Black leather ottoman with tufted top and wooden legs, labeled "Before."
Before and After: This Heavy Target Ottoman Is Now a Breath of Fresh Air
A reader felt that this “dark, old, manly faux leather ottoman” didn’t suit their apartment’s bright, new, laid-back vibe. So all it took was a staple gun and a colorful blanket to give it a fun, sunny new look.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Clever (and Very Trendy!) Way to Save Space in a Narrow Hallway
Anyone can do this.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Bathroom Gets a Fantastic Update for $1,500
Maybe this little bathroom didn’t have spectacular style, but its real issue was a maddening one that many can relate to: “No matter how much I cleaned it was still dirty.” The window is so lovely, but all that daylight probably just helped to highlight the issues reader Amanda Walker was dealing with: When we bought the house the bathroom was dirty and dingy, no matter how hard I scrubbed it never looked clean.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: These Vintage Kitchen Cabinets Are Now Unrecognizable
This kitchen had everything: tile countertops, plywood cabinetry, a built-in oven and microwave, square recessed lighting, and so much beige. In six short weeks, it went from dated to wonderfully now. After living with the original kitchen for two years, Studio Plumb was able to do a major upgrade, replacing the floors and countertops, painting the plywood cabinetry, replacing the appliances, painting the walls, and restructuring the fridge/microwave cubby and the island.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This $500 Bathroom Makeover Is All About the New Floor
With just six weeks of work and $500, this bathroom was transformed from ’80s wonderland—complete with peach tiles, wallpapered outlet cover, tiny triangle sink, stained glass medicine cupboard, and robot curtains—into a bright, modern sanctuary. Thanks to The Handyman’s Daughter, this is like an entirely new bathroom, but in a fun twist, the blue from the old bathroom made it into the new.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Laundry-Meets-Mudroom-Meets-Pantry No Longer Sucks
Like most laundry/mudrooms in existence, this one was overwhelmed. Serving as a catchall space, it held “swim gear, laundry, and other junk… tons of shoes, the vacuum cleaner, and extra pantry items (since we don’t have a pantry).” That’s enough to overwhelm any space, but one intrepid DIYer spent six weeks turning this one into a lovely, multi-purpose room. While a cheerful pup improves any room by 1200 percent, some other major upgrades are at play as well.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Bedroom Has a Smart Strategy for Wall-to-Wall Carpet
This bedroom was described as “so sad… but there is so much potential,” and one intrepid DIYer brought out all that and so much more. The stars of the new bedroom are a stunning accent wall made from ordinary board and batten, and some seriously cool rustic wood sliding closet doors. This makeover was completed by Angela of Angela Rose Home, and though Angela refers to it as The Boy’s Room (it belongs to a son), it’s beautifully gender neutral.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Tiny $4K Bathroom Feels Much More Spacious Now
In just 56 square feet, one experienced DIYer needed to fit a shower, toilet, sink—and, ideally, some beauty. After just six weeks of hard after-work work, this little bathroom has reached its full potential. It’s difficult to take great establishing shots of small spaces, but luckily the owner of this petite bathroom is here to describe its issues in detail: Our bathroom wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Unfinished “Dungeon” Becomes Something Dreamy
This “room” was described by its new owner as “a dungeon of a space underneath the garage that was large and dirt-filled,” but being a designer and, some would say, visionary, she saw a dreamy home gym-to-be. This really is a dream gym. Seriously, that floor! It’s the visual equivalent of an ultimate workout jam, and it practically makes one want to start jumping around.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This DIYed Kitchen Will Never Go Out of Style
This kitchen had a lot of problems—the ubiquitous over-sink scallop is just the beginning—so its intrepid but inexperienced new owner decided to DIY an entirely new kitchen by herself, including electrical work.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Is Not One of Those Wall-to-Wall White Kitchen Remodels
These classic ’90s honey cabinets are about to get a major makeover, and those tiny backsplash tiles are not long for this world. And while there might be subway tiles involved, this is definitely not one of those wall-to-wall white remodels. Here’s the backstory on this renovation and what the homeowner was going for: Our ’90s kitchen had good bones but dark, dated features and oak cabinets that were begging for some color.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Living Room’s New Bookshelves Have a Built-In Dog Door
