Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 180)

A farmhouse-style home interior with an antique wood stove sitting next to a modernized keeping room and dining room.
Interior

What Is a Keeping Room?

A Colonial invention that has timeless functionality for modern homes, find out how a keeping room might enhance your family life.

Aging hot tub sitting on stone patio in sunny backyard of a tan home.
DIY

How to Get Rid of a Hot Tub

Whether you’re purchasing a new hot tub or just need to dispose of an old model that’s seen better days, here are your options.

How Much Do Closets by Design Cost: Elegant walk-in closet by Closets by Design showcasing the cost
Storage

How Much Do Closets by Design Cost?

Closets by Design has long been a household name for customized closet solutions and in-home design consultations. Typically, custom-designed closets cost between $150 and $400 per linear foot.

Visual 1 - HomeAdvisor - Cost of a New Furnace - Cost Range + Average - January 2024
Heating

New Furnace Cost: How Much to Expect You’ll Pay

When it gets cold, a furnace can heat air inside a home. Whether a furnace is old and inefficient or no longer working, replacing it can cost anywhere from $2,818 to $6,822, with a national average currently at $4,743.

Chairs and a dining table with a plant on it sitting next to patio doors in a modern open plan home
House Plants

6 Places You Should Never Put a Plant Indoors—2 Will Surprise You

Many plants can flourish indoors. That is, unless you put them in the wrong spot.

A bunch of glue tips.
Skills & Techniques

How to Revive Dried Elmer’s, Gorilla, and Other Glue

Breathe new life into an old and hardened bottle of glue with these tips.

Blue dish soap in a white toilet with the seat up.
Repurposing

Here’s Why I Just Poured Dish Soap Into My Toilet (Hint: It Has Nothing to Do With Cleaning)

It cleans and degreases, repels pests, and can even save you the cost of a plumber's visit: These surprising uses for dish soap will convince you to keep a few extra bottles in the bathroom, garage, garden—and your first aid kit.

Tools With A Lifetime Warranty Options
Tools

7 Indispensable Tools With a Lifetime Warranty—and How To Get Replacements

Investing in one of these tools guarantees quality and durability, and will often save you money too.

transparent glue against black background
Easy DIY Projects

15 Types of Glue and Adhesives Every Homeowner Should Know

Have you broken a flower pot, or need to repair your shoe? Our adhesive experts explain which types of glue are best for fixing wood, glass, tile, and other materials—and which ones you should always have on hand.

Cost to Install Cabinet Hardware
Cabinets

Don’t Want to Do It Yourself? Here’s How Much Its Costs to Install Cabinet Hardware

Carefully selected knobs and pulls can add the perfect pop of design to freshly updated cabinets. The cost to install cabinet hardware averages $300, but some homeowners spend between $100 and $10,000 to achieve the ideal look.

Front Door Security
Exterior

9 Ways to Drastically Improve Front Door Security

Homeowners typically want their front door’s appearance to welcome guests and show off their personal style. Now it’s time to take steps to make sure it doesn’t welcome uninvited intruders.

Visual 1 - HomeAdvisor - Vinyl Fence Cost - Cost Range + Average - January 2024
Exterior

How Much Does a Vinyl Fence Cost to Build?

Vinyl fences are low maintenance, durable, and long-lasting, making them an excellent investment. A typical vinyl fence cost is $4,045, with a range of $2,292 to $5,799.

Visual 1 - HomeAdvisor - Home Elevator Cost - Cost Range + Average - January 2024
Home Technology

How Much Does a Home Elevator Cost to Install?

Residential elevators solve multistory mobility challenges. Home elevator costs have a wide price range of $2,724 to $6,076, so an installer can provide a custom quote.

Water Heater Making Noise
Water Heaters

Water Heater Making Noise? Every Sound That’s Cause for Concern, Explained

Water heater noises can be concerning. Here are some possible causes for a water heater making noise and what can be done to address them.

How Much Does It Cost to Frame a Basement
Basements

How Much Does It Cost to Frame a Basement?

Fully finishing a new basement is a big job, but the payoff is additional livable space and added home value. The cost to frame a basement is $500 to $1,600 or an average of about $1,200.

How to Stretch Carpet - Carpeted Living Room
Skills & Techniques

How to Stretch Carpet

If your wall-to-wall carpet begins to bunch or loosen, you can fix it in an afternoon. Move some furniture, rent a few key tools, and follow these steps to be back in business in no time.

How to Get an Electrician License in 7 Steps
Lighting & Electrical

How to Get an Electrician License in 7 Steps: Requirements by State

Understanding the steps involved in how to get an electrician license will help aspiring electricians make a realistic plan to achieve their dream career.

Stack of different colored microfiber towels.
Laundry

You’re Probably Washing Your Microfiber Towels Wrong—Here’s How to Do It Properly

Learn the best way to wash and dry your microfiber cleaning cloths to maximize their effectiveness and increase their lifespan.

Women in striped shirt and jeans adjusts thermostat temperature.
Heating

What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat in Winter?

Is there a “sweet spot” temperature that’s both comfortable in winter and won’t cost an arm and a leg? We asked an HVAC expert to weigh in.

overhead shot of woman painting tile floor
Painting & Finishing

Thinking About Painting Your Tile Floors? Here’s What You Need to Know

Want the luxurious look of decorative tile flooring at a fraction of the cost? Painting the tile can transform a room in just a few days—no demolition or power tools required!