Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 369)

An entryway bench can go a long way toward making your home more welcoming. Even better, a bench provides a designated place to remove shoes and put down bags, preventing these practical necessities from being dropped in a trail throughout the house. Check out this collection of DIY bench designs to find the one that might be just what your entryway needs. Then, with just a weekend's work, you can have a new piece of furniture to enjoy—and a less cluttered life.

Say goodbye to the basement bedroom blues! You don’t have to settle for a dark and gloomy subterranean chamber. Through creative lighting techniques and the use of upbeat color combinations, you can turn that drab and depressing basement into a cheerful living area. Accompany us as we visit 14 inviting basement bedrooms for clues as to what these homeowners did right, and how you can create a similar look.

Ice cubes can transform any beverage into a refreshing treat. But did you know that ice has myriad practical uses beyond chilling your drink? Ice can solve a bevy of household hassles, from watering hard-to-reach plants to removing chewing gum from clothing. Here are 13 interesting and unusual uses for those humble ice cubes stacked in your freezer.

Despite our greatest efforts to minimize our use of plastic grocery bags by opting for reusable shopping bags, that pesky plastic always has a way of ending up in our homes. But you don’t have to throw them away and add to the ever-growing plastic refuse filling our landfills and oceans. There are many creative ways to recycle, repurpose, and reuse those little plastic bags.

Most homeowners think they’re capable of handling minor remodeling jobs and have the wisdom to call a contractor for projects that warrant professional help. But home renovation usually comes with unforeseen problems that can turn even a seemingly straightforward project into a hassle. Whether you’re taking the DIY route or calling in a skilled specialist, here are few lessons to take to heart before leaping into a home renovation.

Just because you rent doesn’t mean you should be left out of all the home decorating fun. This is where semi-permanent—and inventive—solutions come in. These 11 design options prove that with a little creativity you can renovate and still be able to leave your rental exactly the way you found it the day you moved in.

Keeping up with the Joneses can be a frustrating and fruitless pursuit…but what if those enviable neighbors are saving money, supporting a cleaner environment, and reducing their dependence on costly imported oil? Wouldn’t you want to get in on the game too? Well, the good news is, all this is easier than you think. Simply adopting a few energy-efficient practices in your own home can make a huge difference in your monthly utility bills. Heck, it might even make the Joneses want to keep up with you! Here are a few tips on how other homeowners manage to keep down their energy expenses.

Dressers do a lot more than just hold our T-shirts and workout pants—they can also add character to the bedroom. If you just can’t find what you’re looking for in a furniture store or you have an itch to create something one-of-a-kind for yourself, you may find that one of these 9 DIY dressers has just what you need.

From patching holes in drywall to removing bathtub rust spots, aspirin has some surprising household uses beyond the medicine cabinet. Next time you're looking to clean, soothe, or sow, consider harnessing the power of your generic headache helper to get the job done.

Truth be told, all houseplants were wild at some point in time, until humans decided to bring them indoors to grow for food or medicinal purposes—and for their beauty. So, where did your houseplants come from? Check out these 10 popular houseplants in their wild habitat.

The winter blues are real, but there’s hope, even for what feels like a cold, dead, and lifeless yard. Eject the doldrums from your winter landscape with one of these cheerful winter decorating ideas.

Why waste money—or put your family’s health at risk—with store bought brands when you can DIY a safe, efficient cleanser for everything from plates and glassware to pots and pans.

Halloween has the potential to bring out the world’s best fun or worst mischief. To ensure that your holiday is full of treats instead of tricks, consider these tips to protect your home from Halloween pranksters.

Do you want a unique set of wind chimes to add some personality to your garden, patio, balcony, or deck? You’re in luck—no need to go to an expensive home boutique to find what you’re looking for. Instead, take a look around your kitchen, garage, tool shed, or even your backyard. You'll find all sorts of items you can upcycle into a pretty and sweet-sounding set of DIY wind chimes. When looking for the perfect pieces, choose items that make a pleasing sound when they hit each other. Note that heavy items will be slow to make contact unless you place the chimes in an area with high winds; delicate items made of glass or china could shatter in the same windy location. If the spot where you want to place your chimes doesn't get enough wind, hang one wide, flat piece lower than the other items—it will catch the wind and start the music! Here are 12 unique DIY wind chimes to get your creative juices flowing.

Though small and unassuming, a tiny tube of Chapstick packs a lot of utility into its minuscule proportions. Whether brand-name or generic, lip balm can do so much more than protect your lips from the cold! With all the tasks it can help you accomplish, you should always keep a tube in your pocket.

A staircase railing is not just a safety feature. The newels, balusters, and railings of a staircase can make a real design statement and bring a sense of style to a space. Whatever your decor—contemporary, traditional, or ultramodern—there is a staircase railing combination out there to match. Whether you opt for rustic wood, glass, or custom-made metal, you can find a style of staircase railing that will elevate this architectural element from something practical to a work of art. Don't focus on just one material—combine materials like glass and wood or wood and metal to add depth and texture to your design scheme. Here’s just a sampling of what’s out there.

First popularized for their simple design and affordable cost, today's A-frame homes are gaining renewed popularity thanks to design modifications that expand them out—and up.

Reading the morning newspaper is a relaxing ritual for many people, but unfortunately, this admirable habit results in the waste of a lot of paper. Rather than simply tossing your old newspapers in the garbage pail (a very environmentally unfriendly approach), or even putting them in the recycling, you can let your trash save you some cash by using your old papers as a substitute for store-bought cleaning, lining, and packaging products. Here are some of our top ideas for repurposing those daily broadsheets.

Leaving windows uncovered lets in the most rays, but it won’t keep your nosy neighbors from seeing exactly what you’re up to. With an hour and a few dollars, you can add privacy to any room—without limiting natural light or blocking a great view!

No one wants to spend Sunday afternoon scrubbing the tub or toilet—but everyone still wants a clean bathroom. Don't worry! Dealing with a dirty bathroom doesn't have to take hours. Try these 9 tips to keep your bathroom looking fresh for longer, with way less work.