Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 377)

To catch a glimpse of a homeowner’s true design sensibility, skip past the manicured lawn, through the primped foyer, and into the bedroom. This inner sanctuary is most reflective of your personality—evoking creativity, passion, and energy through careful curation of paint, lighting, furniture, and mementos. However, a bedroom's full style potential can easily be thwarted by ill-conceived furniture arrangements, kitschy paint finishes, and obtrusive embellishments that turn your bedroom into bedlam. To ensure that you aren't sabotaging your own sense of style, click through for seven common bedroom design don’ts—and how to avoid them.

When you think about what dust really is—a conglomeration of dead skin particles, insect parts, mold spores, ash, pollen, and more—you become more determined than ever to make sure your home is attracting as little of it as possible. The good news is, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep the fine, floaty debris from settling down in your space. Bust dust by sidestepping these 9 common mistakes that can make your home less hygienic.

For years it seemed like large houses were all the rage with builders, decorators, and even homeowners. These days, however, there's been a shift in perception as more and more people aim to scale down their square footage and challenge themselves to live large in a smaller space. Doing so requires creative ideas and a strong will to discern what to keep and what to let go—not such an easy task for many of us. There are definitely advantages to living in a small space as opposed to a large one. The idea that you have less to clean and maintain is tantalizing for many. After all, in a small space, you are forced to focus on quality over quantity, and surround yourself only with things that you really love and that truly serve a purpose. Not to mention, you’re automatically encouraged to stay close to those with whom you live. Many designers, especially in cities where space is at a premium, specialize in bringing the best small space ideas to fruition. Maximizing storage potential, and creating the illusion of space with lighting, color, and furniture placement are all key. Here, three experts reveal common mistakes homeowners make when designing a small space and offer their advice and ideas on how to avoid them.

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!

The tiny-house movement has much to teach us about living simply and with minimal environmental impact—and about how to stow stuff when space is extremely tight. If you’re perennially short on storage, borrow these 18 ingenious strategies from homeowners who’ve learned to live well without living large.

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.

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.

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!

Sure, days are longer in summer, but still not quite long enough to squeeze in all the seasonal fun. Stay out after dusk when you light the night with these 8 DIY luminaries, lamps, and lanterns.

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!

No matter the square footage of your kitchen, the perfect amount of space for storage and prep always seems just out of reach. Fortunately, nothing frees up space like a little organization. And when we hear that you can clear out a full drawer by devising a DIY solution for spice storage, we're all ears. Actual woodworking is not a requirement, because these 10 ideas for storing spices include simple repurposing projects as well as custom-tailored solutions, and all of them get the job done.

Choosing paint colors for your home can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to the living room. It's a space that is both an intimate setting for your family and a gathering place for your friends. To find your favorite hue among a sea of swatches, St. Louis, Missouri, interior designer Joni Spear advises staying true to the colors you love most. "When it comes to paint colors, I always rule by my heart," says Spear, principal of Joni Spear Interior Design. "You have to be happy in your surroundings." Draw color inspiration from a cherished possession, Spear suggests, like a painting, pillow, rug, or vase. Be sure to view paint samples at different times of day to see how sunlight and ambient light will affect them. Here, Spear, along with other interior designers and paint professionals, offers nine colors that are worth your consideration.

The formal dining room is an interior in flux. For decades it was a mainstay of the American home, but in recent years it has often found itself co-opted for a playroom or home office. Today, the dining room is making a comeback, appreciated again for the way it provides a spacious, welcoming environment that brings family and friends together. But successful entertaining requires more than just a dedicated space. In particular, the colors you choose for your dining room go a long way toward setting the tone for your gatherings. Here, design experts share 8 of their favorite hues and tips for using them in your own dining room.

Few chores are as perennial as cleaning the bathroom. The loo probably gets more use per square foot than any other space in the house. As a result, it has to be cleaned more frequently as well. You may think you know all there is to know about getting your bathroom spick-and-span. But there are a few unconventional ways to cleanse the commode and scrub the tub that you’ve probably never heard of, including these surprising favorites.

So, you’re not a neat freak? You can still keep your house from spinning into chaos if you just follow one simple rule: Make it easy to put items away, and you’ll do it more often. To keep your house tidy without breaking a sweat, try these 10 simple shortcuts.

It’s a new year, which means it's time to get started on your home resolutions for 2016. The best place to start? Out with the old! While it can be difficult to let go of prized possessions, the relief that comes along with decluttering can be well worth the brief pangs of sentiment. Start lightening your load with these 14 items that you can—and should—toss right now.

Taking out the trash is a routine we’re all too well acquainted with. But believe it or not, you can actually make trash day easier—perhaps even pleasurable —with these brilliant hacks. Why didn’t we think of this sooner?

Learn how two popular paint products can each achieve such a wide range of style—from distressed color washes to bright opaques—and how to choose the right one for your next project.

While your vacuum cleaner is designed to do most of the work for you, understanding how to use it properly can make a huge difference in the cleanliness of your floors. Learn what you may be doing wrong when you're performing this common household chore so that you can be on your way to fresher, better-looking carpets and other flooring.

While laws vary from state to state, generally speaking, sellers are responsible for disclosing only information within their personal knowledge that could affect the property value, such as structural defects, mold, and lead paint. Some issues, however, fall into a gray area that a home seller may try to conceal in order to get a top-dollar offer. To protect your investment, hire a certified home inspector before making an offer, and be on the lookout for the following signs that a seller has something to hide.