REPURPOSING

Browse By Tag

  • DIY (186)
  • Decor (33)
  • Sustainability (33)
  • Cleaning (23)
  • Clips (20)
  • Furniture (16)
  • How To (14)
  • Bob Vila Radio (13)
  • Kitchen (11)
  • Storage (10)
  • Gardening (8)
  • Use (8)
  • Tools (8)
  • Materials (8)
  • Architecture (6)
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
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)...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
9 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...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
10 Things You Didn't Know Windex Can Do
You already know Windex is great for cleaning windows, now learn the 10 other ways you can use the blue spray cleaner around the house.
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon slideshow
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 ...
Tag icon slideshow
10 Ways to Put Your Spare Change to Work Around the House
While it’s true that spare change—those pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters that seem to multiply in your pockets—doesn’t stretch as far at the grocery store as...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon slideshow
14 Things You Never Realized Are Reusable
These days, it seems everything is made to be thrown away. Disposables litter our kitchens, closets, laundry rooms, and bathrooms, and the barrage of trash shows ...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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 ...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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 ...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
12 Things to Do with Rice—Besides Eat It
Plain white rice is an easy, tasty accompaniment for almost any dinner. But uncooked rice has a host of household uses you may never have thought of. Scroll throu...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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 ...
Tag icon slideshow
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’...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
Video: 5 Things You Can Do with Lemons
When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade—clean house, instead! This versatile fruit can freshen every corner o...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
Video: Unusual Ways to Use Coca-Cola at Home
When is the last time you cracked open an ice-cold Coke? If you're like two-thirds of Americans, it's probably been a...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
13 Totally New Uses for Toothpicks
You already know toothpicks are great for holding sandwiches together and for cleaning under your fingernails in a pinch, but you probably don’t know how these ti...
Tag icon slideshow
8 Genius Ways to Turn Clutter into Cash
After a satisfying weekend of decluttering, homeowners are often faced with an ominous pile of unwanted items. Before dropping everything off at a thrift store—or...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
16 Vaseline Uses for Household Fixes
Long a makeup-bag standby for dry skin and chapped lips, petroleum jelly has so many around-the-house uses that it deserves a place in your tool box, too.
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Why You Shouldn't Trash Leftover Tiles
When you take on a tiling project, it's always a good idea to buy about 10% more than you'll need for the job—just in...
Tag icon slideshow
Stop! Don't Toss These 13 Secretly Handy Disposables
Why doom single-use cooking utensils, cleaning supplies, and grooming essentials to the trash? With inspiration from these 13 DIYs, you can repurpose everyday dis...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon slideshow
11 Home Hacks You Can Do with a Bag of Groceries
The next time you're making a grocery list, be sure to add cleaners to your must-buys. Only on this trip to the store, you'll never have to set foot in the commer...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
11 Different Ways to Use a Single Sock
Socks seem to just disappear in the dryer, leaving you with an ever-growing supply of unmatched socks. But there’s no need to despair when you're left with a sock...
Tag icon article
Genius! Double Your Grilling Space Without Spending a Dime
From searing a steak to piecing together the perfect kebabs, manning the grill is a juggling act. For BBQ-ers without...
Tag icon slideshow
7 Clever Alternative Uses for Your Trim Puller
Construction pros and savvy do-it-yourselfers who have purchased a Trim Puller for a demo job know how quickly, cleanly, and efficiently it removes and salvages t...
Tag icon article
Genius! Hide a Litter Box (and Its Mess) in Plain Sight
Cat owners love to spoil their pets, and why wouldn’t they? These cuddly companions with big personalities won’t make...
Tag icon article
Genius! Raid Your Recycling Bin for Free Garden Tools
When A Farm of Your Home's blogger Melissa Barrett first moved to Australian city of Perth, her backyard was a tiny d...
Tag icon article
Genius! The Soundproofing Solution That Doubles as Wall Art
The struggles of sharing a home aren't limited to arranging furniture or dividing up a chore chart among the househol...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: An "Old School" Storage Staple Comes Home
Remember twisting the dial of your combination lock to retrieve a textbook from your high school locker? Well, you're...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon slideshow
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 ...
