DIY Before & Afters | Do It Yourself Projects & Hacks

"Never underestimate the power of paint!" this homeowner says of her paint projects — including her countertops which look unrecognizable after a $125 project.

Looking to paint IKEA furniture? Get this DIYer's tips first.

You'd never know it was this DIYer's first-ever furniture flip based on how sophisticated the "after" looks! Read for tons of great beginner-friendly advice.

The 940-square-foot home now flaunts period details.

"Pattern and color are not my usual comfort zone, but I found myself really inspired by spaces that use a lot of pattern play and color," this homeowner says — and several of the prints in the space are totally shoppable.

The makeover mixes high and low to create a unique space that doesn't break the bank, the homeowner says.

A can of paint and a little wallpaper went a long way to elevate the boring fireplace in our newly flipped home.

The bathroom, in its early stages, was "a bland space overall," this homeowner says. See how she added character while still keeping things neutral.

The extensive renovation project made this kitchen, last touched in the 1990s, more functional for a family.

By painting her walls and built-ins the same color, this DIYer created a seamless storage setup. Read more about her painting tips and takeaways.

This would be the perfect spot to curl up with a book on a Saturday morning.

"Bathrooms love plants, and plants love bathrooms. Get as many in there as can possibly fit!" this homeowner says.

The wishlist for this redo included more storage, better lighting, a larger sink, better ventilation, and a new backsplash.

DIYing as much as possible helped keep costs low, and allowed for splurges on bigger ticket items like appliances.

With the right surroundings, even so-called "dated" fixtures can look contemporary.

Tons of time-saving tips from a seasoned DIYer ahead!

You’d never guess this piece of furniture was once a standard IKEA bookcase.

The guiding words for this project: "vintage New England with a twist."

With some clever DIY, this bookshelf is completely unrecognizable.

The "after" is total cottagecore inspiration.

The "after" looks much brighter and cleaner, and the vanity is unrecognizable.

"I have always had very colorful hair and clothes," this renter says. "I decided to surround myself in colorful surroundings."

Whether you have an old hand-me-down dresser or a past-its-prime IKEA one, these DIYs will give you plenty of ideas for giving it a new life.

Lots of DIY and plenty of resourcefulness helped keep costs down in this 2000s builder-grade bathroom makeover.

This redo is packed with personality — and a couple budget-friendly makeover ideas, too.

A less-than-exciting fireplace became a bold focal point.

Updating the surroundings allowed the bathroom's retro charm to come through.

"I had never done stenciling before, so I was nervous, but once I started it was a really peaceful, slow process," this DIYer says of her cheery paint project.

Paint, tile, and new seating are a winning combo in this cozy cabin living room.

Get inspired by these kitchen cabinets, which range from barely-there light ash wood to rich walnut tones.

The headboard is a highlight, but this redo is simply packed with clever DIYs and hacks.

"I love color and have been painting faux ‘wallpaper’ all over the house," this homeowner explains.

This accent wall is pure sunshine.

This smart redo is small-space living exemplified.

Wait until you see the fridge.

In this bathroom, every wall is a feature wall.

After a few setbacks, this intrepid DIYer figured out how to make her dream accent wall a reality.

The makeover blends traditional touches with modern embellishments.

Small-space tips and renter-friendly advice incoming!

The newly made over space is unrecognizable.

Tiny bathrooms that work well for day-to-day use are the ultimate design feat; this one with a tricky layout sitch was no exception.

Planning ahead was the key in this six-step transformation.

This homeowner doesn't shy away from using bold colors in a small space.

"Mid-century modern always catches my eye," this furniture flipper says.

"I know this isn’t everyone’s style, but I just knew I wanted to do something different," this DIYer says. "I love that it’s such a statement piece for my guest bedroom. I wanted something bright and happy and a one-of-a-kind piece. I really do think I achieved that."

"I'm proud that the space looks more expensive than it was to transform," this DIYer says.

This hack features an affordable DIY material you'll want to add to cart.

A brown bathroom from 1984 gets a major glow up full of on-trend details like green-painted built-ins, fluted wood, and more.

This dining room bar feature goes from too-small to totally grand.

"I'm lucky to have some amazing original features, like an exposed brick wall and cast-iron columns, and the doors felt really out of place," this apartment owner says of her dated interior doors.

Because of their limited square footage, these renters didn't want to bring in baby stuff for the sake of stuff. Maximizing vertical space was key, and they did this by way of wall-mounted book racks, a hanging clothes rack, and floating shelves to hold baby care essentials.

These homeowners transformed their living room in a week, thanks to the deadline of hosting family the following weekend. But the space has served them well past their hosting duties.

Bold wallpaper + unique lighting + a statement furniture piece is a winning design formula.

When this homeowner's dream media cabinet was out of stock (and $5,000) she hacked her old IKEA BESTA to get the look she was after.

This kid's room makes a total 180 thanks to bright new paint and new decor.

This budget-friendly overhaul features a few smart tricks worth making note of.

Paint plus thrifty upcycles for the win.

"As renters sometimes we feel powerless to improve our spaces," this apartment dweller says. She and her husband (and their landlord) came up with some quick fixes for this once-dated kitchen.

"Hallways are often overlooked when it comes to design, and I saw this as an opportunity to take some risks and make some bold design choices," this DIYer says.

This kid's room redo is packed with great ideas for staying organized.

All in, the project cost $120. Not bad for its sophisticated new look!

The redo doesn't sacrifice practicality in the name of style.

Green paint works wonders here, as does a one-of-a-kind mural. It was a big risk that paid off.

The new space is gorgeous — but it's plenty practical, too.

A single statement wall goes a long way in this transformation.

Patience and sweat equity led to dramatic results for this 1970s sideboard makeover.

When this DIYer's kids outgrew their bedroom and moved into a bigger one, she wanted to give the space that they left behind a new, more sophisticated look.