Abby Monteil

Renovating a dated part of your home poses a difficult question: How do you strike the right balance between making some much-needed changes and preserving the original character of the room? As DIYer Ericka Gularte (@oakandmarsh) found, giving some elements of the room a modern makeover and redoing others entirely made a world of difference when it came to updating her kids’ 1991 standard-build bathroom.

Plus, this first-time cabinet painter has some great DIY tips for getting the job done.

Now, it’s much more functional for a family of five.

And it cost a fraction of a professional custom install.

“With dark walls and so much clutter, it was hard to enjoy the real hero: the view,” this homeowner says of the space before.

“Making the entryway extra special” was on these DIYers’ to-do list when they moved in.

The blue paint choices create a calm vibe.

“As a renter, I’m always on the hunt for reversible and renter-friendly solutions,” this DIYer says. “This, luckily, is a combo of both!”

The red trim is so good, too.

Minor projects went a long way.

The gallery wall is personality-packed.

“I wanted to take this warm-toned, early-2000s nightmare and turn it into a modern dream,” the condo owner says.

Yes, the antique clawfoot tub got to stay.

Stacking the washer and dryer was ingenious.

The outside of the home is an extension of the colorful palette on the inside.

“It was my first time really taking a corner from ‘blank and awkward’ to ‘built-in and intentional,’” the DIYer says.

Take it from a tile expert. And a homeowner who learned the hard way.

Here's how to make a box fan work smarter, not harder.

“This was very cost-friendly and fun,” the DIYer says.

“When one piece of furniture can play double duty, it’s a win for me,” the DIYer says.

The DIYer’s grandpa built the kitchen cabinets.

One peel-and-stick, three ways. And it looks ultra-expensive.

It even has a pool.

A pop of color makes a huge difference.

The hidden drawer storage is ingenious.

The new look makes it feel bigger, too.

The rich new paint color does some heavy lifting, but it’s not the only big change.

Get more use out of your patio with this smart DIY.

“Booth seating is always the spot we gravitate toward at a restaurant, so I wanted to re-create this type of space at home,” the homeowner says.

“Creativity beats cash, and a little stubbornness can make even a landlord-friendly kitchen feel luxurious,” the DIYer says.

Transform your exterior in just an hour.

The paint color is a popular one.