Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 294)

Step into the future with a new smart home system to control lighting, media, and security from your smartphone or smart home hub.

With this BBQ thermometer probe, monitor what’s cooking outside while you’re inside preparing other food in the kitchen or watching the big game.

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.