Tag icon slideshow
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 ...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon article
Genius! The In-a-Pinch Vegetable Peeler
Single-use kitchen gadgets—garlic presses, juicers, and vegetable peelers—all do their jobs exceedingly well, but eve...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
Genius! Turn a Toothbrush into a Power Sander
Power sanders are incredibly useful—and incredibly expensive. The smallest versions, called detail sanders, allow you...
Tag icon article
Quick Tip: A Sweet In-a-Pinch Kindling Substitute
The fall season has been mild this year, but chilly temperatures are right around the corner, especially with the off...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Painter’s Tape
While you hardly ever venture to the paint section of your hardware store without a specific job in mind, one of its ...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
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, ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Olive Oil
The versatility of olive oil is virtually limitless. Called "liquid gold" thousands of years ago in ancient Greece, i...
Tag icon slideshow
13 Clever Alternative Ways to Use Coffee Filters
Think a coffee filter is only good for brewing your morning cup of joe? Think again! Disposable paper coffee filters are great multitaskers around the house, used...
Tag icon article
Genius! The DIY Cure for a Crowded Table
Unplanned guests can throw off even the most seasoned holiday host or hostess. Between checking on the turkey, wiping...
Tag icon slideshow
11 Seriously Surprising Uses for a Ziplock Bag
Soggy sandwiches, messy leftovers, and dried-out cheeses have been a thing of the past since the 1960s, thanks to the invention of a ubiquitous kitchen staple: th...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Old Toothbrushes
Every year at least 1 billion used toothbrushes end up in landfills, adding to the more than 50 million tons of trash...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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 ...
Tag icon article
Quick Tip: Clean Ceiling Fans with a Pillowcase
Too far out of reach (and often out of sight during normal cleaning routines), ceiling fans collect plenty of dust wh...
Tag icon slideshow
9 Things You Didn't Know Dryer Sheets Can Do
You probably have a sizable stack of folded dryer sheets stored in your laundry room for the next afternoon of chores, but you might not realize the potential the...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Brown Paper Bags
The brown paper bag is a highly underrated household standby. While its everyday uses range from toting groceries to ...
Tag icon article
Genius! Bring Gutters Indoors for Simple Storage
As the first leaves begin to litter the lawn, we're reminded that it's once again time to dig out the ladder from the...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
12 Household Items It’s Okay to Hoard
Exactly how much stuff is too much? When it comes to your collection, perhaps you draw the line when the pile runs so high that it calls for an intervention. Howe...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with… Ice Cubes
There’s nothing more refreshing than a cool drink on the rocks—but a cup of ice cubes can do a lot more than quench y...
Tag icon article
Genius! This Hanger Hack Organizes More than Just Clothes
In most of the Western world, Sunday is the day of rest—and that means different things to different people. Do you s...
Tag icon slideshow
11 Surprising Uses for Aluminum Foil
Flexible, durable, moisture-proof, and grease-proof, aluminum foil is most often used in the kitchen. But foil can do so much more! Keep this multitasking treasur...
Tag icon article
Genius! Remix Your Backsplash with Old CDs
Remember when your biggest problem was keeping your favorite CD from skipping? Times were simpler before iPhones, Net...
Tag icon article
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 ...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
Genius! Make a Mini Greenhouse with Dollar-Store Photo Frames
Sure, your indoor plants might be doing just fine on their own with your current watering schedule and carefully sele...
Tag icon article
Quick Tip: Plant Your Garden in... Diapers?
Yes, we’re just as shocked as you! But anyone who lives in an area that’s incredibly dry or has serious water restric...
Tag icon article
Genius! The Smartphone Speaker You Already Have in Your Kitchen
Everyone wants to be a DJ, but no one wants to buy the equipment—let alone figure out how to use it. This life hack w...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with… Newspaper
Besides keeping you up on all the need-to-know current events, a hefty newspaper is downright useful to have around t...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
Genius! Turn a Matchbook into a Mini Notepad
Known as phillumenists, or "lovers of light," matchbook collectors number about 7,000 worldwide—the population of a s...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with… Pool Noodles
Brightly colored pool noodles usually evoke images of relaxing summer days spent lazily afloat, but these versatile w...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
Pro Tips: 6 Ways to Live with Less Waste
Americans generate a whopping 251 million tons of waste each year, according to the U. S. Environmental Protection Ag...
Tag icon slideshow
10 Best Flea Markets for Cool Old Finds
Oh, flea markets and swap meets the way they used to be! Vendors selling used items they no longer needed, and buyers scoring great deals—some requiring TLC, othe...
