Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 370)

15 Room Redos You Can Complete in a Day
DIY

15 Room Redos You Can Complete in a Day

Is an uninspired kitchen, bath, or living room cramping your home’s style? If you can reimagine it, you can redo it—often in very little time. Get inspired by these 15 room redos you can complete in a day or less, and enjoy the results for years to come.

14 Long-Forgotten House Trends We’re Glad Are Gone
DIY

14 Long-Forgotten House Trends We’re Glad Are Gone

They don’t make houses like they used to—and for good reason. From popcorn ceilings to baby cages, these 14 awkward architectural accents deserve a place in our memories, but not in our homes.

10 Weirdly Awesome New Uses for Old Appliances
DIY

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 Here’s an idea: don’t! Instead, try one of these 10 genius ideas for transforming old or outdated appliances into beautiful, functional, and funky decor for your home.

21 Brilliant Money-Saving Hacks for Your Next Move
Real Estate

21 Brilliant Money-Saving Hacks for Your Next Move

Whether you move during peak season or in the depths of winter, you'll probably have to deal with stress and a dwindling supply of energy and funds. When it's time to depart your current dwelling for new digs, employ these 21 tips to make the move effortless and economical.

DIY Outdoor Kitchen - How to Build a Grill Cart
Lawn & Garden

How To: Custom-Build The Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen

Earn your stripes as a DIY and grill master when you build this outdoor kitchen equipped with a concrete countertop, built-in cutting board, and extra storage—all you could possibly need for your next backyard BBQ.

9 Shortcuts to Picking a Paint Color
Interior

9 Shortcuts to Picking a Paint Color

Choosing the perfect paint color for your living room, kitchen, or bedroom can take a ridiculous amount of time. What starts with a simple tour of the hardware store's paint chip display, can evolve into a pretty painstaking process—especially if you choose the wrong color and have to start all over again. These 9 simple shortcuts will help you select the right paint color every single time.

Kohler-Whitehaven-Apron-Front-Sink
Interior

The New Apron-Front Sinks

10 Outdoor DIYs You Can Do for a Dollar
DIY

10 Outdoor DIYs You Can Do for a Dollar

Now that the worst of winter is behind us, it’s time to set our sights on relaxing, entertaining, and eating alfresco. But outfitting these spaces with decorative and functional elements can get expensive. Instead of heading to the home goods store, take a U-turn to your local thrift shop or dollar store to craft one of these clever, creative, and incredibly cheap projects that are sure to give your outdoor retreat the spring spruce it needs.

9 Paint Color Rules Worth Breaking
Interior

9 Paint Color Rules Worth Breaking

Rules are made to be broken—this is as true for interior design as it is for anything else. Read on for 9 common rules about paint colors that merit some reconsideration, along with tips for flouting these rules to delightful effect in your home.

11 Things Never to Buy Secondhand
DIY

11 Things Never to Buy Secondhand

Garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets are great resources for finding furniture, decor, and other housewares for a steal. But there are some used products that run the risk of being dirty, in disrepair, or just downright dangerous. Don't let a low price tag persuade you—avoid picking up these 11 secondhand items that may be the worse for wear.

9 Space-Smart Ways to Fit Two Rooms in One
Design

9 Space-Smart Ways to Fit Two Rooms in One

The diminutive dimensions of your home may have whittled your design dreams down to size, but there’s one way to make the most of your square footage without tearing out your hair or your walls: Fit two distinct rooms into one living space. Multipurpose rooms break down conventional barriers between distinct spaces like the kitchen, office, bedroom, and dining room to create stylish and effortless integrated living spaces. Reveal the hidden depths in the most cramped quarters with inspiration from these 9 elaborately efficient 2-in-1 rooms.

12 “Zero Dollar” Home Decorating Hacks
DIY

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 spaces using everyday items you probably already have on hand.

21 Brilliant Hacks for an Organized Kitchen
Interior

21 Brilliant Hacks for an Organized Kitchen

Is your kitchen’s hallmark feature its chaotic cabinets, overcrowded counters, or limited space for meal prep? Get cooking on one or more of these 21 organizational solutions to minimize the clutter while maximizing surface and storage space!

