Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 347)

These are the Most Popular House Styles in America Right Now
Architecture

These are the Most Popular House Styles in America Right Now

Whether you’re on the hunt for a new home or you’re just admiring the architecture in your neighborhood, learn about the different house styles in America and their defining characteristics.

How to Make a Christmas Tree - Out of Pegboard
Holidays & Celebrations

DIY Lite: The One Christmas Tree That’s Not a Pain to Store

This season, set up a fake tree that won't give you headaches to store the rest of the year. Utilizing an unlikely garage staple, this space-smart design marries whimsy and practicality.

20 Surprising Stories Behind Popular Christmas Decorations
Holidays & Celebrations

20 Surprising Stories Behind Popular Christmas Decorations

Learn the lore about your favorite festive flair.

Dos and Don'ts of Curing Concrete
Building & Installing

The Dos and Don’ts of Curing Concrete

Ensure the beauty, durability, and crack-resistance of your next concrete project by following these top tips.

When to Choose Gel Stain
Painting & Finishing

All You Need to Know About Gel Stain

Want a wood finish with lots of charm and not too much prep work? Gel stain has you covered.

How to Make a DIY Boot Rack
Furniture & Design

DIY Lite: Store Winter Footwear on an Indoor Boot Rack

Tripping over boots on your way out the door? Build up a station that can handle this season's bulky footwear, and you'll have an organized entryway once more.

15 Household Mainstays from Your Childhood That You Won’t Find in New Homes
Interior Design

15 Household Mainstays from Your Childhood That You Won’t Find in New Homes

As technology continues to evolve all around us, household items that were once commonplace have slowly fallen out of favor to be replaced by the latest and greatest. Whatever happened to the electric bun warmers that Mom and Grandma had? Would a rotary phone even work on the digital infrastructure we have now? (The answer is, “It depends.”) While many of yesteryear's biggest hits have disappeared for good, a few are still holding on. For example, wood paneling is actually coming back into fashion in some applications, and vinyl record and Polaroid enthusiasts can still feed their passions with vintage equipment. If you’ve ever said, “Well, back when I was a kid...,” come take a trip down memory lane with us as we visit some of our favorite household blasts from the past.

When to Repot a Plant, Solved!
House Plants

Solved! When—and How—to Repot a Plant

It’s inevitable that your houseplants will eventually outgrow their containers. While the signs can be subtle, understanding a little plant language will help you determine when the time has come to upgrade to roomier digs.

Living with a Galley Kitchen
Kitchen Design

All You Need to Know About Galley Kitchens

Understand the pros and cons of this narrow yet highly efficient design to see if it might work well for your cook space.

Count On These 25 Indoor Plants for Easy Color Year-Round
House Plants

Count On These 25 Indoor Plants for Easy Color Year-Round

Adding houseplants to a space is like putting out the welcome mat. They infuse a home with life, bringing character and interest to every room they inhabit. Some houseplants even offer a little something extra, sporting flashy foliage and the occasional flower. With so many leaf shapes, colors, and textures, there’s a houseplant for every situation. Here are our suggestions for plants that can give your home or office a colorful pop without requiring too much maintenance on your part.

How to Clean Porcelain Tile
Flooring

How To: Clean Porcelain Tile

A beautiful and extremely durable flooring option, porcelain tile will retain its sparkling finish for years—so long as it's cleaned regularly and appropriately. Here's how.

5 Reasons to Schedule a Chimney Inspection
Fireplaces & Chimneys

5 Important Reasons to Schedule a Chimney Inspection ASAP

Learn why it’s crucial to have your chimney checked out by a pro on a yearly basis.

Porter-Cable Random Orbit Sander
Painting & Finishing

How To: Remove Varnish and Other Wood Finishes

How to Clean Quartz Countertops
Countertops

How To: Clean Quartz Countertops

Engineered quartz countertops rival the sophistication, design, and timeless appeal of real stone, minus the high maintenance. If you're lucky enough to have this luxurious material in your kitchen, read on for our complete guide to keeping it clean.

Straight and Narrow: 22 Shotgun Houses We Love
Architecture

Straight and Narrow: 22 Shotgun Houses We Love

Shotgun houses, traditionally no wider than 12 feet, feature a cascaded floor plan, wherein each room is arranged behind the other. These popular residential archetypes born of post-bellum Southern America continue to dot modern cityscapes and draw eyes with their memorable color palettes, intricate architectural details, and space efficiency. Take a tour of these wow-worthy shotgun homes to experience their full glory and glamor.

The Hallmarks and History of the Foursquare House
Architecture

4 Things to Know About the Iconic American Foursquare

Here's how to spot the no-frills house style popularized in the early 1900s.

Renovation vs. Remodel: The Real Difference Between Home Projects
Bathroom Remodeling

What’s the Difference: Renovation vs. Remodel?

Understand the ins and outs of these similar but not synonymous projects so you can plan the right improvements for your home.

7 Places That Could Use More Insulation—And Why
Insulation

7 Places That Could Use More Insulation—And Why

Take insulation into your own hands to seal up sneaky air leaks around the house—and save big money. This content is paid advertising created in partnership with Guardian Energy Technologies. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.

8 Historic Homes That Were Light-Years Ahead of Their Time
Architecture

8 Historic Homes That Were Light-Years Ahead of Their Time

Today, with home buyers on the lookout for extras like heated floors, professionally equipped kitchens, and water filtration systems, it's hard to imagine living in a house without basic necessities like running water and light switches. Yet what we now consider essentials were, at one point, groundbreaking technological advances, some of which you'll find in these 8 historic homes that were truly ahead of their time.

These Are the Most Popular Houseplants in America
House Plants

These Are the Most Popular Houseplants in America

With everything there are trends—and in the world of houseplants, it is no different. As social media facilitates community conversation among home gardeners, it also brings images of beautiful houseplants across people's screens. This online celebration of plants has brought some new stunners to national attention, just as many other old favorites continue to beautify home gardens. Take a look at some of the most popular houseplants in America today.