DIY Before & Afters | Do It Yourself Projects & Hacks

From wood cabinets to (way chicer) wood cabinets.

The matching seating, wallpaper, and curtains are patterned perfection.

Nickel gap paneling is shiplap made easy, according to this DIYer.

The whole transformation cost just $250.

“I wanted people to be absolutely stunned that this was an IKEA dresser,” this DIYer says.

From four-cubed KALLAX to something MoMA-worthy

Before, the laundry room was “a forgotten room,” this DIYer says.

If you're a maximalist who rents, grab a pencil (and scissors and peel-and stick)!

Now, it’s warm and functional for a family.

The cast iron details are dreamy.

It’s black, white, and bold all over.

“Work with the unique features of the room, and don’t be afraid to mix it up when the mood strikes,” this homeowner advises.

“The new space makes me want to curl up with a book and sip on some coffee,” the homeowner says.

“Cabinets like these can cost over $2,000, so this cabinet costing $600 is a win in my book!” the DIYer says.

“I hope this project is a great demonstration of what can be achieved with paint and pattern,” the homeowner says.

“Painting a piece always is a bit daunting,” this DIYer says, but she made it work.

“This was a very risky project,” the DIYer says. “I didn't know if it would turn out cool or chunky and busy.”

Curtains came to the rescue in this bedroom transformation.

“There were decades' worth of stains in the carpet,” the DIYer says.

The apartment owners had a little over 16 square feet to work with.

The landlord actually reimbursed the renters for the new hardware they picked — it looked THAT good.

“I’m proud that we were brave with our color choice despite some initial apprehensions,” the homeowner says.

Gorgeous plants help add some personality, too!

I even made a new light fixture using a $3 thrift store find.

The furniture flipper behind this project swears by four steps: preparation, priming, painting, and protecting.

The “after” works for all seasons.

The homeowners were specifically looking for something dated that they could redo, and the “before” totally fits the bill.

“I’d say 75% of this room project was just painting,” the homeowner says.

Get ready to have major plant envy.

The cabinet was a jackpot thrift store find.

As one Instagram commenter says, “Literally would never stop reading books with big cozy socks on in this room.”

This once-plain shoe cabinet is now a stunning entryway statement piece.

The DIY ceiling is a must-see.

The tile from before looks totally refreshed, and the DIYer only spent about $53 to make it all happen.

“We spend way more time in here now than we did the first two years of living in the house,” says the homeowner.

Only a few steps were needed to give these IKEA shelves the look of custom built-ins.

Could this be Barbie’s dream cottage? Probably.

Yes, they’re the same doors!

The “after” feels fresh and lively.

The stylish storage isn’t the only improvement in this one-time dining room.

While wallpaper didn’t work out in one spot, it totally paid off in another.

“What I love most about the "after" of this project is that the space is now defined. It has a purpose,” the DIYer says.

This hardworking space now has a home for everything.

The after is “the embodiment of maximalist design,” this homeowner says.

The footprint stayed the same, but the “after” looks so luxe.

It feels both new and old.

One highlight: a hand-painted floral pattern on the walls.

Tile paint for the win!

Before, this DIYer says, using the bathroom was like “peeing in a pea-soup cave.” A quick redo changed that!

Opening up a wall made a big difference here.

These are some of the best Before & Afters featuring IKEA ever showcased on Apartment Therapy, selected for the function, style, and smart use of IKEA staples, of course!

A few DIY projects made a big difference in adding some warmth to this bare entryway.

“Because this is a small apartment, this room had to accommodate both a bathroom and a laundry area,” this apartment owner says.

Before, the fruit tiles, tan color scheme, and melamine cabinets were straight out of 1985.

Now, the DIYer says the kitchen “feels like walking into a giant hug.”

This home blogger has great advice for creating an entryway that works for you.

If you’re a DIY novice looking for an easy IKEA hack to start out with, this KALLAX upgrade is your friend.

“I wanted it to be a small and mighty room — tiny but big in personality,” this DIYer says.

With a stylish solution for the existing wood cabinets!

It’s no surprise this redo is full of great design and DIY ideas — it belongs to the Small/Cool Contest winner from 2021!

This redo brings a whole new vibe to this gray dresser.

Buying secondhand tile for the floor and shower saved a ton of money — it cost just $100 to tile the whole room.

The secret: epoxy!

This renter-friendly redo has a great solution for brightening up a retro wood-paneled space.

The kid wanted a Star Wars-themed bedroom; the DIYer wanted to stick to a $500 budget. Here’s how they succeeded on both counts.

For her bathroom reno, this homeowner wanted materials that would arrive quickly and match the vintage style of her 1940s colonial house.

This DIYer says calm, tranquil bedrooms can still mix colors and textures — and her bedroom redo is here to prove it.

This living room redo is chock-full of tips for filling up a small space without it feeling overwhelming.

"I love everything about it!" this homeowner says of her revamped entryway. "It’s gorgeous and light and has sweet personalized details."

Plus, this first-time cabinet painter has some great DIY tips for getting the job done.