Get Help from Bob Vila
- Give-Aways & Offers
- Monthly Must Do's
- DIY Project Ideas
- Step-by-Step Guides
- Inspirational Photo Galleries
OUTDOOR STRUCTURES
Browse By Tag
In summertime, the backyard becomes a major destination. There’s gardening and barbecues, to be sure, but the possibi...
Setting up a shed in your backyard can feel like a tall order when you consider the variables involved. Here, we've d...
Homeowners typically use sheds to stash stuff—everything from off-season sporting equipment and unused furniture to a...
Are you familiar with the phrase, “If you build it, they will come”? It applies not only to baseball fields in Kevin ...
No matter the size of your house or how many closets it has, at some point you're going to wonder in exasperation, “Where can I put this?” Fortunately, with a lit...
Sheds perform a number of functions, from storing tools and lawn equipment to serving as a child's playhouse. Whateve...
Making the most of a new outdoor structure requires a shift in mentality. You need to think of it not merely as a backyard shed, but rather as a reflection of you...
It's the ultimate in backyard entertaining—an outdoor fireplace where friends and family gather to share good times a...
Why settle for a basic backyard shed when you can trick it out to be so much more? With a little imagination, you can...
When you're investing money and time in—and, for do-it-yourselfers, the energy to build!—a backyard shed, you’ll want...
There's no shortage of wood fence options. Which is the right type for your property? In the end, it really comes dow...
Does your yard contain slopes, dips, and inclines? Then you likely have a retaining wall somewhere on your property. ...
Whether it's small or large, the yard plays host to a number of important activities: It's where you connect with loved ones, escape the busy-ness of the “real” w...
Every weekend warrior dreams of a convenient backyard structure that's spacious enough not only for storing tools but...
We’re all prone to occasional impulse purchases, but a shed should not be one of them. While more and more folks are ...
Now that the mercury's rising—but not yet too high—it's the perfect time to amp up the landscaping and spruce up the patio in preparation for a summer filled with...
A backyard shed frees up your home and garage by storing cumbersome essentials like your riding mower, hedge trimmers...
A sturdy shed is great for storing gear, but why stop there? People with all sorts of diverse interests—from growing their own food to hosting big barbecues—are d...
Do you have a flaking eyesore of a fence that plagues the perimeter of your property? While there are no shortcuts to...
Whether your wooden fence is years old or newly installed, it can benefit from a single inexpensive addition: stain. ...
If you own a garage, you know the struggle of keeping power tools and lawn and garden supplies in place and out of the path of the car. But there comes a point, u...
Wish that you had a relaxing moment in a camping hammock in your own backyard, but have nowhere to hang it? Rather th...
Summer isn’t summer unless you’re soaking up the sun, grilling, and chilling in your own backyard. Yet a traditional ...
Are your neighbors so close that it feels like you practically share a backyard? There's no need to fence off your pr...
From the zigzag post-and-rail of the Colonial era to the elaborate molded vinyl styles of today, fences have always b...
Nothing spoils an outdoor gathering like unwanted guests, namely the buzzy ones. Enjoy summer nights free from the mo...
A porch swing symbolizes one thing: leisure. That’s why it became such a popular fixture in the mid-19th century and ...
Nothing says summer like a refreshing swim in the backyard pool. But your swimming pool does need care—and doses of t...
It's a bona fide do-it-yourself classic: Every summer without fail, legions of homeowners grab their toolbox and head...
Scientific studies certainly support the nutritional benefits of the incredible egg, but what they don't detail is wh...
Need a place to park that fancy new speedboat? A carport may be just the ticket! While it’s not quite a garage, a car...
A night at the movies doesn’t come cheap. With the steep price of tickets, not to mention the popcorn and M&Ms, t...
A deck is a plein-air addition to your home. Like the space inside your residence, it needs regular cleaning and main...
Chain-link fences have bordered American yards for more than a century, and with good reason—they're cheap, easy to i...
Adding a fence to your property provides a simple solution for shutting out unwanted animals and nosy neighbors from ...
