Billac-Arnsdorff at the Home Builders Association of Greater Savannah at (912) 354-6193.