Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 374)

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 smaller projects. Kept whole, shipping pallets make great building blocks for large projects; deconstructed, they can be used to build just about anything. This versatility means that just a couple of cast-off pallets can fit the bill for a huge assortment of home improvement projects. In fact, what can’t you make from shipping pallets? With so many options, narrowing down our favorites was quite the task… but here they are: 15 projects for your home— all made from shipping pallets.

Your mother was right when she told you that “you’re lucky to have a roof over your head”—and not just to keep the rain out! A lovely or striking roof design can be a home's crowning glory, and with the wealth of rooflines to choose from, it can be tough to pick the right "crown." American architecture abounds in both classic and contemporary roof styles, informed variously by Old World European elements, early Colonial structures, and modern trends. The roofline of your home can remain flush with the walls or extend from one to four feet out; it can be austere or ornate, embellished with ornamental moldings, turrets, dormers, or cornices. And these are just a few of the possibilities. We're just getting started here... are you feeling a little roof envy?

If you're overcome by ennui at the sight of your space, a simple faux finish on a surface or accent piece might be just the touch to perk you right up! Here are 9 extraordinary finishes that defy they are DIY.

Whether you love or loathe winter, bulky boots are a fact of life when the weather turns cold. Keep from tracking mud and snow through front halls and mudrooms with these creative boot storage ideas to suit families of all sizes and homes of styles.

There's much more to lighting your home than just picking out a few attractive decorative fixtures. With these helpful tips from the experts at Bellacor.com, you can devise a lighting scheme that's both functional and stylish.

Satisfy your craving for modern industrial design with some cool—and affordable—concrete creations, complete with instructions.

Give your garden path or walkway some flair with these easy-to-make, one-of-a-kind stepping-stones.

Cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and protected from the elements, earthen shelters—or hobbit houses—aren't just for Bilbo in the Shire.

Looking for creative storage solutions? Here are 25 organizers and clutter containers that you can make yourself from recycled items.

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 that designs and sells furniture and accessories, most of which are ready-to-assemble— and at a fraction of the cost you’d pay to custom order at a traditional furniture store. The beauty of IKEA’s designs is their simplicity— which makes them utterly and beautifully hackable into an array of other things. The IKEA hack has become a bona fide design category all on its own. Whether you’re working with a bookcase, desk, or dresser, there’s more there than what meets the eye. A kitchen cart can deftly masquerade as a bathroom vanity. That candle dish is just begging to be a bird feeder. Be it Rast, Lack, or Expedit, many of IKEA’s designs can be modified, reworked, finished, refinished, or all out tricked out for your unique needs. We’ve found some of the coolest and best IKEA hacks from around the web. Which one will inspire you to do your own IKEA DIY?

With much of the nation experiencing the bitterest temperatures on record, many of us are appreciating our radiators like never before. Why not show that love by considering one of these decorative finishes or encasements for our trusted cold-weather friends?

If you're just lining up your books alphabetically on metal shelving units, you're missing out on a great decorating opportunity. A well-styled bookcase pairs functionality with aesthetics, letting your books become part of the decor and an expression of your personal style. With a selective arrangement of books, collectibles, and objects of art, you can create a tableau that’s both practical and beautiful. Try these styling tips to give a boring bookcase a sophisticated makeover.

Throughout the years you live in a house, you pour your heart and soul into maintaining it and making it comfortable and attractive. When it comes time to sell, you hope that your care and hard work will be evident to potential buyers, and that the offers stream in quickly. But even a much-loved and well-tended home can linger on the market if the sellers make some unfortunate missteps. To avoid any hitches in the sale of your home, beware of making these 12 costly mistakes that can sabotage a sale.

Homebuilding has only grown more sophisticated in recent years, with a far greater emphasis placed on energy efficiency. Though many elements of wall assembly have gone more or less unchanged, there are a host of new methods and technologies to know, especially if you have plans to build a new home or addition. Click through to see what goes into a state-of-the-art exterior wall.

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 the kitchen counters. They can quickly and easily do double-duty as paint applicators, wallpaper removers, fridge fresheners, and a whole host of other common chores.

Sugary drinks aren't allowed in some households these days, but even the most health-conscious of folks can find a few reasons to keep a can of Coke around the house. Did you know Coke can help you do the dishes? How about cleaning your laundry with cola? Would you try Coke to clean your car battery? These are only a few alternative uses for Coca-Cola. If you need more excuses to stock this classic soda in your home, read on!

Resilient though it may be, vinyl flooring isn't invincible. Fortunately, you don't always need to replace the installation if it gets damaged. Plenty of homeowners have fixed unsightly, trip-triggering tears with this clever, inexpensive trick.

You don't have to live with an irregular or uneven concrete floor. In fact, if you're planning to install new flooring over the slab, then you shouldn't. To get the smooth, level surface you need, a leveling compound may be just the ticket—and we've got the basics for you right here.

Nothing refreshes a home like a new paint job. Read on for helpful tips, tools, and prep ideas to help you make the most of your next painting project.

Over time, some pavers in your installation might sink to a level beneath that of the surrounding patio or driveway. When that happens, it can be an eyesore as well as a safety hazard.