Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 355)

How to Refinish a Dresser
Skills & Techniques

How To: Refinish a Dresser

Do you have a dresser in good condition but with a dingy, worse-for-wear finish? With only a little elbow grease, you can transform it into a stunning signature piece.

The Best Paint for Ceilings, Solved!
Painting & Finishing

Solved! The Best Paint for Ceilings

Recreate the look of commercial ceiling paints for less by picking a regular paint with ceiling-friendly properties.

Homemade Fabric Softener - For Your Load of Laundry
Cleaning & Organizing

How To: Make Your Own Fabric Softener

Stop worrying about the potential allergens and irritants in store-bought fabric softener—and save a little money—by switching to a homemade version of this laundry staple.

The Easiest Recipe for Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner
Cleaning & Organizing

How To: Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner

Prep an all-natural, food-safe household cleanser for pennies per batch.

Laundry Symbols Meaning
Appliances

The Complete Guide to Decoding Laundry Symbols

Learn how to decipher laundry care symbols and properly take care of your fabrics.

Makeover Your Patio with a Trellis, Cooler Table, and More
Lawn Care & Gardening

Backyard Makeover: DIY a Patio Table with a Built-In Cooler for Drinks

Beat the heat with an outdoor furniture that keeps your drinks on ice. Talk about refreshing!

Seat Yourself: 11 Ways to DIY Your Own Chair
Easy DIY Projects

Seat Yourself: 11 Ways to DIY Your Own Chair

A lot of our lives are spent sitting down, so you might as well do it in style! When the stores don’t have what you like—or what you can afford—use your DIY skills to build your own dining room chair, lounger, or a colorful perch for the kids. If you're looking for a a truly distinctive seat for any room in your house, check out these 11 ways to build a chair.

Rhododendrons: Keeping It Green All Winter Long
Gardening

Rhododendrons: Keeping It Green All Winter Long

Bursting with vibrant blooms in the spring and retaining their leaves through the colder months, rhododendrons are the perfect "evergreen" for your winter landscape.

13 Easy Ways to Repurpose Antique Armoires
Repurposing

13 Easy Ways to Repurpose Antique Armoires

With a little ingenuity, you can move your antique armoire into the 21st century without sacrificing any of the furniture's old-fashioned charm.

15 Doable Designs for DIY Outdoor Furniture
Furniture & Design

15 Doable Designs for DIY Outdoor Furniture

The weather is warm—it’s finally time to start making the most of your outdoor space. You can transform your yard, deck, or patio into a true extension of your home if you can create the right ambience—and furniture is key in establishing the mood. Unfortunately, outdoor furniture can cost a bundle. This year, DIY your own to save money and really customize your outdoor space. Check out these awesome DIY outdoor furniture projects that set the tone for a perfect summer oasis.

7 Creative Guest Houses You Can Actually Afford
Architecture

7 Creative Guest Houses You Can Actually Afford

Having guests home to visit is often a reason to celebrate. But after a day or two, we might wish for a little more—well—personal space. It turns out that the answer just might be in your own backyard. An additional "tiny home" situated on your property (but separate from your house), creates a warm welcome for those just passing through, or perhaps a special getaway you can keep to yourself. If you thought you'd never be able to afford your own guest house, think again. These seven unique ideas bring guest accommodations within reach for many of us.

Just Floored! 15 Totally Unexpected DIY Flooring Alternatives
Flooring

Just Floored! 15 Totally Unexpected DIY Flooring Alternatives

Bottle caps, leather belts, and pennies are just a few of the unusual materials that creative do-it-yourselfers have incorporated in these cheap flooring ideas. Click through for 15 finished projects prove that—for very little money—you can add a lot of beauty and interest underfoot!

10 Easy Ways to Build Your Own TV Stand
Furniture & Design

10 Easy Ways to Build Your Own TV Stand

For many, there's nothing more relaxing than curling up in the living room with a great TV show or movie. But are you tired of having to crane your neck to see that wall-mounted flat-screen, or are you looking to replace that standard-issue melamine console? Here are 10 easy, fun, and inexpensive DIY TV stand projects to make winding down with your favorite shows even more enjoyable.

Sweet Dreams: 15 Inventive Beds You Can Make Yourself
Bedrooms

Sweet Dreams: 15 Inventive Beds You Can Make Yourself

You spend nearly one-third of your life sleeping, so ideally your bed should feel comfortable and special. Here are fifteen “dreamy” and easy designs for DIY beds.

18 Hidden Costs of Moving
Real Estate

18 Hidden Costs of Moving

Packing up and moving is expensive, costing an average of $1,200 to $6,000, depending on the distance to your new home and whether you move your own possessions or hire a moving company. While you’ve probably budgeted for the move, you may not know that a number of unforeseen factors can increase your overall cost. Things like add-on charges from the moving company, problems you leave behind or snags you encounter after you arrive at your new home can sap your budget. To be prepared for any little surprises along the way, scroll through our list of hidden moving costs.

11 Super Simple Ways to Make Your House Smell Fresh
Cleaning

11 Super Simple Ways to Make Your House Smell Fresh

Right up there with other factors like style and cleanliness, your home's scent makes a huge first impression to guests. While the smell of freshly baked bread or fresh laundry is heavenly, sometimes we just want the place to smell nice without going through all of that effort. Before you resort to spraying store-bought air fresheners or lighting a scented candle, try these just-as-easy DIY tricks to freshen your home.

14 Easy Ways to Make Your Own Headboard
Bedrooms

14 Easy Ways to Make Your Own Headboard

Headboards can make a strong statement in a bedroom, adding color, pattern, and texture to the space above your pillows. But they can also cost a pretty penny, which can be a major blow to your redecorating budget. Instead of overspending on a store-bought model, consider one of these DIY headboards that are as stylish and functional as they are easy and inexpensive.

16 New Things You Can Do with Old Furniture
Furniture & Design

16 New Things You Can Do with Old Furniture

Before you drag those mismatched shelves, broken chairs, worn-out sofas, or just plain ugly eyesores to the curb, check out these creative examples of repurposed furniture that prove you can give outdated furnishings a second life as useful, even stylish items for your home.

9 DIY Lanterns to Illuminate Your Porch, Patio, or Garden
Easy DIY Projects

9 DIY Lanterns to Illuminate Your Porch, Patio, or Garden

When the weather gets warm, outdoor living heats up, and porches and patios become the place to be. As your sunny days shift to balmy nights, add some atmosphere to your garden and yard with lanterns. Whether you want to make one lantern for a dining table, or a whole string of lanterns for the deck railing, there is a DIY lantern design to suit your needs and style. Fanciful and frivolous, or simply elegant, lanterns don't require much time or money to make, and they delightfully elevate the ambience of your outdoor spaces. Take a cue from one of these great DIY lantern ideas, and bask in the glow of gleaming light this evening.

8 Plants Never to Grow Indoors
House Plants

8 Plants Never to Grow Indoors

A healthy houseplant can bring vibrant color and fresh fragrance to any room. But some indoor greenery collects dust or releases pollen, both of which can trigger symptoms in allergy sufferers. Prevent sniffling and sneezing by avoiding these worst offenders the next time you head out to the nursery.