Anyone who has ever owned a home knows that sooner or later you start thinking about ways to make it better. It all started when cavewoman persuaded caveman to wedge a big chunk of wood into the mouth of the cave to keep out the neighborhood Tyrannosaurus rex. Today, home improvements and remodeling -- everything from new shelves in the utility room to gold plumbing fixtures and a steam shower -- account for sales of close to $250 billion a year.

You may want to add a second story to house a growing family; add a second -- or third -- bath; modernize the kitchen; put in a stone fireplace; create a home office; or simply replace that old sheet vinyl on the laundry room floor. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination, your ability with a hammer and your bank account -- and there's even help in those areas, too.

While the potential projects are endless, we've assembled this interactive look at a number of popular home improvement projects you can access in several ways. Use the drop-down menus (above right) and click on your preferred price range, room/project or your DIY skill level -- or all three -- to get started.