DIY Before & Afters | Do It Yourself Projects & Hacks

Even though the new bed and nightstands are bigger, the room actually feels MORE spacious.

A real estate developer married tradition and modernism.

The once childish space is now unrecognizable — and very, very cool.

"I had all of these ideas and was struggling to narrow them down, to simplify the design, until I realized it’s my house, and in this small space I can take some risks," the homeowner says. "So I did all of them."

If you need inspiration for an easy, done-in-a-day furniture refresh, read on.

The renters had struggled with the layout.

Epoxy counters, painted cabinets, and DIY floating shelves make this once-brown kitchen look unrecognizable.

Fresh paint and new floors go a long way in this redo.

It's not often that a makeover that sacrifices square footage actually makes for a more usable space, but this one pulled it off.

That's not the only smart DIY in this stylish makeover.

Attention to detail is what makes this affordable bathroom makeover so great.

The easy DIY project makes the family's entryway way more functional for them.

It features a surprising — and gorgeous — new wall color.

This DIYer was on the hunt for a sideboard with a pop of color, and was able to make it herself for a fraction of the cost of store-bought.

The new shower curtain adds the perfect amount of color and whimsy to tie the whole space together.

A clever yellow accent wall serves as a striking visual headboard.

The biggest splurges were a glam new light fixture and rug — but they were totally worth it.

These are the home makeovers that surprised, inspired, and delighted Apartment Therapy staffers.

The secret to this DIY project was just a little bit of raffia cloth.

The basement is now home to a TV and gaming area, a ping-pong zone, a workout corner, and a utility room.

The result is beautiful, bright, and airy — and has enough space for two people to cook at the same time.

Fresh wallpaper and gold accents bring it all together.

Days, weeks, and months later, here's how these five DIYers feel about their home makeovers.

The bold green kitchen is the star of the show.

These makeovers will inspire you to pick up a paintbrush in 2022.

This hard-working space deserves a little design love, too.

The project made the room more practical for the family who lives here, too.

These DIYers didn't let small budgets stand in their way.

Let these creative redos inspire you to take a fresh look at your own rental.

The after features one of this year's trendiest paint colors.

These 10 entryway makeovers will inspire you to look at your home with fresh eyes.

These homeowners and renters employed changes big and small to create their dream bathrooms.

These 10 bedroom makeovers impressed editors the most this year.

New wallpaper, a new mirror, and new vanity lighting make a world of difference in this powder room.

Here's proof that you don't have to rip everything out and start new.

An IKEA hack, materials rescued from the trash, and plenty of Goodwill shopping all help make this bedroom feel like an oasis.

These creative makeovers were seriously inspiring.

The homeowners mixed DIYs (and IKEA cabinets!) with pro work to get the kitchen of their dreams.

This one-of-a-kind DIY totally transforms the look of the original piece.

This entryway went from "meh" to magical in just a week.

A unique paint job brought out the best in this bedroom.

The once-basic piece is unrecognizable now.

Tweaking the layout made a huge difference in the function and style of this laundry room.

A few small changes went a long way in this teeny space.

Not to mention, a seriously refreshing new paint color.

Even better? It's in a rental.

This dining room is full of custom DIY details that are totally copy-able.

Not every project needs to be a days-long ordeal — sometimes, all you need is a little time to make a big change.

Plus, it serves as the perfect divider between the living and dining rooms.

Gold accents found in the mirror, wall art, faucet, and hardware tie it all together.

The clever faux drawers are the perfect blend of style and function.

The vanity is the star of the show in this sophisticated redo.

Beautiful blue accents tie the whole space together.

Even more impressive? The DIYer tackled most of the project in a single weekend.

Low-cost updates made a huge difference in this dated, smelly bedroom.

Aside from being ultra practical, this redo is gorgeous to boot.

The piece was falling apart when this first-time DIYer got her hands on it.

Changing up just one element made a huge difference in the feel of the space as a whole.

"There are still a few stray big toy items that cannot fit in the drawers or cabinets, but overall it has the perfect mix of functionality, open space, and design I was craving," the homeowner says of the "After."

No power tools required.

The redo turned a "meh" sleep space into a dreamy retreat.

It just took a little reimagining to help get this laundry room's essentials off the floor.

The biggest piece of the project cost just $160.

No natural light? No problem.

Solid pieces of furniture like this one can be made over again and again.

The new space has enough room for two islands. Yes, two!

There's a lot of style packed into this little half bath.

The teeny space just needed a little pick-me-up.

With IKEA cabinets, Semihandmade fronts, and a $100 "marble" backsplash hack.

No, there's not a zero missing in that number.