Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 365)

10 Sneaky Ways to Store Winter Gear
Storage

10 Sneaky Ways to Store Winter Gear

Winter weather lovers make the most of the season with outdoor activities like sledding and snowboarding. It’s all fun and games—if you have the right gear. But once inside, the same coats and boots that make cold weather bearable can be almost too much to store. If your cluttered coat closet is groaning under winter's weight, fear not. Take a hint from one of these clever storage ideas to coral your winter-gear quicker than you can catch a snowflake on your tongue.

14 New Things You Can Do with an Old Sweater
Furniture & Design

14 New Things You Can Do with an Old Sweater

Before sending a bag of old sweaters to the thrift store, try repurposing them in creative new ways.

12 Things Realtors Look For in Homes of Their Own
Buying

12 Things Realtors Look For in Homes of Their Own

The property professionals who show and sell houses for a living have to live somewhere too! So what’s on their “must" list for homes of their own? Real estate agents and brokers from around the country told us what they insist on—in terms of a home’s physical structure and features, as well as landscaping and neighborhood. As individual as these residence requirements may be, it’s no surprise that they all have serious resale value. So, whether you’re looking for a place or thinking of putting yours on the market—or just want to know how to keep your property appealing—read on for real estate specialists’ take on what makes a house a must-have.

7 Ways to Set Up Your Home Workshop
Workshop

7 Ways to Set Up Your Home Workshop

Where do you keep your workshop? It's best to set it up in a place where noise, dust, and space aren't an issue. But there are other considerations to keep in mind as well, like humidity, light, and ventilation. Check out our guide to help you decide how to proceed, no matter where you choose to add your own work space.

8 Common Lighting Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes
Lighting & Electrical

8 Common Lighting Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes

A light is a light, right? Well, not quite. The truth is that when it comes to residential lighting, many homeowners mistakenly believe that any light will do the same job. Perhaps they choose the wrong fixture: overhead lighting, pendant lights, wall sconces, or lamps work only when used in the right context. Or maybe they ignore the impact lighting has on mood, home design, and how we see ourselves. With a little education, though, any homeowner can see their lighting design in—well—a whole new light. Click through to learn about the most common lighting mistakes and how to fix them.

16 Creative New Ways to Use Old Bottles
Easy DIY Projects

16 Creative New Ways to Use Old Bottles

Is your recycling bin overflowing with old wine, beer, and soda bottles? Glass bottles fill local dumps and monster landfill sites all over the world. While households can cut down on unnecessary waste by reusing glass bottles for food and liquid storage, many of us simply have more old bottles than we know what to do with. If that's the case at your home, it’s time to get creative! Sometimes, simply adding paint, twine, and other decorative craft supplies is all that’s needed to give an old bottle a new look and new life. For the more ambitious, learning basic glass-cutting skills opens up even more possibilities for making the most of those old bottles. Still stumped? Here are 16 new ideas for upcycling your old bottles. Give one a try, or maybe use one as inspiration for creating something uniquely your own!

10 Ways Your Backyard Can Hurt You
Home Safety

10 Ways Your Backyard Can Hurt You

No one likes weeds. They invade our garden beds, siphoning soil nutrients and water away from flowers and shrubs. But which ones can do you real harm? Read on for 10 poisonous plants that might be lurking on your property.

15 Room Redos You Can Complete in a Day
Furniture & Design

15 Room Redos You Can Complete in a Day

Is an uninspired kitchen, bath, or living room cramping your home’s style? If you can reimagine it, you can redo it—often in very little time. Get inspired by these 15 room redos you can complete in a day or less, and enjoy the results for years to come.

14 Long-Forgotten House Trends We’re Glad Are Gone
Furniture & Design

14 Long-Forgotten House Trends We’re Glad Are Gone

They don’t make houses like they used to—and for good reason. From popcorn ceilings to baby cages, these 14 awkward architectural accents deserve a place in our memories, but not in our homes.

10 Weirdly Awesome New Uses for Old Appliances
Repurposing

10 Weirdly Awesome New Uses for Old Appliances

Let’s face it, appliances don’t last forever. And when they bite the dust, we’re left wondering how to dispose of them. Here’s an idea: don’t! Instead, try one of these 10 genius ideas for transforming old or outdated appliances into beautiful, functional, and funky decor for your home.

