| With entire television networks and multiple magazines | | | | Most manufacturers either make their full catalog |
| dedicated to home improvement, it's easy to see why | | | | available to browse online or they provide a simple |
| home renovations are quickly becoming the fastest | | | | order form that lets you request a mail-order copy of |
| growing trend in North America. | | | | their free catalog right from your home office. You can |
| Giant, big-box stores and smaller, specialty retailers are | | | | also use the web to hunt down new companies and |
| popping up all over and they all have their own | | | | look for products you wouldn't normally try. Check |
| catalogs. Whether you're planning a one-room design | | | | home improvement and design blogs for ideas on |
| idea, pricing tile or working on an estimate for a total | | | | manufacturers to investigate. |
| house overhaul, free home improvement catalogs are | | | | 4. Attend a home improvement "show." |
| a great way to get inspiration and price points for | | | | Attending a home improvement show or exposition is |
| every project. Keep reading for five tips on how to | | | | the best way to see a lot of products in one place |
| find the best home improvement catalogs and how | | | | and pick up hundreds of free home improvement |
| you can use them to help plan your next project. | | | | catalogs. Most manufacturers set up booths with sales |
| 1. Call your favorite manufacturers. | | | | reps who can not only demo their available products, |
| If you love your best friend's new kitchen tile, ask who | | | | but also answer your questions. Their sales reps are |
| made it and call that company to request a copy of | | | | happy to give out full catalogs along with their contact |
| their latest catalog. They'll gladly send it out to you | | | | information for future sales. |
| along with the contact information for a local sales | | | | 5. Don't forget the specialists. |
| representative. | | | | Some companies do absolutely everything. Others are |
| 2. Ask at your local hardware store. | | | | highly specialized and may only make designer faucets |
| Because company reps visit home renovation retailers, | | | | or unique drawer pulls. When building your home |
| they often drop off piles of free catalogs that are | | | | improvement catalog collection, remember to include |
| chock full of product information, prices and design | | | | the specialists. Take the time to at least glance through |
| ideas. Simply ask your local store clerk if they have | | | | a few home improvement catalogs. They are packed |
| any catalogs that you could take home to browse | | | | with great ideas they may sway your ultimate |
| through. They're happy to distribute them. | | | | do-it-yourself project decision. |
| 3. Search online. | | | | |