REPURPOSING

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16 Best Surprising Uses for Household Items in 2023
The year 2023 has been busy for the Bob Vila team, and several of the articles we shared with our readers focused on ...
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12 Outmoded Features of 1980s Homes—and How to Modernize Them Today
Say Goodbye to Your 1980s DecorWhether or not you want to believe it, the 1980s now belong to a bygone era—though you...
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7 Ways to Repurpose These Old House Features
Old homes often have plenty of magical features and charm, but they also might have characteristics that no longer se...
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Testing the FCMP Outdoor Dual-Chamber Composter: Does It Live Up to the Hype?
Composting is an excellent way to reduce the amount of food waste in landfills and put it to good use in the garden i...
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How to Get Candle Wax Out of a Jar: 4 Effective Methods
Candle jars come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Once the candle has finished burning, the glass container lends it...
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10 Eco-Conscious Ways to Limit Waste When Renovating a Home
It’s exciting to give your home the facelift you’ve always wanted. However, renovations can also be drawn out and tir...
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This New Construction-Grade Building Material Recycles the World’s Worst Plastics
Plastic is a massive contributor to global waste and pollution. In fact, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)...
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How to Dispose of Old or Broken Tools
DIYers and pros love their tools, but they’re also keenly aware of this harsh reality: They don’t last forever. Wheth...
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How to Properly Dispose of an American Flag
Q: I have an American flag hanging on a flag pole outdoors, but I’ve noticed that it is beginning to look faded and h...
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13 Retailers You Never Knew Would Recycle Your Old Stuff
As consumers, we create a massive amount of waste, filling up landfills with all of the products we’ve used and throw...
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Divide and Conquer: 10 Room Dividers to Bring Order to Your Space
Create a sense of peace and balance with the right spatial flow. Just make or buy one of these beautiful room dividers, and find a layout that works for you.
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21 Money-Saving Tricks That Every Homeowner Needs to Know
Putting a dent in your home improvement to-do list can often put an even bigger dent in your wallet. But these 21 humble DIY projects reduce, reuse, and reimagine...
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13 DIY Projects You Can Do with Supplies You Already Have
Getting your house shipshape doesn’t always mean running to the home improvement center to load up on supplies. Many DIY maintenance tasks, home repairs, and othe...
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20 Ways to Support Earth Day This Year
Make today the start of an eco-friendly lifestyle change. Try these 20 easy ideas you can do right now to be kinder to the planet.
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35 Ways to Use Ordinary Things in Extraordinary Ways
When used imaginatively, ordinary items can have practical magic. Here’s some inspiration for employing everyday household goods in unusual—and helpful—ways.
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It’s Not Stealing If You Take Any of These 10 Free Things
With a minimal amount of research, phone time, or legwork, you can nab plenty of household essentials for free.
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10 Things to Know About Disposing of Old Electronics
Save cash and protect the environment by doing the right thing with your outmoded cell phone, tablet, and other gadgets.
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The Biggest Mistakes Most People Make at Garage Sales
Garage sales are go-to destinations for bargain hunters and antiques aficionados in search of one-of-a-kind pieces to complete their home or wardrobe. But make a ...
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10 "Free" Things That Cost You Money in the Long Run
Life is expensive. Between the mortgage, insurance, car payments, and unexpected repairs, homeowners have a lot of money going out. It’s understandable, then, tha...
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10 Things to Do with Cross-Cut Trees
Cross-sections of a tree branch are all that keep you away from a house full of one-of-a-kind rustic, woodsy decor.
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12 Genius Ways to Reuse Your Plastic Bottles
We all know that plastic isn't exactly eco-friendly, so if you want to do your part to protect the planet, the best course of action is to reduce the amount of pl...
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9 Smart Uses for Dusty Old Books
While the thought of destroying a hardcover tome might make some book lovers squirm, there does come a time when an old, musty, or damaged book may have outlived ...
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11 Weird Ways to Use a Bobby Pin
Bobby pins are the unsung heroes of beauty tools. The tiny clips can hold braids, pin back bangs, and give extra lift to a ponytail, but did you know that they ha...
