Furniture Before & Afters | DIY, Hacks & Restorations

Here at Apartment Therapy, we love a good before & after. Although many of our before & afters feature down-on-their-luck furniture pieces rescued by enterprising DIYers, some of my favorites are the projects in which a whole room is transformed. Check out some of the best makeovers of 2013. TOP ROW: 1. Before and After: Bri Emery’s Living Room Makeover 2. Before After: From Boring Bedroom to Chic Shared Space 3. Before After: A Blank Wall Gets Shelved 4.

Renovations often produce dramatic results, but that doesn’t mean you need to rip out floors and knock out walls to make a statement. Let’s look at some of our favorite big, bold, and beautiful Big Reveal transformations, using just the power of paint and decor. Re-edited from a post originally published 9.27.

During Meredith Svoboda's final walk-through of her Nashville home, she photographed the dining room, "dreaming of the life I could bring to this room," she writes.

"There's nothing like that instant gratification feeling of completing a project like this over a weekend," this YouTuber and DIYer says of her two-day project.

These five spaces embrace eye-catching murals to give you just the inspiration you need. 

"I love the classic look and the added closed storage," this DIYer says of her innovative railing swap.

From chair rail moulding to a custom headboard, this dreamy bedroom redo has tons of DIY projects to copy.

The eight-week challenge will help you start — and finish — the project you've been dreaming about.

A dresser in the kitchen?! This DIYer proves it's absolutely a good idea.

The end result looks like a much more expensive piece of furniture that would fit in with a ton of different home styles, from traditional to modern farmhouse.

The new scalloped shelving is a must-see!

What was old is new again.

This primary bedroom has luxe-looking details for less, thanks to some ambitious but well-executed DIY projects.

Hilary Farr has to decide whether she loves it or lists it.

It was inspired by a clever IKEA hack.

This homeowner duplicates her dream sideboard using an inexpensive IKEA hack.

The best part? The whole redo is renter-friendly.

Flat-pack furniture or bespoke built-ins? In this redo, it's hard to tell.

This one belongs in the IKEA Hack hall of fame.

New paint and new hardware also helped give this nightstand duo a more modern look.

From big box to bespoke, these nightstands get an ultra-colorful and patterned redo.

In the latest episode of the HGTV series, Jenn gave their home (including the kitchen and living room) some functional and modern upgrades.

"Cheers" to a vintage-inspired home for vintage glassware!

The new look is perfectly traditional-meets-modern.

Sometimes it just takes a little bit of upgrading for a furniture piece to be functional and presentable in your home.

Home DIYer and blogger Kristen Johnson upcycled her recycling bin contents by giving a plastic planter new life.

The former owner of the piece loves the new look, too.

"I love the contrast of using a vintage piece and adding a really modern design," this pro furniture flipper says.

They create a room for play and sleep.

With a little love and DIY, this vintage dresser has a whole new look.

This cheerful desk redo came together in just a few steps.

Both human and cat are pleased with the outcome of this simple DIY.

Thanks to budget finds and DIYs, the bedroom looks totally different — all for under $1,000.

A two-day DIY adds major style and hides clutter, too.

Do you love everything about your cat — except their litter box? The cumbersome, smelly eyesore can throw off the aesthetic of any home.

The revamped piece has a bone inlay look for less.

DIYers Faith and Julia found this slab of wood on Facebook Marketplace.

The “Friends” star wanted to craft an updated condo that was also pet friendly for her pal Thea's many adopted animals. 

This cute nightstand started out with dings and chips, but a bit of DIY gave it a surprising (and bold) new look.

This reading corner revamp features a genius IKEA solution.

"Why spend a ton of money on a new dresser when a little paint is all it needs?" this DIYer asks.

"One of my favorite finishes to create is giving a piece a 'dipped' look," this furniture flipper says.

Jonathan and Drew Scott distilled the space into an “office-meets-man-cave."

Woodworking skills came in handy for this DIYer's redo.

Sometimes simple changes make the biggest impact.

The mid-century style vanity was listed for super cheap on Facebook Marketplace because it had a crack in it before.

Adding cane backing to glass fronts on a cabinet is a GREAT way to disguise clutter. Take it from this simple one-week project.

"I knew this cool piece of history needed to be saved," the DIYer says.

It's polished (literally) and looks new again, but still honors its vintage roots.

Follow along for inspiration, or join in to finally get going on a project you've been meaning to tackle.

This DIYer created a glam pattern on the plain doors using easy-to-find materials.

Let’s face it: A tool shed is usually all about functional storage, not about being the prettiest spot on a property.

Finding a media console or TV stand that's the perfect size and style in mint condition is kind of like striking gold.

We can’t help but get excited when we see a fireplace reno done right.

In the latest episode of “Rock the Block,” four HGTV all-star teams finally turned to the outside of their identical houses after several weeks of indoor work.

Husband Jeff favored “risky patterns,” while wife Sara was an “aspiring minimalist.” In the premiere episode of HGTV’s “Mash-Up Our Home,” design team Kele Dobrinski and Christina Valencia helped the couple find balance in their differing design styles.

See how this woodworking DIYer created a totally new silhouette by bending wood around an existing set of drawers.

In the latest episode of “Fixer to Fabulous,” the Marrses renovated Rob and Angie’s cramped 1,100-square-foot Arkansas ranch into a modern two-story dream home.

These makeovers bring out the best in even the saddest looking "befores."

If you want to refresh laminate furniture to look like wood, read on.

“I hated having this family piece just sitting in storage," this DIYer says. "Giving it new life feels like I’m bringing my Nana back into my home.”

Sheepskin chairs are on-trend this year, and this one is extra glam.

Think beyond paint when it comes to redoing your next furniture piece.

This DIYer got a high-end look for less.

This cramped condo become a bright and modern space.

The Italian design team let existing tones and materials shine through the renovation.

This vintage hutch was a diamond in the (gummy, painted over) rough.

A real estate developer married tradition and modernism.

The renters had struggled with the layout.

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.