Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 353)

No Ultimate Workshop Is Complete Without These Tools and Accessories
DIY

No Ultimate Workshop Is Complete Without These Tools and Accessories

Grow your workshop (and your skill set) with these 15 handy power tools, accessories, and more. This content is paid advertising created in partnership with Tractor Supply. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.

Dos and Don'ts of Curing Concrete
DIY

The Dos and Don’ts of Curing Concrete

Ensure the beauty, durability, and crack-resistance of your next concrete project by following these top tips.

When to Choose Gel Stain
DIY

All You Need to Know About Gel Stain

Want a wood finish with lots of charm and not too much prep work? Gel stain has you covered.

8 Things You Should Keep in Your Fridge (But Shouldn’t Eat)
Interior

8 Things You Should Keep in Your Fridge (But Shouldn’t Eat)

Food safety is no joke. According to the FDA, harmful bacteria like listeria can live inside your fridge and cause illness. Fridge temperature, cleanliness, and organization are your best ways of preventing bacteria and mold, ensuring that your perishables stay fresh, longer.

How to Make a DIY Boot Rack
DIY

DIY Lite: Store Winter Footwear on an Indoor Boot Rack

Tripping over boots on your way out the door? Build up a station that can handle this season's bulky footwear, and you'll have an organized entryway once more.

15 Household Mainstays from Your Childhood That You Won’t Find in New Homes
Design

15 Household Mainstays from Your Childhood That You Won’t Find in New Homes

As technology continues to evolve all around us, household items that were once commonplace have slowly fallen out of favor to be replaced by the latest and greatest. Whatever happened to the electric bun warmers that Mom and Grandma had? Would a rotary phone even work on the digital infrastructure we have now? (The answer is, “It depends.”) While many of yesteryear's biggest hits have disappeared for good, a few are still holding on. For example, wood paneling is actually coming back into fashion in some applications, and vinyl record and Polaroid enthusiasts can still feed their passions with vintage equipment. If you’ve ever said, “Well, back when I was a kid...,” come take a trip down memory lane with us as we visit some of our favorite household blasts from the past.

When to Repot a Plant, Solved!
Lawn & Garden

Solved! When—and How—to Repot a Plant

It’s inevitable that your houseplants will eventually outgrow their containers. While the signs can be subtle, understanding a little plant language will help you determine when the time has come to upgrade to roomier digs.

Living with a Galley Kitchen
Interior

All You Need to Know About Galley Kitchens

Understand the pros and cons of this narrow yet highly efficient design to see if it might work well for your cook space.

10 Sober Alternative Uses for Alcohol at Home
Interior

10 Sober Alternative Uses for Alcohol at Home

It's the perfect accompaniment for an exquisite meal and close friends, but drink too much of it, and you may find yourself slipping and stumbling into a heap of trouble—literally. Make no mistake, alcohol is one potent substance. In fact, its solvent properties give this versatile potable dozens of uses besides consumption. You can find alcohol in cleaning products, polishes, and even fuels, so it's not surprising that it has a bunch of practical uses around the home. Pop open your cabinet to see what you've got, then try out some of these 10 household tasks that can be tackled with drinkable alcohol.

Count On These 25 Indoor Plants for Easy Color Year-Round
Lawn & Garden

Count On These 25 Indoor Plants for Easy Color Year-Round

Adding houseplants to a space is like putting out the welcome mat. They infuse a home with life, bringing character and interest to every room they inhabit. Some houseplants even offer a little something extra, sporting flashy foliage and the occasional flower. With so many leaf shapes, colors, and textures, there’s a houseplant for every situation. Here are our suggestions for plants that can give your home or office a colorful pop without requiring too much maintenance on your part.

How to Clean Porcelain Tile
Interior

How To: Clean Porcelain Tile

A beautiful and extremely durable flooring option, porcelain tile will retain its sparkling finish for years—so long as it's cleaned regularly and appropriately. Here's how.

5 Reasons to Schedule a Chimney Inspection
Interior

5 Important Reasons to Schedule a Chimney Inspection ASAP

Learn why it’s crucial to have your chimney checked out by a pro on a yearly basis.

Porter-Cable Random Orbit Sander
DIY

How To: Remove Varnish and Other Wood Finishes

How to Clean Quartz Countertops
Interior

How To: Clean Quartz Countertops

Engineered quartz countertops rival the sophistication, design, and timeless appeal of real stone, minus the high maintenance. If you're lucky enough to have this luxurious material in your kitchen, read on for our complete guide to keeping it clean.

Straight and Narrow: 22 Shotgun Houses We Love
Design

Straight and Narrow: 22 Shotgun Houses We Love

Shotgun houses, traditionally no wider than 12 feet, feature a cascaded floor plan, wherein each room is arranged behind the other. These popular residential archetypes born of post-bellum Southern America continue to dot modern cityscapes and draw eyes with their memorable color palettes, intricate architectural details, and space efficiency. Take a tour of these wow-worthy shotgun homes to experience their full glory and glamor.

10 Unusual Tricks for Your Easiest-Ever Paint Job
DIY

10 Unusual Tricks for Your Easiest-Ever Paint Job

One of the simplest ways to spruce up your space is to add a fresh coat of paint. Painting is a fairly straightforward process that almost anyone can master, and in contrast to larger home improvement projects, it’s pretty inexpensive. Even so, there are a handful of tried-and-true painter’s tricks for prep work and technique that can save you time, money, and effort. Pros in the know use the clever tips that follow. Give a few of them a try, then marvel at the ingenuity behind each one. It'll be way more interesting than watching paint dry!

The Hallmarks and History of the Foursquare House
Design

4 Things to Know About the Iconic American Foursquare

Here's how to spot the no-frills house style popularized in the early 1900s.

The Tools for DIY Deck Repair
DIY

Can Your Deck Last Another Season?

After a full summer of entertaining, your backyard deck may be looking worse for wear. Follow this guide to determine what types of damage can be remedied with a little DIY, and what may require the help of a professional to keep your deck fit for many more years.

Renovation vs. Remodel: The Real Difference Between Home Projects
DIY

What’s the Difference: Renovation vs. Remodel?

Understand the ins and outs of these similar but not synonymous projects so you can plan the right improvements for your home.

7 Places That Could Use More Insulation—And Why
Interior

7 Places That Could Use More Insulation—And Why

Take insulation into your own hands to seal up sneaky air leaks around the house—and save big money. This content is paid advertising created in partnership with Guardian Energy Technologies. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.