Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 326)

If a trip to the bath feels more like a trip in time to the 1960s—complete with nostalgic but now dated design choices like pastel bathtubs, plate mirrors, and garish, textured wallpaper—your bathroom could do with an update. But you don’t have to take the plunge on a more costly or time-consuming renovation when there are a number of thrifty and simple alterations you can make to refresh your bathroom. Read on for nine easy ways to bring your bathroom out of the dark ages and into modernity.

Kitchen islands are the workhorses of a busy kitchen, but they also inevitably become a place where family and friends gather before and after mealtime. Whether topped with marble, laminate, or butcher block, a sturdy kitchen island provides a place to slice and dice, grab a bite to eat, store supplies, or stand around for conversation. A kitchen island doesn’t need to be big to perform its duties. Take some design inspiration from these small kitchen islands, then consider recreating the look in your kitchen, whatever the dimensions of your space.

When it comes to picking exterior paint colors, there are a number of things to consider before making a final decision. Here are some basic do’s and don’ts to help you choose the perfect color—or colors—for your dream home.

Plumbing is one of those things that we don’t really think about—until, of course, it starts to fail. Although some plumbing mishaps are out of our control, others are due to our own carelessness. Read on to find out which common, everyday mistakes might be causing serious damage to your system.

Basements were once used solely as utility rooms that housed furnaces, laundry areas, and overflow storage for seasonal items, tools, and sometimes even root vegetables. Today, with the high cost of above-grade living space, many homeowners choose to finish parts of their basements to serve as living areas. While this is a great way to gain more space, if characteristic basement problems aren't resolved first, occupants of these finished spaces may be exposed to a higher risk of some health problems. Even if you have no intention of using your basement as living space, health hazards that originate there can spread to other parts of your home. It pays to be aware of the risks that dwell in your basement and that could potentially affect your family’s health.

Located just inside the back or side door lies one of the most overlooked parts of the house. This secondary entryway serves as a drop zone for shoes, bags, and outerwear, and keeps moisture and mud out of the house. It's clear enough what a mudroom does, but how to decorate it? That's another challenge. We've rounded up some of our favorite mudroom ideas to make this room work as a functional space, stocked with robust storage options and stylish flourishes that fit your lifestyle.

There are so many decisions to make when you're remodeling a kitchen—cabinetry, appliances, countertop material, faucets, backsplash—that it’s easy to shortchange the lighting. That would be a big mistake. Proper lighting is crucial to a kitchen's functionality, and the lighting fixtures themselves can pack a real punch style-wise. Here, we've gathered 25 kitchen lighting ideas, ranging from traditional to ultra-modern, that can both brighten and enhance your kitchen.

Today’s wide variety of fun and functional shutters may make it difficult to choose just one style!

Think beige is dull and dreary? Take a peek at the dreamy color palettes, flattering furnishings, and dazzling decor in these beige rooms, and you'll start seeing this unassuming neutral in a beautiful new light.

Strategic landscaping choices can help you get rid of ticks, protecting your family and pets from the danger posed by these insects, even in the seeming safety of your own backyard.

Some homes have hard water—water that contains a high level of calcium, magnesium, lime, or other minerals. Hard water doesn't pose any health risks, but it can cause a number of plumbing, maintenance, and household cleaning issues. Click through to discover some of the problems hard water can create. And if these issues sound all too familiar, maybe it's time to install a water softener!

To create a functional and beautiful outdoor kitchen, you need materials that can really stand up to the elements—and few materials surpass the durability of stone and concrete. Prepare and savor your outdoor meals in style, this season and beyond, by building a custom outdoor kitchen with professional flair, complete with concrete counters. This content is paid advertising created in partnership with Quikrete. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.

The joys of carpeting are many: It’s undeniably the softest, most comfortable type of flooring, it muffles sound, and it helps insulate rooms from temperature swings. But that plush pile is hiding a dark side. The very thing that makes carpeting so wonderful—all those thick twists of yarn—is also what makes it the perfect home and hiding spot for a scary array of gross organisms and debris you’d rather not think about, but really should. Here are 8 nasties that may be hiding right underneath your feet.

Building materials and water don’t mix. Insulation, wood studs, plywood sheathing, and subflooring can all degrade, rot, or develop mold when they’re repeatedly saturated with water. Making the situation even worse, this water damage is often hidden from sight, tucked away between walls or under floors. As a result, significant structural damage can occur before it’s discovered. Read on to learn about 15 spots where water damage could be hiding in your home.

Today's vinyl siding products can mimic wood, insulate your home, and even stand up to tornado-force winds, making them a highly desirable exterior cladding option.

No one enjoys sacrificing a weekend to raking, weeding, and winterizing, but fall yard cleanup is a necessary evil. It's important to clear debris away from your yard and landscaping beds before snow falls and a deep freeze sets in. Make your end-of-season maintenance chores go faster with a few of these simple tips and tricks.

Perk up your patio with great-looking, long-wearing brick with one of these ideas.

Small home annoyances are sometimes indicators of a bigger structural problem. Learn to recognize the signs of these maintenance issues that need to get addressed sooner rather than later.

Homes make strange noises on a regular basis, from groaning and creaking to popping and scratching. As a homeowner, you should be able to tell whether that noise you're hearing could possibly be a sign of something serious. Here are the top seven problem noises and how they can be solved

Your grass can tell you a lot about its health and well-being, if you only know how to listen. Learn the language of your lawn by clicking through this list of signs of the most common yard problems.