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9 Extraordinary Uses for Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is a great material for packing, but it has a lot of other, very practical uses. When you get a box with bubble wrap in it, resist the urge to pop it ...
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13 Weird Ways to Use Dental Floss Around the House
In nearly every bathroom, you'll find at least one package of dental floss, whether it’s waxed, unwaxed, monofilament, or multistranded. Believe it or not, that l...
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All You Need to Know About Compost Tea
Even greenhorn green thumbs know that applying compost to soil helps plants fight erosion, pests, and disease. But we...
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10 Good Things Your Town May Give You for Free
Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Many municipalities, for instance, offer freebies that go way beyond the occasional refrigerator magnet, key chain...
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10 Things You Never Thought to Do with Nail Polish
Open your medicine cabinet and you'll probably find several half-filled bottles of fingernail polish. Before tossing the containers, try one of these 10 unusual h...
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12 Secret Uses for Dr. Bronner's Soap
By now maybe you've seen Dr. Bronner's Castile soap in the personal hygiene aisle at your local grocery or health food store. While Castile soap isn't new—it's be...
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All You Need to Know About Indoor Composting
Composting is an affordable way to nab food for your plants while reducing waste in your home or apartment and in loc...
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16 Insanely Clever Ways to Reuse Household Junk
Don't trash that dead telephone, scrap that torn sweater, or haul that lifeless bed frame to the junkyard just yet! As these functional and fanciful projects prov...
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14 Ways You Never Thought to Use Q-Tips
Introduced in the 1920s, the original Q-tips were merely wooden sticks with cotton wrapped around one end. Today, the improved two-sided version with its flexible...
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The 20 Weirdest Things You Can Do With Duct Tape
More than simply a quick fix for leaky pipes, cracked windows, or torn fabric, duct tape can also lend its versatility and durability to your original DIY creatio...
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10 Things a Coffee Maker Can Do—Besides Brew Coffee
Ah, your coffee machine! It’s your daily savior first thing in the morning—because does anything smell better than a fresh-brewed pot of coffee? But the appliance...
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13 Unusual Ways to Use What's in Your Spice Rack
You already know the value of spices for giving the dishes you love that perfect savory or sweet taste, but you may not know that many of the spices found in your...
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13 Projects that Prove Why DIYers Love Cinder Blocks
Cinder blocks may used as the material for load-bearing walls or in the foundation of a house, but their sturdy, heavy composition and stackable design also make ...
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10 Smart Ways to Snag Free Stuff for Your Home
Maintaining a home can be pricey. Between furnishing the interior, keeping up with regular maintenance, and improving curb appeal, costs can skyrocket. But there’...
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10 Surprising Things You Can Do with a Plastic Straw
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 an...
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13 Creative Designs for Easy DIY Planters
From vertically sprouting succulent gardens to converted colanders that bloom with living greens, these unconventional homemade planter projects require only a ca...
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11 Weird Ways to Use Wine
“Leftover wine” may seem like a freak of nature, a mythical beast along the lines of fairies and unicorns. But sometimes, even the most dedicated oenophiles simpl...
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11 Unusual Uses for a Bungee Cord
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 ho...
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12 Ways You Never Thought to Use a Paper Clip
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...
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11 Things to Do with Plastic Cups
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 h...
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13 Unusual Household Uses for Ice Cubes
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...
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10 Brilliant Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags
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...
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12 Things You Never Knew Chalk Can Do
Most people associate chalk with elementary school blackboards and sidewalk hopscotch games, but chalk can be a surprisingly handy helper to have around the house...
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10 Things You Didn't Know Chapstick Can Do
Though small and unassuming, a tiny tube of Chapstick packs a lot of utility into its minuscule proportions. Whether brand-name or generic, lip balm can do so muc...
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14 Clever New Uses for Old Newspapers
Reading the morning newspaper is a relaxing ritual for many people, but unfortunately, this admirable habit results in the waste of a lot of paper. Rather than si...
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14 New Things You Can Do with an Old Sweater
Before sending a bag of old sweaters to the thrift store, try repurposing them in creative new ways.
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10 Home Maintenance Miracles You Already Own
Before you make your next shopping list, shop your home for some of these ingenious household supplies. From the garden to the bathtub, these zero-dollar solution...
