This book contains loads of really useful ideas on how you can recycle almost anything and save hundreds of pounds in the process. For those items that can’t be recycled easily, Kathy Stein shows you how to re-use them to save even more money.

The clear message here is “consume less, don’t just recycle more”. This 164-page book has 336 environment-friendly, money-saving ideas, from earning cash for mobiles to customizing and altering old clothes, you can learn how to save money whilst saving the planet in the process. Kathy Stein has a technical writing background and her passion for environmental issues is evident in the book; for example, she is a big supporter of the ‘WeCare’ dry-cleaning programme, which replaces those horrible plastic garment covers with re-usable fabric ones.

The book is easy to read with the information presented clearly and alphabetically. If you’re struggling to figure out how to keep old appliances out of landfill, Stein helps you by listing local businesses and non-profit organizations that will re-use, recycle or re-distribute your unwanted items. It’s a useful and comprehensive guide on how to save money sensibly whilst contributing to a sustainable and green lifestyle – highly recommended.

With the recent introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) the responsibility of the homeowner or landlord has increased. By law you must inform potential buyers or tenants of the current energy efficiency performance of your property so that they can make intelligent and informed decisions on whether to rent or buy. It places increased pressure on owners and landlords to improve the efficiency where possible in order to positively impact the environment. With practical and affordable ideas such as underfloor heating or solar panels there’s something in here for all budgets and circumstances.

There are hundreds of books on building your own eco-home but if you’re not in a position to build your own pad, the next best thing is to refurbish what you’ve got. This book shows exactly what you can do to renovate your current home in an environmentally friendly way, with everything you need in one handy reference guide. It’s an extremely practical text with a useful case study to show us exactly how it’s done.

For advice on decorating and furnishing your home, Terence Conran is the best man for the job. In 1964 he opened the first Habitat shop and his empire includes the Conran Shop, Benchmark Furniture and many restaurants. Heavily involved in architecture and interior design, he was instrumental in the regeneration of the Shad Thames area of London.

The photos in the book are wonderful; Conran has included in here some of the most beautiful rooms and homes in the world. Some of the ideas simply won’t equate to a 3-bed semi in Bradford though so don’t get any grand ideas. As a reference guide it’s the perfect renovation companion but don’t imagine you’ll be able to get the Conran look on a budget – it’s high-end, fat-wallet stuff.

There are five main sections in the book, which discuss major structural work or smaller design improvements. Plus, there’s advice on the best decorating and furnishing options, a checklist of maintenance tips, and an index of useful addresses including advisory bodies, architects, designers, suppliers and shops (note that older versions of this book might be a little outdated now).

If you’re after a minimalist and contemporary look for your home, this is the place to start. You have to admire Conran’s ethos – he knows home design and much of it is simply timeless. Heed his principles and mould the ideas to fit your own space and budget.

Walsh has also turned his hand to interior decorating and building, but it’s out in the elements that he performs to his best strengths. His previous publications, such as “Bathroom DIY” and “DIY Survival”, have covered everything from shower cubicles to electric underfloor heating, but this book will give you all the know how you will need for completing jobs such as constructing patios and decking, repairing brickwork and cleaning drains.

Of course, as well as his impressive expertise it is Walsh’s charming personality that has made him such a favourite on television and in the book he comes across as engaging and considerate to the complete beginner. None of the content is patronising in any way and he knows that his readers will have at least some degree of common sense.

For each job, every step is clearly illustrated and every tool and material is listed, so you can rest assured that all aspects will be covered. This book would be perfectly suited to someone who feels they know a bit about DIY, but is missing out on some of the basics. Though everything is explained concisely, the banal and obvious has been omitted.

“Tommy Walsh Outdoor DIY” is published by Collins, who are renowned for their manuals and tutorial handbooks and is available in paperback. This is easily one of their bestsellers.

Randy Stratton shows us just how easy it is, with ingenious ideas for making simple bongs and pipes with straightforward, step-by-step directions, to the more complex vaporizer. Stratton even shows us how to make devices from common household items such as melons, coconuts, snow-globes, and teapots! If you’re that way inclined there’s even a plan for a ‘Tam-pipe’ – yes it is what you think and no, it’s not as easy as it sounds (for the record, make sure you use one with a cardboard applicator.)

Bongs are generally used to facilitate the act of smoking the plants or herbs of your choice. Bongs have been part of popular culture for a long time, reaching a peak of popularity in the late 1960’s/early 70’s. The Vietnam War gave American soldiers an insight into the smoking habits of the Vietnamese, where they used bamboo pipes to and a small wooden bowl filled with water to cool and filter the smoke. This exotic custom reached the USA where it’s evolved into a worldwide passion and more and more high-tech devices are available.