Tag icon article
Repurposed Door Toddler Bed
Gail from My Repurposed Life is no stranger to fantastic repurposing projects. But don't let her skills intimidate yo...
Tag icon article
Repurposed Door Beverage Bar
If you're like us, spring and summer can mean long, thirsty hours spent DIYing (or even relaxing!) in the sun. But th...
Tag icon article
Repurposed Door Coffee Table
After posting pictures of a DIY coffee table that she (and readers) loved, Sausha from Sweet Pickins decided to revis...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
Genius! Unpack the Ultimate Picnic with This Suitcase Hack
A blanket works just fine for picnics—you know, in the way that candles worked just fine before electricity. But if y...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with… Paint Chips
You agonized over choosing precisely the right color to paint the spare room. As part of your effort (and partly beca...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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 ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Eggshells
Delicious and versatile, eggs are on the ingredients list for countless favorite recipes. But while the yolks and the...
Tag icon article
This Company Makes Furniture from Salvaged Fire Hose
Every single month, tons of fire hose reaches the end of its useful life and must be disposed of. That's when Oakland...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Drop Cloths
With any number of do-it-yourself projects, be it wall painting or window replacement, a prudent first step is to spr...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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 ...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Matchboxes
Before antismoking campaigns and the advent of disposable lighters, matchboxes and matchbooks were very common. They ...
Tag icon slideshow
7 Reasons Not to Chuck Your Tree After X-Mas
Don’t junk your tree after the holidays are over. There are lots of ways to salvage part, or all, of a Christmas tree to give it a second life. Bestow an end-of-s...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
8 Clever Ways to Reuse Wrapping Paper
Once you've torn through the stack of presents on Christmas morning, you're likely left swimming in a sea of wrapping paper scraps. If you're in the camp that fee...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Stair Spindles
On your last trip to the architectural salvage yard, you doubtless saw scores of antique sinks, windows, and at every...
Tag icon article
Genius! DIY Pencil Dish Rack
When designer Samuel Bernier found himself with an excess of pencil stubs (don't ask!), he was determined not to disc...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Aluminum Foil
Cooks know the value of aluminum foil, particularly around the holidays, when it plays a role in everything from roas...
Tag icon slideshow
10 Trash-to-Treasure Ways to Reinvent Old Tech
It seems that we're updating our computers, smart phones and media collections as often as our wardrobes these days. If you're like us, you've been holding onto y...
Tag icon slideshow
10 Ways to Redecorate Without Spending a Dime
Got the itch to redecorate—just not the budget? Rather than begrudgingly waiting for a refresh, you can redesign a room with furnishings you already own. Moving a...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Candy Wrappers
On the spectrum of vice, there are many things worse crimes than having a sweet tooth. Sure, doctors and dentists tel...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
Redecorate Your Home for—and with—Pennies
You can get all the luster of a metallic surface without breaking the bank. The trick? Use pennies. Incorporating the coins into your design as a material can sav...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Magnets
In most homes, the only magnets are the ones studding the refrigerator door. And while many of us would be lost witho...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Shoeboxes

There's something about the size, durability, and versatility of shoeboxes that compels us to keep them long after ou...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Old Window Screens
If that window screen is torn beyond repair, don't take the entire panel out to the trash. Rather, look for ways to r...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon slideshow
10 New Ways to Reimagine Old Musical Instruments
Many of us have musical instruments that occupy a special place in our hearts, even if they no longer occupy a place in our lives. It's hard to imagine parting wi...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
Pro Tips: Saving on Remodeling Costs With Deconstruction and Salvage
Renovations, regardless of whether they are large or small, can be costly endeavors. You may, however, be able to rec...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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,...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Tree Stumps
As the country emerges from a harsh winter, many homeowners are facing the prospect of cutting down and cleaning up h...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Old Toys
Up in the attic, down in the basement, or out in the garage, chances are that you've got a chest full of old toys. If...