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DIY Lite: These 1-Hour Wind Chimes Star a Few Surprise Materials
Looking to enhance your backyard escape with little more than an hour-long DIY project? Consider the charm of an acce...
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21 Clever Little Things to Do with Scrap Wood
Don't toss all that scrap wood left over from your last DIY adventure! Instead, put it to good use building one of these fun and functional projects for your home.
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21 Brilliant Hacks for Everyday Home Repairs
From clearing clogged drains to filling nail holes, maintaining your home can seem like a MacGyver-esque challenge—but it doesn't have to be this way. Make light ...
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16 New Things You Can Do with Old Furniture
Before you drag those mismatched shelves, broken chairs, worn-out sofas, or just plain ugly eyesores to the curb, check out these creative examples of repurposed ...
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10 Things You Didn't Know a Paintbrush Can Do
Paintbrushes aren’t just for painting anymore! In fact, even if you don’t have a painting project in your future, you may want to stock up on paintbrushes the nex...
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12 Unexpected Uses for a Regular Bar of Soap
Rub-a-dub-dub, soap is great for a scrub! But bar soap is handy to have around for many reasons that go far beyond the bathtub. It can serve as a lubricant, fresh...
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18 New Uses for Old Shoeboxes
Whether or not you have a slight shoe obsession, it seems that everyone has an abundance of old shoeboxes taking up space in the closet. Put those sturdy cardboar...
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20 New Uses for Old Candles
Don't toss that candle stub! Discover some creative ways to use the wax that is left after burning a candle.
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All You Need to Know About Paper Bag Flooring
That humble brown kraft paper typically used for grocery bags has recently gained a surprising—and strikingly beautif...
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12 Things You Didn't Know Duct Tape Can Do
Duct tape is an extremely durable and versatile product that can be used to mend, patch, hem, and more. Here are 12 ways that you can put a roll of this ubiquitou...
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10 Household Headaches You Can Solve with Aspirin
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...
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18 Clever Storage Solutions You Can DIY for Free
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 ultrafu...
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3 Fixes for Tarnished Silver
There’s no place for tarnished silver on the holiday table, especially not when company is due for dinner. But if rem...
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10 Weirdly Awesome New Uses for Old Appliances
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...
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Quick Tip: How to Clean Glass Bottles (and Vases) with Rice
Your holiday spirits may be high when the champagne and the conversation is overflowing, but after the guests leave, ...
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8 Things You Didn't Know a Clothes Iron Can Do
Irons aren’t just for the laundry room anymore. There are plenty of unusual ways to put this wrinkle remover to good use, whether it's for candles, crafts, or cle...
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9 Home Repair Remedies to Borrow from Your Medicine Cabinet
Maybe you’re a new homeowner, still unsure about what tools and supplies you need to own. Perhaps you've just downsized to a tiny house or apartment, and you’re l...
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3 Fixes for a Foul-Smelling Trash Can
The trash can doesn't have a lot of positive imagery associated with it, especially when it comes to the smell. But a...
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9 Clever Alternative Uses for Sandpaper
The abrasive quality of sandpaper is good for more than painting prep and getting a smooth finish on wood furniture. Check out our favorite alternative ways to us...
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10 Surprising Things You Can Do with Used Tea Bags
Few things are more relaxing than curling up with a nice cup of steaming hot tea. In fact, next to water, tea is the world’s most popular beverage. But all those ...
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9 Clever Things You Can Do with a Wire Hanger
Wire clothes hangers are inescapable. They seem to multiply overnight, and they pile up every time you go to the cleaners. Instead of throwing them out, try one o...
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11 Surprising Alternative Uses for Elmer's Glue
Elmer’s glue is much more than a back-to-school staple. It has applications that range far beyond the classroom. Whether you’re crafting, gardening, or crossing o...
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Genius! Turn a Plastic Fork into a Tiny Screwdriver
Instructables user deluges, a self-described amateur tinkerer, has nothing against custom screws—just the added cost ...
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12 Unusual Ways to Reinvent Old Sports Gear
You may not describe yourself as a sports enthusiast, but chances are that your garage or attic contains a surplus of extra athletic equipment. Don't let old golf...
