DIY Home Projects

Just look at that Ikea Malm dresser all sitting there all plain and white. You just wait, Ikea Malm dresser. You have no idea what’s about to happen to you. (Hint: it involves O’verlays!)Told you so! We’re such big fans of furniture makeovers, especially when it’s more than just a coat of paint. This makeover, created by Amanda Carol, turned a blank canvas of a dresser into a super statement with Greek key shaped O’verlays that she painted gold.

At Apartment Therapy, we believe the more personal you make your space, the happier you will be in it (and that goes for the time you spend caring for the roads leading up to your space, too!). In today’s video, Grandpa Carl shows us his hand-built custom snowblower cab, which he invented and built for less than it would cost to buy one commercially.

New Orleans-based interior designer Katie Logan rents out a small apartment on the bottom floor of her house on Airbnb, and we’re awfully glad: Not only is it a relaxing place to stay in the Big Easy, it’s nice to look at! Seeing the before photos, we’re inspired by the cute space she was able to create without a lot of money or time.

We’re certainly no strangers to the versatility of the Ikea Rast around here. I even put together a post about The Endlessly Adaptable IKEA Rast Dresser last year. This $35 dresser is a DIYer’s dream and I love continuing to discover new variations. Anna took the simple little dresser and turned it into a classic nightstand…Anna recently shared her Rast customization on her blog, Take the Side Street.

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.

Here’s the unfortunate truth about 99% of all living spaces: every house and apartment—large or small—likely has something that’s weird, oddly placed, or just plain ugly. These persistent little problems (cords, vents, pipes, outlets) might drive you nuts, but stay they must, especially if you are a renter. The only solution is to get creative…. Here are ten common household eyesores, and DIY projects and ideas to help you disguise them: 1.

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.

And it only takes about an hour.

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

Tired of your looking at your same old artwork? Try one of these ideas to switch up the look for free.

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.

This DIY is easy and budget-friendly, so you can fill your whole home with gallery walls without breaking the bank.

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.

Go beyond the BILLY bookcase.

Best part? No demo required.

It's less than $50 and a dinner time savior for kids!

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!

For the best results, choose your hack carefully. Here's our expert guide.

Dreamy? A laundry room? Yes, really!

This sofa used to be black, but I painted it brown. You can see how it looks, but I know what you’re thinking. Did it rub off on your pants? How does it feel? Is it stiff? Is it gummy? Can you scratch it with your fingernail? Does it peel? Does it stink? Does it poke you in the butt? Is it a tragic mess that will end up in a dumpster? Let me break it down for you. First, the paint I used was Angelus Brand Leather Paint in tan.

The key to making a table lamp is finding the correct socket set-up and mount. Some readymade kits already exist but, otherwise, you have to figure out what works best for your chosen vessel-turned-lamp base. I myself had a random wooden vase/candleholder that perfectly accommodated a basic globe shade from the hardware store. It was screaming to become a lamp, and I was more than happy to oblige.

It saved her TONS on upholstery costs.

That price point is hard to beat!

And it weighs less than a big umbrella!

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.

If you’re a seasoned plant parent, you already know that finding planters to house your new fronds that also match your decor can be the most expensive aspect of the journey.

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.

You can DIY a lot at home, but think twice before taking on these projects.

The after is almost unrecognizable.

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

PSA: You do not have to paint all four walls of a space to make a big impact.

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.

One of the fastest ways to update an existing table (either changing the look or the function) is to put new legs on it. And, one of the easiest ways to make a table is to find a flat surface and add legs. But where do you get good-looking legs that work? We’ve rounded up eight of our favorite places to buy online. (Pictured above) This modern invention can help you transform nearly any found or bought flat surface into a coffee table, dining table, bench or more!

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.

Call it the fountain of furniture youth.

It's beautiful and practical.

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

This summery material has found its way to the kitchen.

The project took just two days.

The results look seriously high-end.

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

All you need for most is painter's tape, a measuring tape, and a paint brush.

You'll be obsessed with the upcycled art.

When you can't get a pro to come over, here's what to do.

These projects pack a lot of bang for not a lot of bucks.

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