Home Projects

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.

Ever since Denise and her husband Brad moved into their 1937 California Ranch style home six years ago, the dark and dated kitchen was always a sore spot for her. Not only was it stuck in the ’80s, it also lacked adequate storage.It wasn’t until the birth of their daughter that she realized she would be spending a lot of time in the kitchen as a stay-at-home mom — and she needed a space that was open, warm, and reflected her love of old world glamour.

We’ve been following along as Dana and her husband sold their old house, moved into an apartment, and rebuilt a small house — all while also welcoming their third child. I’m sure this master bathroom update is a great indication of how the rest of the house has come together. Dana and her handy hubby, Steve, worked with what they’ve got in this small bathroom.

We got a sneak peek into Greg and Ashley’s bathroom remodel back in April, when the couple was still in the thick of the project. After checking in on their progress, we discovered that the bathroom is now ready for a full unveiling!Greg and Ashley have been tracking the progress of their house renovation on their blog 7th House on the Left. When we peeked in at their bathroom last April they had just finished ripping out all the old stuff and installing the new tile and vanity.

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.

Back in 2011, Annie and her husband had a little difference of opinion when it came to the oak cabinets in the kitchen of their new home. She hated them, and he loved them. Since she had carte blanche everywhere else in the house, she wrote into Apartment Therapy asking how they should redecorate and still respect his wishes.

BEFOREDreary home office gettin’ you down? Take a cue from one of the lovely ladies of Fig & Sage who, after realizing the paint color on the walls made the office ‘depressing and lifeless’ in winter, transformed the room into… AFTER… a soothing, lavender-hued oasis with a wood door tabletop (salvaged from her basement), IKEA shelves and desk legs, two West Elm Parsons desks (scored for $15 each at an overstock warehouse), and neat, colorful organization.

Think twice before rinsing these household staples down the drain.

Karen E. Laine and Mina Starsiak modernized the house while preserving some of its original charm.

Bed: Excelsior II with BJX Mattress Top Manufacturer: Hastens Retail Price: $13,350 I just received a new bed to test for October, so it’s time to weigh in on the bed I tested for the whole month of September — the Hastens. My nutshell review: awesome bed, awesomely expensive. I LOVE this bed for two reasons: 1. I sink into it wonderfully and sleep really well and 2. it has zero smells or textures that are toxic or off-putting. Ten beds to go.

Keeping warm in the winter time sometimes requires extra work and some ingenuity. Thankfully, our reader community is a generous one; people regularly share helpful tips and secrets in the comments. Today, I’ve gathered just some of their great ideas on how to seal up windows and deal with drafts — so you can live as toasty (and as cheaply) at home as possible this cold season. gudnis: If you have double hung windows, head to the hardwre store and find some FELT weatherstripping.

Just call this your "forever bouquet."

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.

The redo took advantage of original historical elements, while creating a bright, airy, and livable space.

If you're upgrading your kitchen, you definitely want to still like it down the line. Here are the 7 picks designers swear by.

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.

Bottom line: This DIY project is easy, but messy.

With a few safety precautions and a little DIY know how, you can swap out your own light fixtures.

As you can see from her videos, the transformation is pretty amazing.

This transformation involved paint, lighting, flooring, and more.

It's inspired by "Psycho"—yes, that "Psycho".

Proof that work spaces can be beautiful and practical.

One simple effort has the potential to make you feel light, calm, and even a little bit peppy.

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.

The owners hope that the before and after photos bring a little joy and inspiration to others.

That price point is hard to beat!

And it weighs less than a big umbrella!

This budget-friendly upgrade is totally doable in a weekend—and way easier than replacing a whole tile floor!

New cabinets, backsplash, countertop, and more add tons of vintage-inspired character to create a welcoming cook space.

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.

Paint can save you from replacing your siding altogether.

It only took a few elements to revitalize this decade-old shelf.

First step: Don't. Panic.

And HGTV filmed the whole thing.

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.

Wait until you see the herringbone backsplash.

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.