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8 Clever Ways to Use Post-It Notes
Sure, they come in bright colors and are handy for jotting down reminders, but there's more to the Post-it than meets the eye. Learn how you can use this standard...
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7 Ingenious IKEA Hacks for Your Backyard
Having a backyard is a luxury and lets face it, also a lot of work to keep it looking like the oasis you want it to be. You could spend a ton of money on planters...
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12 "Zero Dollar" Home Decorating Hacks
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...
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10 Artful Uses for Old Frames
An empty picture frame is the quintessential blank slate. Sure, you can fill it with a photo of your dog, a poster, or a drawing. But why not take it further? Wit...
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3 Ways to Organize and Store Plastic Shopping Bags
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of plastic shopping bags you’re harboring underneath your kitche...
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12 Ways to Hack Your Life Using Velcro
Sometimes the best things come in little packages. Take the fasteners that you may remember fondly from your childhood shoe straps. Their tiny hooks and loops wer...
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DIY Bench From a Repurposed Door
One of the enjoyable things about reading Thistlewood Farms is the playful way that KariAnne puts things. But when sh...
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DIY Lite: Make an Herb Garden from Kitchen Recyclables
As you welcome spring, bring a pop of the season into the house with a newly handmade vertical garden. This space-con...
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9 Ways to Use Cork Around the House
When you think of cork, your first thought might be of a bulletin board pinned with reminders, but cork's handiness knows no bounds. This renewable resource is ac...
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7 New Ways to Use Old Windows
Spring promises all things fresh: flowers, air, even perspectives. What better time to a dust off an old window or two for a different point of view? These glass ...
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5 Things to Do with... Leftover Tile
Whenever you're assembling materials for a tiling project, it's recommended that you purchase a little extra—about 10...
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9 New Things to Do with Old Ladders
The thrift store, a neighbor's junk pile, Craigslist, or your own garage—just a few of the places where you can probably get your hands on an old ladder that’s do...
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7 New Projects for Your Old Bedsprings
Where do mattresses go to die? The landfill, most often. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s still life under what looks like old junk, if you’re willing ...
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11 Clever Other Uses for Plastic Wrap
Certain household items are so commonplace that we scarcely notice them anymore. But it may be time to take another look at some everyday household staples—like p...
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10 Things You Didn't Know a Sponge Can Do
Think you know how to use a sponge? Well, think again! These colorful little squares of cellulose can be used for a lot more household tasks than just wiping down...
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5 Things to Do with... Matchboxes
Before antismoking campaigns and the advent of disposable lighters, matchboxes and matchbooks were very common. They ...
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8 New Things You Can Do with Old Board Games
Doesn't it seem like there's always at least one board game in your house that's no longer playable? Maybe there are pieces missing, or you've given up on the gam...
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8 Nightstands You Don't Need to Buy
Bedside storage is a must. Where else would you set a glass of water, nightly reading, phone, and alarm clock before settling in for slumber? And in a room so per...
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Hardware Store Decor: 9 Ways to Repurpose Tools
Tools were made to be used, even long after their heyday of tough DIY assignments has passed. Whether you've shelved your older tools for newer models or you've i...
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7 Creative DIY Ways to Reuse a 5-Gallon Bucket
What do you do with an extra 5 gallon bucket? Once its contents are gone, its usefulness is only beginning. That's because there are so many practical ways to reu...
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9 Inventive Ways to Decorate with Tree Trunks, Branches, and Twigs
Decorative uses of straight-from-nature wood have been on the rise for a few years now, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. Why should it? Bringing the outdoo...
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10 New Uses for Old Dressers
The dresser is a sturdy staple of almost every bedroom, but daily wear and tear can put even the best one into disrepair. When it's time to for a new dresser, don...
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8 New Ways to Use Old Wooden Crates
Old wooden crates tend to evoke feelings of nostalgia—of the simple, good life. They also happen to be an amazingly versatile (and often free) source of inspirati...
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INFOGRAPHIC: Sober Uses for Beer & Booze Around the House
An outstanding perk of hosting friends and family for a potluck affair can be the copious volume of alcohol left over...
