Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 21)

A DIYer painting exterior trim in the fall.
Easy DIY Projects

5 Home Improvements I’m Making for Under $100 This Fall

The punch list might be long, but the bill doesn’t have to be. See how one DIY editor is stretching the dollar on home improvements this season.

A group of the best carpet cleaners before testing.
Cleaning Supplies

The Best Carpet Cleaners for Busy Households, Tested

Deep-clean your home quickly with the best carpet cleaners for floors besieged by dirt, stains, pet hair, and odors.

Woman wearing safety goggles positions nail gun on door trim.
Tools

8 Types of Nail Guns and How to Use Them Safely

Nail guns can help you complete a carpentry project quickly—that is, if you're using the right nail gun and you're using it safely. Here's what you need to know about these tools.

Closeup photo of a home's asphalt shingles and rain gutters, a window below also in view.
Exterior

Are Gutter Guards Worth The Money?

A clogged gutter system can cause problems for a homeowner, from water damage to pest infestations and more, but cleaning out gutters isn’t always easy. But are gutter guards worth it, and can they save your home?

An overcrowded raised bed vegetable garden in a backyard.
Gardening

The Rookie Mistake I Made in My Vegetable Garden This Summer

Don't get ahead of yourself like I did.

A DIYer laying small stones in the yard to make a cheap DIY garden path.
Driveways & Walkways

8 Cheap DIY Garden Path Ideas You’ll Want to Copy

Add visual interest and practicality to your landscape with beautiful paths.

Smiling women sitting around a fire pit outside in a backyard.
Outdoor Living

This Is the Ideal Way to Furnish Your Outdoor Space for Fall

Cozy up outside with throw blankets, heat lamps, string lights, and other features.

Holding roll of Flex Tape
Tools & Materials

Flex Tape Is Ridiculously Sticky—In the Best Way: My Flex Tape Review

This $15 roll of tape sealed a spurting water jug, patched a leaky roof, and stopped a hose leak in seconds.

Kitchen with black and white checkerboard tile floor.
Interior Design

What’s Old Is New Again: Your Favorite Home Trends Are Actually Vintage

From floral wallpaper to skylights and wood paneling, these design choices from past decades are making a comeback.

The Jackery 3000 Pro Solar Generator connected to its solar panels to charge in a sunny yard
Backup Generators

Can This Jackery Solar Generator Support Working From Home and Weekends Camping?

Able to supply 3,000 watts of electricity, this solar generator can power equipment for camping trips, appliances during power outages, and more.

Drought-tolerant plants potted on a patio in full sun.
Landscaping

Forgetting to Water Is No Big Deal for These Drought-Tolerant Container Plants

If your outdoor potted plants tend to die of thirst due to your absence or absentmindedness, try selecting less-thirsty species.

Coavas_Frosted_Window_Film_Horizontal
Reviews

The Best Window Films Tested for Privacy and More

Window films are an alternative to bulky curtains and finicky blinds. Check out this guide to find the best window film options for decor, privacy, and protection.

Weekly Deals Early Prime Day Deals
Deals

Save Big on Halloween Decor and Home Essentials: Early Prime Day Deals & Fall Savings

See the hottest deals in Bob Vila-favorite categories like power tools, hand tools, home essentials, and more.

A homeowner shopping for a portable generator for backup power at home.
Generators

Read This Before Buying a Home Generator

Learn the pros and cons of propane vs. gas generators, so you have a reliable backup power source that’s suited for your home.

A carpenter adds wax onto wooden floors using a scraper tool.
Flooring

Guide to Hardwood Floor Finishes

Whether you're protecting brand-new wood floors or refinishing some that are decades old, the task starts with selecting the right top coat.

Razor-Back leaf rake head
Lawn, Garden & Pool

The Best Leaf Rake I’ve Ever Used: A Razor Back Rake Review

After using it for 6 years to clean up leaves and yard debris, remove grass thatch, and prepare garden beds, it's still going strong.

Large contemporary brick home with windows boarded with plywood.
Windows

How to Board Up Your Home’s Windows Before a Hurricane

Covering your home's windows with plywood is one of the best ways to protect them from storm-force winds. Here's how to select and attach the wood the right way.

Woman in rubber gloves leans over a kitchen sink full of soapy water, wondering why water does not go down drain.
Repair & Maintenance

The Dos and Don’ts of Clearing a Clogged Sink

Unclogging a kitchen or bathroom sink doesn't automatically warrant a call to the plumber. Before you try breaking up the blockage yourself, however, consider these best practices to prevent damaging your pipes.

ComfortBilt Pellet Stove Review
HVAC

Wood-Burning Fire Ambience Without the Hassle: A Comfortbilt Pellet Stove Review

I never thought I’d obsess over a pellet hopper, but larger capacity means fewer refills, and that’s a game changer.

Stairway leading down to a dark, empty basement with cement walls.
Basements

8 Things to Do Right Now to Get Your Basement Tornado-Ready

Which part of the basement offers the best shelter from a tornado? What emergency supplies should you keep in the basement? An American Red Cross expert explains how to prep your home's lowest level.