Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 401)

The diminutive dimensions of your home may have whittled your design dreams down to size, but there’s one way to make the most of your square footage without tearing out your hair or your walls: Fit two distinct rooms into one living space. Multipurpose rooms break down conventional barriers between distinct spaces like the kitchen, office, bedroom, and dining room to create stylish and effortless integrated living spaces. Reveal the hidden depths in the most cramped quarters with inspiration from these 9 elaborately efficient 2-in-1 rooms.

Looking for ways to spruce up your home for little to no money at all? It's not as hard as you think! These smart decorating tricks show you how to transform your spaces using everyday items you probably already have on hand.

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!

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!

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.

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.

You can run, but you can’t hide from the dog days of summer. You can, however, camp out on your balcony to enjoy slightly deflected rays of sunlight while keeping all the cool comforts of home within arm's reach. Whether you have a traditional balcony that amply extends your living area, or a diminutive Juliet balcony, you can convert the bleakest outdoor space into a serene sanctuary. Just focus on adding a few of these 11 simple but striking garden features, architectural elements, textiles, or furnishings. With inspiration from our collection of favorite accents, your balcony can project an inviting style and ambience that you’ll want to bask in year-round.

Turn gungy grout like-new again using this easy and colorful approach!

Organizing the bath can be as easy as finding underutilized real estate and repurposing it into crafty compartments for all of your bath goodies. Soak up these 18 sleek storage ideas, designed for spacious and space-challenged bathrooms alike!

Add a touch of originality to your shelves with a DIY geometric bookend, molded easily from leftover cardboard and a little concrete mix.

Up your backyard's game with an outdoor classic: the DIY tire swing. Follow these easy instructions to create seasons' worth of family fun, all in less than an hour.

Learn the pros and cons of medium-density fiberboard, or MDF, and decide whether it's the right choice for your next carpentry project.

An affordable option for the average homeowner, installing window film enables you to dress up your windows with a new look or dramatically increase their level of energy efficiency.

The right houseplant brings beauty and calm into a space and improves your home's air quality, but that's only the start of it. There are plenty of other good reasons to keep some greenery in every room. Houseplants offer a whole host of benefits, from promoting productivity to flavoring your next meal. Read on to find the perfect houseplant for every room in your house.