DIY Before & Afters | Do It Yourself Projects & Hacks

“The transformation reads bright and airy in the day, and deep and moody after twilight hours,” the DIYer says.

“This was very cost-friendly and fun,” the DIYer says.

There are clever DIY ideas to borrow whether your kitchen is a temporary or forever place to cook.

It came with great bones, like a fireplace and original woodwork.

The details are everything.

The lesson in this porch makeover? Think colorfully!

It works way better for this family of five.

“As a homebody, introvert, and remote worker, it feels especially important to create a space I truly enjoy being in,” the renter says.

And it has the prettiest accent wall.

“When one piece of furniture can play double duty, it’s a win for me,” the DIYer says.

The project included several DIY “firsts” for the homeowners.

Plus, there’s cool new texture and hardware.

The DIYer’s grandpa built the kitchen cabinets.

There’s even an indoor trellis!

"I had been getting really inspired by rich burgundy tones in homes," the DIYer says.

It proves every corner counts!

It took less than 10 minutes.

The DIYer says it’s like “being immersed in an oil painting.”

“We didn’t want to pour money into a rental, so it had to be budget-friendly,” the DIYer says.

The DIYer has over nine different wallpaper patterns in her home, and this is a fan favorite.

The “after” has several design nods to the original.

For $1,700!

“I literally love everything about this room,” the DIYer says.

“I wanted to really celebrate the craftsmanship of this space and highlight the features,” the homeowner says.

Goodbye, brown cabinets.

The $872 bedroom makeover was inspired by a boutique hotel.

From leafy wallpapers to other, more unexpected choices.

“It feels considered, warm, and just a little bit fancy, and I love that,” the DIYer says.

It’s airy and ethereal.

The chunky wood details on the vanity give it a whole new look.

The balcony was becoming a collection spot “for old pots and dying plants,” says the homeowner.

It’s totally renter-friendly!

It even has a pool.

A pop of color makes a huge difference.

The 1956 house is a family heirloom.

It’s so dreamy!

Gingham glow-up loading!

“It’s not just pretty — it feels soulful,” the DIYer says.

Pavers, pea gravel, patio furniture, and potted plants to the rescue!

The DIYer didn’t like the brown cabinets at first.

When the apartment owners moved in, they immediately got rid of the lime green walls.

Function came first, but style wasn’t forgotten.

There's wallpaper in an unexpected spot!

That’s not the only clever idea, either.

The sink is stunning.

Goodbye to the beige color palette and built-in desk.

The pop of pink paint is a must-see.

The new look makes it feel bigger, too.

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

It only took about a month!

The new tile is the star of the show.

The rich new paint color does some heavy lifting, but it’s not the only big change.

The cabinets! The natural light! The island!

The “after” is so charming.

The new wallpaper is a dreamy highlight.

“Before, it was just too gaping with all white,” the renter says.

Installing bricks was a first-time undertaking for this DIYer.

Store-bought umbrellas in similar styles cost about $100 or more.

There’s zero paint!

I’m a renter who loves color, kitsch, and maximalism.

The IKEA hack picture rail might just be it.

The color palette was inspired by old Victorian homes in San Francisco.

The DIYers thought of every detail.

The renter didn't let her lease stop her from personalizing the kitchen.

Plus, there’s the coolest plant storage idea.

The bedroom is in the upstairs add-on to a bungalow home.

This IKEA hack is BTPW (better than pole wrap).

“I wanted to think differently about apartment balconies and kind of make mine feel like an additional room,” the DIYer says.

You don't need a ton of space to make a home library, and this project is proof.

I’m immediately copying the lighting hack in this living room makeover.

It’s dark, Parisian-inspired, and dreamy.

Even though it has a window, this alcove always felt gloomy before.