Many makeovers involve transforming dark rooms with white paint and paring things down, but this one is completely the opposite. This room is about to get a lot darker, significantly fuller, and exponentially more fabulous—with one special surprise. This is absolutely stunning. The room has the feel of a 200-year-old study, a magical place to stumble upon in an ancient home. One would never guess it was totally put together from scratch.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Laundry Is Now the Exact Opposite of Basic and Boring
This laundry room was pretty nice—lovely daylight, pleasant neutrals, plenty of storage, and a few beautiful accessories. But after a dozen years of basically ignoring it, the room’s owners were more than ready for a makeover. Here’s the scoop on the issues with the laundry room: Our laundry room is central to our house, situated off of our living room and right next to our bedroom.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Bathroom Embraces One of the Year’s Biggest Trends
This “stuck in 1989” bathroom needed a lot more than just aesthetic improvements, as its tile, vanity, and toilet all had issues. Not unexpected after 30 years, but it was time for a makeover. Graphic designer Malcolm Simmons of Mas Means More gave this guest bathroom a fresh, modern look that looks clean and welcoming for guests, and embraces one of the year’s biggest trends.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Bathroom Was DIYed from Head to Toe for $2K
Although this guest bathroom had a lot going for it—spaciousness, tons of natural light, lots of counter space—it was also, in the words of its owner, “truly a flashback to 1993 in all its bathroom glory.” The scalloped sink and peeled wallpaper had to go, so the entire bathroom got a 21st-century makeover.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: These Kitchen Cabinets Got An Unexpected Paint Job
While this kitchen was quite tasteful and full of quality finishes, it didn’t fit in at all in the rest of the colorful, relaxed, free-spirited home. With just $80—and plenty of hard work—its owner gave it a fresh, fun new look. Here’s a little more information about the kitchen and the home, and what led to this undertaking: My kitchen was very dark and traditional before. Our cabinets were a dark cherry wood.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Bathroom Was Well Worth Two Weekends’ of Work and $2,000
This totally ’80s bathroom was “a beige nightmare” with a few issues beyond the aesthetic, but two stalwart DIYers managed to remedy all that and create a fabulously inviting space, all with just two weekends’ of work and $2,000.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Welcome Cure for a Cramped and Outdated Kitchen
This kitchen was very cramped, what with all the intense wood paneling, small size, and free-range dishwasher. Over eight years, this 40-year-old kitchen in a 140-year-old home has been updated, and the fabulous results suit the house much better then all this ever could. Reader Chrissie Brackett is here to share a bit more about this kitchen and its challenges: Our kitchen and porch in our 1870s Victorian hadn’t been updated in about 40 years.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Backyard Shed Turned Tiny House for $15,000
This little shed was lurking in its new owners’ backyard, too large for their storage needs and far too large and unsightly to ignore. After a year of sneaking in DIY work in the evenings and on weekends after their day jobs, the couple now has a charming tiny house for beloved—and paying—guests.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
This Tiny House Was Snapped Up By Its New Owners for Only $250
There are a lot of fabulous tiny houses out there, but very few of them started life as a car dealership office before serving as a beloved taco stand for two decades. This is no ordinary tiny house, and after 50 busy, bustling years, it now provides a peaceful retreat for visitors in rural Texas.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Remodeled Scandi-Style IKEA Kitchen Is *Chef’s Kiss*
This kitchen had a lovely window, but thanks to dark, abundant cabinetry and a peekaboo wall, not much daylight flowed through the space. After living with the less-than-ideal arrangement, its owner was finally able to renovate—and the results are sunny and fun. The kitchen is now so nice and open, awash in natural light reflected off the white, yellow, green, and silvery finishes.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Remodeled Farmhouse Kitchen Has a Huge 16-Foot Island
Welcome to one of the most mysterious kitchens in Before & After history: A kitchen trapped in an octagonal pen, with a built-in fryer and an oppressively low ceiling that spits in the face of the home’s gloriously high ceilings. After a major investment of time, money, and effort, this kitchen is less… unique, but still full of personality. This full-length shot reveals how incredibly high the ceiling is and showcases the odd, church-like feel of this kitchen nook.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: Who Knew a $75 Craigslist Find Could Look This Good?