Whatever its dimensions—expansive or small, narrow or wide—a deck is the ideal place to kick back and relax outdoors. But if you don't make the most of your deck,...
Spring is just a few weeks away, so it’s time to get serious about fix-up plans for porches, patios, and yards. To help, here’s a round-up of what’s new and cutti...
There’s something so incredibly appealing about a simple tire swing. Whether it’s the freeing feeling of soaring thro...
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...
You know that disheveled shack in the corner of the yard? It might just be one of your home’s major assets. These backyard buildings prove that an underutilized b...
For many, the ideal backyard consists of comfortable seating, picturesque landscaping, and the sights and sounds of c...
Ants are one of those annoying pests that seem to pop up everywhere they're unwanted during the summer—picnics, kitch...
Inspired by a DIY conference, Amy of Her Tool Belt decided to try her hand at custom outdoor seating. After shopping ...
The average American spends a third to half of his or her income just putting a roof overhead, so it’s no surprise th...
Privacy, safety, security—these are only a few of the reasons that homeowners build solid, durable garden walls. Alth...
The earliest swing sets, which date all the way back to the fifth century B. C. , were nothing more than slabs of woo...
If cooking out is a big part of your warm weather routine, an outdoor kitchen is a great investment. The joys of eating al fresco are multiplied when you have con...
These days, it would be hard to ignore the need for water conservation. Due to drought conditions, California now enf...
This story starts out like many other tales of DIY savvy. While browsing the a trendy retailer store, Sarah of House ...
Backyard sheds may be a storage boon, but nobody ever said they were loaded with style. They can be, though. Check out these amazing shed makeovers that will insp...
Karen loves fires—summer bonfires, barbecues, and winter evenings spent 'round the living room hearth. Even so, she'd...
Over the past several years, the tiny house movement has only gained momentum, with increasing numbers of homeowners ...
If you enjoy cozying up to the fireplace in your home, why not consider adding a fire pit in your backyard? Fire pits...
After a summer spent out in the Great Wide Open, we hate to retreat indoors, but in most parts of the country, it's o...
As temperatures drop in the fall, our outdoor activities start to dwindle, and the bustle of life moves indoors. But there are still beautiful days and evenings l...
Who hasn't admired a great product in-store before balking at the price tag? When daring DIYer Anne Davis saw a $300 ...
So many memories are made in the backyard. Every kid craves a little place of his or her own—a place to imagine and invent, plot and plan. A clubhouse is the perf...
You can buy a trellis, sure—but where's the fun in that? With no sacrifice in function, a unique DIY trellis separate...
Enter the yard of most homes in America and somewhere among the trees, shrubs, and grass, you're bound to find metal....
Outdoor areas don't have to be all about soaking in the sun. Sometimes it's nice to relax in a shady spot, shielded from the harsh rays. There are many ways to br...
Laying in a hammock is the epitome of summertime relaxation. Getting the hammock set up, on the other hand, can be a ...
Whether you're washing dishes at the sink or sitting at the desk in your home office, it's pleasant to look out the w...
What else says summer like a hammock gently swaying in the afternoon breeze? If you do not love the styles—or the pri...
Thinking of building a fence? Looking to add a deck? Both projects will be subjected to the whims of Mother Nature, s...
With so many fence styles available today, it can be hard for homeowners to choose the one that best fits their property and needs. Fences generally fall into thr...
A thoughtfully designed gate can make an already welcoming garden even more so, and give a much-needed decorative boost come winter. Whether integrated into a fen...
Whether you’re upgrading to a bigger building or find you no longer need your backyard shed to store lawn and garden tools, consider giving your old shed new life...
Growing plants in raised beds is a tradition that goes back at least hundreds of years. Here are five reasons why a r...
Here's how to dress up a fence post with a beveled cap. It's easy to do with a radial arm saw. Set the blade at a 45...
Waterfront property sells at a hefty premium. But don't be discouraged if you're landlocked. You can create your own home-by-the-sea environment with a pool house...
Stop running—and bring warmth and ambience to the night with one of these artisan-crafted fire bowls.