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Reinventing the Wheel: 10 Smart New Uses for Old Tires
Wheels have come a long way since their Stone Age introduction. No longer just for transporting objects from place to place, wheels have become a starting point f...
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16 Creative New Ways to Use Old Bottles
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 house...
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All Aboard: 9 Railroad Cars Converted into Homes
In today’s culture of downsizing to reduce carbon footprints, tiny houses and recycled homes are getting increasingly desirable—in both conventional and unconvent...
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Weekend Projects: 5 Beautifully Basic DIY Bookends
If you have a few especially beloved books in your collection, why not use a pair of DIY bookends to set them apart a...
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Pipe Dreams: 10 Inspiring DIY Projects with PVC
While you may have no idea what polyvinyl chloride is, chances are you have some in your home, in the form of PVC pipes. PVC is an inexpensive, hard yet flexible,...
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18 Clever Uses for Coffee Grounds at Home and in the Garden
Every time you dump used coffee grounds into the trash, you’re adding to the millions of tons of coffee waste that pi...
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5 Things to Do with... Cassette Tapes
Chances are good that in some remote corner of your home there lies a box full of dusty cassette tapes. Be honest: Wh...
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15 Shipping Pallet Projects for the DIY Home
Shipping pallets are the DIYer’s standby building material for many good reasons. They aren’t hard to come by, and even damaged pallets can be salvaged for smalle...
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5 Things to Do with... Junk Mail
Everyone hates email spam, and rightfully so. It does have one redeeming factor, though: It's relatively easy to mana...
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5 Things to Do with... Old Rakes
What good is a rake you can no longer use in the garden? Actually, there are countless ingenious ways to give a secon...
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Garage Doors Repurposed: 9 Innovative Design Uses
If you’re planning on improving your home's curb appeal by installing a new garage door, don’t be so fast to throw out the old one. Disposing of a large, cumberso...
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5 Things to Do with... Fireplace Ashes
Cozying up to a roaring fire is a winter evening pastime that no one would reject. Disposing of fireplace ashes? Well...
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12 Unique Designs for DIY Kitchen Islands
Are you looking for more storage or workspace in your kitchen but are reluctant to splurge on a custom kitchen island? Here are 12 creative DIY kitchen island des...
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5 Things to Do with... Cardboard Boxes
Without cardboard boxes, what would the world be like? At times, it seems like cardboard is nearly as ubiquitous—and ...
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5 Things to Do with... Pens
The pen is mightier than the sword, everyone knows that. But when a pen runs out of ink, its power diminishes—or does...
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5 Things to Do with... Doorknobs
We interact with them daily and seldom think twice, but do-it-yourselfers have found plenty of reasons for us to focu...
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5 Things to Do with... Wooden Hangers
Eventually, we all find ourselves with more hangers than we know what to do with, and when they are not keeping our s...
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10 Novel Uses for the Classic Clothespin
The first clothespins served the sole purpose of hanging laundry. But today, these humble wooden clips inspire all sorts of home improvement projects, from managi...
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5 Things to Do with… Filing Cabinets
Whereas our desks were once crammed with 8. 5" x 11"-inch documents, sheets of loose-leaf paper, and manila folders, ...
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Think Outside the Toolbox: 9 New Uses for Old Tools
When it’s finally time for old tools to retire, don’t ship them off to Florida. Give them a second career as a crafty DIY project.
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5 Things to Do with... Gourds
For as long as people have been cultivating these relatives of pumpkins, squash, and cucumbers, they have been adapti...
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5 Things to Do with... Leather Belts
At first, leather belts don't seem like they would be much use to do-it-yourselfers. Then again, creative minds with ...
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How to Build a DIY Pallet Compost Bin
This post has been brought to you by Dickies.  Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. A compost bin is a g...
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9 Creative Uses for Old Paint Cans
Wondering what to do with all those empty paint cans? See how others have cleaned and repurposed them into everything from smart storage to fun works of art.
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Trash to Treasure: 14 Creative Ways to Make Good Use of Old Stuff
These innovative projects will inspire you to dig through your discards and repurpose them into useful furnishings and interesting accents for your home.