This tall, vintage, secondhand dresser needed a little wood filler and a lot of love, so its new owner gave it all that and a gorgeous coat of paint that totally transformed its look. The new owner of this dresser, who bought it on Craigslist for $75, described it as “a glossy cherry wood… ick!” It did, however, have nice lines, antique charm, and plenty of refined details without too much old-fashioned folderol.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Teeny-Tiny Bathroom Now Looks Surprisingly Spacious
Though this bathroom functioned just fine on paper, it was clearly a bit cramped—that’s the shower stall on the right just inside the door—and, according to its owners, “old, cheap, mismatched, and just plain ugly.” While all the finishes and fixtures look nice enough in the photo, and the palette is cool and understated, photos never tell the whole story. This tiny bathroom is about to get a big upgrade.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Living Room is All About the New Ceiling
This open-plan living and dining room had tons of charm: A graceful chandelier, attractive and comfortable furniture, lush plants, and lots of natural light. Its owner, however, wanted to added a little something extra—that je ne sais quoi that would elevate the space. Reader Kari Hailey looked for ways to add architectural interest and warmth to the room, and finally found something they could do themselves, without spending a ton of money. Kari cleverly added beams!
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: See the $24,000 Overhaul of a Small 1970s Bathroom
This little ’70s bathroom had some serious space limitations, poor ventilation, and failing plumbing. Though its owner admired some of its best features—that teak vanity!—it was time for a functional overhaul and a major makeover.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: $6,000 Restored This Bathroom to Its Original Vintage Glory
The fixtures and finishes in this bathroom were, perhaps, a bit builder standard, and its owners were less charmed. They set out to create a bathroom that fit into their 107-year-old home—and one that had a shower, please.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Bathroom Redo Is the Stuff Bathtub Dreams Are Made Of
This bathroom was quite cool, but had a lot going on: dark marble, metal scrollwork, a sculpted sink bowl, a divider wall, and lots of tile. Now it’s lighter, brighter, more serene, and far more spa-like. Christina and Robert of New Darlings—@newdarlings on Instagram—have created such a fresh new look. Removing the partial wall truly opened up the space, letting the light flow through beautifully.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
This Converted Sprinter Van is a Surprisingly Livable Tiny House on Wheels
This 2008 Dodge Sprinter is like the TARDIS from Doctor Who and the tents from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; it’s unassuming on the outside, but surprisingly livable and functional inside. The van’s adventurous owners have somehow found enough space to sleep, cook, store outdoor gear, and drive, allowing them to travel to some of the country’s most gorgeous natural locales. Welcome to a wonderland on wheels!
