DIY Before & Afters | Do It Yourself Projects & Hacks

See how I gave my 35-square-foot studio kitchen a makeover.

“We wanted it to feel happy and inviting, without feeling overwhelming,” the DIYer says.

This maximalist DIYer never thought she'd use white paint, but she made it work with her style.

You have to see where she put wallpaper!

The vintage fixtures actually resell for a lot of money on eBay right now.

The staircase is now a talking point.

The vision was deVOL on a budget.

The wood cabinets stayed the same, but they look meant-to-be in this kitchen now.

The “after” fits a desk and built-in bookcases, and it sleeps two.

It helps hide an eyesore.

“We love that our kitchen is bright, happy, spacious, and effective when it comes to storage,” the homeowner says.

Three IKEA BILLYs came to the rescue.

“I'm all about using the darkest, moodiest, and boldest paint colors in my apartment because it's fun!” the DIYer says.

And there’s a cool artwork idea, too.

For under $1,000!

This home office makeover uses color-drenching — with a twist.

“The overall vibe was beige,” the DIYer says of the “before.”

This DIY project was a labor of love.

The new kitchen is a classic neutral with brass accents.

“The new space just brings me so much joy, and I actually love being in my bathroom now,” the DIYer says.

It didn't fit my family before — but I made it work for us by using materials I already had.

“I love that I didn't have to do a gut renovation in order to create something completely different,” the renter says.

It’s way more functional now.

“I’m on a journey to cook more and use Uber Eats a little less,” this renter says — and now she has a kitchen where that can happen.

They even removed the upper cabinets!

“All the sudden, it felt like a proper kitchen and not just a rental with a hodgepodge of random cabinets and appliances,” the homeowner says.

“It’s a much warmer and cozier space now,” the DIYer says.

“My design style has evolved, and I have grown to love timeless, vintage vibes with moody colors,” the DIYer says.

The renter decided to lean in to the features her apartment came with.

The homeowners wanted a designated spot to sit down and eat.

An IKEA PAX hack adds floor-to-ceiling storage in this bedroom.

The “before” smelled like Nicotine and sat in my garage for a year before I finally knew what to do with it.

“If a full demo isn’t in the cards, focus on smaller, impactful changes like paint, molding, or upgraded hardware,” this DIYer says.

The DIYer and her family spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so they needed ample seating.

The homeowner could see the potential as soon as she walked in.

Although the homeowner had to compromise on carpet, she was able to completely disguise it with maximalist style.

It's strikingly striped, and it has a brilliant use for secondhand shutters.

It’s unrecognizable!

The picture frame molding is everything.

These hacks will save you money, but you won’t have to sacrifice on style.

A pop of color can work wonders.

Before, it lacked any coziness whatsoever.

The renter calls it a "mini renovation."

The cabinets had been pristinely maintained by the previous owners but were still looking pretty dated.

The transformation brings the outdoors in.

Even though it’s chilly outside, it’s still the perfect time to celebrate outdoor projects.

I’m a firm believer that there’s no such thing as “too much” if you’re filling a space with things that make you happy.

You won’t believe these design feats started from humble flat-packed furniture.

What exactly is bobbin detailing? See this transformation to find out!

The backsplash hack is so clever!

By not using real marble, the homeowner saved major money on this makeover.

The goal was to make the kitchen a “happier place to cook.”

This DIYer calls the HEMNES “a great blank canvas.”

And it was a total DIY job.

It’s so much more functional, too.

And it’s under $100.

Everything has a place now.

The IKEA hack really elevates it.

The “after” has mid-century modern touches.

The living room got its groove back.

The kitchen becomes far more functional.

The after is super colorful.

The vibe goes from standard and builder-grade to The Standard Hotel.

It looks even better with stockings!

“It’s like a permanent rainbow,” the homeowner says of the after — especially the tile backsplash.

“If you’ve lived in an apartment for over two or three years, I always say change something so it feels fresh,” this renter says.

Tulip wallpaper, checkered bedding, and gingham curtains, oh my!

“I am a lover of color. I detest bland spaces,” this apartment dweller says. “The brighter the better. Color lifts my mood.”

And the wavy details on the bed are a must-see.

The new paint looks nice at any time of day.

“I feel like I am in a Parisian cafe every day,” the DIYer says.

“If you feel like a color change needs to be done, don’t be afraid!” this DIYer says.