3 Clever Remodeling Ideas: Before & After from Creative DIYers!

Will we ever tire of seeing interior design transformations? I think not. There’s always so much to learn even when it’s just the color palette that changes. I am no stranger to the realities of real life renovating which always involves a bevy of design decisions, a big mess, and more money than you saved for the project. But the payoff! Before & After: 3 Clever Remodeling Ideas from Creative DIYers may inspire your next makeover or even nudge you to tackle the kitchen!

Before and After Brooklyn kitchen remodel with Ikea cabinets and Nieu bespoke cabinet door fronts - design by Reserve-Home. #ikeacabinets #refacedcabinets #beforeandafter #kitchenremodel
Photo/Design: Reserve-Home; Cabinets: Nieu Cabinet Doors and Ikea; Quartz: Hanstone; Frig, Range, Hood: Smeg; Cabinet Hardware: Pepe and Carols

Before & After: 3 Clever Remodeling Ideas from Creative DIYers!

1. Reface Your Cabinets

DIYer and designer, Mallory of Reserve-Home and her partner David, recently transformed this charming Brooklyn Brownstone kitchen (above). Here’s how the little kitchen looked before:

Before and After Brooklyn kitchen remodel with Ikea cabinets and Nieu bespoke cabinet door fronts - design by Reserve-Home. #ikeacabinets #refacedcabinets #beforeandafter #kitchenremodel
before

Believe it or not, the beaded detail cabinets are actually IKEA boxes with made-to-order Nieu cabinet doors.

Gorgeous Nieu Cabinet Doors in ReserveHome's Brooklyn Brownstone remodeled kitchen. #customkitchen #cabinetrefacing #kitchenremodel #beforeandafter
Photo: @reservehome – Before & After: 3 Clever Remodeling Ideas from Creative DIYers!

Of the finished space with bespoke cabinet fronts, Mallory said “We LOVE our Nieu Cabinet fronts so much! Somehow even more than I knew we would.”

Nieu Doors are Easily Installed

Their custom cabinet doors can be used on existing cabinet boxes in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and offices. You can also use them like Mallory did with any IKEA boxes.

Gorgeous Nieu Cabinet Doors in ReserveHome's Brooklyn Brownstone remodeled kitchen. #customkitchen #cabinetrefacing #kitchenremodel #beforeandafter
Photo: @reservehome

Is it Cost Effective to Reface Cabinets?

Nieu’s custom made painted doors at $41 per sq/ft are a budget-friendly bespoke option.

Gorgeous Nieu Cabinet Doors in ReserveHome's Brooklyn Brownstone remodeled kitchen. #customkitchen #cabinetrefacing #kitchenremodel #beforeandafter
Photo: @reservehome

Cottage style door fronts echo the history of the brownstone and keep things feeling casually chic and fresh.

Gorgeous Nieu Cabinet Doors in ReserveHome's Brooklyn Brownstone remodeled kitchen. #customkitchen #cabinetrefacing #kitchenremodel #beforeandafter
Photo: @reservehome

Who is crushing on pastels and Smeg? Mallery’s keen artful eye and color intelligence along with these cabinets has me swooning…

Gorgeous Nieu Cabinet Doors in ReserveHome's Brooklyn Brownstone remodeled kitchen. #customkitchen #cabinetrefacing #kitchenremodel #beforeandafter
Photo: @reservehome

Bathroom Cabinets Can Get the Bespoke Treatment Too

Bathroom vanities deserve Nieu style too! Here’s a rather familiar builder’s grade “before” (and I love that some of the bulbs are burned out, making things even dimmer than normal!):

A photo of an oak bathroom vanity cabinet with tile countertop and flowers on the counter.
BEFORE

and after:

A close up image of grey shaker cabinet doors in a modern bathroom vanity.
AFTER: Shallow Shaker in Totally Taupe, Nieu Cabinet Doors; Design: @allthingsnew_home

When I browsed Nieu’s site, I appreciated how there were plenty of choices for cabinet fronts, yet it wasn’t an overwhelming prospect.

Frida Kahlo quote about endurance, strength, and the capacity of humans. #fridakahloquotes #endurancequote

Don’t you love it when a brand finds that sweet spot?

You’ll find plenty of inspiring before/afters on their site too…I mean, don’t you love everything fearless DIYer Angela Rose does?

Customized cabinet fronts from NIEU (Angela Rose Slim Shaker Detail in Dream Dusk) in a luxurious kitchen with marble island and moody dark color. #refacedcabinets #customcabinetfronts #nieu
Angela Rose Slim Shaker Detail cabinet fronts in Dream Dusk – photo: @angelarosehome

She is amazing! This Nieu door style designed with Angela Rose caught my eye, and the gorgeous color reminds me of a certain unforgettable light blue kitchen.

The Ultimate IKEA HACK

A budget friendly bonus? If your own cabinet boxes are past their prime, you still have the option of ordering IKEA cabinet boxes for made-to-order cabinet doors from Nieu.

Maya Angelou quote about strength and life. #lifequotes #mayaangelou #strugglequotes

Bespoke kitchen without breaking the bank? The cost of the cabinet fronts for this Brooklyn kitchen was just over $2000. (Install them yourself for big savings!).

