DIY Before & Afters | Do It Yourself Projects & Hacks

There’s a surprise lying underneath the tub’s white finish.

BILLY bookshelves are the secret ingredient in this living room makeover.

I spent less than $100 on this redo.

“It looks like completely different people live there now!” this homeowner says.

Wallpaper makes the biggest difference in giving this gray living room an inviting new look.

Budget-savvy DIYs ahead!

This tiny A-frame kitchen’s redo is timeless and small-space efficient.

“I had an apartment before where I just did a rectangle on the wall, and I LOVED how it looked,” this DIYer says. “Now that I have my own house, I knew I could get a bit more extra with it.”

“From execution to completion (dry time), it only took us about 36 hours or so,” this DIYer says of this beginner-friendly project.

Looking to make a small change to rejuvenate your space? Consider giving a piece of furniture that you walk by every day a revamp.

The cabinets may be new, but they’re designed to fit in with the architectural details of this 1926 home.

Stylish storage for the win.

The project is practical, sure, but it also brings some personality to what this DIYer calls her “cookie-cutter townhouse.”

You’ve heard of mid-century modern, but have you heard of modern-meets-mid-century? This kitchen redo is inspired by the ’60s but fit and functional for the 2020s.

Wooden serving bowls? As furniture feet? Groundbreaking (really!).

Are entryways the new powder rooms? (Which is to say, the new secret spots to go bold and create a jewel box within your home?) This entryway redo suggests yes!

A low-budget IKEA product, plus a little bit of paint, were the perfect sleek solutions for an awkward spot in this house.

“I've been wanting a new table for the dining room for a while, and this was the perfect opportunity to go a bit ‘extra’ on it,” this DIYer says.

“I DIYed literally almost everything in the room,” the homeowner says. “There’s not a lot you can’t DIY!”

“I always really wanted to add open shelving, but didn’t think it was possible because we were renting,” this DIYer says. Using about $200 worth of materials, she proved herself wrong.

When you live in a small space, you see every inch of it regularly. And when some of those inches are more cluttered than you’d like them to be, it can be stressful — or just monotonous. See how one renter went for a maximalist-but-streamlined change of pace.

The attic had some great features, like built-in wall storage and a big window, but it also had some bad ones — like the moldy carpet and an obtrusive column. Here’s how a DIYer made it all work.

The paint color? Red-orange. The paint location? Read to find out!

The before was too empty to feel like someone really lived there.

The biggest-impact steps: paint and cord covers.

Sometimes all a dated bathroom needs is a new paint color.

The previous homeowner put tons of work into creating a rustic-style space they loved — but when the new homeowners moved in, it didn’t quite suit them. Here’s how they made it their own.

After all, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

A five-week project using IKEA IVARs and a discount fireplace totally transforms this blank white box.

“I didn't like that my powder room looked like my neighbor's, and my neighbor's neighbor,” this homeowner says of her builder-grade “before.”

“Simply painting a room a bold color can completely transform it,” the designer says.

“By using the existing materials in this space, I saved a ton of money, and let’s be honest – who wants to gut an entire bathroom?” this DIYer says. “It’s dirty and dusty and takes FOREVER. Updating a small bathroom with accent walls is a budget-friendly way to add character.”

When these owners purchased their caravan, it was in much worse shape than they first thought. A complete overhaul brought it back to life.

This smart entryway redo is from YouTuber Alexandra Gater’s first book — and she gave Apartment Therapy an exclusive look at the project.

The “new” blue toilet and sink are must-sees.

There’s a smart IKEA hack in this bedroom redo, too.

This reno only took five days.

“Since this was my first place I owned, I wanted to make the entire space feel like me,” this condo dweller says.

This home was part of a Sears catalog kit, and many of its original features can be seen in the living room today.

The new kitchen feels a lot more inviting.

“The budget for this kitchen refresh was really to spend as little as possible,” this DIYer says.

“It was as boring as a room could possibly be,” this homeowner says of the “before.” The “after” is the complete opposite.

“This makeover made me realize I’m way more into paint than power tools,” this DIYer says.

This DIYer came up with a clever money-saving hack for getting the look of lime washed walls.

Vintage furniture and a fresh light fixture help, too.

Nope, we didn’t drop a zero on that total cost. Budget-friendly DIYs were the key to this dramatic transformation.

“I plan to stay in this place for some time, so the effort put in is worth it,” this renter says. His (totally removable!) updates cost $600.

Wallpaper, tile, and a new mantel take this fireplace from a blank slate to a bespoke and character-filled feature.

This bathroom is a colorful, eclectic mix of high-end pieces and secondhand upcycles.

“I love having my books all together on the wall; it really feels like a feature in the room instead of an afterthought,” this DIYer says. This one’s for the bookworms out there!

These homeowners “wanted something moody, modern and something no one else had.”

"In my opinion, there is no right or wrong way to style your space," this homeowner says. "As long as it brings you joy, it's functional, and it showcases your personality, then it's perfect! Your home is an outward expression of your vibe!"

“Cloffices” aren’t just for adults.

This DIYer "cried real (happy) tears" when she made the discovery during the demo process.

The new cook space isn't just beautiful — its reimagined layout makes it more functional, too.

Now the space has a groovy, bohemian backdrop.

It’s all thanks to wallpaper and gilded accessories.

A mid-century piece became a modern and functional "flo-denza."

This DIY is perfect for art lovers on a budget.

A family has a place to gather for $300.

The whole redo is packed with small, smart changes that make a big difference.

This is what one DIYer did with her inheritance.