Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 281)

Painting your house’s exterior takes hours of hard work—even just to pick out the colors you love. And with exterior house paint costing $50 per gallon or more, you don’t want to make any mistakes. Start the process of choosing exterior house paint colors by looking at what’s already there. Take the color of your roof and your windows into account. You likely won’t change these when you paint. If you have brick or stonework, either in the architecture of your house or in pathways, consider those tones as well. Let these existing color palettes influence the beginning of your selection process. The paint scheme of your house’s exterior will involve three main colors: the field, the trim, and the accent. The field color is for the major areas like the walls and roof. The trim color covers the fascia boards, window trim, and rakes. The accent color is for doors, shutters, and other architectural features. Choose your field color first, and make sure it’s a paint color you will love for years. In general, trim paint should be a lighter shade than the field color, and your gutters, downspouts, and other service-type elements should be painted the same for a cohesive look. The accent color is where you can make a splash and show your personality. A bright pop of color on your front door can distinguish your house from all the others in the neighborhood. Choosing an exterior paint color can be challenging, but the results are well worth it. For help narrowing down your options, check out our list of fail-proof house colors that never go out of style.

Upgrading light fixtures can help update the look and feel of a room or an entire home. Before you buy, take time to plan and create your ideal lighting aesthetic.

A bargain isn't a bargain if it means risking our health or safety. Give these dollar-store buys a hard pass the next time you're out shopping.

Reduce toxic emissions, stale odors, and stuffy air in your kitchen by implementing these techniques.

Skip the trip to the store. These online retailers can help you upgrade your home’s carpeting.

Find the right outdoor furniture to meet your style and budget at these popular retailers.

If you are eager to hop right to growing hops, take note of the suggestions and warnings below.

Protect your family’s health by replacing the worn-out water filter in the refrigerator with one that removes heavy metals, harmful chemicals, and improves the taste of your drinking water.

Installing adequate drainage on your property can protect your home from costly damage. These effective methods for diverting water away from your foundation will also clear up a soggy yard!

Prevent freezer burn, make food last longer, and reduce waste by investing in the best vacuum sealer.

Purify your drinking water with these top-performing, easy-to-install countertop systems.

Adding a sustainability bent to your kitchen remodel is a smart way to boost the value of your home.

With a water timer, it’s possible to keep up with watering tasks even when you’re not home. Find out what happened when I tested Melnor’s AquaTimer.

The definition of “set it and forget it,” the Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner targets debris automatically so you don’t even have to think about it.

Most lawn grass needs abundant sunlight to thrive, but a few types of turf can grow in areas with light-to-dense shade.

Ditching your clothes dryer and air drying garments and bedding can save you a bundle in energy costs—your fabrics will last longer, too!

Keep your pool water crystal clear with a quality pump that suits your pool size and helps you save energy.

Replace your old and noisy toilet with a luxurious Toto toilet.

Tiny white bugs can become a big problem if left unidentified or untreated. These tips will help determine what you’re dealing with, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from returning.