11 Problems You Can Solve with Paint
DIY

11 Problems You Can Solve with Paint

Every house has its problems, but you'd be amazed how many of them can be solved with a single afternoon and a common DIY staple: a can of paint. See how a few pops of color can make a huge difference for outdated or unattractive home features.

13 Mistakes Not to Make If You Ever Want to Sell Your Home
Real Estate

13 Mistakes Not to Make If You Ever Want to Sell Your Home

If you plan to sell your home someday (and most people do), it's important to always consider the long-term consequences of short-term design decisions. Remember, when it comes to resale value, timeless trumps trendy every time. So, before you install a state-of-the-art sports court, invest in a luxury hot tub, or convert your garage into extra living space, keep in mind the following complaints home buyers often express about certain home enhancements.

8 Things New Homeowners Waste Money On
Real Estate

8 Things New Homeowners Waste Money On

Even the most experienced homeowners can get sucked into spending a lot of money on maintenance costs or home improvements that just don’t deliver. For those who take pride in their homes, it's important to make improvements that enhance functionality, save time, or make a big design statement. Unfortunately, some of the most common renovations and additions are just a waste of money. Here are some of the major items that can fritter away your funds.

Don’t Make These 7 Bedroom Design Mistakes
Interior

Don’t Make These 7 Bedroom Design Mistakes

To catch a glimpse of a homeowner’s true design sensibility, skip past the manicured lawn, through the primped foyer, and into the bedroom. This inner sanctuary is most reflective of your personality—evoking creativity, passion, and energy through careful curation of paint, lighting, furniture, and mementos. However, a bedroom's full style potential can easily be thwarted by ill-conceived furniture arrangements, kitschy paint finishes, and obtrusive embellishments that turn your bedroom into bedlam. To ensure that you aren't sabotaging your own sense of style, click through for seven common bedroom design don’ts—and how to avoid them.

9 Things You’re Doing to Make Your Home Dustier
Interior

9 Things You’re Doing to Make Your Home Dustier

When you think about what dust really is—a conglomeration of dead skin particles, insect parts, mold spores, ash, pollen, and more—you become more determined than ever to make sure your home is attracting as little of it as possible. The good news is, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep the fine, floaty debris from settling down in your space. Bust dust by sidestepping these 9 common mistakes that can make your home less hygienic.

Don’t Make These 7 Mistakes in Small Spaces
DIY

Don’t Make These 7 Mistakes in Small Spaces

For years it seemed like large houses were all the rage with builders, decorators, and even homeowners. These days, however, there's been a shift in perception as more and more people aim to scale down their square footage and challenge themselves to live large in a smaller space. Doing so requires creative ideas and a strong will to discern what to keep and what to let go—not such an easy task for many of us. There are definitely advantages to living in a small space as opposed to a large one. The idea that you have less to clean and maintain is tantalizing for many. After all, in a small space, you are forced to focus on quality over quantity, and surround yourself only with things that you really love and that truly serve a purpose. Not to mention, you’re automatically encouraged to stay close to those with whom you live. Many designers, especially in cities where space is at a premium, specialize in bringing the best small space ideas to fruition. Maximizing storage potential, and creating the illusion of space with lighting, color, and furniture placement are all key. Here, three experts reveal common mistakes homeowners make when designing a small space and offer their advice and ideas on how to avoid them.

The Do’s and Dont’s of Basement Storage
Interior

The Do’s and Dont’s of Basement Storage

Whether you're packing away seasonal gear, or stockpiling a few extra home essentials, the basement is a natural storage spot. Because the basement is dark, cool, and roomy, it can be a perfect spot for storing certain items, especially those you won't often use. On the other hand, a basement that is prone to flooding, mold, or pests is no place to store heirlooms or valuables. That's why it takes a little planning to make the most of your basement storage and ensure that your belongings last for years to come. Say no to musty old shoeboxes filled with junk, and check out our do's and don'ts for proper basement storage. You don’t need to break the bank to get fabulous basement storage. All you need is a little imagination—and our handy guide!