Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 377)

Too much condensation pooling around your central AC? Follow these steps to keep your cool when your system can’t.

Drinking straws seem to have only one purpose, but they have become a DIY darling. It’s not hard to see why: They’re produced in an endless range of fun colors and patterns, they’re cheap, and they’re super-versatile. Check out these 10 unexpected ways to use these terrific little tubes everywhere from the kitchen to the home office.

Bungee cords aren’t just for securing luggage and equipment. Bungees—those stretchy elastic bands covered in a woven cotton or polypropylene sheath, with metal hooks on each end—are handy for myriad household tasks. Here are 11 clever ways to use a bungee cord in the house, garage, yard, and car.

While before-and-afters of painting projects are often breathtaking, there tends to be a little bit of ugly at the end—specifically, the time-consuming cleanup. Fortunately, Hyde Tools is on a mission to design solutions that vanquish spills, splatters, smudges, and uneven application. The ingenious implements you’ll see here will speed you through your next DIY paint job, helping you get professional results with minimal mess and no tedious touch-ups. Top-notch tools like these just might make it fun to put on a fresh coat! This content has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.

Exposed brick brings texture, color, and a rustic vibe to interior spaces. The look, which is typically achieved by removing the plaster from a wall to reveal the underlying masonry, offers an artful and affordable solution for revitalizing empty walls, awkward alcoves, or boring backsplashes throughout the home. Brick by brick, these exemplary rooms showcase the rugged beauty—and sheer versatility—of the timeless material.

Most homeowners’ desk drawers conceal dozens of paper clips in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Fortunately, you can put these tiny metal fasteners to work doing a lot more than just holding a few pages together. Check out 14 handy alternative uses for the humble paper clip.

Don't let a dull blade get you down—or injured! Sharpening your favorite pocket tool will ensure safer, more efficient use the next time you need it.

When the weather warms up, people spend more time outside. Unfortunately, mosquitoes, flies, and other biting insects have the same idea. These winged pests see you as an all-you-can-eat buffet, and you're left with red welts and itchy bites. If you’ve had a run-in with those biting bugs that give summer a bad name, fear not. These quick and free home remedies will get you back outside in a flash, enjoying nature itch-free.

Plastic cups are incredibly cheap and convenient, but most of them end their lives in landfills across the country. Rather than pitching the disposable beverage holders the minute you finish your drink, check out some of our nifty ideas on how you can reuse plastic cups around the house and yard!

You may have memories of horrible wallpaper haunting you from homes past. But wallpaper has changed. Seriously. Not only have advancements in adhesive technology made it easier to apply (and remove) but there are a wide variety of designs to choose from. From bold graphics to damask and florals, these modern wallpaper treatments are something to seriously consider.

What do you get when you bring together forward-thinking architects, exacting engineers, and tireless construction crews? In the case of these 12 iconic buildings, you get a visual masterpiece, along with a few unintended design flaws. Click through to get the full scoop on the surprising mishaps behind your favorite famous buildings.

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.