Best Websites for Home Improvement Products

As an interior design writer/enthusiast, I spend a lot of time looking at various home-product related websites. Plus, I spend a lot of time learning how-to and doing my own home improvement projects, so I'd like to think I know a thing or two. If you're like me, you probably hate that "she has no idea what she's looking for" look you get whenever you go into a home improvement store (and yes, I do know the difference between a two by four and a sheet of plywood.) Frustration aside, I've found I often get better deals (and better service) online. Plus, I don't have to try to fit giant pieces of wood into the back of my VW Jetta, as of course, everything gets shipped right to my door. Here are five of the best home improvement sites I've come across in the past couple of years.

Build.com

This website is easy to navigate and has supplies for every room in your house, plus your yard and the exterior of your home. So, whether you're looking for a new garden hose, considering investing in a pressure washer or even looking for wall art, there really isn't any better website. Plus, they feature DIY (Do It Yourself) guides on everything from installing door hardware to installing chandeliers.

Home-Improvement-Superstore.com

This is an e-Commerce website from Yahoo! that I've found to be helpful when looking and comparing prices on specific items for my house. The site is divided into sections and is easy to navigate, plus they even feature an "outlet store." However, they don't exclusively cater to home improvement, so you'll find a plethora of other items on their site including sporting goods, automotive parts and pet supplies.

AceHardware.com

I won't lie, I generally avoid walking into my local Ace Hardware (though my dad frequented it nearly every weekend when I was younger,) simply due to the strange looks I tend to get from the staff. However, if I know exactly what I need, I can generally order it from their website without having to deal with "are you sure these are the right screws you need?" Plus, their website offers a larger selection than what you'd find in your local Ace Hardware anyway.

VanDykes.com

You may never have heard of Van Dykes Restorers, but they're a Cabela's company (the sporting goods store.) They've actually got a decent selection of home improvement products. This includes items you might not find elsewhere like antique trunk hardware or brackets fro the exterior of your home (great if you've got an Italianate style home.)

AZPartsMaster.com

Like many of these websites, AZ Parts Master offers a large selection of home improvement items for indoor and outdoor projects. I've included them on this list because occasionally, they've got the right product that I need for a few cents less than another website, so it's always worth shopping around. They've also got pool supplies, building materials and safety equipment, so it never hurts to check them out if you know exactly what you need.