21 Brilliant Money-Saving Hacks for Your Next Move
Real Estate

21 Brilliant Money-Saving Hacks for Your Next Move

Whether you move during peak season or in the depths of winter, you'll probably have to deal with stress and a dwindling supply of energy and funds. When it's time to depart your current dwelling for new digs, employ these 21 tips to make the move effortless and economical.

DIY Outdoor Kitchen - How to Build a Grill Cart
Outdoor Kitchens

How To: Custom-Build The Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen

Earn your stripes as a DIY and grill master when you build this outdoor kitchen equipped with a concrete countertop, built-in cutting board, and extra storage—all you could possibly need for your next backyard BBQ.

9 Shortcuts to Picking a Paint Color
Paints & Finishes

9 Shortcuts to Picking a Paint Color

Choosing the perfect paint color for your living room, kitchen, or bedroom can take a ridiculous amount of time. What starts with a simple tour of the hardware store's paint chip display, can evolve into a pretty painstaking process—especially if you choose the wrong color and have to start all over again. These 9 simple shortcuts will help you select the right paint color every single time.

10 Outdoor DIYs You Can Do for a Dollar
Easy DIY Projects

10 Outdoor DIYs You Can Do for a Dollar

Now that the worst of winter is behind us, it’s time to set our sights on relaxing, entertaining, and eating alfresco. But outfitting these spaces with decorative and functional elements can get expensive. Instead of heading to the home goods store, take a U-turn to your local thrift shop or dollar store to craft one of these clever, creative, and incredibly cheap projects that are sure to give your outdoor retreat the spring spruce it needs.

11 Things Never to Buy Secondhand
Repurposing

11 Things Never to Buy Secondhand

Garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets are great resources for finding furniture, decor, and other housewares for a steal. But there are some used products that run the risk of being dirty, in disrepair, or just downright dangerous. Don't let a low price tag persuade you—avoid picking up these 11 secondhand items that may be the worse for wear.

9 Space-Smart Ways to Fit Two Rooms in One
Interior Design

9 Space-Smart Ways to Fit Two Rooms in One

The diminutive dimensions of your home may have whittled your design dreams down to size, but there’s one way to make the most of your square footage without tearing out your hair or your walls: Fit two distinct rooms into one living space. Multipurpose rooms break down conventional barriers between distinct spaces like the kitchen, office, bedroom, and dining room to create stylish and effortless integrated living spaces. Reveal the hidden depths in the most cramped quarters with inspiration from these 9 elaborately efficient 2-in-1 rooms.

12 “Zero Dollar” Home Decorating Hacks
Easy DIY Projects

12 “Zero Dollar” Home Decorating Hacks

Looking for ways to spruce up your home for little to no money at all? It's not as hard as you think! These smart decorating tricks show you how to transform your spaces using everyday items you probably already have on hand.

21 Brilliant Hacks for an Organized Kitchen
Kitchen & Dining

21 Brilliant Hacks for an Organized Kitchen

Is your kitchen’s hallmark feature its chaotic cabinets, overcrowded counters, or limited space for meal prep? Get cooking on one or more of these 21 organizational solutions to minimize the clutter while maximizing surface and storage space!

13 Mistakes Not to Make If You Ever Want to Sell Your Home
Selling

13 Mistakes Not to Make If You Ever Want to Sell Your Home

If you plan to sell your home someday (and most people do), it's important to always consider the long-term consequences of short-term design decisions. Remember, when it comes to resale value, timeless trumps trendy every time. So, before you install a state-of-the-art sports court, invest in a luxury hot tub, or convert your garage into extra living space, keep in mind the following complaints home buyers often express about certain home enhancements.

8 Things New Homeowners Waste Money On
Home Finance

8 Things New Homeowners Waste Money On

Even the most experienced homeowners can get sucked into spending a lot of money on maintenance costs or home improvements that just don’t deliver. For those who take pride in their homes, it's important to make improvements that enhance functionality, save time, or make a big design statement. Unfortunately, some of the most common renovations and additions are just a waste of money. Here are some of the major items that can fritter away your funds.