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11 Eye-Popping Chandeliers Made from the Everyday
From soda bottles and bicycle chains to cutlery and toothpicks, these dazzling chandeliers illuminate the value—and fun—of putting unremarkable old stuff to brill...
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14 DIY Doormats That Step Up the Style
Incorporating a variety of materials, these truly one-of-a-kind doormats are not something you would simply walk on—or by—without noticing.
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Recycled Fences: 8 Clever Ways to Put Salvage to Good Use
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...
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10 Top DIY Pipe Fitting Projects
Plumbing may be best left in the hands of a pro, but getting creative with pipe fittings is a DIY project that can yield surprising results. Here are ten designs ...
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18 Brilliant Ways to Decorate with Rope
‘Knot’ just for sailing fanatics or decorating summer beach houses anymore, rope has found its way into homes of every style.
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5 Things to Do with... Old Drawers
Dusty suburban basements and chockablock urban thrift stores have no shortage of neglected old furniture with marred ...
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10 Smart and Easy Ways to Decorate With Corrugated Metal
If your impression of corrugated metal is that it belongs on a barn roof, take another look. Lightweight and inexpens...
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5 Things to Do with... Old Dishes
We can all agree that vintage dishes are pretty, but in today's home, they’re not very practical: most can't be used ...
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Fine-Tuning: 9 Inventive Ways to Repurpose a Piano
Sometimes an old piano is just beyond repair. Before paying someone to cart yours off to the landfill, check out these nine harmonious reinterpretations.
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Sorting Waste After Remodeling
Homeowners who plan to undertake a do-it-yourself job should know the difference between waste and salvageable buildi...
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The Beauty of Reclaimed Lumber
Reclaimed LumberGorgeous rediscovered and recovered woods are being offered by fine mills and merchants throughout th...
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Trash to Treasure: 10 Upcycled Products We Covet
Inspired by DIYers transforming old discarded materials and objects into something new, we couldn't help but turn the spotlight on these smart upcycled designer c...
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9 Lampshades You Can Make Before Lights Out
If you have a tired table lamp, a lackluster lantern, or a pooped-out pendant, take inspiration (and instruction) from these fresh and easy DIY ideas—and let ther...
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Wicker Gone Wild: 10 Easy Ways to Transform Old into New
If your wicker furniture has seen better days, transform it into whimsical but useful accents for your home or garden.
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5 Unexpected Ways to Use a Vintage Coat Rack
For the most part, free-standing coat racks are a thing of the past. They belong to a time when closets were only dee...
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5 Things to Do with... Tin Cans
Tin cans are like air—they're all around us. Most families go through several cans each week, and some even use that ...
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10 New Uses for Old Doors
With imagination and elbow grease, you can transform that old door into a one-of-a-kind piece that's both useful and beautiful.
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13 Easy Ways to Repurpose Antique Armoires
With a little ingenuity, you can move your antique armoire into the 21st century without sacrificing any of the furniture's old-fashioned charm.
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Easy DIY: How to Cut Glass Wine Bottles
The other day my roommate came home from IKEA with a pack of 100 tea lights. One hundred. To be fair, my roommate als...
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15 Ways to Use Salvaged Wood in Your Home
These days, everyone tries hard to subscribe to the 3R’s— Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Home design is all over that trend, and has its own 3R’s— Recycle, Repurpose, Re...
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8 Ways to Use Straw Bales for Festive and Functional Outdoor Decor
For about $5 to $10 you can pick up a bale of straw at your local hardware store or nursery. That means you can have ...
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16 Ingenious IKEA Hacks
Custom furniture is expensive. And let’s face it, while many of us have custom tastes, we don’t have custom budgets. Enter, IKEA— the Swedish furniture company th...
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5 Things to Do with... Apple Crates
Wooden crates used to be the way to get everything to market, from fruit and produce to soda bottles. These days, tho...
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5 Things to Do with... Old Bicycles
The old adage goes, "It's like riding a bike. " Meaning of course that cycling becomes so integrated into your muscle...
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5 Things to Do... with Vintage Ladders
Chances are that, languishing in your basement or garage, you have an old wooden ladder splattered with coats of pain...
