Before After

“We needed more storage and more space. And perhaps a bit more glam!" the homeowner says.

It’s the most maximalist space ever!

There’s something about a color-drenched bedroom that feels extra cocooning and cozy.

The project “saved me hundreds of dollars,” the DIYer says.

The new backsplash is so clever.

And it’s renter-friendly!

Read why I love sofa tables and why one DIYer made her own custom-size one out of small IKEA dressers.

It’s lush with plants, and practical, too.

The transformation total was $200.

There's major design power in a can of paint.

The backsplash is inspired by Morocco.

“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.

A hula hoop can come in clutch in a tight space.

A 2-foot transformation made the kitchen look a little more bespoke.

The DIYer found a surprise in the walls.

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

A (mostly) renter-friendly, colorful, euphoric riot? Yes please.

The living room is this family of eight’s favorite spot to hang out.

Before, the kitchen was closed-off with shutter-style doors.

The potting table and raised garden beds create the perfect setup.

It adds instant patina.

My partner and I had to decide where to splurge and where to save.

It’s wonderfully wild!

As with most DIY projects, there were surprises along the way.

Read more about the gut reno process.

“It was a diamond in the rough," the homeowner says.

These kitchen cabinets are stunning.

The paint color is a popular one.

It’s so much cooler than paint.

The dresser was great for my first apartment, but I wanted it to better match my 2025 design style.

The paint color is enveloping.

The floors were a labor of love.

“I really wanted the space to feel unique and tied to my cultural roots,” the homeowner says.

It cost around $5,000.

It looks way more expensive than it is.

The new shelving racks up major compliments.

The BILLY bookcase hack is a must-see.

The all-in cost for the DIYer was about $24.

She did the entire thing herself!

The makeover is packed with DIY projects.

“The biggest change is, honestly, adding plants,” the renter says.

This interior decorator is allergic to white walls.

Before, it looked bad, and it smelled even worse. 

This waterfall Art Deco dresser’s finish was beyond repair, so the DIYer decided to paint it.

It’s very nostalgic.

The kitchen "had all the character but needed some depth,” the renter says.

The beauty of wood, without the price tag.

The 43-square-foot bathroom is now “grand and moody.”

It’s stylish and space-savvy.

There’s another jaw-dropping DIY project in the corner, too.

“The whole thing was cheap and cheerful,” the DIYer says.

I literally thought it was peel-and-stick wallpaper.

The “before” was “a 1990s hodgepodge of design choices.”

“I was excited to bring this kitchen up to code and bring it life and a personality,” the DIYer says.

This homeowner’s painting advice is “to be chaotic.” Find out why.

It’s not your average chair rail.

As Glinda from "Wicked" puts it, "Pink goes good with green"!

“I love how the room brings in elements from my heritage while still feeling fresh,” the DIYer says.

I wanted to stay true to my personal design style outside, too.

Now the bathroom wows.

The homeowner wanted to minimize waste in her kitchen transformation.

From ‘90s blah to modern sophistication.

Upgrading the cabinets made a huge difference.

The paint color is a must-see.

"No one would ever suspect its bones are IKEA,” the DIYer says.

I employed a few low-lift changes that made all the difference in the snug-but-functional cook space.

“If you find something secondhand that's one-of-a kind, act fast.” this DIYer says.

The bathroom “hadn’t been maintained since, like, 300 B.C.”

Secondhand finds complete the kitchen.

The transformation cost under $500, and it feels like “a little jewel box” now.