Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 375)

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.

Making mortise and tenon joints is a straightforward process.

Step away from the dishwasher! Instead, use this DIY technique to clean your sullied wooden cutting boards and achieve safe and spotless results.

If you wound up with more tricks than treats this Halloween, you're likely to have your hands full with a mess: toilet paper in the trees, eggs dripping on your house, maybe even chocolate mashed into the carpet. There’s no reason to get spooked: These 8 strategies for dealing with Halloween hazards will make your post-holiday cleanup a breeze.

An effective entryway design combines comfort, utility, and style to create an inviting atmosphere. These 18 entryways do just that, extending a warm welcome to all who walk through their doors.

Paint can set a mood, open a space or make it cozier, and ultimately add that unique stamp of distinction that makes your home yours. No one understands the power of paint better than interior design pros! So what do they choose for their own abodes – and why? Read on for their favorite shades (and discover why gray may just be the new white!) so you can wow with your next room makeover.

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.

Painting furniture and other household items is an inexpensive way to make over a space, but are there things in your home that you shouldn’t paint? Step away from the spray paint, and carefully reconsider your decorating choices. Here's the lowdown on what's fit to paint and what's better left alone.

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

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.

While a snowy winter can be a beautiful thing to witness, the slush, salt, and mud it leaves behind are not quite as appealing. Keep grime contained and protect your floors with one of these quick buy or DIY fixes for storing shoes, scrubbing surfaces, and even preventing dangerous slips and falls.

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.

It's important to have an idea of how much and what kind of lumber you need before you head out to the lumberyard. Gain confidence in your ability to track down the right materials for your next remodeling project with this helpful tutorial.

In most homes, the under-the-sink cabinet doesn’t get much respect. It often hides a trash can and the cleaning potions—but it also can become a dumping ground for odds and ends. To make the most of this centrally located space, get inspired by these smart ideas for transforming it into a tidy and efficient spot.