Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 369)

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans generate more than 250 million tons of trash every year. We constantly toss food waste, paper products, and used household items in the garbage without a second thought. But did you know that some items are dangerous—or even illegal—to throw away? Here are 11 things that should never wind up in a landfill.

Paint offers DIYers of any skill level an opportunity to make over drab dwellings at the mere lift of a brush, roller, or sprayer. But homeowners often paint themselves into a corner by focusing on interior or exterior walls, floors, and ceilings—which can take a day of work and then dry time—while ignoring less ambitious yet deeply satisfying mini updates, such as painting textiles, ceramics, and other home and garden accessories. Click through for 11 smaller-scale paint projects, each requiring less than an hour, that will prime your home for luxurious living.

Every homeowner knows the importance of having a good toolbox stocked with all the basics—screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, and the like. But there are a few, more esoteric items that you should stash in there too—things that you probably already have scattered around the house. Read through this list, then go gather up these surprisingly useful items and stow them in your tool kit. You'll be glad you did!

Home to revelry, rivalry, and a bevy of brews, saloons were the nexus of social and political life in the Wild West. Fortunately for admirers of antiquity and ale, many of these taverns still stand to this day as a reminder of the gunslinging spirit of westward expansion. If you have a hankering for a cold one with a history chaser, grab a seat at the bar of one of these storied saloons.

Mosquitoes are an unfortunate reality of summer. As soon as the weather warms up and the humidity rises, any small body of stagnant water can become an instant breeding ground for these annoying little pests. And breed they do: A single female mosquito can lay up to 3,000 eggs in her lifetime. Preventing mosquitoes from shacking up in your backyard begins with prevention. Regularly check your property for standing water, and make sure you're paying special attention to the problem areas listed below. Be vigilant! Mosquitoes may be lurking—and hatching—in spots like these, whether you know it or not.

Summertime road trips aren’t complete without a visit to the local Antique Row. Whether it’s Civil War relics or Amish handcrafts you're after, here's a list of the cities and regions with the best antiquing in the nation. All you have to do is pull over and start hunting.

It's time to embrace the warmer weather by tackling a couple of outdoor DIY home improvements. There's so much to be done, where do you start? How about right here! Browse our collection of ideas for easy outdoor projects that are perfect for a weekend—in fact, some can be completed in just a few hours. Are you thinking about an upgrade to your patio or deck? Are you itching to give your garden a new look? Well then, here's your inspiration. Who knows? If you're especially productive this weekend, someday soon you'll be able to sit in your newly spray-painted lawn chairs and admire the vegetables sprouting up in your DIY raised beds.

Glass tiles are an attractive option for backsplashes and bathrooms, but they can be easily damaged during installation. Here, review the right techniques for cutting glass tile for a project of any scale without shattering this beautiful, durable material.

The FBI statistics are sobering: a burglary occurs roughly every 13 seconds in America. There were an estimated 1.4 million burglaries in 2017, and burglary victims suffered an estimated $3.4 billion in property losses. Protecting your home and property against these odds can seem like a daunting and expensive prospect, but it doesn’t have to cost a lot to deter thieves. Here are a few commonsense—and free—ways to prevent burglars from making off with your valuables.

You can bring color, charm, and personality to your yard without planting a single flower. Check out these 25 gardening-free ways to make your property more beautiful.

If it has been a while since you last shopped for an air conditioner, let an HVAC expert get you up to speed on four popular types of ACs available today.

Factor in these criteria when considering high ceilings for a new home or remodel.

Putting into action a few simple home staging tips will help your house stand out from the pack in today's real estate market.

In the past few decades, solar panels have gone from an expensive novelty to an increasingly popular source of power generation. Today, more and more homeowners are using solar to fill some—or even all—of their energy needs. If you’re thinking about installing a solar system, click through to find out how this collection of homeowners feel about the solar array on their roof.

Buildings are more than just piles of bricks and mortar. Buildings tell stories and embody historical periods. Some even incite scandal and arouse controversy because they're too bold or too boring, or maybe they just got caught up in a tangle of lawsuits. For whatever reason, these 12 buildings stirred up controversy, and one or two of them may surprise you!

Tiny houses are on trend for many reasons—they are eco-friendly and anti-consumerist, and they offer an affordable path to homeownership. But if you are considering a tiny house, be sure you explore these concerns before you take the plunge.

Furnishing your outdoor area? Get to know five worthy wood species before you build or buy beautiful, durable pieces for your patio, deck, and lawn.

As one of the largest retailers in the United States, there’s not much that Walmart doesn’t offer. From the fun to the functional, the budget-friendly store has you covered. While the price tags are nice for the pocketbook, it is easy to lose track of what you’re adding to the shopping cart. We gathered a mix of practical and playful household products—and a few in between—to grab the next time you’re at Walmart. Every item is $10 or less, so even if you do stray from you shopping list, you won’t be met with any surprises at check out.

When it comes to bringing new colors into your home, why limit yourself to the walls? Add accent colors in these 10 unusual places to brighten your living space.

Your home’s exterior should be beautiful and inviting, not constantly in need of repairs. As well, your time spent outdoors should be relaxing, not full of weekend chores and constant upkeep. That is why quality, low-maintenance exterior products and building materials like the LeafGuard Brand gutters are a great investment for any homeowner. Purchasing wisely can help cut down on common outdoor frustrations such as clogged gutters, warped or rotted decking, or flimsy fences that need frequent replacement. You'll save time on maintenance if you search out cost-effective alternatives that are durable and resistant to some of these common headaches. Click through to learn how to reduce exterior maintenance for your home.