DIY Before & Afters | Do It Yourself Projects & Hacks

I took the lamp from “forgettable farmhouse” to “custom cottage.”

“I wanted to create a neutral but cozy and comfortable atmosphere that still had an element of freshness, modernity, and maybe even a little sexiness,” the designer and homeowner says.

The built-in wardrobe hack only took one weekend and totally elevates the room.

It's filled with extremely whimsical DIYs.

“I was looking for ways to get the elevated look for a fraction of the cost,” the DIYer says of her burl wood inspo.

The furniture is secondhand but so elevated.

I’m actually excited to get up and get ready every day in my new space.

If you’re going to be working, you might as well be working in style.

“It feels just like a Palm Springs hotel, which was the exact vibe I was going for,” this DIYer says.

The wallpaper was a lucky find.

The homeowner completed several first-time DIY projects.

One thing the homeowner would change about the makeover? “I would have done this a long time ago!” she says.

You've got to see the vintage avocado oven.

It’s a master class in bold colors and layout planning.

This redo is all about first impressions.

The DIYer behind the project has great tips for achieving the perfect light oak stain.

For $1,200!

The wallpaper features the homeowner’s original photography.

A disco ball in the kitchen? Sounds like a party!

“Clutter headquarters” no more. See this laundry room’s beautiful makeover.

The homeowner wanted “the transition from the first floor to the second floor to have a wow factor.”

There’s a clever trick for making a brand-new toilet look vintage.

The backsplash was a first-time DIY and makes such a difference.

The new dining room looks like it could come from an episode of "The Jetsons."

“Don't be afraid to go bold with colors in small spaces,” the homeowner says.

Yes, it’s possible to make your rental’s white walls look chic without painting them.

The homeowners aimed for “unique on a tight budget,” and they certainly delivered.

A few extra steps helped the DIY look totally luxurious.

And the artwork is next-level.

It took the owner five years to find the perfect retro cabinets.

Who knew you could do this in a studio?

This homeowner transformed her bedroom with “one of the easiest and cheapest things you can do for a space.”

Who knew closets could hold this much style?

Some DIY tricks helped me pull it off.

I wanted it to be all couch, pillows, and patterns.

Yes, dark colors can work in a small space.

The countertops are an unexpected fun throwback.

All of the changes are rental-friendly.

Paint is the ultimate problem solver in this 100-square-foot kitchen.

Small bathrooms are a great spot to go big with design.

The DIY green backsplash tiles are a must-see.

“The room is so much brighter now and feels like it is truly me,” the DIYer says.

“This sun-soaked nook has lived MANY lives,” the homeowner says.

Goodbye, square tile countertops and linoleum floors.

The cabinets are the same, but look way more modern.

This 12-year-old mirror looks better than ever.

Three DIY projects transform the space.

“There was nothing interesting about the room at all,” the homeowner says of the “Before.”

My boyfriend wanted to go bold in wallpaper and in color. I wanted a wild toilet. We both got what we wanted.

This one’s for all those with Pinterest boards full of paint colors.

You won’t believe how much a can of paint can transform a space.

“The cloffice makes me feel like I'm on Sex and the City!” the DIYer says.

The “movie theater or bowling alley” carpeting didn’t go — it provided bold inspo.

The overall footprint is still the same, but the “after” feels like a much taller space.

The after is “a really unique design and a real focal point” in the approximately 50-square-foot space.

All of the DIY projects totaled $1,115

“I loved the practicality and shape of the dressing table, but everyone on Instagram seemed to have the same one!” this DIYer says.

The renter picked colors she wouldn't get sick of.

And the entire project only cost $60. Talk about budget-savvy!

The new color combo is unexpected, but it totally works.

This apartment is only 470 square feet, but feels way bigger.

“The room has a focal point,” the homeowner says of the “after.”

The paint projects were inspired by the work of two artists, and they add color, pattern, and whimsy.

“I did it all by hand with a small paintbrush, and it gives my home a homemade quality,” the DIYer says.

This entryway goes from dated and beige to daring and bespoke.

I wanted it to be all couch, pillows, and patterns.

The “after” makes 300 square feet feel massive, thanks to smart cabinetry, color choices, and more.

This bathroom makeover has great advice for first-time DIYers.

Find two ways to fake the look of expensive marble herein.

I went bold with wallpaper — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This impressive transformation happened in stages.

These homeowners decided to “un-flip” their 1956 home’s stunning original features.