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50 Times People Put Time And Effort Into Renovating Their Homes Themselves And Achieved Amazing Results
Our home is our sanctuary—the place where we spend much of our time and unwind from the outside world. It’s only natural to want to love what we’re surrounded by and to create the kind of atmosphere that feels right.
Bringing those ideas to life can be expensive, but some determined people choose to take it into their own hands. In the DIYUK community on Reddit, British DIYers proudly share their most impressive before-and-after projects. Scroll down to see their transformations and maybe find some inspiration for your own home.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
My Dad Went With A Creative Approach To Covering A Gap In His Skirting Board Where A Radiator Was Removed
RELATED:
#2
Freshened Up The Stairs In My Ex Council Hose. :) First Time Home Owner
Hugo 3 weeks ago
A council house (not hose!) is social housing owned by the local authority. Many have been sold to tenants.
Batwench 3 weeks ago
Hose, if you read it in a Scottish accent it works 😹
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#3
I Made A Built In Bed For My Daughter
Hats off to all the Brits who put in the time and effort to create these amazing DIY projects. Personally, I can manage a few things—assembling IKEA furniture, maybe painting a couple of walls—but there’s definitely a limit to how far my skills go. Doing something poorly? Absolutely possible. But I’d rather not ruin my home in the process.
#4
Bought A New Gaff And Thought I’d Spruce Up The Floors A Bit
#5
4 Day Weekend So Finally Got Around To Improving The Wc
Tabitha 3 weeks ago
The room was in good shape, and they didn’t install new fixtures or move anything. So painting, wallpapering, and maybe refinishing the floor in a very small room could be done on a long weekend—-and still leave time to relax—-as long as you’ve planned ahead and have all your supplies ready.
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#6
I Made A Gate!
Ugh, do I have to? 3 weeks ago
I guess you could say they're gatekeeping, eh? ...I'll see myself out.
BrunoVI 3 weeks ago (edited)
More like "Speak friend and enter." (You said something about an elf, didn't you?)
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That’s not to say I’d never try something more advanced. I’d love to take it on as a challenge one day, I just don’t have the skills yet. Still, it seems I’m not alone in that. According to a YouGov poll, most people in the UK (54%) feel they’re generally capable when it comes to DIY, though only 9% would describe themselves as “very” capable.
#7
Before And After
Nicole Weymann 3 weeks ago
I like the colour! Finally someone not using white/beige/grey or "sage".
Anne Roberts 3 weeks ago
I would have imagined that the dark color walls would make the space seem smaller, but it really brightens it up. 😊
#8
Found These Victorian Tiles Under Our Carpet!
Dan 3 weeks ago
The same reason people paint brick white - styles change and mistakes are made.
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Niels AirMax 3 weeks ago (edited)
It's beautiful, but it's a little off. That would drive me crazy! I'd leave it like that tho... 😂
Jude Corrigan 2 weeks ago
It might be because they haven't removed a strip of tile/carpet on the right hand side.
Load More Replies... #9
Budget Bathroom Renovation Complete
Keisha Washington 3 weeks ago
was the window originally hidden behind the wall or did they add it?
Jude Corrigan 2 weeks ago
You can just see the windowsill at the top of the picture on the left.
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Unsurprisingly, the most common “do it yourself” task is assembling flat-pack furniture—two-thirds of Britons (65%) say they’d tackle that on their own. Painting and decorating, bleeding a radiator, and wiring a plug also rank high, with about half of the public (50–52%) willing to handle those tasks personally. Nice work, everyone.
#10
Hallway And Living Room Glow Up!
Keisha Washington 3 weeks ago
What the Woody Woodpecker was happening to the original wood in the photo? After looks so much nicer.
Maebe Maeve 3 weeks ago
It looks like someone went to all of the effort to scrape off the original wood just to paint it again. Why?!
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April Pickett 3 weeks ago
It's a beautiful redo, however the ceiling light needs to be changed.
#11
Pebbledash Removal
Debby Keir 3 weeks ago
Somrtimes it's because some bricks are porous and let in the damp.....
Load More Replies... Seadog 3 weeks ago
I hate anyone who does anything to brick. It permanently ruins the brick. In order to remove the alteration means also removing the surface that makes the brick waterproof. While it will look okay for a while, the brick will soon begin to disintegrate. It will happen faster in areas with freezing temps
#12
Under Stairs Storage
Pinkie2014 3 weeks ago
Oh My goodness - this is awesome! I wish I were a carpenter so I could do this in my house!
Of course, more complex projects take more determination. The best way to get there is to start small, and experts have plenty of advice on how to improve your DIY skills.
The first step is learning the basics. Trying to figure everything out alone might sound bold, but it can easily lead to a few failed attempts or even minor injuries. So it’s worth taking time to learn before you dive in.
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of resources online to help with that. YouTube tutorials, step-by-step blogs, and free courses can teach proper techniques or spark new ideas. And who knows, with enough practice, it might even turn into a side gig one day.
#13
How It Started vs. How It's Going!
#14
Solar Log Store
#15
I Was Thinking Of Replacing My Front Door But Ended Up Painting It For Just £30 Instead
Seadog 3 weeks ago
When I built, I made sore the entire exterior was basically maintenance free, no paint. The one thick they couldn't avoid were the doors. So now I'm stuck with having to repaint them every few years. If I ever get new ones, I'm first taking them to an automotive paint shop and having them paint them.
Next comes the gear. As The Family Handyman magazine puts it, “Just as a chef keeps a pantry full of flour, sugar, and spices, so too the DIYer keeps a stash of commonly used items.”
Having a few go-to essentials makes every project easier and helps you get started right away whenever inspiration strikes. The exact tools will depend on what you enjoy most. Woodworking will require one set, upholstery another. The good news is you can build your collection gradually as you go.
#16
Self Build Garden Room/Office
Jihana 3 weeks ago
Wouldn't you prefer one with no or at least smaller windows?
Load More Replies... #17
Just Some Shelves, But Quite Proud Of The Result
#18
Gave The Kitchen A New Face-Lift. Only Took About £250 And A Weekend. Feeling Chuffed
With the right tools ready and a few tutorial videos under your belt, it’s time to start doing some real DIY. Try something simple, like hanging a shelf or repainting a door—projects that help you build confidence and skill. Just don’t forget about safety: make sure you’ve got good lighting, wear goggles when needed, and don’t rush.
To keep your motivation going, connect with a DIY community. Online spaces like DIYUK are perfect for sharing progress and finding new ideas. And if you can find a local group, even better! Meeting people who enjoy creating and fixing things can make the whole experience more fun.
#19
4 Months Later, Its Almost Finished
Rebecca O’Donnell 3 weeks ago
Across the room from the new shelving is a fireplace with 2 alcoves. Not finished yet. This is going to be gorgeous!
#20
Ruined Potting Shed To Garden Hideaway
#21
Success! My Wife Didn't Believe I Could, But I Did
Once you’ve caught the DIY bug, there are plenty of ways to keep the momentum going. One great approach, and one that’s also kind to the planet, is to follow the “reduce, reuse, recycle” rule.
After finishing a project, you’ll often have leftover materials. Don’t rush to throw them away, many can be reused for something new. And it’s not just materials worth saving. Tools can get a second life too. A precision saw might lose its sharp edge over time, but instead of tossing it, you can repurpose it for rough framing or demolition work. In DIY, almost everything can find another use.
#22
One Of Our Lockdown 1 Projects. Convert The Useless Corner Under The Stairs Into A Shoe Drawer!