Retaining walls offer aesthetic as well as practical benefits: In addition to beautifying the home, they inhibit soil...
It’s one of life’s true pleasures to watch birds as they nest in the spring. If you’d like to encourage birds to buil...
Low-cost additions to any landscape, easy-to-make garden trellises can be used to introduce shade or privacy, or to s...
Old doors, wine bottles, shipping pallets—and even bowling balls and surf boards—can be repurposed into alternative fence material. Here are 8 surprising ideas th...
Shorter days, colder temperatures, and frozen earth: For most, the advent of winter marks the year's end of planting,...
Taking backyard play to new heights, these tree houses just might inspire you to create one to delight the kids—or your inner child.
Outdoors, stain helps wood furniture or backyard equipment look at home in the landscape. Whether you're working on a...
Everyone needs a place for their stuff, and sometimes the garage just won’t accommodate it all. A backyard shed can help alleviate the space crunch. Pre-made shed...
Many homes have fireplaces or propane stoves inside, but there’s nothing quite like enjoying a fire pit under the sta...
Make your letter carrier do a double take with these 11 salvaged-material mailboxes that demonstrate real outside-the-box creativity.
Use stylish outdoor storage solutions to keep your gardening tools, outdoor hats, and backyard bash supplies from running amok.
Nothing feels better on a hot summer day after hitting it hard outdoors, than showering outdoors. Even if you can’t swing a pool or spa on your property, an outdo...
Through the ages, fences have been made from a variety of materials. Around my neighborhood, I see vinyl, cedar, meta...
On the day that Mary Jane McCarty’s prefab shed was delivered, it was raining cats and dogs. But the Bucks County, PA...
When today’s parents and grandparents were growing up, many backyards boasted a simple, inexpensive swing set made of...
Outdoor showers accent pool areas or backyards, providing a convenient place to clean off and a yard feature that is ...
When is a trailer park not a trailer park? When it’s being designed and developed by nationally recognized small-spac...
People have been harvesting rainwater for thousands of years. In the last decade, the practice has emerged as a popul...
As the popularity of raising poultry in the backyard burgeons, so too does the variety and quality of designs in DIY chicken coops.
A wooden fence is a beautiful accent on any home, but it takes some maintenance to keep it looking neat and trim. Spr...
Welcome feathered friends to your backyard with a DIY birdbath modeled after any of the following inspiring designs.
Browse some of today's most commonly used fencing materials, from timeless wood to utilitarian chain-link.
Winter’s a great time to feed the birds, but if that means feeding the squirrels too, they can quickly wear out their...
There's nothing better than a crackling fire on a chilly night, except maybe not having to go back outside for more f...
Walls, normally thought of as interior design elements, are useful in landscaping, too. A landscaping wall can be fre...
We celebrate the best runners-up and reveal the victor of this year's competition.
Nothing beats the natural look of a dry-laid stone wall, but building one requires a strong back, deep pockets, and a...
Don't settle for an ordinary pile of logs. Showing off your wood in a creative space will help add another dimension of warmth to your home.
The doghouse has been part of human history since the Ancient Egyptians built mud-brick kennels for their favorite ca...
In the summer of 1956, a 12-year-old boy wrote a letter to Frank Lloyd Wright to see if the architect would design a ...
A sloped yard is hard to use, and if it’s got erosion problems or it’s channeling water toward the foundation of your...
We dog owners are a strange breed. We obsess about the day-to-day comfort, happiness, and health of our pets. We own ...
If Snoopy's standard doghouse won't cut it for your pooch, browse ten puppy palaces that can even put some human-size houses to shame.
Composting is one thing... how you manage it is another. If you're searching for the best compost bin to help you turn scraps into gardener's gold, look no furthe...
A dog is happy when he knows where home base is. a pet crate, a designated corner, a closet with a pet door or even a...
Nothing says “summer” quite like a gazebo. Images of languid afternoons sipping ice-cold lemonade in the sheltering s...
[bobsays_inset]It is interesting how a chance comment can cause you to pay attention to a garden design feature you h...