Tag icon slideshow
17 Creative Ways to Reuse Cardboard Boxes
While technology is constantly giving us new ways of doing things, there are some things that stubbornly stay the same. Take the good old cardboard box, for examp...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Test Tubes
Test tubes are commonplace and entirely unremarkable in locations like science labs and chemistry classrooms. But in ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Coffee Grounds
If you drink coffee, chances are that you drink it every day. Sure, sometimes you get it on the go, but if you're any...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Old Sweaters
If your tastes have changed or you've outgrown a favorite old sweater, you have options aside from donating the garme...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Reclaimed Brick
Brick is an extremely sturdy construction material. It’s attractive, fire resistant, and low maintenance—and it stand...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Colanders
I love my colanders. Vintage-inspired, colorful, and enamel-coated, they work not only as strainers, but also as deco...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Denim
Decades ago, denim may have seemed uniquely American, but today this sturdy fabric belongs to the world: A whopping 4...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Pegboard
People often peg pegboard as being fit only for the garage. Well, that theory sure has a lot of holes in it! As these...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Bricks
For thousands of years, people have made bricks and used them to build structures of all kinds. Even today, with so m...
Tag icon article
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 ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Wine Corks
In the wake of holiday office functions, neighborhood tree lightings, and, of course, New Year's Eve parties, wine co...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Christmas Tree Crafts
Right now, there may be more than 25 million cut Christmas trees adorning rooms throughout the United States. Within ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Gift Wrap
It's always alarming to see how much gift wrap gets wasted during the holidays. Boldly patterned, brightly colored pa...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Upcycled Designs
It’s always better to find a way to recycle or reuse an item than to send it to a landfill. Some creative designers o...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Repurposing Gourds
Gourds come in many beautiful patterns, shapes, and textures. They can be striped or speckled, knobby or curvy, and t...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Altoids Tins
The next time you open an Altoids tin only to find that it's empty, rest assured that even if there are no mints insi...
Tag icon article
Quick Tip: Architectural Salvage Yards
 Salvage yards have always been a great place to find old house parts. These can be recycled as art objects or as rep...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Yardsticks
You may think of it only as a handy helper at the workbench or sewing table—a no-frills, low-tech instrument for meas...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
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, ...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Legos
Thought you were too old for toys? Think again. Adults have ample reason to revisit Legos, if not for sheer amusement...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Baby Cribs
If your child has outgrown her baby crib, you may have found it's a tough piece of furniture to dispose of. Even thri...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
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 ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Plastic Bottles
Plastic bottles make it easy to hydrate on the go, but they're tough on the environment. They too often end up in lan...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Broken Blinds
Nothing lasts forever, and that includes window treatments. Besides the inevitable wear and tear they endure with nor...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Upcycling Cribs
In 2011, federal safety standards for baby cribs changed significantly, making it illegal to sell older models that n...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Garden Hoses
How many times have you dragged your hose into position only to discover that it's sprung a leak? Fear not! Even with...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Duct Tape
Handymen love duct tape for its power to delay the inevitable—specifically, the trouble and expense that a proper rep...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Milk Crates
Everyone has at least one or two plastic milk crates hanging around the basement or garage. Although expressly design...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Light Bulbs
You flipped the switch only to see the light bulb flash with that familiar blue flare? My friend, you've got another ...
Tag icon slideshow
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 ...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Old Drawers
Dusty suburban basements and chockablock urban thrift stores have no shortage of neglected old furniture with marred ...
Tag icon slideshow
10 Honor Roll-Worthy Dorm Room Storage Solutions
Before heading off to school, consider some of these smart—and DIY-doable—storage solutions to help make college living a little more efficient and manageable.
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Egg Cartons
After you’ve fried up a few Western omelettes, topped them with Tabasco, and nourished your body with nature’s best s...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... PVC Pipe
For years now, PVC pipe has been popular for many applications in and around the house. It’s lightweight, durable, ba...
Tag icon article
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 ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Broken Pots
Clay pots come with one major upside: Because they are porous, air reaches plant roots and excess moisture is able to...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Old Barrels
What makes an old wine barrel so irresistibly charming? Is it the unique shape, the warm tones of the wood, the weath...
Tag icon article
Architectural Salvage 101
Architects, designers, and homeowners are increasingly on the hunt for salvage materials whose superior grade and cha...
Tag icon article
Sorting Waste After Remodeling
Homeowners who plan to undertake a do-it-yourself job should know the difference between waste and salvageable buildi...
