Before After

Here's proof that you can sneak style into the most surprising of spaces.

The wallpaper! The mirror! The architectural details! This upgrade is 100% luxe.

These redos let the original wood and metal shine.

The before? Nice, but too small. The after? A real stunner, and way more practical, too.

Since her home was built in 2019, the fixtures were all new — but the finishes were just... dull.

The secret weapon? Paint, of course.

Some of these glamorous upgrades can work in any room.

A big renovation just isn't always in the cards, since it usually involves a large budget, a lot of time, and plenty of work. But there are smaller fixes that you can make to a dated space while you wait to give it a full reno.

Hallways might be pass-throughs, but they deserve love, too.

Plus way more beautiful, to boot.

This renter got tired of staring at a plain wall, so she DIYed it beautiful.

They're unrecognizable now.

Knocking out a wall makes it feel way bigger, too, though the footprint stayed pretty much the same.

Secondhand finds look first-rate in this dining nook transformation.

With built-ins and board-and-batten!

It's hard to be stylish and practical, but this bedroom is both.

White cabinets are nice, but this color is a looker.

The before paint color? Meh. The after? Marvelous.

Using just one wall of this room to create a laundry setup makes the whole space extra practical for the whole family.

You'll want to paint your cabinets when you see this makeover.

With the help of one of Apartment Therapy's House Tour alums as the designer!

It's hard to believe it's still the same space.

Smart re-uses of items helped keep this project's budget low.

One major difference? Uncovering the original hardwood floors beneath that carpet.

A highlight: the new DIY headboard, made for just $53.

It's still only just 280 square feet, but feels so much bigger.

Ben and Erin Napier were up for the challenge.

There were plenty of Dwight Schrute jokes along the way.

Here's proof that little changes add up to big results.

This smart DIY keeps all the comfort of a standard office chair, but makes it way more stylish.

From boring and dated to colorful and positively spa-like, here are the 10 very best bathroom makeovers we saw this year.

Let visions of these relaxing bedroom redos dance through your head.

These redos pack a big punch on a small budget.

Many of this year’s living room before and afters were sparked by the previous space not being used to its fullest potential. With a little bit of love and rearranging (and a fresh coat of paint), these transformations prove that a living room redo is within reach—and possibly cheaper than you thought.

From sleek white to bold blue, these cabinet redos are the best we've seen all year.

The soothing color combination of blue and white did the trick.

From budget refreshes to full-on renos, here were our favorite cook space transformations of the year.

This redo features a smart trick for unsightly medicine cabinets.

It went from so-so to smile-inducing.

It's a fresh look, but still feels cozy and lived-in.

Each delivered a Houdini-like moment at home.

A few smart changes make this bathroom look way bigger and brighter.

The classic look of the new kitchen makes it feel timeless.

Just wait until you see the kitchen cabinets.

Yes, function is the most important part of a laundry room—but that space can be gorgeous, too.

This bathroom is full of smart design hacks.

Little changes add some pop to this small entryway.

This is a dramatic (and very effective) transformation.

This cabinet was going to be trashed until one DIYer turned it into a treasure.

The results are stunning.

It looks totally unrecognizable now.

With some help from basil-colored paint.

The "after" is unrecognizable.

Repainting existing furniture helped keep the budget low on this pretty bedroom redo.

A small budget went a long way in this project.

It features a couple smart DIYs, too.

Breaking the project up over time was the key to success, this homeowner says.

This project's proof that inspiration can strike anywhere.

Sometimes the best makeover is a make-under.

The results are downright dreamy.