Furniture Before & Afters | DIY, Hacks & Restorations

BILLY is the MVP, yet again.

“It feels amazing that such a simple and budget-friendly update could transform an old piece into something that looks like a custom design item,” the DIYer says.

The paint color is perfect.

A basic big-box find becomes stylish shoe storage with striking stripes.

The cabinet was free from Facebook Marketplace.

“I love curvy furniture,” the apartment dweller says. “I like things that are kind of playful.”

“This was very cost-friendly and fun,” the DIYer says.

Gingham glow-up loading!

This IKEA hack is BTPW (better than pole wrap).

It’s so much cooler than paint.

The dresser was great for my first apartment, but I wanted it to better match my 2025 design style.

The BILLY bookcase hack is a must-see.

The all-in cost for the DIYer was about $24.

This waterfall Art Deco dresser’s finish was beyond repair, so the DIYer decided to paint it.

The beauty of wood, without the price tag.

"No one would ever suspect its bones are IKEA,” the DIYer says.

“If you find something secondhand that's one-of-a kind, act fast.” this DIYer says.

Mixing up your signature cocktail just got way more stylish.

For about $30, you’ll have a textured piece that looks far more expensive.

This white nightstand’s makeover required 7(!) layers of green paint.

Reinvent a go-to classic.

It helps hide an eyesore.

Three IKEA BILLYs came to the rescue.

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

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

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

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

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

And it’s under $100.

After a makeover, a “too shiny” cabinet gives a living room an unexpected pop of color.

It looks like expensive bone inlay for less.

While it’s extremely beautiful as-is, it didn’t match the lavender theme I had going on with my other chairs, and it smelled really bad.

Storage meets style in this IKEA makeover.

“It’s mega-simple and is a really fun quick upcycle,” the DIYer says.

It’s a practical statement piece now.

I’ve always loved artist Peter Bliss’ vintage floral lamps, and I sought to make my own DIY version.

Paint and trim completely revitalized this free Facebook Marketplace score.

The whole project cost just $100.

It just took a few DIY changes.

The DIYer wanted to make something that really stood out in her kitchen.

The cabinet was free from Facebook Marketplace (but now it looks like a designer piece!).

Before tossing this stained chair, this DIYer tried one last solution — and it worked!

I took the lamp from “forgettable farmhouse” to “custom cottage.”

“I was looking for ways to get the elevated look for a fraction of the cost,” the DIYer says of her burl wood inspo.

The after is “a little glam, a little vintage, a bit Art Deco, yet modern at the same time,” the furniture flipper says.

This 12-year-old mirror looks better than ever.

These luxe-but-lived-in bookshelves from real homes totally nail the “bookshelf wealth” trend.

“I loved the practicality and shape of the dressing table, but everyone on Instagram seemed to have the same one!” this DIYer says.

These hacks hit almost every room.

The white paint was a game-changer.

You can make anything look luxe!

“I wanted people to be absolutely stunned that this was an IKEA dresser,” this DIYer says.

From four-cubed KALLAX to something MoMA-worthy

“Cabinets like these can cost over $2,000, so this cabinet costing $600 is a win in my book!” the DIYer says.

“Painting a piece always is a bit daunting,” this DIYer says, but she made it work.

The furniture flipper behind this project swears by four steps: preparation, priming, painting, and protecting.

The cabinet was a jackpot thrift store find.

This once-plain shoe cabinet is now a stunning entryway statement piece.

And it cost a fraction of a professional custom install.