Ikea hack: cabinet door fronts from NIEU for a customized cottage look in a Brooklyn Brownstone kitchen by ReserveHome. #ikeahack #kitchendesign #kitchencabinets #cabinetrefacing

2. Convert a Garage to Living Space

If you have faithfully watched Celebrity IOU with The Property Brothers on HGTV as I do, then you may have seen Season 2, Episode 7, where Darren Criss (Blaine from GLEE!!!) makes over his manager’s garage, patio, and backyard. While the show has a crew which doesn’t qualify as “a creative DIYer” like, say, moi, there are plenty of takeaways you can apply to your projects.

Garage makeover on Celebrity IOU Property Brothers with Darren Criss and design by Anna Rosemann. #beforeafter #celebrityiou #garageconversion #renovation

Interior designer Anna Rosemann absolutely transformed this detached garage into the most zen, serene, flex space with Drew and Jonathan. The palette chosen for the California cool, organic, natural, open concept plan with neutrals and tone-on-tone is such a welcome change from typical ‘man cave’ sightings!

But first the space looked like this:

before - Darren Criss episode of Celebrity IOU with garage makeover

You have to see the whole episode to appreciate all the gorgeousness and ideas to steal for your own decor projects!

Anna Rosemann designed serene interior on HGTV's Property Brothers Celebrity IOU with Darren Criss.

The thing about a garage like this is ceiling height!

before - Darren Criss episode of Celebrity IOU with garage makeover

I’m in love with the color palette, cabinet style, and reflective Zellige tile backsplash in here:

Darren Criss makes over his manager's garage in Celebrity IOU Property Brothers on HGTV and Anna Rosemann designs interior with kitchenette.
Humorous funny quote on Hello Lovely Studio - come enjoy a smile and soak up the lovely photos of interior design inspiration while you're at it!

And should you need an idea for privacy and function in a small, unsightly backyard…

before - Darren Criss episode of Celebrity IOU with garage makeover

Hello lovely, hot tub and outdoor chill space for Darren Criss’ lucky manager and family! Notice how the designer didn’t choose delicately scaled pieces for the relatively small area. The result is an expansive, handsome, hang out space that lives large.

Backyard makeover - Anna Rosemann with Property Borthers Celebrity IOU (Season 2, episode 7 with Darren Criss).

Can’t wait to share more of designer Anna Rosemann‘s lovely work with you soon…stay tuned.

Funny humor quote about crazy on Hello Lovely Studio, #funnyquotes #whimsicalquotes

3. Keep the Layout & Don’t Underestimate Paint

Bathrooms can feel so daunting to tackle, DIY or otherwise, but bear in mind some smart swap-out upgrades and thoughtfulness about paint color may completely transform your space.

before builder's grade bathroom with oak vanity

This standard and dated vanity was stripped and made to look like furniture with the addition of feet! The lighter, raw wood has a fresher feel, and the raised height means more comfort for the owners. Swapping out the hardware for matte black is also a subtle yet smart upgrade. Out went the sheet of mirror, and in came a pair of minimal rounds.

Remodeled bathroom with light wood vanity, round mirrors, and dark accent tub wall. (Before_and_After_Houses)
@before_and_after_houses – 3 Clever Remodeling Ideas: Before & After from Creative DIYers!

I think the most transforming feature is the dark accent wall and tub panel which provides great contrast with the light tile floors yet doesn’t make the bath feel cave-like.

Whimsical funny quote and humor on Hello Lovely. #humorquotes #tacos #foodhumor

Need an idea for that paint color? It is similar to Sherwin-Williams Carbonized which we used in the kitchen and bath in this condo project.

SW Carbonized paint color swatch
Sherwin-Williams Carbonized

Here it is on a vanity in that home:

Sherwin Williams Carbonized paint color on a traditional vanity in a renovated bathroom - Hello Lovely Studio. #sherwinwilliams #carbonized #charcoalgrey #paintccolors
Hello Lovely Studio – wall color: BM Stonington Gray; vanity: SW Carbonized

And here’s how that bathroom looked BEFORE the paint makeover and pretty tile:

before
BEFORE – Master Bath (Hello Lovely Studio)

I hope these ideas give you plenty of food for thought. And if you’re a DIY renovator like me, then you know the process comes with lots of creative challenges and headaches. THE BIG FEELINGS COME as Glennon Doyle might say…

Glennon Doyle quote about big feelings and sensitivity on Hello Lovely Studio. #glennondoyle #sensitivityquotes #selflovequotes #selfcare

That is good advice for any project! PIN THIS POST for future reference, pretty please.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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4 Comments

  1. Mantra Home Staging Design
    September 23, 2021 / 3:25 pm

    These blogs are providing a valuable ideas for home décor. Thankyou for sharing this information. It’s really great and helpful too. We are also a home staging and interior design firm .

    • Michele
      Author
      September 23, 2021 / 11:09 pm

      Best to you in your work. 🙂

  2. Tamara Flores
    October 6, 2021 / 1:08 pm

    I absolutely love your blog. New here and I am staying!

    • Michele
      Author
      October 6, 2021 / 3:45 pm

      So delighted to have you – thanks so much for the kindness!

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
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Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing