Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 201)

A smart switch installed on a grey wall with a contemporary living room in the background.
Lighting

The Best Smart Switches for Your Smart Home

Good lighting is the foundation of a secure and stylish home, and smart switches offer a whole new level of convenience.

Person holding open terrarium.
House Plants

The 14 Best Terrarium Plants for Miniature Indoor Gardens

If you would rather not have to water plants frequently, try growing them under glass to give yourself a break.

Man holding a string of Christmas lights with a Christmas tree in the background.
Holidays & Celebrations

How to Fix Christmas Lights: Troubleshooting, Repair, and Maintenance

What's more frustrating than stringing lights on a Christmas tree only to discover they're not working? Whether the issue is a blown fuse or too many lights plugged into a single outlet, we'll help you get your holiday lights shining again.

The best bidet toilet seat installed in a large and modern tiled bathroom.
Reviews

The Best Bidet Toilet Seats for Any Bathroom or Budget

Improve the hygiene and comfort of your bathroom visits and reduce their environmental impact.

Holiday Safety Tips
Holidays & Celebrations

Leave Your Home Worry-Free By Following These 8 Essential Holiday Safety Tips

The holidays can be a joyous time of year, but there are a number of safety pitfalls that can tarnish your spirit. Follow these safety tips to have a safe holiday.

Retailers You Never Knew Will Recycle Your Old Stuff
Repurposing

13 Retailers You Never Knew Would Recycle Your Old Stuff

These retailers will reward you for giving them your unwanted electronics, furniture, and housewares. 

Visual 1 - Home Security - Blink Camera Subscription Cost - Cost Range + Average - November 2023
Exterior

Blink Camera Subscription Cost: Is It Worth It?

A Blink camera subscription costs between $3 and $10 per month, so customers looking for DIY-installed and self-monitored security systems can afford to protect their homes.

Couple decorating potted living Christmas tree.
Design

The Most Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree of All? A Living One

Love the look of a natural Christmas tree, but hate the idea of cutting it down? Learn how to pick out a live tree that you can plant after the holidays.

A natural gas meter on the exterior of a home with grey siding.
Building & Installing

How to Turn Off the Gas to Your House

Don’t be left searching the deepest recesses of your home during a gas emergency. Now’s the time to know where your main gas line is and how to shut it off—and how to shut off individual appliances.

The best central-vacuum system (the canister and long hose with cleaning head) mounted on a white wall.
Cleaning Supplies

The Best Central Vacuum System for a Whole-House Clean

A central-vacuum system makes it easier to vacuum the entire house without lugging around extra equipment.

standard door size
Doors

Standard Door Size 101: Important Measurements All Homeowners Should Know

Which types of doors are easiest to install, and easiest on the wallet? When should you order custom, rather than buying off the shelf? Here's what to know before your next DIY door project.

dad and son use mosquito spray.Spraying insect repellent on skin outdoor.
Pest Control

How to Make Homemade Mosquito Repellent: 6 Easy, Effective Recipes

Reluctant to expose yourself and your family to chemicals found in commercial bug sprays? Mix up an effective but nontoxic homemade alternative.

AC Unit Fan Not Spinning
Heating & Cooling

Solved! Why Is My AC Unit Fan Not Spinning?

Keeping cool when it’s hot outside requires a properly working AC unit. If your AC unit fan isn’t spinning, here are some ways to troubleshoot this common issue.

Potted plant with yellow and red flowers.
Gardening

Beyond Poinsettias: 23 Houseplants That Bloom in Winter

It may be getting cold outside, but wintertime is showtime for some houseplants. These indoor winter plants are sure to invigorate your interior—and your soul—with beautiful blooms while you hibernate until spring.

The Best Carpet Cleaning Companies Options
Home Services

The Best Carpet Cleaning Companies, Vetted

Are your carpets dirty and need to be refreshed? The best carpet cleaning companies remove dirt, allergens, and stains while sanitizing and deodorizing.

A group of the best sharpening stone options laid out together on a dark surface.
Appliances & Cookware

Testing the Best Sharpening Stones for Knives and Tools

Bring a fine edge to that set of dull blades with one of these top sharpening stones.

The package of the North Spore Mushroom Kit on a kitchen counter.
Reviews

We Tested the North Spore Mushroom Kit To See if We Could Grow Mushrooms At Home

I tested this mushroom growing kit to see if its ease of use and cost make it worth the purchase.

A person cutting the root ball of a plant using the Truly Gardnen hori hori knife.
Reviews

One Tool to Do It All: Truly Garden Hori Hori Knife Review

This knife is the digging tool of choice for gardeners who value versatility.

The Bisseell SpinWave floor scrubber on a wood floor with included scrubbing pads and cleaning solution.
Reviews

Bissell SpinWave Review: The Best of the 15 Floor Scrubbers We Tested

The Bissell SpinWave promises to clean hard floors without hands-and-knees scrubbing, so we put it to the test. Here’s what we loved—and what could be better.

The Chilipad Sleep System and remote sitting on a carpeted floor next to a bed.
Reviews

Reviewing the Chilipad Sleep System: Great When Hot, Otherwise Not?

The Chilipad Cube uses temperature-controlled water to help you chill or heat your way to better sleep. But how well does it work?