Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 174)

The kitchen island is often the gathering spot in a home. Not just a functional place for cooking and storage, it's also where you typically wind up chitchatting and sharing a bite to eat with family and visitors. There are plenty of standalone kitchen islands to fit your needs, whether that's style, size, storage, or all of the above. Here's a roundup of the best kitchen islands for under $500 whether you have a big kitchen, little kitchen, farmhouse kitchen, contemporary kitchen, or something in between.

The bright lights and swinging night life of the big city is fine for some, but others will appreciate the subtle pleasures of small town living. Here are some of the best small towns in America, whether you're looking to visit or settle down and start a new life.

IKEA, the Swedish home furnishings giant, has earned a reputation among Americans for their affordable flat-packed furniture. The prices may be low, but that's not the only reason to consider IKEA as your source for home decor. Plenty of designers turn to IKEA for budget remodels and quick redesigns. Read on to see which products are most loved by the pros.

Vibrant and colorful flowers elevate any yard. But caring for blooms can seem like intimating endeavor for a beginner gardener, a busy homeowner, or anyone without a green thumb. Check out these 10 foolproof flowers, all of which are easy to grow and maintain, allowing you to bring seasonal beauty to your landscape with minimal effort.

Shopping for furniture can be a stressful experience. While some people can find the perfect "forever" piece in a furniture showroom, those with more eclectic tastes may have better luck with an online search—as long as they know where to look. We've picked some of our favorite shops from Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade goods, to put you on the path to a uniquely furnished home.

DIY projects are everywhere these days. More than ever before, a great home improvement can be just a pallet, can of spray paint, or 2x4 away. But if you're new to the DIY scene, you can feel overwhelmed just figuring out where to start. Don't be discouraged! Instead, choose one of these Bob Vila-approved projects that are perfectly suited for the novice DIYer.

Ghoulish, ghastly, and downright clever decorations are popping up everywhere this time of year. That can only mean one thing: Halloween is just around the corner. Jack-o-Lanterns and giant cotton spider webs will always be classics in our book, but there's a lot more to this holiday than all of that. Break the mold and try one of these super resourceful—and really easy—Halloween DIY projects.

Pavers are more commonly thought of as sturdy patio bases than as useful design tools for your landscapes. But these outdoor essentials are endlessly versatile, perfect for creating an interesting pattern, a clever walkway, or even a backyard game. Incorporate this functional material in your own spaces by thinking outside the patio with these fresh ideas for ways to use pavers in your backyard.

Check out these fuss-free flowers and shrubs for a gorgeous landscape with minimal work.

Spring and summer bring longer days—but that doesn't mean it's much easier to squeeze in all the projects and repairs that you'd like to do. But when it comes to outdoor DIYs, you can accomplish more than you'd think in the span of a mere hour. We've rounded up 9 incredibly these simple outdoor projects that takes only 60 minutes to complete—and offer (at least) a full season of enjoyment!

If cooking out is a big part of your warm weather routine, an outdoor kitchen is a great investment. The joys of eating al fresco are multiplied when you have convenient appliances within reach and a well designed outdoor dining area to enjoy delicious fare. Take a tip from these well-situated outdoor kitchens.

Garden paths serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose in the yard. They provide a safe and easy walkway to and from the house and garden, and give you an opportunity to visually connect your yard and home. Garden paths also help define the spaces in your outdoor landscape, and can bring overall beauty to your property. There are many options to choose from for the material and design of a garden path. From pavers, to stepping-stones, to plain mulch, there’s something for every budget. Depending on the material you choose and the topography of your yard, creating a garden path is a very attainable DIY project, even for a beginner. Whether you are laying bricks or spreading gravel, there are a few general tips that will help make your DIY garden path project more successful. Lay out your path with spray paint or a garden hose before you start any work. Make sure it’s wide enough to accommodate an adult comfortably. Remember to level the area so that your materials lay properly, and so that your garden path is safe for guests and family to walk on. Hard surface materials like brick or pavers will need to slope away from your home 1/4 inch per foot to ensure proper drainage. And don’t forget to put a weed barrier under the base of your path to minimize maintenance in the future. Even if you don’t want to install lighting when you install your garden path, it’s a good idea to lay electrical conduit above the base, so you can add it later if you want to. We’ve rounded up some of the best ideas for attractive and affordable DIY garden paths. Your inspiration is just a click away.

How much do you pay for electricity each month? Whatever the answer, you probably wouldn't mind having a lower electric bill. The good news is, there are many simple ways to reduce your energy costs. We've compiled a list of some of our favorites. While a few involve installing a new device to measure your electrical output, many require no special tools whatsoever.

Do you dread laundry day? Even if you love the smell of freshly cleaned clothes, chances are you could be working smarter—or cheaper. So if you need a little extra help in the laundry room, turn to our list of some of the best hacks. From making your own bleach pens on the cheap, to building extra space for storage, to finally getting rid of that musty towel smell, there's surely a take-away for washers of all stripes. Click through to find out more.

Your budget might not reflect that of a luxurious spa bathroom, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out. Check out these ideas for creating a spa bath at home.

It's the worst part of moving and the reason we accept and live with outdated styles: the price tag on new home furnishings. When furniture costs an arm and a leg, there's never a good time to implement a full-room refresh. And when you're living on pennies, you're often left with the options to pick furnishings from a big-box store and assemble on your own or DIY everything—often a time suck. Fortunately, we've sought out the most affordable retailers with style that really gets you more bang for your buck. Click through for our 10 favorites.

Doesn't it seem like there's always at least one board game in your house that's no longer playable? Maybe there are pieces missing, or you've given up on the game because your sister throws a fit every time she's outmatched. Rather than let the lonely game languish on the shelf, explore the imaginative ways you can bring Clue or Monopoly or Scrabble to play in your home decor.

There are many questions to grapple with before settling on any particular rug: How big should it be? Is it durable enough? What do I need to know to clean it? Fortunately, this comprehensive guide will ease worries pre- and post-purchase by laying down the best rules of thumb for choosing, cleaning, and styling a rug fit for your home.

In a busy home and even busier life, your bedroom is often the one space you can turn to for a little bit of respite. So why clutter up a would-be zen zone with items that disrupt the calm? Ensure you get your full rest and relaxation by simply keeping these 11 items out.

Stumped on how to add extra storage to your cluttered space? We've got you covered.