DIY Before & Afters | Do It Yourself Projects & Hacks

The before was gray with mostly brown-toned furniture, rugs, and objects that my boyfriend described as “curbside pickups.”

See how a voiceover artist transformed a closet into her dream workspace.

“I know that painting a room dark is a big decision," this DIYer says.

Plus, there’s a wallet-friendly hack for adding some vintage charm back.

The original floors and ceilings shine.

It's a one-of-a-kind solution for skylights that were letting in a little *too much* light during naptime.

“Everyone loves the surprise,” the renter says.

"I’m regularly pinching myself when I see this total dream kitchen in my own home,” the homeowner says.

The goal was to design a home office that made this DIYer feel creative.

And the bold color is a must-see.

All it took was a can of paint and some elevated hardware.

Gorgeous upcycles straight ahead!

The bedroom evolved in phases.

“The original wall tiles were beautiful,” the DIYer says.

IKEA cabinets for the win — again.

The makeover uses three types of IKEA shelves to create a super practical storage wall.

This homeowner’s advice? Don’t be afraid to go bold.

“Don’t be afraid to try something you’ve never seen before,” the designer says.

The after feels like "being inside a Himalayan salt lamp,” the homeowner says.

Before tossing this stained chair, this DIYer tried one last solution — and it worked!

The tiles add a pop of color.

The DIY cabinet pulls — plus other renter-friendly upgrades — are a must-see.

I took the lamp from “forgettable farmhouse” to “custom cottage.”

The built-in wardrobe hack only took one weekend and totally elevates the room.

It's filled with extremely whimsical DIYs.

“I was looking for ways to get the elevated look for a fraction of the cost,” the DIYer says of her burl wood inspo.

The furniture is secondhand but so elevated.

If you’re going to be working, you might as well be working in style.

“It feels just like a Palm Springs hotel, which was the exact vibe I was going for,” this DIYer says.

The wallpaper was a lucky find.

The homeowner completed several first-time DIY projects.

One thing the homeowner would change about the makeover? “I would have done this a long time ago!” she says.

You've got to see the vintage avocado oven.

It’s a master class in bold colors and layout planning.

This redo is all about first impressions.

The DIYer behind the project has great tips for achieving the perfect light oak stain.

For $1,200!

“Clutter headquarters” no more. See this laundry room’s beautiful makeover.

There’s a clever trick for making a brand-new toilet look vintage.

The new dining room looks like it could come from an episode of "The Jetsons."

Yes, it’s possible to make your rental’s white walls look chic without painting them.

A few extra steps helped the DIY look totally luxurious.

And the artwork is next-level.

It took the owner five years to find the perfect retro cabinets.

Who knew you could do this in a studio?

This homeowner transformed her bedroom with “one of the easiest and cheapest things you can do for a space.”

Some DIY tricks helped me pull it off.

I wanted it to be all couch, pillows, and patterns.

Yes, dark colors can work in a small space.

The after is “a little glam, a little vintage, a bit Art Deco, yet modern at the same time,” the furniture flipper says.

The countertops are an unexpected fun throwback.

All of the changes are rental-friendly.

Paint is the ultimate problem solver in this 100-square-foot kitchen.

Small bathrooms are a great spot to go big with design.

The DIY green backsplash tiles are a must-see.

“This sun-soaked nook has lived MANY lives,” the homeowner says.

Goodbye, square tile countertops and linoleum floors.

The cabinets are the same, but look way more modern.

This 12-year-old mirror looks better than ever.

Three DIY projects transform the space.

“There was nothing interesting about the room at all,” the homeowner says of the “Before.”

These luxe-but-lived-in bookshelves from real homes totally nail the “bookshelf wealth” trend.

My boyfriend wanted to go bold in wallpaper and in color. I wanted a wild toilet. We both got what we wanted.

This one’s for all those with Pinterest boards full of paint colors.

You won’t believe how much a can of paint can transform a space.

“The cloffice makes me feel like I'm on Sex and the City!” the DIYer says.

The “movie theater or bowling alley” carpeting didn’t go — it provided bold inspo.

The overall footprint is still the same, but the “after” feels like a much taller space.

The after is “a really unique design and a real focal point” in the approximately 50-square-foot space.

All of the DIY projects totaled $1,115

“I loved the practicality and shape of the dressing table, but everyone on Instagram seemed to have the same one!” this DIYer says.

The renter picked colors she wouldn't get sick of.