Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 388)

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.

A light is a light, right? Well, not quite. The truth is that when it comes to residential lighting, many homeowners mistakenly believe that any light will do the same job. Perhaps they choose the wrong fixture: overhead lighting, pendant lights, wall sconces, or lamps work only when used in the right context. Or maybe they ignore the impact lighting has on mood, home design, and how we see ourselves. With a little education, though, any homeowner can see their lighting design in—well—a whole new light. Click through to learn about the most common lighting mistakes and how to fix them.

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!

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.

You want to save money on utility costs and do your part to conserve energy, but some energy upgrades are so expensive that you may never see a payback in this lifetime. Don't worry, there are still ways to save without spending a fortune. We’ve put together a list of the best cost- and energy-saving upgrades, improvements that are affordable now and will start saving you money right away.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rules are made to be broken—this is as true for interior design as it is for anything else. Read on for 9 common rules about paint colors that merit some reconsideration, along with tips for flouting these rules to delightful effect in your home.

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.