DIY Before & Afters | Do It Yourself Projects & Hacks

Almost two years ago, I wrote about reducing the visual noise of this glass-door bookcase I use for DVD storage. Though not ideal for this purpose, the piece has sentimental value because it belonged to a neighbor/surrogate grandmother who has since passed away. My original effort to reduce the visual noise using paper I had in the house was successful, but never really made my heart sing.Skip ahead to last month when I found this beautiful inspiration image from Elle Decor.

Here at Apartment Therapy, we love a good before & after. Although many of our before & afters feature down-on-their-luck furniture pieces rescued by enterprising DIYers, some of my favorites are the projects in which a whole room is transformed. Check out some of the best makeovers of 2013. TOP ROW: 1. Before and After: Bri Emery’s Living Room Makeover 2. Before After: From Boring Bedroom to Chic Shared Space 3. Before After: A Blank Wall Gets Shelved 4.

For $600!

Renovations often produce dramatic results, but that doesn’t mean you need to rip out floors and knock out walls to make a statement. Let’s look at some of our favorite big, bold, and beautiful Big Reveal transformations, using just the power of paint and decor. Re-edited from a post originally published 9.27.

Long time readers may remember father and small space problem solver Jason who built his daughter Annabelle a stylish crib (above) to fit into a nook that was a few inches too small for a traditional crib. He took charge of his home and made it work for his family. As they all do, Annabelle grew up and was ready for a big girl bed. Here’s how Jason converted the crib into a toddler bed…and then back again when brother William joined the family!

This homeowner calls her kitchen reno's style "modern eclectic." Her tile, color, counter, and floor choices work great together.

During Meredith Svoboda's final walk-through of her Nashville home, she photographed the dining room, "dreaming of the life I could bring to this room," she writes.

"There's nothing like that instant gratification feeling of completing a project like this over a weekend," this YouTuber and DIYer says of her two-day project.

Revamping the exposed brick and the fireplace rescued this living room from its dark motel room roots.

These five spaces embrace eye-catching murals to give you just the inspiration you need. 

Painting a large-scale indoor mural doesn't have to be so daunting. After all, it's only paint!

A Los Angeles couple concealed an eyesore using a clever find from IKEA.

Working with the big stuff that was already in place helped this savvy homeowner create her dream bathroom for a lot less.

The before was nice, but the after? It's a real stunner.

"We were in the process of renovating our whole bathroom and really wanted a wooden vanity, but the ones we liked were all out of our budget," this homeowner says. IKEA hack to the rescue!

Here's an easy project renters and non-renters can do to spruce up a fireplace for fall.

The builder-grade espresso-shade is long gone from this now-cheery and cozy kitchen.

"I love the classic look and the added closed storage," this DIYer says of her innovative railing swap.

The "after" is perfect for an imaginative, color-loving kid — but adults will find inspo here, too.

The after is cute and clutter-free thanks to a few DIYS. "In terms of design, think about two or three small changes that will make such a difference," this DIYer advises.

From chair rail moulding to a custom headboard, this dreamy bedroom redo has tons of DIY projects to copy.

A dresser in the kitchen?! This DIYer proves it's absolutely a good idea.

The end result looks like a much more expensive piece of furniture that would fit in with a ton of different home styles, from traditional to modern farmhouse.

The new scalloped shelving is a must-see!

Space-defining DIYs and savvy secondhand shopping went a long way in this redo.

"When guests walk in, they're usually like ... 'woah,'" this homeowner says of the after.

This bathroom went from bright red to more serene and Mediterranean-inspired.

What was old is new again.

"I love how a couple cans of paint transformed a stark, cold bedroom into a welcoming and joyful oasis," this homeowner says.

2022 has been the year of the built-in, and these 11 are the most impressive we've seen.

One clever fix: a wall-mounted drying rack.

Don't you just love when form meets function?

This primary bedroom has luxe-looking details for less, thanks to some ambitious but well-executed DIY projects.

These homeowners saved thousands on their vanity by DIYing it.

Hilary Farr has to decide whether she loves it or lists it.

It was inspired by a clever IKEA hack.

This is a trick you can steal for your own mural painting projects.

"I’m head-over-heels in love with the colors we used," this homeowner says.

Neutral color scheme and retro-inspired details for the win.

This homeowner duplicates her dream sideboard using an inexpensive IKEA hack.

With school starting, lots of leases renewing or expiring, and both green leaves and warm weather beginning to fade, September marks a time of change for many. That’s why it’s especially fitting that it’s Transformation Month on Apartment Therapy. Throughout the whole month, we’ll be taking a closer look at shifts big and small, from tiny tweaks to major renovations to personal routine changes.We’re kicking things off with the BIG changes.

Some snazzy wallpaper and new paint do a lot to make this kitchen feel bigger and more inviting.

This bathroom redo was not without its challenges, but the final look is so luxe.

Why go out when you can get a cozy theater experience at home?

Flat-pack furniture or bespoke built-ins? In this redo, it's hard to tell.

This kitchen redo is packed with plenty of small space inspiration.

This workhorse space got an overhaul that's lots more welcoming.

This one belongs in the IKEA Hack hall of fame.

A 9-year-old's new bedroom receives a very pink renovation.

A four-month DIY project helped turn a messy, ineffective closet into a practical vintage-inspired home office.

The faux fireplace looks MUCH more expensive than its $300 price tag.

Painting and peeling up the old linoleum made a major difference in this redo.

Preserving their kitchen's original cabinets "saved a tremendous amount of time and money," the homeowner says.

New paint and new hardware also helped give this nightstand duo a more modern look.

The bold wallpaper is a must-see!

"I counted how many times I used the stairs in question over the course of one day, and it was over 30!" this DIYer says. "That’s a lot of time to be in boring decor. It deserved a makeover."

This basement's color palette went from fluorescent orange and sage green to all-white and serene.

See the "Electric Poppies" wallpaper bring this small gray bathroom to life.

"I have space to store items rather than having them out in the open," this homeowner says of her "after." "Overall it’s a lighter and brighter space."

Here's what to do with that awkward empty space above early- and mid- 2000s kitchen cabinetry.

Bold wallpaper and floating fixtures bring this bathroom into the 2020s.

"The only thing we would do differently is doing it earlier," these homeowners say of their DIY project. "It has really made the space feel purposeful."

You have to see the "built-in" dresser for yourself. (Hint: It's the same knotty oak one from before.)

A DIY bed, shelving, desk, and mural make for a pretty cool kid's room — and one lucky kid.

A few smart details make these built-ins look totally luxe (even though they were DIY)!

Staple gun + stretchy velvet fabric for the win.

From storage to a sink to ample folding space, the "after" has it all and looks great, too.