Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 165)

A person using the best drywall lift to install a large panel of drywall in a room being built.
Building & Installing

The Best Drywall Lifts to Simplify Construction Projects

Anyone who has struggled to hang drywall will be delighted with the speed, ease, and accuracy of these useful machines.

A group of the best mug warmers together on a kitchen counter before testing.
Appliances & Cookware

The Best Mug Warmers to Keep Your Drinks Hot All Day, Tested

Many manufacturers make bold claims about their mug warmers’ capabilities, but not all deliver. We tested some of the best models to see which could stand the heat.

The Safer Home Indoor Fly Trap set out on a wood floor in its individual parts with its packaging before testing.
House Plants

Why Every Plant Parent Needs This Popular Plug-In Fly Trap

Win the war—or at least half the battle—against indoor insects with this effective, easy-to-use plug-in pest control.

The Brita Complete water faucet filter installed on a kitchen faucet for testing drinking water taste and purity.
Appliances & Cookware

Better Taste, Better Water Flow: A Brita Faucet Water Filter Review

It removes dozens of impurities from tap water without excessively restricting the flow, and it’s surprisingly affordable.

Mole vs. Vole Damage
Garden Pests

Mole vs. Vole Damage—3 Key Differences for Identification (and What to Do About Each Pest)

While their names may sound similar, moles and voles are each destructive in their own ways. Here’s what to know about the differences between vole vs. mole damage and how to address it.

Beets planted in a garden with a graphic overlay that says Plant Care 101.
Gardening

How to Grow Beets for a Superfood Supply in Your Own Backyard

Once the unwanted wallflower of the vegetable world, the beet now is achieving homecoming queen status due to its many health benefits.

Person tending vegetable plant garden with straw mulch.
Gardening

How to Use Straw Mulch for Vegetable Gardening

The use of straw mulch for garden beds can keep weeds down, decrease watering needs, and even extend the growing season.

Large grey craftsman home with attached garage with cars parked inside.
Garages

Does Having an Attached Garage Impact Indoor Air Quality?

An attached garage is convenient, but the shared wall between this space and your living quarters may not be enough to prevent harmful pollutants from entering your home.

Chrome American Standard Duo Spectra Shower head on cream stone countertop
Bath Fixtures & Fittings

The American Standard Spectra Plus Duo Shower Head: A 2-in-1 With 4 Settings

This shower head marries luxury, functionality, and versatility. Discover how it performed in our hands-on testing.

Woman uses a putty knife to remove some of a sticker from the bottom of a jar.
Cleaning & Organizing

9 Easy Ways to Remove Sticker Residue From Glass and Other Everyday Surfaces

The next time a new purchase—be it glassware, a toy, or electronics—is marred by a stubborn sticker, try one of these household solutions for getting the glue off.

Woman dumps pieces of candle wax out of a candle jar.
DIY

How to Get Candle Wax Out of a Jar: 4 Effective Methods

Repurpose or recycle used candle jars by removing leftover wax.

A soapy yellow dish sponge sits on the edge of a kitchen sink.
Cleaning & Organizing

How to Clean a Sponge: 3 Ways That Really Work

Learn how to clean a sponge in the microwave, and other ways to degrime and sanitize this hardworking kitchen tool.

foods that never expire - hands holding jar of dried food
Interior

17 Pantry Foods That Never Expire

Many staple foods can sit for years or even decades in a cool, dry pantry and still be perfectly fine to eat. In fact, these pantry goods pretty much never expire. Now go stock up!

A person using a roller to touch up paint on walls.
Paints & Finishes

How to Touch Up Paint on Walls Like a Pro

You don’t always need to repaint an entire room. Sometimes repairing and repainting the dings and scuffs is all that’s needed to freshen it up.

A-living-room-with-a-stone-wall-is-painted-on-two-sides-in-navy..
Painting & Finishing

12 Ways You Can Change the Size and Shape of Your Room With Only Paint

Paint is a versatile interior design tool that can modify the perceived shape of a room.

Bumpy green frog sitting on red tomato in garden.
Garden Pests

How to Attract Frogs and Toads to Your Yard—and Why You Should

Learn how these helpful amphibians can keep your garden pest-free.

A modern kitchen has cabinets in a dark gray with green tint and a pale wood island.
Kitchen Design

Move Over Tuscan: 10 Kitchen Trends for 2024

Explore 2024’s biggest kitchen trends and see how they can elevate your space into a stylish, functional haven.

A-person-in-rubber-boots-uses-a-spade-to-dig-up-a-plant-that-looks-dead.
House Plants

Is My Plant Dead or Dormant?

Is your brown or withered plant playing possum, resisting a spring revival until the sun’s warmth is just right? Or is it a goner with no hope of resurrection? There are ways to determine the difference.

A person holding a wool dryer ball in front of an open front-loading dryer while doing laundry.
Laundry

What Do Dryer Balls Do—and Do They Actually Work?

Learn how these simple tools can make laundry day more efficient and eco-friendly.

A person loading a dishwasher in their kitchen.
Appliances

How Much Water Does a Dishwasher Use?

You probably don't need to worry about your dishwasher being an energy hog. However, there are ways to get more energy and water savings out of your appliance.