Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 314)

An above-ground swimming pool is a great addition to any backyard, but don’t overlook these essentials before taking the plunge!

After you complete a concrete job, don't neglect the single most important step to ensure that it lasts a lifetime: sealing. With a high-quality sealant—and this helpful guide—you can waterproof and protect your new concrete surfaces for years to come.

Central to many of today’s spa-inspired baths are freestanding tubs, which have replaced the Jacuzzi as America's new favorite way to enjoy a relaxing soak.

Whether caused by foot traffic or just long-term wear and tear, dingy carpet can really bring down the appearance of an entire room. Get your carpeted spaces looking as good as new by using this homemade solution to get rid of stains and lingering dirt.

Both moles and voles can burrow through a backyard, laying waste to carefully tended gardens and lawns—but that’s where their similarities end. Read on for a rundown of vole vs. mole characteristics and how to tell these two pesky animals apart.

Keep a roll of waterproof tape available to quickly fix leaks, create nonslip surfaces outdoors, and clearly mark obstacles, like the mailbox or garage door. 

It’s time to clamp down on those pesky leaks before they cause bigger issues. This list of the best hose clamps will help.

Transforming a basic set of door plans into a grand entrance—be it to the house or to the closet—takes less effort than you might imagine. Come right in and check out these inspiring do-it-yourself constructions.

Who doesn’t harbor fantasies of transforming a seen-better-days abode into a showplace? Whether hoping to live in the resulting residence, use it as a rental property, or flip it for profit, it’s natural to think: “I’m pretty handy, so how tough could it be?” Ask Andy Kogan, a real estate professional in Kansas City, Kansas, and he’ll tell you: Pretty tough! "It was fun at first, then fun with problems, and finally it was just problems,” says Kogan, who bought a 1957 two-bedroom ranch for $115,000 that he hoped to fix up and turn over quickly. While the kitchen and bathroom remodels were fairly simple, other issues kept cropping up. The job came in $15,000 over budget—and Kogan reaped a mere $500 when the house finally sold. What went wrong? Start clicking!

Thermal pane windows enhance a home’s insulating envelope, reducing utility bills while boosting comfort. Sometimes, however, one of these windows inexplicably shatters.

Ensure every cooking utensil and pantry item has its own space by following these tips and tricks from professional organizers.

Create a simple, stylish hanger and make room for more plants!

While a fresh coat of color can quickly update any room, the crisp lines where your walls meet trim or ceiling are really what set apart a stand-out paint job. Read on for how to achieve such a professional touch on your next project.

Smelly, mildew-infested towels can put a damper on a relaxing bath. Turn dank towels fresh and clean again with this life-changing tip!

There’s no need to shell out the big bucks for your next painting project. Instead, try one of these five recipes to mix up your own paint—and the perfect color—from scratch.

Outdoor showers are becoming increasingly more popular. Here's one you can build yourself this weekend.

This quick trick makes easy work of drilling holes through slick tiles.

The cost of new rollers for every paint project adds up fast! Save money with some seriously easy tricks that will extend the life of this essential tool.

You don’t have to wait for the first signs of spring—or shovel a load of snow from your patio—to enjoy an alfresco meal in your home’s outdoor space.

Workers cottages, once a staple of Chicago’s middle-class culture, came to define the character of its residential neighborhoods. Now they’re being demolished in the name of urban development. Can they be saved, or will they slip, one by one, into obscurity?