Tag icon article
The Beauty of Reclaimed Lumber
Reclaimed LumberGorgeous rediscovered and recovered woods are being offered by fine mills and merchants throughout th...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Picture Frames
It's a fact of life: Everyone has at least one old or unused picture frame. Some folks have dozens laying around. Whe...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Lattice
Diamond-slatted lattice—it's as iconic as, and perhaps more often seen than, white picket fences. While primarily mea...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Old Luggage
I'm always swooning over the charming old luggage I see at flea markets and thrift stores around New York City. Clear...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Pallet Recycling
Everything from grocery store shipments to construction deliveries involves using a forklift to pick up and move a he...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Burlap
In the DIY decorating and design worlds, burlap is trending in a big way—and why shouldn't it be? Burlap's neutral co...
Tag icon slideshow
12 "Off the Wall" Places to Put Wallpaper
Before you discard leftover wallpaper, consider using it to decorate bookcases, lampshades, chairs, and more.
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Used Books
Does your apartment look more like the stock room at Barnes and Noble? Well, you're not alone: At one point or anothe...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Gutters
Spring is a great time of year to clean the accumulated debris from your gutters—and perhaps even replace gutters tha...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
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 ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Old Tires
Walking through my Brooklyn neighborhood this past weekend, I spied an interesting structure on the sidewalk. Someone...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Chopsticks
Every single drawer in your apartment is overflowing with chopsticks. Sure, you could toss a few pair in the trash. B...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Tin Ceiling Tiles
Many of us know tin ceiling tiles as the reasonably priced domestic cousin of European plasterwork. Ubiquitous in Vic...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Maps
Whether you've been bitten by the travel bug or merely want to give the impression of being well-traveled, maps lend ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Old Silverware
Silverware is so much more than simply the source of your next bite.  After all, if you tap a knife on a glass of cha...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Reclaimed Wood
Imagine bringing the quality and charm of eighteenth-century wood planks into your home today. With reclaimed wood, y...
Tag icon slideshow
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.
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Hardware Cloth
Hardware cloth is a small, sturdy mesh product sold in rolls at your local hardware store or home center. Made from m...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... String Lights
String lights are always associated with the holidays, but what if you use 'em in April or September? Well, they look...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: DIY Waste Removal
One of the biggest challenges of any remodeling project or basement clean-out is figuring out how to get rid of const...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Pine Cones
This time of year, if you take a walk through an area with pine trees, you’ll find pine cones nearly blanketing the g...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Recycling Carpet
Did you know that wall-to-wall carpet from just one standard 12 x 15 ft room takes 8 gallons of oil and 900,000 BTUs ...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Globes
It's hard to hate a globe. Whether you're going for an around-the-world vibe or an homage to your second-grade classr...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
Say Yes to Salvaged Wood
When you enter my neighbor’s house, you are greeted with a warm wall of rustic and variegated wood. Framed in the cen...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Empty Wine Bottles
Wine bottles, though made of glass, are actually quite strong. For durability and as a safety precaution, manufacture...
Tag icon article
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 ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Bottle Caps
“I wish I had more leftover bottle caps!” is not something you’re likely to hear anybody say. Given the abundance of ...
Tag icon article
Hanging with Kinetic Sculptor Elayna Toby Singer
When artist Elayna Toby Singer contemplates a new mixed media assemblage, she pieces together objects from both natur...
Tag icon article
How To: Turn Wine Bottles into Romantic Lanterns
Whenever I hesitate before throwing out something useless, like an expired coupon or an old magazine, I think to myse...
Tag icon article
20 "Why Didn't I Think of That" Ways to Decorate with Rope
'Knot' just for sailing fanatics or decorating summer beach houses anymore, rope has found its way into homes of ever...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Cinder Blocks
Cinder blocks: They are inexpensive, reliable, and strong but are light enough to be easily used in DIY projects. The...
Tag icon article
Fresh Pastry Stand: New Business from Old Housewares
Whether making cake stands or candles, Fresh Pastry Stand's Deva Mirel finds inspiration in the vintage kitchen and i...
Tag icon slideshow
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...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Deconstruction, Not Demolition
Deconstruction is the new demolition.  CM_BVNOTES-1235-6 Recycled Bldg ProductsListen to BOB VILA ON DECONSTRUCTION, ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Beadboard
Beadboard is a classic wall paneling commonly associated with New England and Cape Cod-style houses and country decor...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
Lamon Luther: Reclaiming Lumber... and Lives
Compassion, faith, and hope are not intrinsically wired into the furniture business, but Lamon Luther, a fledgling ma...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Salvaged Treasure
Now that folks are more conscious about not sending everything to the landfill, and there are even tax incentives for...