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Newly Reconfigured IKEA Kitchen Has a Bit of a Twist
An interior designer helped update this San Diego kitchen for her parents, who requested “a fresh, modern yet classic style” with a generally black-and-white palette. To keep the budget under control, the family turned to inexpensive IKEA cabinets, then gave them a boost with Semihandmade doors. Beth of 1111 Light Lane did a fantastic job giving the kitchen an update that definitely feels fresh and classic. The Shaker cabinetry is a great balance between modern and traditional.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This New Kitchen Has a Very Unique Tile Backsplash
This kitchen had a ton of pros—stainless steel appliances, wood flooring, tasteful paint colors, granite countertops, a window—but its cons were difficult to work with. The owner called it, “poorly lit, claustrophobic, and tight.” With the help of some professionals and the removal of a wall, the kitchen is now light, bright, and feels much more roomy. Jenn Hair of Jenn Hair Photography is the proud owner of this jewel of a kitchen.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Converted Sprinter Van Even Has an Actual Bathroom
The owners of the impressive and inviting converted Sprinter van we featured recently made a conscious decision not to install a bathroom. But, the owners of this van decided a bathroom was a must, and somehow manages to squeeze in a toilet and a shower. Rob and Emily of The Road is our Home—@theroadisourhome on Instagram—transformed an LWB Mercedes Sprinter into a rolling home.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Unique Bathroom Bucks All the Recent Design Trends
For everyone who has ever mourned the loss of a colorful retro toilet or sink in a bathroom renovation, this project is for you. The cream and white fixtures were replaced with far more charming versions, leading the installation team to clarify, “So you want to put this IN?” Minty vintage perfection! Marley of Bug & Bean—@bugandbeanstitching on Instagram—took this standard and heavily beige bathroom back in time to create a room full of color and retro delights.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: $800 Went a Very Long Way in This Newly Redone Kitchen
Take this warm-toned kitchen, add one or two gallons of paint and some well-priced accessories then subtract one wall and the textured vinyl floor, and suddenly there’s a brand-new kitchen, full of life, light, and color. And all for only $800. Kelsey Sigars—@kelseylenesigars on Instagram—made smart, thrifty choices that have transformed this kitchen.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Kitchen Has a Budget Solution For Dated Cabinet Doors
This kitchen had tons of storage space, a generously proportioned island with a breakfast bar, plenty of lighting, and a nice-sized window. But as its owner explained, “It’s actually a great space and it could be way worse but it’s definitely not my style.” Time for a budget-friendly upgrade! Bre Bertolini—@brepurposed on Instagram—transformed this kitchen, mostly thanks to paint.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Formerly Dated Kitchen Now Belongs in the Current Decade
While this floral fabric is definitely fabulous, the table has tons of rustic charm, and the kitchen as a whole has enviable amounts of both storage and daylight, it was ready for a change. Enter honeycomb tiles, a tulip table, and a whole new look. Tiffany Kalloor—@tiff_kalloor on Instagram—breathed life into this kitchen by going back to the classics: a black-and-white palette, subway and honeycomb tiles, a tulip table and shell chairs, and a simplified ceiling and cabinetry.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Small 720-Square-Foot House Was Once a Total Wreck
As if a plywood stairway weren’t enough, this San Francisco house boasted plywood ceilings, peeling floors, and plastic bathroom walls—all in all, a “really terrible looking” 720 square feet. After a major renovation, the home now looks bright and modern, no plywood required. Reader Stephanie Perry—@stoop_sf on Instagram—shares the love story behind this house—as well the challenges it posed: It was SO SMALL.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This House Just Got Some Very Colorful Curb Appeal
On a day off, just for fun, the owner of this house transformed its plain white facade with a very colorful paint job. This is utterly delightful—playful and vibrant with a dreamy palette that must make passersby wish they could be invited in. Roxanne of @daintylibrarian frequently creates fun, colorful DIYs that are whimsical and unpredictable. This particular shade of pink is perfection: sophisticated and modern without a hint of saccharine.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Help! My New Furniture Stinks!
Q: I bought a sofa and two chairs from [company redacted]. They were delivered within the timeframe agreed on. Two hours later, we couldn’t even go in the living room. The furniture reeked with a kind of chemical/dead animal smell. We opened the windows and doors and hoped it would go away. It’s been two weeks and it still smells awful. A representative came yesterday afternoon, opened one of the cushions, and declared, “There is no smell”.
Tess Wilson
Apr 30, 2019
How To Keep Litter Box Smells from Overwhelming a Small Apartment?
