Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 390)

If you love the beauty of antique painted furniture, you can re-create that same pigment-rich, matte-finish look with milk paint—that you can make yourself.

Olive oil is most commonly thought of as a kitchen staple, but for thousands of years it's also been used for all sorts of things that have nothing to do with food. Check out these smart alternative household uses for that unassuming bottle of olive oil hanging out in your pantry.

This season, wow your guests with your cutting skills—no, we're not just talking the slicing and dicing in the kitchen. Craft a handmade, house-shaped cutting board that even a beginner woodworker can master.

The kitchen may not be the first place that comes to mind when you're thinking about bringing a little greenery into your home. Countertop space is precious, direct sunlight may be limited, and high temperatures and grease can keep houseplants from looking their best. But the kitchen is one of the most popular spots in the house, so it deserves to be brightened with a bit of nature. Try finding a place for one of these easy-care houseplants that thrive in the kitchen.

As the days grow shorter and your thoughts turn to tailgating and football games, it’s easy to forget that your home needs a little TLC before Old Man Winter comes calling. By taking care of essential upkeep and repairs now, you’ll be investing in your house—and your comfort—during the coming winter months. Click through to discover common fall maintenance mistakes and how you can avoid them this season.

When it comes to decorating and organizing, the foyer is often the last place homeowners think to touch. In far too many homes, it’s just a bleak portal for passing in and out of the house without a second glance. And that’s a shame, because the entryway is a prime piece of real estate and, when considered properly, can help make your day a little easier. The key is in keeping certain essentials by the front door where you won’t overlook them on your way out, or establishing an assigned place for everyday items. Here are 11 items that deserve a spot near your front door.

Cross-sections of a tree branch are all that keep you away from a house full of one-of-a-kind rustic, woodsy decor.

A backyard bar with a sleek concrete countertop that requires no special masonry skills? It's possible! So, take the party outside—we’ll show you how.

Are you searching for a way to add some personality to your cabinet doors and drawers? Check out these fun, functional, and frugal knob options!

Not every home has—or needs—a full mudroom, but everyone needs a place to handle the comings and goings of today’s busy families and all their gear. If you’re wondering how to create the convenience of a mudroom without having a dedicated room for the purpose, you’re in luck. These 14 photos offer great ideas for mudroom alternatives that suit a range of budgets and space limitations.

A step stool is the perfect tool for helping the short and tall alike to access those hard-to-reach places like the highest shelf of the kitchen cabinet, the top of the refrigerator, or the pull cord for the attic door. Step stools can also help kiddos reach the sink in the bathroom to brush their teeth at night or help out with the dishes after dinner (well, we can dream about that can’t we?). But before you head out to the big box store to pick up any old humdrum step stool, why not make your own? Check out these 12 DIY step stool designs from around the web that can give you a much-needed boost in and around the house.

Pull the clothespin off your nose and instead try these 10 common household items to deodorize every nook and cranny of your abode.

Even when the weather outside gets frightful, wind-blocking draft dodgers are delightful... and wonderfully simple to make. Just as we lose body heat through our heads, our houses lose warmth through pesky drafts that sneak in through doors and windows. While it lacks the romance of a toasty fire in the hearth, stopping up those drafts can go a long way in preserving the heat generated by your radiator or heater. We've compiled a collection of our favorite DIY draft blockers in the hopes that you'll get all fired up for a weekend project that will keep you warm all winter long.

Do you have a dresser in good condition but with a dingy, worse-for-wear finish? With only a little elbow grease, you can transform it into a stunning signature piece.

Recreate the look of commercial ceiling paints for less by picking a regular paint with ceiling-friendly properties.

Stop worrying about the potential allergens and irritants in store-bought fabric softener—and save a little money—by switching to a homemade version of this laundry staple.

Beat the heat with an outdoor furniture that keeps your drinks on ice. Talk about refreshing!

A lot of our lives are spent sitting down, so you might as well do it in style! When the stores don’t have what you like—or what you can afford—use your DIY skills to build your own dining room chair, lounger, or a colorful perch for the kids. If you're looking for a a truly distinctive seat for any room in your house, check out these 11 ways to build a chair.

Bursting with vibrant blooms in the spring and retaining their leaves through the colder months, rhododendrons are the perfect "evergreen" for your winter landscape.

With a little ingenuity, you can move your antique armoire into the 21st century without sacrificing any of the furniture's old-fashioned charm.