Whether they are freestanding, store-bought, or built-in, today's outdoor showers are accessible luxuries for many. Here are some of our favorites.
One thing we miss about living in New York is the awesome city playgrounds. You could walk to a different one every d...
Whether you are looking to house garden tools or create a workshop or studio, here are ten stylish sheds worthy of consideration.
If you’re looking for a way to give your home some character, to frame your garden, or to get a little privacy from t...
Giving your pet a place of his own to take shelter from wind, rain and sun is a noble pursuit. Doghouses now come in ...
Unlike the glass-enclosed garden rooms or conservatories in the UK—glazed interior spaces that provide visual access ...
We all know they don’t like to be fenced in, but after thousands of years of domestication, dogs need boundaries to b...
Rainwater collection has an ancient history with archeological evidence dating back at least 4,000 years. Urban deman...
Sometimes the garage doesn't cut it for storing garden tools and lawn supplies. That's when outdoor storage enters th...
Depending on the size and weight of the stones used to construct the retaining wall, the tools and materials for the ...
Create some outdoor fun this summer—the old-fashioned way—with this "oh so easy" tire swing how-to.
The homemade birdhouse is a DIY classic. And with good reason: It’s usually the first woodworking project for many; o...
Whether you’re cooling off, rinsing off, or actually bathing, an outdoor shower is a fun and relatively easy summer D...
House hunting for your fine feathered friends? Here are some fun designs to make or buy.
With little or no woodworking experience, you can easily build your own backyard sandbox—here's how.
A deck can extend your entertaining space into the great outdoors of your yard. You may use it most to host friends and family, or if you’re lucky enough to have ...
Looking for a way to add instant character to your landscape or garden? Consider one of these beautiful arbors.
This winter, keep the birds happy and fed with one of these fully functionally yet delightfully decorative feeders.
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley build a redwood deck. Carpenter Danny Ruffini installs a custom-made redwood-and-cedar fence on the perimeter.
Bob reviews the progress of his western red cedar custom fence, designed to provide privacy and block the carport from the neighbors’ view.
Bob reviews the Allen Block retaining wall that is being installed in the backyard. This secondary terrace will serve to transition from the wood deck to the big ...
The front of the Melrose house gets finishing touches, including a new, insect-resistant porch deck, new trellises, and a porch light.
The backyard is enhanced with a lattice-top gate, and a mudroom is converted into a kitchen pantry to provide storage space.
Backyard landscaping has progressed with the completion of stone work, new plantings, weed control, and the installation of artificial grass.
Old gutters are replaced and external landscaping continues with the trimming of a tree, installing a front garden, and creating steps from recycled granite.
Bob talks with a fencing expert about installing a white-cedar fence in sloped areas at the Melrose house.
Stone workers install a granite retaining wall, replace a front walkway, and build a backyard patio.
Bill Jasper joins Bob for the installation of a removable Baby Barrier pool fence.
Bob meets with Sonya and Bob Berle in the library of Elm Court to discuss the interior design and preservation of this magnificent home.
Jay Triandafilou and a crew from Architectural Fence are on location to install the exterior fence.
Bob is in Mashpee, Massachusetts, where the affordable housing project is well underway with five of the eleven homes currrently under construction.
Bob meets up with landscape mason Hector Santos, who is building a dried-laid stone retaining wall.
The mason on-site installing a retaining wall, Hector, shows Bob how to split a piece of granite that is too large and heavy to use as is.
Fred Goode (from Brattle Works) joins Bob to view the trellis and lattice fencing, and Bob visits the Brattle Works workshop to see how the fencing is manufactured.
Bob, alongside architect Kristian Fenderson and Tom Strangfeld (from Weston Nurseries), walks the property, focusing on the planting selected for this home.
A Northern White Cedar picket fence is discussed and installed.
Bob drops by the third Elmwood project house to watch as the deck is covered with rubber and the hot tub is installed.
Carpenter Bob Ryley helps install a new porch railing and new screen doors. An underground sprinkler system is also installed.
