Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 117)

flower bed ideas
Gardening

32 Inspiring Flower Bed Ideas for Yards of Any Size

Brighten up beds, walkways, and other areas of your yard with these inspiring flower gardens, big and small.

The Best Work Lights
Reviews

The Best Work Lights for the Workshop or Jobsite, Tested

Don’t fumble around in the dark, trading progress for frustration. This guide sheds some light on the best work lights for your workshop or jobsite.

The Best Outdoor Security Camera Options
Safety & Security

The Best Outdoor Security Cameras for Surveillance and Safety, Tested

Keep trespassers and potential burglars at bay with an outdoor security camera. We tested five in our own homes to find out which ones are worth your money.

Man with glasses installs a curtain rod above a window in a room with peach-colored walls.
Building & Installing

How to Install Curtain Rods

Dressing your window properly is easy once you get the curtain rod in the right place. Here are the specs and steps you need to install a curtain rod, and end up with a beautifully finished window.

A bagworm pupa hangs from a thin tree branch.
Garden Pests

How to Get Rid of Bagworms

Bagworms in trees or shrubs may leave you with brown, damaged, or even dead plants. Learn how to recognize bagworms and eradicate them from your yard.

Bedroom door with old-fashioned hardware cracked open to reveal bed duvet.
Repair & Maintenance

4 Ways to Soundproof a Door That Really Work

Whether you're trying to tone down the noise outside or keep your garage band under wraps, these strategies will help muffle the sound coming through your door.

A view of a springtail farm.
DIY

You Asked, a Pro Answered: What Are These Small, Tiny Jumping Bugs That Come Up My Bathtub Drain?

You told us what your pest issues were, and we asked pest control professional Caleb Fabry about them. From tiny jumping bugs coming up bathtub drains, lubber grasshopper invasions, spiders, and more, he's spilling his DIY control tips and tricks—and telling us when it's time to call a pro.

The Best Silicone Spray Options
Tools & Materials

The Best Silicone Sprays for All Your Household Needs

Keep your tools and equipment running efficiently with a lubricating silicone spray.

Woman wearing safety glasses attaches a smoke detector to the wall above a door.
Building & Installing

How to Install a Smoke Detector

Learn how and where to install these champions of fire safety.

Friedrich’s Mini-Split Heat Pump Review
Reviews

Friedrich’s Mini-Split Heat Pump: Efficient, Smart, and Quiet

We installed and tested an 18,000 BTU ductless AC from Friedrich’s Floating Air Pro Series. We were impressed!

The Bio Green Palma Heater: A Hands-On Review
Reviews

The Bio Green Palma Heater: A Hands-On Review

Keep your greenhouse functional year-round with a high-quality greenhouse heater. See how this model fared in our testing.

The DeWalt DWS780 Review
Power Tools

The DeWalt DWS780: A Tested Top-Notch Miter Saw for Pros and Serious DIYers 

Miter saws handle a wide range of cuts, making them one of the most popular power tools on the jobsite.

GE 50-Pint Portable Dehumidifier With Built-In Pump
Reviews

The GE 50-Pint Dehumidifier Kept My Humid Basement Bone-Dry

Say goodbye to a humid house. I tested this large-capacity dehumidifier, and it works with or without its included drain hose for a dry home or basement.

Best Chainsaw Review
Tools & Materials

The Stihl MSA 300 Electric Chainsaw Outperforms Gas Models

Stihl dominates chainsaw tests with an electric model capable of handling anything. From firewood to tree felling and large jobs, this electric chainsaw is up to the task.

Three boxes in DeWalt Tool Box Set
Storage & Organizing

Does the DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 Tool Box Stack Up?

I tested DeWalt’s best-selling 3-piece stackable tool box. Find out if it stacked up to its reputation in this tested review.

Master Lock Compact Door Stopper Folding Security Bar
Safety & Security

Master Lock’s Folding Door Security Bar Offers Cheap and Effective Home Security

I tested this affordable door security option in my own home. Here’s what I found.

Snubby Pressure Washer Gun Review
Cleaning Supplies

The Snubby Pressure Washer Gun Made My Pressure Washer Even More Powerful

I tried out Chemical Guys’ short pressure washer gun. It was simple, fun, and (for some uses) a significant improvement over standard wands.

toilet parts inside toilet tank
DIY

How to Replace a Toilet Flapper

Is your toilet running when it's not in use? You probably need a new flapper.

The Best Nut Driver Set Options
Hand Tools

The Best Nut Driver Sets for Working on Appliances and Cars, Tested and Reviewed

A nut driver set is a useful tool for working on everything from bicycles to cars to HVAC systems.

A group of the best backpack leaf blower options sitting together on green grass
Lawn, Garden & Pool

The Best Backpack Leaf Blowers to Keep Your Yard Looking Pristine, Tested

Put down your rake and pick up one of these powerful landscape helpers. A backpack leaf blower will make quick work of messy yard debris.