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Great Places to Buy Architectural Salvage
Here are just a few listings of the antique fairs, flea markets, reclaimed lumber businesses, nonprofits, and archite...
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Reviewing the Addition's Footprint and Garage Doors and Laying Down the Second-Story Floor
The new addition's footprint is essentially a whole other house, yet it will integrate visually with a matching roofline to the existing house. New technologies h...
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Tour a Salvaged Home with the Latest Green Technologies
Architect Mary Kennedy and Bob tour her Georgian Colonial family home in Westchester County, NY. After a flood ruined the house, the challenge was to salvage and ...
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Removing Unwanted Junk and Debris
Bob discusses the best ways to discard debris and unwanted items before starting a renovation.
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Building a Retaining Wall, Front Steps, and Backyard Patio With Stone
Stone workers install a granite retaining wall, replace a front walkway, and build a backyard patio.
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Interior Demolition for Warehouse Conversion
Bob meets with the construction foreman to discuss the demolition work that's underway. Having removed the elevator shaft, the crew plans to move ahead by taking ...
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Artist Community in DUMBO
Bob pays a visit to Jane Walentas, a member of the artistic community in DUMBO.
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Discussing Controlled Demolition in a High-Rise
Project supervisor Dave Southard of DS Woodworks explains why high-rise demolition is different from demolition work that takes place elsewhere. Also, Southard la...
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New York Brownstone Development & Design
Bob introduces an 1890s Brownstone on New York City's Upper West Side.
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Reviewing the Architectural Floor Plans for the Brownstone Remodel
Reviewing the architectural floor plans for the Brownstone remodel, salvaging the vintage sink, and removing asbestos tile uncovered at the start of demolition.
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Installing a Reclaimed Heart Pine Floor
Carpenter Bob Ryley and contractor Grady Garrett install a reclaimed Yellow Pine hardwood floor.
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Installing a Reclaimed Pine Floor
Bob Riley and Howard Brickman install a reclaimed hard pine floor. The orientation of the boards is explained, and the moisture content of the subfloor is checked...
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Tour of the Completed Workout Area
Bob takes a final tour of the home workout area, discussing the tub surround and the new exercise equipment.
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Kitchen Demolition
Bob and carpenter Cortney Lofton review and demolish the original kitchen cabinets. Bob then visits a salvage yard to view the turn-of-the-century cabinets purcha...
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Rebuilding the Deck With Salvaged Lumber
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley rebuild the deck in the rear of the addition using salvaged lumber from the demolition.
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Salvaged Brick Hearth
Bob watches as the mason lays a new hearth in the old fireplace using salvaged Charleston brick.
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Installing a Salvaged Door
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley install a salvaged door on the side of the dream garage, which is undergoing construction.
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Touring the Designed Interior
Bob tours the furnished, decorated Martha's Vineyard Victorian project house. The designer has sourced pieces from antique stores, salvage yards, second hand stor...
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Picture Window Installation
A window is recycled during the remodeling process and placed back into the frame of the new addition. Bob explains the reason for recycling and assists with the ...
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Combining Two Double-Hung Windows
Two recycled windows are used to create one large window. Once carpenter Bob Ryley demolishes the old frame, supports are installed to hold up the new combined wi...
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Recycling a Hardwood Floor
Flooring contractor Leo Boudreau shows Bob how to recycle hardwood flooring. First, the floor must be salvaged. A pry bar is used to lift and remove the wood, pie...
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Shopping the Architectural Salvage Yard
Bob shops an architectural salvage yard for used, inexpensive doors and bathroom vanities.
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The Merchandise Mart
Bob heads to the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago, the largest wholesale design center in the city, to see a selection of bathroom fixtures at K & B Galleries...
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Lowering the "Ell" Onto the Foundation
The crew lowers the recycled "ell" onto the new foundation with a crane.
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Shopping for Appliances
Bob compares kitchen appliances at the Irv Wolfson Showroom, part of Chicago's Merchandise Mart.
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Touring Salvage One Architectural Warehouse
Bob travels to Chicago’s South Side to tour the Salvage One architectural warehouse with Anne Steinweddel.
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