Q: There have been several House Tours that had a hidden litter box of sorts. How are you able to keep your cat box clean and smelling fresh in an apartment that may be only 600 square feet? 500? 400?? It boggles my mind. I mean, obviously, clean it out as soon as you can, but cat urine has such a strong odor. Even with a cool hidden compartment in a piece of furniture, it wouldn’t suddenly eliminate the smell. Any tips would be great.
Tess Wilson
Apr 30, 2019
How To Hang Art Around High Chair Rail?
Q: Hi! My fiance and I recently moved into a Victorian terraced cottage in England. Our living room and and dining room are finally coming together and we’re ready to hang art on the walls. But there is this awkwardly high chair rail (or dado rail as the English call it) around the walls of both rooms. It is 44 inches (102 cm) from the floor [see photo below]. We’ve already hung two prints on one wall in the living room and they are okay (although a little too high in my opinion).
Tess Wilson
Apr 30, 2019
Is it Safe to Keep Oven Mitts on the Oven Door?
Q: Please help me resolve a debate with my beloved boyfriend. He insists that oven mitts cannot be kept on the oven door or anywhere near the stove, as it is a fire hazard.
Tess Wilson
Apr 30, 2019
Can an Exterminator Legally Take Photos of My Apartment?
Q: I am wondering if it’s unlawful for a pest control company to take photos of a tenant’s residence while they are spraying the apartment. I was informed recently from my landlord that the exterminator takes photos while he sprays, and reports the photos back to the landlord. Is this even legal? I noticed flashes of light while he walks through my unit, but I’ve never actually caught him taking pics. Thanks for your reply.
Tess Wilson
Apr 30, 2019
Help! I Can Hear My Neighbors Through the Vent!
Q: I live in a condo with a concrete structure, so the soundproofing is pretty good. Unfortunately, I hear everything that is going on in my upstairs neighbors’ kitchen, through the range hood vent. Whenever I’m in my kitchen at the same time as they are, I turn the range on so I don’t hear them, but it is a little bit annoying and loud in the morning. I’m also wondering if they can hear me from their kitchen… Does it happen to anyone else?
Tess Wilson
Apr 30, 2019
Will I Be Able to Eliminate Musty Cedar Smell in 1970s Home that I’m Thinking About Buying?
Q: The house we are looking to purchase has a lot of cedar [please see photo below] and it was built in 1975. It just has a lot of that cedar smell, and I was wondering if anyone had an idea on how to remove that? Thank you. -Sent by Sanja Editor: What a gorgeous ceiling! Readers, how can Sanja eliminate the musty cedar odor from this house? Or do you recommend she pass on it because there’s really no solution? • Have a question for our community?
Tess Wilson
Apr 30, 2019
How Can I Keep My Dogs Out of Parts of My Open-Plan Home?
Q: My husband and I are in the process of buying a new home that we’ll be moving into with our two dogs. In our current home we use two stacked tension dog-gates to keep the dogs in our dining area when we want the kitchen or living room to ourselves but we’re not sure what to do in the new house. The new home is an open floor plan and the smallest space we could gate is about 7.5′ across.
Tess Wilson
Apr 30, 2019
Can You Wallpaper a Wall that Doesn’t End?
Q: Hi! I am hoping you can give me some much needed advice. I am renting my first apartment—it’s a two story townhouse—and I think one wall in the foyer would benefit greatly from a really bold, patterned wallpaper (I have no restrictions on what I can do in the unit). There’s just one problem. I have always been told that paint and wallpaper should only end at a corner or some other break in the wall, and this particular wall has no breaks.
Tess Wilson
Apr 30, 2019
How Can I Protect Stairway Walls from Heavy Traffic?
Q: My husband and I have just purchased our first house, and we are very excited to finally have a space in our basement to dedicate to music. As a musician, he frequently brings guitars, amps, and other large equipment back and forth to gigs and rehearsals. In the past, he has rented practice spaces, which are always covered in gouges on the walls, corners, and doors—an inevitable cost of musicians constantly hauling large heavy things.
Tess Wilson
Apr 30, 2019