This book is a lot of fun – it will certainly help you while away a boring weekend. But, some of the ideas are far too difficult to contemplate and there’s really nothing in here that you can’t find on the web.

Your bathroom is the only room in your house that you everyone will visit eventually (unless you have more than one!) so it makes sense to make your bathroom a priority when planning home improvements. Most people consider the bathroom to be a big job – there’s plumbing, plastering, flooring, lighting and more to think about. But this book will show you that it doesn’t have to be a mammoth task.

With home renovation on the increase, savvy homeowners know that the best way to get a return on their investment is to improve – the bathroom is an integral part of the home that just has to be right; a little oasis of calm where you can relax. With a little help from leading architects and designers, Vranckx will show you how to get the look you’ve always dreamed of.  From sunken bathtubs to designer radiators, ceramic flooring to recessed lighting, this book is an oracle of new ideas. If you’re looking for inspiration on sanitary ware, sinks, tiling and showers, or you’re considering a wetroom conversion, everything you need is fully illustrated. All aspects of bathroom renovation are featured – from flooring, wall coverings and window treatment – and what’s interesting is the variety of materials that are now available.

Practical yet artistic, there are some truly magnificent bathrooms in this sturdy hard-backed book. It’s an essential reference guide for the homeowner or property developer that will be referred to time and time again.

The book’s main author is Jeff Howell, who has a list of previous titles to his name, including “The ‘Sunday Telegraph’ Guide to Looking After Your Property 2004” and “The Rising Damp Myth”. Here, he is also joined by several other respected authors and experts in the DIY field.

From fine woodworking to installing underfloor heating, “DIY And Home Maintenance for Dummies” covers every aspect of home improvement. There is also plenty of helpful advice on fitting bathroom furniture, bathroom sinks and shower enclosures. Plumbing is explained clearly and in a simple way that anyone could understand.

A point of caution however, this book, as the title suggests, really is for someone with little or no knowledge of DIY. Every task is described at the most basic level possible, so anyone with even a smattering of expertise would do better to look elsewhere.

Having said that, “DIY and Home Maintenance for Dummies” has been a welcome addition to the ‘Home-Improvement Manual’ market, as there are very few, if any, other titles that have as much appeal to the complete beginner. The informal and accessible style of the content makes this book an enjoyable read for anyone interested in carrying out their own home improvements.

This book explains each step of the process and will help you get your design ideas onto a blueprint. There is also extensive advice on what tools will be suited to the job and when you will need to call on the professionals. Fitting bathrooms, shower enclosures and plumbing are just some of the other interior areas covered. The easy to read and practical advice offered in the book will also make it a handy reference for anyone looking to undertake smaller DIY or home-improvement projects.

Each chapter is split into categories such as “Functional Space Planning” and “Design Elements”, which aim to educate the reader about how space and rooms can be best utilised. There is also a chapter dedicated to solar power and energy conservation.

Designing your own house may seem easy and fun to do, but this book will help you see what is really important when it comes to layout and how you can use space to its full potential. For anyone building their dream home this book will prove to be indispensable, even if you are using an architect and will enable you see things from a very different perspective.

The manual will prove indispensible for anyone facing DIY tasks at home. For every job, each step is clearly explained and there is no need for any prior knowledge of home improvement. It could easily turn a complete novice into a respectable DIY’er and has the potential to save you lots of money.

The authors are Nicholas Barnard and Ken Schept, who also collaborated for “Outdoor Living: The Complete B&Q Step-by-step Guide to Designing and Enjoying Your Garden”. The authors come from quite different backgrounds; there is Barnard, whose design knowledge has also led him to write a book on Indian Textiles, while Schept has more expertise in the nuts and bolts of building and DIY.

As well as the easily accessible content, what has made this book such a big seller are the concise pictures and diagrams that are used throughout. Even if you do become confused by what is being explained in the text, every picture can show you exactly how to carry out the job at hand. The range of tasks listed is quite impressive and no doubt took a long time to compile, so it is hardly surprising it has been such sought after book.

What is very impressive about the book is that the majority of the designs and techniques are easy to follow. Finding the right supplies to carry out the revamping work is also easy. Each style is given a difficulty rating between one and four, and the book also claims that no style should take more than half an hour to create. Each can range from the basic sewing of patches to dyeing in different colours, and there are plenty of ideas that could be utilised for both women’s and men’s fashion.

The book is published by Potter Craft who are renowned for their many guides on fashion and the re-styling of old clothes and accessories. Other titles that they have to their name include “Bend-the-Rules Sewing” and “Socks from the Toe Up”.

But as much as the information laid out in the book is in a clear step-by-step format, you may find some basic advice – regarding such things as preparation – has been omitted and it will therefore be up to the reader to find out about those tasks for themselves. However, for anyone interested in style or making their own clothes, this would make a great Christmas or birthday gift.