Tag icon article
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...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Mason Jars
Might I tell you my very favorite thing about the ever-versatile mason jar? The design has remained essentially uncha...
Tag icon article
How To: Have a Yard Sale
Take advantage of the warm weather by holding a yard sale to clear the clutter and maximize your home’s space potenti...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Old Windows
Vintage windows are much easier to come by than you might think. Before the salvage craze became mainstream, windows ...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Shipping Pallets
You’ve likely seen wood shipping pallets piled up next to dumpsters outside local stores. Once the pallet has done it...
Tag icon article
5 Things to Do with... Wood Shutters
If you are a fan of salvage, like I am, you will understand what delight I felt upon discovering these weathered, blu...
Tag icon article
Bob Vila Radio: Deconstruction
Deconstruction is the new demolition. Instead of gutting a project and sending the whole shebang to a landfill, more ...
Tag icon article
Quick Tip: Recycle Building Materials
Think Before You TossDeconstruction is the new demolition. Instead of gutting a project and sending the whole shebang...
Tag icon article
10 DIY Pipe Fitting Projects (No Plumbing Required)
Many contractors and home improvement experts will say, "Homeowners and DIYers should try anything, except for electr...
Tag icon article
Turning a Frown Upside Down: Repurposing Bricks to Make a Walkway
No one likes cleaning up after a storm. But when the storm causes structural damage to your home, the cleanup process...
Tag icon article
Fighting Hunger—Can by Can
At the 19th Annual Canstruction Design/Build Competition—an art show and food drive benefiting City Harvest—some of N...
Tag icon article
Great Places to Buy Architectural Salvage
Here are just a few listings of the antique fairs, flea markets, reclaimed lumber businesses, nonprofits, and archite...
Tag icon article
Get Jet: The 747 Wing House
There is a new residence in the Malibu hills constructed mostly from an old airplane. Consisting of a main house and ...
Tag icon article
Shedding "New Light" on Recycling: Innovative Eco-Friendly Fixtures from Graypants
The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City ...
Tag icon video
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...
Tag icon video
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 ...
Tag icon video
Removing Unwanted Junk and Debris
Bob discusses the best ways to discard debris and unwanted items before starting a renovation.
Tag icon video
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.
Tag icon video
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 ...
Tag icon video
Artist Community in DUMBO
Bob pays a visit to Jane Walentas, a member of the artistic community in DUMBO.
Tag icon video
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...
Tag icon video
New York Brownstone Development & Design
Bob introduces an 1890s Brownstone on New York City's Upper West Side.
Tag icon video
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.
Tag icon video
Installing a Reclaimed Heart Pine Floor
Carpenter Bob Ryley and contractor Grady Garrett install a reclaimed Yellow Pine hardwood floor.
Tag icon video
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...
Tag icon video
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.
Tag icon video
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...
Tag icon video
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.
Tag icon video
Salvaged Brick Hearth
Bob watches as the mason lays a new hearth in the old fireplace using salvaged Charleston brick.
Tag icon video
Installing a Salvaged Door
Bob helps contractor Bob Ryley install a salvaged door on the side of the dream garage, which is undergoing construction.
Tag icon video
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...
Tag icon video
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 ...
Tag icon video
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...
Tag icon video
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...
Tag icon video
Shopping the Architectural Salvage Yard
Bob shops an architectural salvage yard for used, inexpensive doors and bathroom vanities.
Tag icon video
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...
Tag icon video
Lowering the "Ell" Onto the Foundation
The crew lowers the recycled "ell" onto the new foundation with a crane.
Tag icon video
Shopping for Appliances
Bob compares kitchen appliances at the Irv Wolfson Showroom, part of Chicago's Merchandise Mart.
Tag icon video
Touring Salvage One Architectural Warehouse
Bob travels to Chicago’s South Side to tour the Salvage One architectural warehouse with Anne Steinweddel.
Radio banner a
Driveway Aprons 101 More clips
Get the Adobe Flash Player to listen to this audio file.
Follow banner a
Newsletter icon Flipboard glossy Facebook Twitter Pinterest Youtube Rss icon