Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 358)

Budgeting & Home Finance

16 Things Thrifty People Never Buy

Benjamin Franklin once said, "Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship." He perfectly explains the effect small expenses can have on personal finances. Every little bit adds up when you are watching your spending.

Interior

Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Disability-Friendly

NeuroBalance Center president and founder Joy Wagner weighs in on ways we can make it easier for mobility-challenged individuals to navigate our homes.

Painting & Finishing

When to Remove Painter’s Tape for the Best Results

Painter’s tape helps create a clean sharp finish to paint edges when decorating, but how do you know when it’s safe to remove it?

Skills & Techniques

How To: Acid Stain Concrete

Go from gray to gorgeous with this simple technique to impart your patio, floor, or countertop with deep, stylish color.

Gardening

When to Plant Tulip Bulbs for Successful Spring Blooms

If you’d like to tiptoe through the tulips next spring, tiptoe through a few of these tulip-planting tips first.

Gardening

Fall Mums: How to Care for Autumn’s Hardy, Colorful Blooms

If planted at the right time and tended properly, these pretty, cool-season flowers can live longer than you think.

Tools

Is the DeWalt Staple Gun the King of Tacking?

From fabric to wood and staples to brads, the DeWalt staple gun does it all. But can it live up to the hype?

Gardening

When to Pick Tomatoes for the Best-Tasting Homegrown Produce

Harvest your tomatoes at the perfect stage of ripeness for the best flavor and maximum shelf life.

Mold & Mildew

14 Surprising Places Where Mold Hides in the Home

One of the most common living organisms in the world may have taken up residence in your home, and you may not even know it. Mold—the common name for thousands of different types of fungi—can grow wherever moisture and organic matter are present, and that's not great news. Aside from being unsightly, mold can be downright dangerous. Indeed, according to the Centers for Disease Control, “Molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation." Not only that, but people with allergies or certain types of respiratory illnesses are especially vulnerable to the ill effects of mold. Even worse, mold can grow just about anywhere there is moisture, even in places you can't see or don't typically even think about cleaning. Here are just a few hiding places where mold might be lurking in your home.

Painting & Finishing

Masking Tape vs. Painter’s Tape: Selecting the Right Supply for Your Painting Project

Quality brushes and rollers are just some of the supplies that help create a professional paint finish. The wrong tape could ruin the look of your room.

Storage

19 Insanely Creative DIY Shelving Ideas

These inspiring DIY shelves are easy to make, and many of them repurpose around-the-house items that would otherwise be destined for the landfill.

Tools

Solved! Why is My Flashlight Not Working?

Shine a light on those malfunctioning flashlight parts that are leaving you in the dark.

Garden Pests

How To: Get Rid of Thrips

These tiny pests can wreak havoc on plants. Here’s how to get rid of them.

DIY

9 Secrets for Successfully Selling Your Stuff on Facebook Marketplace

Maximize your profits and get rid of your stuff as quickly as possible with these tips and tricks. 

Furniture & Decor

Bring Ergonomics to Your Home Office with This Standing Desk Converter—Your Back will Thank You

Sitting down on the job for too long can cause your back to quit on you. Give your spine a break with this standing desk converter.

Repair & Maintenance

Solved! How to Find a Hole in an Air Mattress

Locate a leak in an air mattress with these tried-and-true methods, and stop waking up on the hard floor or refilling the mattress in the wee hours of the morning. 

Plumbing

5 Things to Know When Buying a House with Well Water

Make the transition to a well water system easier by learning what to expect when buying a house with well water.

Lighting & Electrical

Lux vs. Lumens: Learn the Lingo to Choose Your Next Lighting

Watts may be the traditional way to choose lighting, but perhaps surprisingly this measurement doesn't indicate brightness. Lux and lumens are the new standards, but just what do they mean?

Tools

Clean Your Gutters a Cinch with The Gutter Cleaning Tool

Cleaning gutters isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. Make the job easier with this high-quality, well-designed gutter cleaning tool.

Grills

Is There Really a Grill Cover That Fits Well, Won’t Fade, and Keeps a Grill Dry? Yes!

Durable construction that holds up to the elements and a tailored fit make this Weber grill cover ideal for Weber grill owners.