Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 373)

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 Here’s an idea: don’t! Instead, try one of these 10 genius ideas for transforming old or outdated appliances into beautiful, functional, and funky decor for your home.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.

The Do’s and Dont’s of Basement Storage
Basements

The Do’s and Dont’s of Basement Storage

Whether you're packing away seasonal gear, or stockpiling a few extra home essentials, the basement is a natural storage spot. Because the basement is dark, cool, and roomy, it can be a perfect spot for storing certain items, especially those you won't often use. On the other hand, a basement that is prone to flooding, mold, or pests is no place to store heirlooms or valuables. That's why it takes a little planning to make the most of your basement storage and ensure that your belongings last for years to come. Say no to musty old shoeboxes filled with junk, and check out our do's and don'ts for proper basement storage. You don’t need to break the bank to get fabulous basement storage. All you need is a little imagination—and our handy guide!

Why 7 Families Ditched the Dining Room
Interior Design

Why 7 Families Ditched the Dining Room

Formal dining rooms are starting to go the way of the formal living room—out of service. While many homes have dining rooms, the square footage devoted to them often isn't justified by the little use most families get out of them. And who wants to waste that much space? Instead of letting an entire room become a black hole for clutter, get inspired by these 7 ways real families have converted their dining spaces.

9 New Ideas for Shared Bedrooms
Bedrooms

9 New Ideas for Shared Bedrooms

A house feels most like a home when you share it with those you love—and gathering together with friends and family is even more fun if everyone has a comfortable place to sleep. Whether you have a large family living in a small space or just like to host lots of people at once, let one of these multiple-bed bedrooms inspire you to find a way to accommodate them all.

Cleaning Cast Iron
Cleaning & Organizing

The Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Cast Iron

Discover the few simple secrets that can help you clean and care for your cast-iron cookware. So, what are you waiting for? Break out that old skillet and get cooking!

18 Clever Storage Solutions You Can DIY for Free
Storage

18 Clever Storage Solutions You Can DIY for Free

Struggling to create order in the chaos of a full house? These 18 space-smart DIY furnishings and home accents will help you manage your humble home in an ultrafunctional new way!