Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 142)

A-tabby-cat-is-curled-up-asleep-on-a-red-ottoman-in-front-of-a-wood-burning-stove.
Interior

11 Dos and Don’ts for Cleaning a Wood Stove

Wood stoves are wonderful—they smell fantastic, make any space super-cozy, and even fire our pizzas. However, it’s essential to maintain a wood stove properly, for both performance and safety.

The Best Hand Trucks Options
Reviews

The Best Hand Trucks to Make Moving Heavy or Awkward Loads Easier

A hand truck is an indispensable assistant for dealing with awkward or heavy loads, but which one is right for your needs?

A rhubarb plant growing in a home garden.
Lawn & Garden

How to Grow Rhubarb

Growing rhubarb is as easy as pie in northern zones, but it’s no cakewalk in southern regions.

A small, cozy kitchen full of cute appliances with sage cabinets and slate-blue window trim.
Interior

Cooking in a Shoebox-Sized Kitchen? 9 Paint Colors to Open Up the Room

Some paint colors for kitchens do more than just elevate their aesthetic—they can make them feel more spacious, too! Use these expert tips to open up your cramped kitchen.

A DIYer grouting white tiles of a kitchen backsplash with dark gray grout.
Interior

What Color Grout to Use With White Tile: 6 Hues Designers Recommend

The grout hue you pair with white tile can be a bold statement or offer subtle elegance—it’s a fine detail that can enhance your interior design. Find out which color suits your design scheme.

The Best Gas Garage Heater Options
Reviews

The Best Gas Garage Heaters to Keep You Warm in Chilly Months

Don’t let cold temperatures keep you from your hobbies or projects. These top gas garage heaters are sure to keep your workspace warm.

Tuckpointing Cost
Exterior

How Much Does Tuckpointing Cost?

Tuckpointing, which is removing old mortar between bricks and replacing it with new, can restore the structural integrity of brickwork. Repairing and replacing mortar joints costs between $500 and $2,500, with tuckpointing cost averaging $1,500.

Softly Illuminated Open Plan Living Room at Nighttime
Interior

The 13 Best Paint Colors for Low-Light Rooms

Looking to update a finished basement, or windowless bathroom? Our expert recommends paint hues that can brighten dark, shady spaces in your home.

A cat walking past a cat repellent
Reviews

The Best Cat Repellents to Deter Your Feline Frenemies

Keep cats away from specific areas in a safe and humane manner with one of the best cat repellents on the market.

The Best Can Openers for Seniors Options
Reviews

The Best Can Openers for Seniors, Vetted and Reviewed

When muscle weakness, pain, and stiffness from arthritis become a factor in everyday activities, the best can openers for seniors provide assistance in the kitchen.

White home with porch and Christmas decorations with snow-covered driveway.
Exterior

Sick of Shoveling? The Pros and Cons of Heated Driveways

Toss the snow blowers, throwers, and shovels: Installing a radiant heating system under your driveway can keep ice and snow at bay for many winters to come. Is it a good solution for your home?

Older woman wiping counter.
DIY

How to Deep Clean Your House Room by Room

With the right tools, a plan of action, and some good old fashioned elbow grease, tackling deep house cleaning may be easier than you thought.

Small rodent poking out of hole.
Interior

Rat vs. Mouse: How to Tell Which Rodent Pest You’re Dealing With

Identifying whether a mouse or rat is invading your house will help you effectively address the situation.

The Best Wall Safe Options
Reviews

The Best Wall Safes for Your Prized Possessions

Make good use of the empty spaces between wall studs to secure your valuables in a quality safe. Hide it with a piece of art and no one will even know it’s there.

The Best TV Wall Mount, According to Reviewers
Reviews

The Best TV Wall Mounts for Flat Screens

Find out which features make a TV wall mount the best type for your viewing style.

Man using screwdriver on door lock.
DIY

25 Home Maintenance Problems That Only Take a Minute to Fix

Your home will work better, look better—even smell better—when you address these little repairs you've been meaning to deal with.

Woman washes her hands with foamy soap under a running faucet.
Interior

How to Make Homemade Foaming Hand Soap

Stop paying retail price for your favorite hand soap. It’s super easy—and takes just 5 minutes—to make a high-lather cleanser in your favorite scent.

Hot water heater in white home boiler room.
Interior

Boiler vs. Water Heater: What’s the Difference Between These Home Appliances?

They’re sometimes referred to interchangeably, but there are several key differences between boilers and water heaters.

The Best Pool Heater Option on the grass next to a pool
Reviews

The 10 Best Pool Heaters

Keep your pool running longer throughout the year at comfortable temperatures with a new pool heater.

Signs of Black Mold in Air Vents
Interior

All the Signs of Black Mold in Air Vents and What to Do About It

Black mold in air vents isn’t always visible, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a major health hazard. Find out how to identify this problem and what to do about it.