#23
The Dreaded Hall/Stairs/Landing Project That's Been On The Cards For 5 Years
sbj 3 weeks ago
I think that side table is too close to the front door, both are going get knocked about
BrunoVI 3 weeks ago (edited)
Honesty truth, the first looks like it's been simply coated in Elmer's glue, but I'm not the biggest fan of the second either. The two sides of the stairs should've been coordinated; making one deep blue and the other natural wood makes them seem just thrown together, which in turn makes the kitchen door's window look less refined and more visually noisy. I get that they're trying to use the deep blue to make some lively visual contrasts, but it is a small space. I'd've gone a little more subtle, like keeping more natural wood and adding the color to a smaller subset of surfaces, like chair rails, a visual stair rail on the wall, the actual stair rail itself, molding and the door frame. To make that work might've required a softer blue, like a Colonial blue.
BrunoVI 3 weeks ago (edited)
Way down the list, currently 33 but these move quickly this early [already now 13], there's a front hall and door where there went all in on a rich blue, but left everything I suggested coloring white, and it also works.
Load More Replies... #24
Not A Trades Person, But I Had A Go At Building A Faux Chimney, I Think It Looks Alright. First Real Project I've Taken On Like This
Bottom line: DIY doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Once you get into it, it can be one of the most fulfilling things you do. And somewhere between fixing, painting, and building, you’ll notice that it’s not just your home that’s improving—it’s you. So take that first step. You’ve got this.
#25
Took Me 3 Months To Complete The Bathroom
#26
Budget IKEA Fitted Wardrobes
#27
DIY Home Office Garage Conversion
#28
First Attempt
JkNuss 3 weeks ago
I will never understand euro or uk bathrooms there is never any storage where do you put cleaning supplies that are just used for the bathroom, or extra shampoo, or heck your toothbrush?
Rebecca O’Donnell 3 weeks ago
Since this is just a powder room I don’t think you need more room than the sink cabinet.
Load More Replies... #29
Before And After
#30
So I Finally Finished My Project I Am So Bloody Happy. It's Not Perfect In A Few Places But I Did It Myself (Mostly) Thanks To This Sub. More Info In The Decription
Rebecca O’Donnell 3 weeks ago
What BP has as a finished room is actually the before room. OP ripped everything down to the studs and the finished room has 2 brick walls. The wall around the window and the one behind the computer. It’s gorgeous!
#31
Bedroom Makeover. Don't Look Too Closely!
Anne Roberts 3 weeks ago
If they put a nice table or cabinet next to it, it will be great.
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#32
1 Year Of Ownership
BrunoVI 3 weeks ago
How did they get ivy in one year???? By the way, ivy was vilified for tearing apart brick walls, and largely stripped away from most everywhere. All that was needed was some proper management of mortar. The benefits are priceless: severely moderating weather's effects, providing not only shade but cooling transpiration in the summer, and insulation in the winter. (NOTE: The safest "ivy" is "Boston ivy" which is actually more closely related to grapes than to English ivy. It's very closely related to "Virginia Creeper," which, amazingly is not the nickname of a Congressman.)
keyboardtek 3 weeks ago
Yes. Vines damage the brick. Best to have it removed.
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Never Snarky 3 weeks ago
I love ivy and planted it around my brick home. No problem with it in 19 years. Improves the appearance of the house tremendously.
kissmychakram 3 weeks ago
I reckon these pictures are the wrong way round. The first is the "after" picture, if the brand new looking fence on the left is to be believed.
#33
Can’t Afford A New Kitchen Yet So Painted The Cabinets
Tabitha 3 weeks ago
Same here. It had personality and light before. Now it’s dull and dark.
Load More Replies... #34
I Began To Think I’d Never Get It Back To A Usable State!
#35
Guys. It’s Habitable!!! I Did It!!
#36
Novice Bathroom Glow Up
Tabitha 3 weeks ago
Yeah, but a fun yellow bathroom sure beats the s**t out of a gray and white and lifeless one.
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Nicole Weymann 3 weeks ago
I'd like the colour better if it wasn't combined with pink and muddy green - and with a different floor.
#38
Stairwells And Stair Runners, You Say? Had My Protractor Out For This One
#39
Well I’m Pretty Happy With The Outcome! For A Bricky!
April Pickett 3 weeks ago
You should be. It's much cleaner, tidier, and cohesive that the first picture. Great start.
