Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 115)

A DIYer painting a room green.
Paints & Finishes

19 of the Best Green Paint Colors for Any Room in Your Home

Transform your living space with these versatile green paint options that bring nature's calming influence indoors.

How to Drain a Washing Machine
Repair & Maintenance

How to Drain a Washing Machine

Learn the mess-free, step-by-step processes for getting rid of standing water in top-loading and front-loading washing machines.

Materials used to unclog a toilet without a plunger, including a shop vac, tea kettle, dish soap, and more.
Repair & Maintenance

7 Clever Ways to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

When your toilet is stopped up and you don't have a plunger, it's time to get creative. Here's how you can unclog a toilet using materials you already have on hand.

Best Biscuit Joiners close up from all models
Power Tools

For Clean, Precise Cutting, Our Favorite Biscuit Joiner Ticks All of the Boxes

Choose one of these top tools for a quicker, easier way to create strong tabletops and hidden joinery for your woodworking projects.

Best Shower Valve
Plumbing Supplies

This Bathroom Upgrade Can Help Control Your Shower’s Temperature and Water Flow

Forget finicky temperatures! Get the water just right with the best shower valves for your style and budget.

Multiple indoor plant fertilizer brands lined up against a green background
Reviews

The Best Fertilizers for Indoor Plants, Tested and Reviewed

Help your houseplants thrive by feeding them the best fertilizer for indoor plants.

The Best Bench Grinder Options
Power Tools

The Best Bench Grinders of 2026 for Sharpening and Polishing, Tested

These stationary workshop tools help DIYers sharpen blades and hone knives, axe heads, and chisels quickly and easily. Check out our top tested picks.

Ryobi ONE+ 4Ah Lithium Edge Battery C Review
Power Tools

This Simple Upgrade Makes Your Ryobi Tools More Powerful

Three cordless tools, one battery, and an afternoon in my workshop. Here’s the verdict.

Best Rolling Tool Boxes close-up
Tools & Materials

After Testing 9 Rolling Tool Boxes, The Craftsman Offered Storage for Almost Every Tool

Tools become heavy and cumbersome if lugged around for long periods. A rolling tool box helps transport essential tools without weighing you down.

The Best Hand Crank Radios
Safety & Security

This Handy Device Keeps You Informed During an Emergency—Even Without Power

Keep your family safe by staying on top of the latest emergency information with the best hand-crank radio.

Before I began a "slow reno" of my kitchen, it was all oak cabinets, buttery yellow paint, and 70s vinyl flooring
Kitchen Remodeling

Why I’m an Advocate for a “Slow Reno” (and My 1970s Kitchen Has Taken 13 Months to Update So Far)

There’s no instant gratification in a drawn-out renovation, but there are certain upsides—including savings.

5 Great Tips for Heating the Garage in Winter
Heating & Cooling

How to Heat a Garage: 11 Ways to Keep Your Workshop Warm in Winter

There's no one right way to heat a garage. A multipronged approach to heating the space, including insulation, heaters, and floor coverings, will keep your workspace comfortable year-round.

A collage of tools with a graphic overlay that says New Year, New Skill.
Skills & Techniques

Realize Your DIY Potential by Learning How to Use These Essential Tools in 2025

Confidently tackle new projects inside and outside the home with Bob Vila’s top tool tips and tutorials.

Person wearing gloves leans over toilet bowl with drain snake to clear clog.
Plumbing

How to Snake a Toilet

When plunging doesn’t clear up a clogged toilet, it’s time to bring out the drain snake. Learn how to use the tool to clear clogs effectively.

A group of the best fireproof document bags together on a rocky, sandy surface before testing.
Storage & Organizing

The Best Fireproof Document Bags to Keep Papers Safe, Tested

These protective bags offer a level of security for important papers and other valuables. We tested several models to see if they could stand the heat.

Close-up of yellow snowblower near snowbank.
Home Safety

Winter Storm Cora Is Set To Dump Up to 10 Inches of Snow—Stay Safe with These Essentials

Ice, snow, and bitter temperatures will affect a wide swath of the southern/eastern US, and power outages are likely. The best way to weather a storm like Cora is to be prepared.

The Best Dead Blow Hammer Options
Hand Tools

We Researched More Than 20 Dead Blow Hammers to Find The Best One

Unlike ordinary hammers that can mar surfaces, these versatile tools can tackle a wide range of tasks while minimizing damage.

Best Whittling Knives close-up
Tools & Materials

After 12 Hours of Testing, We Keep Reaching For These Whittling Knives

Get the handle and blade you need to take on your next whittling project instead of struggling with an old or inefficient knife.

The Best Cordless Hammer Drill Options
Tools & Materials

Our Favorite Cordless Hammer Drill Has a Added Feature We Never Knew We Needed

Don't waste effort trying to drill through tile or concrete with the wrong power tool. See which tested cordless hammer drills are tough enough to power through almost anything.

The Best Stainable Wood Filler Options
Tools & Materials

The Best Stainable Wood Fillers for Repairing Furniture, Decks, and More

Want your furniture to look like new? Touch up gouges, scratches, cuts, and nicks with a wood filler that can be stained to conceal blemishes.