This Old House

This Old House gives you the inspiration, information and instruction you need to take on home improvement projects of all sizes and succeed. In every issue, find fresh design ideas for every room, creative DIY solutions, step-by-step projects, and tips from the pros. For annual or monthly subscriptions (on all platforms except iOS), your subscription will automatically renew and be charged to your provided payment method at the end of the term unless you choose to cancel. You may cancel at any time during your subscription in your account settings. If your provided payment method cannot be charged, we may terminate your subscription.

What do you want for your house next year?

Around The House • What’s happening in the world of This Old House

You did it! • Reader projects, tips, and triumphs

More space, character intact • To make basement flooding a thing of the past, a couple renovate their 1925 house to reroute stormwater, add needed square footage, and open up the layout—while preserving the home’s original charm

Renovation recap

Fresh and functional • Streamlined traffic and workflow, plus a bold dose of cool color, brings a dreary cook space into mint condition

COLOR IN THE COOK SPACE • Incorporating a fresh new hue or two is a balancing act, says designer Sean Lewis. Here, he shares his secrets for successfully using color in the kitchen

How suite it is • A primary bath needn’t be big to feel luxurious. Consider the serene retreat here

GET THE LOOK • Distinctive forms and finishes lend just enough nuance to help a small bath look and feel unique

Second time’s the charm • Having passed on the Spanish Revival six years prior, a California couple seizes another opportunity to purchase the place, giving it the family-friendly space and flow it lacked, while staying true to its style

Renovation recap

Strong Personalities • Homeowners eager to say something—about who they are, about how they want their home to feel—are doing so with bold shades of paint. “Strong color, whether warm or cool, elicits a powerful emotional, elemental response,” says Portland, OR, designer Stephanie Dyer. “It makes a statement.” And while deep, rich, complex shades pair well with easygoing neutrals, they’re also being used expansively, flowing from walls onto ceilings and across trim. “There’s a time and a place for restraint, but I’m fundamentally opposed to fear when it comes to using color,” says Dyer, who’s drawn to shades like saffron, burgundy, purple, and peacock blue. Up ahead: how designers think about using saturated, sophisticated shades.

Heat seekers • At the Lexington Modern project, the drilling crew gets to work as the first step in installing the geothermal heat-pump system that will heat and cool the house. We followed along for a look at what’s involved

How the HVAC system will work • Billy and Michelle’s HVAC is known as a water-to-water system—closed loops of water will travel down into the ground to absorb heat in the winter and to disperse it in the summer. A separate network of water pipes will supply the house’s radiant heat, air handlers, and domestic hot-water supply. Here’s a look at the components:

Four types of geothermal • The best layout for a geothermal system’s piping depends on the size of the property and its proximity to a body of water

Making geothermal more accessible

Reno safety for dogs • Here’s how to keep your pet happy and healthy when a remodeling crew is in the house

Ding-dong, who’s there? • Video footage can answer that question. The latest generation of doorbell cameras are better, faster, and easier to live with

Choose wired or wireless • Most manufacturers offer models that run off a home’s existing wiring and ones with a removable and rechargeable...