DIY Before & Afters | Do It Yourself Projects & Hacks

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.

“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.

This is what one DIYer did with her inheritance.

"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.

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

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.

"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.