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Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 268)

Gardening

10 Plants That Grow Better with Companions

Some things just work better together.

Pest Control

8 Creative Uses for Castor Oil Around the House

Castor oil may be known for its health and beauty benefits, but it also has a number of surprising uses in the home and garden.

Cleaning & Organizing

20 Crazy Cleaning Tips That Actually Work

You may have your allegiances to certain brands of cleaning products, but are they really getting the job done? If you have an especially tough cleaning problem to solve and the usual supplies just aren’t cutting it, maybe it's time for a slightly more unconventional approach, one that involves grabbing a few items from the pantry or trying a wacky, off-the-wall cleaning trick. Ready for a little adventure? Here are 20 crazy cleaning tips that actually work.

Bedrooms

8 Space-Saving Loft Bed Ideas for Cramped Quarters

Leave it to college kids to devise the biggest space-saving trick for the bedroom: a lofted bed.

Architecture

The Coolest House You Can Tour in Every State

These enchanting estates, one in each of the 50 states, can be savored up close.

Architecture

This Is the Average Home Size in Every State

If you're wondering how big the houses in your state are compared with houses in the other 49, this quick look will let you size up your neighbors.

Lawn & Garden

Solved! This Is How Often You Should Mow Your Lawn

Regular mowing will help keep your grass green, lush, and healthy. The trick is figuring out what “regular” means for your lawn.

Lawn, Garden & Pool

The Best Gardening and Plant Identification Apps for Your Smartphone

Whether you simply want to identify the flowers growing in your backyard or you have big plans to become a pro mushroom forager, downloading a few key apps will put a bounty of information at your fingertips.

Bathroom Remodeling

10 Bathroom Improvements That Only Took Paint

Behold the power of paint, which can make a huge impact on every room in the house—including the bathroom. Here are some inspirational bathroom improvements that required nothing more than paint and a little creativity.

Holidays & Celebrations

How to Make Your Christmas Tree Last All Season

You found the perfect Christmas tree, now you just need to make sure it survives until December 25. Luckily, with these helpful tips keeping your fir fresh isn't too hard to manage.

Lawn & Garden

14 Above-Ground Pool Landscaping Ideas You’ll Want to Copy

Your pool landscape design is sure to make a splash with these ideas.

Exterior

13 Charming Ways to Incorporate Picket Fencing on Your Property

Add character to your home and show off your style with these unique picket fence ideas.

Interior

Hello, Homeowners: The 8 Most Useful Apps for Your Phone

Browse the app store and you'll find dozens of useful apps for homeowners—but most of us don't have the phone storage for them all. So which ones are worth the download? Keep reading to learn our eight favorite phone apps for the home.

Garages

7 Things Every Great Garage Needs

Garages: indispensable for keeping your car out of the elements, doing messy projects without cleaning up after them, and for storing items out of sight and mind. But if you’re dissatisfied with the dark, oil-stained outbuilding on your property, read on for simple additions that can help you get the most out of this utilitarian outpost.

Lighting & Electrical

13 Hallway Lighting Ideas That Work Even in Windowless Spaces

Whether you want glamour for a large hallway or function for a narrow one, there’s something for all different styles and needs in this roundup.

Houseplants

The Most Expensive Houseplants People Actually Buy

Are collectors who pay thousands of dollars for a single houseplant innovative investors or just potty in more ways than one?

Interior

How to Remove Pet Hair From Clothes, Couches, Carpets and More

Is Fido and Fluffy's fur all over your home? Get the tips and tools you need to conquer pet hair on your linens, floors, window treatments—everywhere!

Interior

My Basement Flooded…What I Wish We’d Have Known to Better Prepare, and What We Learned

A flash flood is something no one expects, but when torrential rains dumped nearly a foot of water in our large window well within a 30-minute period, we had to act fast to prevent major damage in our basement.

Lawn & Garden

The 18 Best Plants for Your Bedroom

The mere presence of certain plants in your sleeping area can actually help you sleep better by purifying the air around you. These fronds and flowers are some of the best bets for lulling you off to dreamland.

Reviews

Bug Battle? My Experience Testing the DynaTrap Insect Trap

I tried out the DynaTrap ¾-acre insect trap in my own yard. Find out what I liked and didn’t like about it, plus some important field-tested insect insights.