Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 292)

witch window
Windows

The Weird History of Witch Windows

Remember the folk tale (or the folk song) about the “crooked little man” and his “crooked little house”? When you travel through Vermont, he might come to mind thanks to the many crooked windows adorning area farmhouses. Turns out they’re called witch windows—but why? And why are they so common in New England?

finished basement ideas
Basements

12 Finished Basement Ideas for Creating the Ultimate Bonus Space

Clear out the cobwebs in your cellar and shop-vac the floor because we’re about to drop some incredible ideas for transforming an unfinished basement into a personal, purpose-built space you'll use (and love) every day.

How to Protect Plants from Frost
Lawn Care & Gardening

How to Protect Plants From Frost

Prepare for dipping temperatures now to prolong the vegetable harvest, protect tender buds, and keep flowers blooming longer.

baby tears plant care 101 - how to grow baby tears plant indoors
House Plants

Baby’s Tears Plant Care: Meet the Crawling Ground Cover You Can Grow Indoors

If large houseplants that require too much light and “leg-room” reduce you to tears of frustration, try little baby’s tears, which “weeps” prettily in the shade.

shade flowers
Gardening

The Best Shade Flowers for Your Low-Light Garden

If you think you need tons of sun to grow beautiful flowers, think again. These plants thrive in the shade and produce loads of colorful blooms.

Solved! How Many Coats of Primer to Use When Painting
Painting & Finishing

Solved! This Is How Many Coats of Primer You Need for the Perfect Paint Job

Understand one of the most important steps of a successful paint job so you’ll achieve professional quality results.

Best-smelling Houseplants
House Plants

14 Fragrant Indoor Plants That’ll Make Your Home Smell Amazing

Let fresh fragrance naturally pervade your indoor space with the help of pretty potted plants.

Storing Glassware
Kitchen & Dining

The Great Debate on How to Store Glassware: Upside Down or Right-Side Up?

Which is worse: letting the rims of glasses collect germs from contact with the shelf, or having the inside of your cups collect dust because they’re placed upright?

Types of Water Heaters - Maintenance
Water Heaters

Which Type of Water Heater Is Best for Your Home?

When it comes time to replace your home’s water heater, you’ll have hundreds of models from which to choose. To make the right decision for your family, learn the basics of the different types of water heaters available today.

The Great Debate About Whether to Paint Old and Original Woodwork
Painting & Finishing

The Great Debate About Whether to Paint Old and Original Woodwork

Find out where designers, real estate agents, and homeowners stand on whether a home's original interior trim should get a fresh coat of paint or be left au naturel.

bathroom remodel ideas on a budget
Bathroom Remodeling

12 Bathroom Remodel Ideas On a Budget

Upgrade your out-of-style bathroom with these low-cost ideas.

kalanchoe plant care 101 - how to grow kalanchoe indoors
House Plants

Master Easy Kalanchoe Plant Care for a Blaze of Colorful Blooms Year After Year

This easy-care succulent houseplant loves bright rooms, warm temperatures, and small doses of timely neglect.

Sunbeam Electric Blanket Review
Furniture & Decor

This is the Best Electric Blanket for Winter We Tested—Here’s Why

With fluctuating room temperatures, can the Sunbeam electric blanket’s heat settings keep up? Yes, and with a bonus convenience feature to boot.

Feit Electric String Lights
Lighting

Feit Electric String Lights Review: Do They Work?

String lights add ambience and extend outdoor entertainment long after the sun sets. Find out how a popular set of string lights fared in our hands-on testing.

Toro Leaf Vacuum
Tools & Materials

Toro UltraPlus Leaf Vacuum Review: Does it Work?

We tested Toro’s compact, lightweight leaf blower/vacuum and found it to be a top-notch tool for keeping a small property tidy.

Bosch Laser Level
Tools & Materials

The Feature-Rich Bosch GLL3-330GC Laser Level Comes With a Hefty Price Tag. Is It Worth It?

Bosch is a longtime leader in the laser level game, but is this high-end, feature-rich model worth the investment?

Thinking About Buying an Old House? Be Prepared to Live with These Quirks
Buying

Buying an Old House? Be Prepared to Live With These 12 Quirks

Old houses are rife with peculiarities that are cute, quaint—and sometimes problematic.

how to stop a washing machine from shaking
Appliances

How to Stop a Washing Machine From Shaking

Prevent excessive noise and potential damage by taking these steps to stop a shaking washing machine.

do you tip a plumber
Plumbing

Solved! Do You Tip a Plumber?

Find out whether it’s ever appropriate to tip a plumber and, if so, how much of a tip is suitable for an exceptional job.

types of welding
Skills & Techniques

4 Different Types of Welding Every DIYer Should Know

Affordable equipment has helped make welding a popular hobby, but there’s often confusion about which type of welding best suits beginners, and those developing their skills. This concise article offers invaluable advice for newer welders.