Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 373)

Cross-sections of a tree branch are all that keep you away from a house full of one-of-a-kind rustic, woodsy decor.

A backyard bar with a sleek concrete countertop that requires no special masonry skills? It's possible! So, take the party outside—we’ll show you how.

Memorize these recycling symbols—or save this cheat sheet—to waste less, conserve more, and recycle smarter!

Are you searching for a way to add some personality to your cabinet doors and drawers? Check out these fun, functional, and frugal knob options!

If you don’t have room for it, stick it in the basement, right? Well, maybe not. Basements are prone to dampness, mold, and temperature swings, which can adversely affect many of the items commonly kept down there. Always think before you stash, and never store these 10 things in your basement.

Not every home has—or needs—a full mudroom, but everyone needs a place to handle the comings and goings of today’s busy families and all their gear. If you’re wondering how to create the convenience of a mudroom without having a dedicated room for the purpose, you’re in luck. These 14 photos offer great ideas for mudroom alternatives that suit a range of budgets and space limitations.

If an older boiler drives your heating system, there's a good chance you can achieve greater efficiency by augmenting the appliance with an outdoor reset control. Affordable and easily installed, the technology ensures that you spend no more than necessary to keep your home comfortable throughout the winter months.

Wondering why your water smells funny, tastes bad, or stains your plumbing fixtures, cookware, dishes and laundry? Read on!

Terrifying storms that can level houses and rip large trees from the ground, hurricanes are among the most powerful forces of nature. The National Hurricane Center defines a hurricane as a rotating, organized system of thunderstorms and clouds that originates over tropical or subtropical water. These destructive storms are a type of tropical cyclone with winds that reach 74 miles per hour or greater. Perhaps because of their devastating power, hurricanes have given rise to a lot of myths and misconceptions about the storms themselves and the best ways to prepare for them. Here, we debunk 10 of the most common hurricane myths.

A step stool is the perfect tool for helping the short and tall alike to access those hard-to-reach places like the highest shelf of the kitchen cabinet, the top of the refrigerator, or the pull cord for the attic door. Step stools can also help kiddos reach the sink in the bathroom to brush their teeth at night or help out with the dishes after dinner (well, we can dream about that can’t we?). But before you head out to the big box store to pick up any old humdrum step stool, why not make your own? Check out these 12 DIY step stool designs from around the web that can give you a much-needed boost in and around the house.

Pull the clothespin off your nose and instead try these 10 common household items to deodorize every nook and cranny of your abode.

Even when the weather outside gets frightful, wind-blocking draft dodgers are delightful... and wonderfully simple to make. Just as we lose body heat through our heads, our houses lose warmth through pesky drafts that sneak in through doors and windows. While it lacks the romance of a toasty fire in the hearth, stopping up those drafts can go a long way in preserving the heat generated by your radiator or heater. We've compiled a collection of our favorite DIY draft blockers in the hopes that you'll get all fired up for a weekend project that will keep you warm all winter long.

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.

It’s no secret why IKEA has become one of the most successful furniture companies in the world. Its flat-pack furniture is affordable and can be delivered to your home within days. You can assemble and disassemble it as you please—jn theory, at least—though some people are intimidated by IKEA’s pictogram directions and minimalist tools. But even if you've been IKEA-phobic in the past, with a few of these tips and tricks, you'll have that BILLY bookcase or LACK table put together in no time.

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

With all the emphasis on paint color and siding, a front door could easily get lost in the shuffle of exterior updates. But as the first and last part of your house a visitor sees, it’s the perfect place to make a design statement. Replacing an old or dated looking front door is actually one of the most popular curb appeal ideas, making the choice of your a front door for a new home hugely important. It's more than a decorative feature—it's an important investment. Both the security and style your front door provides impact your home’s worth. So, there are several practical matters to consider when selecting a new front door: namely material, cost, and style. Style-wise, your front door should fit in architecturally with the rest of your home, but don't let that hold you back and miss the opportunity to express your personality. A six-panel door is very traditional, while an arched door with stained glass has more whimsy and a single French door adds elegance (not to mention a great source of natural light). Even a nontraditional steel door has gained popularity in modern architecture, boasting in strength and affordability; the metal, however, does conduct temperature, so it’s always not the most efficient option in extreme climates. A solid wood front door will always endure as a classic, despite being a bit pricier and requiring a bit more TLC and repair as necessary due to its sensitivity to moisture and sun. Fiberglass doors hold a middle ground as both affordable and durable—not to mention available in many styles, including those that mimic wood. Finally, no matter the material underneath, color is key to evoking the exact emotions you want from guests who enter your home. Whether you're looking for the vibrancy of red or the cheeriness of yellow, let whatever color you choose be an expression of you. Not sure where to get started? Click through these great front door ideas we've scouted from around the web.

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.

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

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

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