DIY Before & Afters | Do It Yourself Projects & Hacks

The secret? Color!

While applying a new coat of paint can be a quick and easy way to make over a piece of furniture, refinishing a quality wooden piece is often worth the added time and patience. And it’s often not too hard — a little light sanding and a few simple restoring products is often all it takes to breathe new life into old pieces, and bring out the beautiful grain of wooden furniture.1. A Revamped Kitchen Table, from Door Sixteen2. An Old Dresser, Apartment Therapy3.

After moving to Saratoga Springs, NY, which is famous for its horses and horse track, Lucianna Samu became obsessed with old horse stall doors. She began collecting and refurbishing the doors for projects around the house. Below are pictures of a liquor cabinet and a kitchen pantry that Lucianna created by hanging the doors on modern sliding rails.According to Lucianna, My advice is that the lighter the door, the easier and less expensive the installation.

I just bid farewell to our last task chair review sample, noting as much as I found this and other new models comfortable in different ways, my tried and true task chair I purchased way back in 2008 keeps proving to be the most comfortable. But after years of daily use, the chair has definitely seen better days.

This redo leaves no surface untouched.

This small bathroom was the only one in the house—so these DIYers knew they had to make it count.

I got tired of my boring "blank slate" dining room—so I made it a colorful haven.

Yes, you can make a big change on a small budget!

This room is proof that a little architectural character goes a long way.

This smart upgrade is one that you can easily copy in your own home.

It might be literally impossible to see this project and not smile.

Maybe you thought you hated pink, but this sophisticated office redo will convince you otherwise.

Doing laundry over and over and over is chore enough—the room shouldn't bum you out, too.

No half-hearted gallery walls here!

Wait until you see the tub.

Best part? No demo required.

Everywhere you turn there's a different element to love.

This transformation involved paint, lighting, flooring, and more.

Proof that work spaces can be beautiful and practical.

Bye, brown-on-brown-on-brown!

Dreamy? A laundry room? Yes, really!

That price point is hard to beat!

A two-part project takes this stairway from "oh no" to "oh, hello!"

Yet more proof in the transformative power of paint.

This project adds instant warmth and character.

The after's full of great renter-friendly solutions.

The after will make your jaw drop.

The after is more functional and more beautiful, too.

It only took a few elements to revitalize this decade-old shelf.

This story will inspire you to incorporate your own family history into your decor.

The after is almost unrecognizable.

This full-blown renovation took two months and cost $10,000.

Editor’s Note: Spoilers for “Queer Eye” Season 5, Episode 9.The latest season of “Queer Eye” premiered on Friday, and it’s a beautiful gift to start off Pride Month. This time, the Fab Five are taking over Philadelphia and making over a new batch of ten heroes. There are tears, tender moments, and of course, dramatic transformations. In episode 9, we meet Dr.

A few small tweaks totally transform this dull bathroom.

This DIY redo makes the whole living room shine—but the fireplace is a real standout.

Not everyone has a whole room to turn into a home office, but this project shows you can do a lot with a little.

Small investment, big impact.

Sometimes you have to knock down a few walls to fully brighten a space.

It's ahh-inspiring.

This homeowner got creative with supplies she already had.

The "after" looks like a magical garden.

It's beautiful and practical.

This kitchen goes from plain to punchy with a few low-budget tweaks.

The project took just two days.

With six kids, a spacious and functional kitchen was a must for this family.

You'll be obsessed with the upcycled art.

This rental kitchen redo is packed with ideas worth stealing for your own home.

The after is pure joy.

This renter left no detail undone.

Wait until you see the new lighting.

Talk about bang for your buck.

$200 goes a long way in transforming this dim bathroom.

Who says you can't have both style and function?

Something old, something new, something gifted, and a couple things green.

Bye, beige!

Yes, that cost includes a toilet, vanity, shower, and more.

The idea was inspired by a mother-daughter trip to Scotland.

No, we didn't forget any zeros in that total.

The secret to how it's done? Paint, of course!

Four different paint colors make this entryway a happy and welcoming spot.

The before featured a shower ceiling covered in mold and a toilet that made the whole house stink. The after is a SERIOUS upgrade.

A book lover's dream: cozy, warm, inviting, and with TONS of storage.

Carpeted bathrooms? Very un-groovy.

Full ingredients list? Paint, hardware, accessories, and creativity.

We should mention: This is a total DIY job.

Laken, the college freshman we introduced you to last week, is all moved in and set up, and ready to start classes this week. She took her college blah dorm and turned it into something personal and comfortable. Want to see what she did with her space? Let’s break it down, and see what Laken did to make it work: 1. Configured her furniture, i.e. raised the bed, to allow for more storage. As a result, the dresser, some storage bins and a hamper fit nicely underneath and stay out of sight.