Contractors put in the brick walkway. Forester Moulding and Lumber replicates the porch railings and balusters. Also, new security and sprinkler systems are insta...
Bob confers with contractor and carpenter Cortney Lofton, as he builds a pergola at the Studio City bungalow, which will serve as a gate to the backyard.
Bob begins the new state-of-the-art greenhouse project with a look at Boston's most famous solarium, part of the quirky and romantic Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Bob, the architect, and the homeowner discuss plans for the new greenhouse. The exact position of the greenhouse in relation to the existing house is chosen so as...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley discuss the demolition of the existing farmer's porch, and, once the electricity has been turned off, they begin to remove the roof.
The foundation has been hand-dug and the forms laid for the footings. Bob and contractor Bob Ryley discuss the layout of the greenhouse foundation and framing.
Bob takes a trip to New York City to tour the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, a spectacular, world-class museum greenhouse.
Bob watches as the crew prepares the footings for the greenhouse foundation. Contractor John Pratt pours the concrete, using a conveyor instead of a traditional p...
Bob takes a walk down Boston's Commonwealth Avenue for a look at an upscale solariums from the last century, that of the Burrage House.
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley insulate the foundation of an attached solar greenhouse.
With the bricklayers on hand, Bob discusses the techniques being used, and explains the "anti-freeze" that has been added to the concrete to retard the cold weath...
Bob interviews Don Burton from Indiana University as they tour a 1955 greenhouse. Bob then tours a modern state-of-the-art greenhouse under construction at the Un...
The architect pays a visit to check on progress, while Bob and contractor Bob Ryley begin installing the Paralam rafters. Ryley goes into depth discussing these m...
Bob checks on the progress of the greenhouse construction and examines the framing of the pergola roof.
Bob meets with HVAC contractor Dave Talbot to discuss the heating and cooling of the greenhouse. A system of thermostats, blowers, vented windows, and boiler has ...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley install sloped glazing on a greenhouse with the help of Mark Santos.
The wood has arrived for the perimeter benches, so Bob and contractor Bob Ryley begin constructing the architect-designed benches for the greenhouse. The wood is ...
Contractor Bob Ryley shows off the greenhouse's motorized windows. At the touch of a button, or via a thermostat, the windows open and close. Bob helps Ryley asse...
Bob meets with John Clancy who is applying "California" stucco inside the greenhouse. A tint is applied to the mix to match the interior, and a latex bonding mate...
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley tour the spectacular finished greenhouse and, in addition to the greenhouse, a vestibule to the house has been created, solving the h...
When shopping for plants at Haskell's Nursery, the homeowner gets some professional help from Martha Stewart, who transforms the greenhouse into an elegant settin...
Bob, Martha, and the homeowner look at the plants in the new greenhouse. Martha explains why she selected certain plants and put thought into their placement.
Bob, Martha and the homeowner, Diana, discuss the greenhouse and the decor before Bob reveals a special suprise.
In Columbus, OH, Bob and other volunteers are constructing a playground. Bob discusss the materials and techniques used in the project, including the octagonal ro...
Bob makes his third visit to the playground in Columbus, OH to tour the nearly-complete project and comment on its various features.
Bob meets with a landscaper to discuss the existing plantings, some of which will be removed or cut back to maximize the amount of interior light. Trees, shrubs, ...
A trellis-- the frame and lattice of which have been built in the workshop-- is installed in the front yard.
Bob and carpenter-contractor Bob Ryley review the exterior of the home, pointing out the new trellis and the new entryway. Next, they move inside to have a look ...
Bob has a discussion the landscape architect, Joanne Smallwood, and new wooden fence is installed.
The old <a href="http://www.bobvila.com">ell</a> is joined to the new construction, with some demolition done to make room for a shed dormer and a slider door.
Bob discusses landscaping with specialist Susan Hofer. Topics include sod, a gravel driveway, brickwork, fences, and perennials.
Retaining walls, foundation work, and curving stairways are faced with Cultured Stone from Owens Corning. These cast cement, pumice, and iron oxide products are m...