65 Wow-Worthy Before-and-After Makeovers
These budget-friendly rooms are transformed in a flash.
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These rooms are transformed in a flash, thanks to clever budget-friendly ideas and an eye for reinvention.
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Before: Kitchen
When a pipe burst under the sink, this homeowner knew it was time to remodel.
After: Kitchen
Get stainless steel without going broke. A number of affordable appliance manufacturers now offer models almost identical to their high-end counterparts.
(Dishwasher, $549.99; sears.com for stores)
Unify everything with white paint. To ensure that the new bottom cabinets matched the old upper units, the homeowner painted both with Benjamin Moore's Linen White—a move that lightened up the whole kitchen.
($37.99 per gallon; myperfectcolor.com)
Make the natural choice. The homeowner ditched the laminate counter-tops in favor of Ikea's affordable oak option—which cost just $800 total and can be sanded down when cooking blunders occur.
(From $169 for 96 7/8"L; ikea.com)
Before: Pink & Plain
To transform this plain bedroom, the homeowners decided to tear down the dropped ceiling and basic wallpaper.
After: Rustic Modern
After renovation, the master bedroom was clad in pine planks and coated with a primer that lets the grain show through. Beneath the carpeting? Hardwood floors. In place of a headboard, the couple covered the wall behind the bed in oak rescued from a Pittsburgh bank. An outlet-store dhurrie rug softens the floor, while an Ethiopian cotton throw drapes the Restoration Hardware quilt. The walls are painted Interior Primer by Kilz.
Before: Unused Area
A three-foot-deep second-story crawl space used to occupy part of this home was left empty.
After: Welcoming Guest Bedroom
Knocking through the upstairs crawl space uncovered enough square footage to tuck a guest nook below the eaves in the office. Delineating the work space and the guest bedroom: Ikea curtains and chalkboard paint (Chalkboard Black by Rust-Oleum).
Bright idea: These curtain rods are actually electrical piping.
Before: Dark & Dated
Old cabinetry and tile counters covered this kitchen before its renovation.
After: Open & Airy
The cabinets and surfaces were swapped in favor of Ikea units painted Barely Beige by Benjamin Moore and topped with zinc. Above, open shelving displays collectibles alongside everyday dishware. The ceiling is painted Creamy White by Benjamin Moore.
Bright idea: An inbox and outbox keep produce and bread organized.
Before: Dull Kitchen Island
This bulky eyesore featured dated wood.
After: Smart Details
The island was revamped with lapboard, limestone countertops, and new doors fronted in chicken wire. The finishing touches: crown molding, antique wooden corbels, and Chester Grey paint by Ralph Lauren.
Before: Decades Old
A faux-brick backsplash? Dark cabinets? Formica counters? This room boasted every bad-kitchen cliché.
After: Beautifully Bright
Fixing the kitchen proved inexpensive, thanks to subway tiles and plenty of white paint, and a few bargains: Ikea cabinets, butcher-block countertops, and farmhouse sink. An antique bakery table, equipped with Pottery Barn baskets, functions as the kitchen island. The homeowners found the barstool in the trash.
Before: Builder Basic
This tract home's master bath looked the same as it did when it was built in 1998.
After: Full of Personality
By retaining the master bath's layout, thie homeowner avoided the expense of moving plumbing lines, relying instead on cosmetic updates. One change: a single sink console, made possible by closing off a secondary closet entrance. The exterior door opens straight onto the pasture.
Before: Cramped and Boring
This basic bath lacked personality and space!
After: Simply Luxurious
Gutting the second-story crawl space doubled the master bath's square footage. The area is kitted out with a dual shower and a claw-foot tub from Victoria + Albert, all finished with fittings from Habitat, a local hardware store. The hanging basket, once used by miners, holds toiletries. The homeowners widened the window opening, and tilted the floor at a slight slant for drainage.
Before: Kitschy Cabin
A corner hearth originally occupied this den.
After: Bright & Modern
To create symmetry, a contractor relocated the corner hearth with a new one, centered on the wall opposite the open kitchen. Built-in cabinetry on either side of the fireplace reinforces the sense of balance. The homeowner traded her single living-room settee for two generous Ikea sofas and a Ralph Lauren chair, all slipcovered for easy cleaning. The pine coffee table came from a garage sale, and the metal "C" is from a local garden store.
Before: Very Basic
Dated carpet and furniture made this living room feel dark.
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