#40
Driveway
#41
Update: I Know Some People Were Keen To See The Result Of My Tiler’s £400 Quote
BrunoVI 3 weeks ago
Two rooms in the first picture (dining room and kitchen), but the second picture is of the same kitchen, just zoomed in all the way down the hall.
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Nicole Weymann 3 weeks ago
...and there is the grey/"sage" I've been witing for 🙄 The job is well done, I just don't like the (lack of) colour.
#42
Finished Bathroom Renovation (Update From 4 Months Ago!)
Paige Merlin 3 weeks ago
In the uk we have lots of options for baths so that you get a bigger area to shower at one end
Load More Replies... Tóth Bernadett 3 weeks ago
Már gondoltam rá,hogy jó lenne egy kád,ami zuhanyzó is. Jól látom, hogy ez az?
#43
Budget Kitchen Refresh, £106 On Mdf And Paint
Never Snarky 3 weeks ago
I’m having my 1963 natural wood cabinets refinished instead of painted.
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April Pickett 3 weeks ago
This looks great. Replacing the cabinet doors and drawer faces and painting it all white fits the style of the windows. The windows are super, big enough to get lots of light and to bring the outside in.
Pinkie2014 3 weeks ago
I usually like natural wood but not the ones in the original photo. I prefer the updated cabinets in this case.
#44
Victorian Door Repair
#45
Cupboard To Small Shower Room. DIY
Tóth Bernadett 3 weeks ago
Kezdem megkedvelni a tapétákat,bár zuhanyzóban nekem még idegen. Tudom, ez a Tiéd. Szép!
#47
Front Room Renovation
Marlene Ricker 1 week ago
What is that on the window? Looks like you haven't got curtains yet so hung up a sheet
Ronja Oksanen 3 weeks ago
Walls are painted weirdly, makes the room look smaller/ceiling lower.
#48
Roof Terrace Refurb
#49
Before And After Of Fitting My Own Kitchen
Tabitha 3 weeks ago
Wish both pictures were from the same angle, so we could actually compare and see the changes.
Lukas (he/him, it/its) 3 weeks ago
There are lots more pictures on the original post, click the little grey "jackk 190" under the photos. Very useful and many of these posts have way more images.
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#51
Painted Kitchen Cupboards. What Should I Do With Tiles?
April Pickett 3 weeks ago
I'd leave them. When you get more settled with the kitchen, you can think about it then. The current tiles look like they would fit in there pretty well.
Keisha Washington 3 weeks ago
Clearly those tiles are owned by the cat. You should ask the for the cats permission before doing anything with those tiles.
#52
My First Real Venture Into DIY, A Home Gym At The Bottom Of The Garden!
#53
DIY Built In Wardrobe Project (In Photos)
#54
Easter Success; No Trip To Screwfix!
#56
DIY Bathroom Glow Up £3000 With Underfloor Heating
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What do you think ?
Ugh, do I have to? 3 weeks ago
I guess this is what I would be capable of if I had 3am motivation 24/7!
Seadog 3 weeks ago
Having spent 6+ years and 6000+ man hours renovating a 1920 bungalow, all of these are exceptional for DIY. In my case, I've learned why people do not fix up old houses. We knew what the house had to have before buying it. What we hadn't figured on was banks no longer give renovation loans., It also ended up costing 3X what we had figured. We could've built a much nicer and bigger house for the $375k we have in it (we paid $25k for it). If we hadn't done 90+% of the work ourselves, it not only wouldn't be finished, it likely never would be.
Ugh, do I have to? 3 weeks ago
I guess this is what I would be capable of if I had 3am motivation 24/7!
Seadog 3 weeks ago
Having spent 6+ years and 6000+ man hours renovating a 1920 bungalow, all of these are exceptional for DIY. In my case, I've learned why people do not fix up old houses. We knew what the house had to have before buying it. What we hadn't figured on was banks no longer give renovation loans., It also ended up costing 3X what we had figured. We could've built a much nicer and bigger house for the $375k we have in it (we paid $25k for it). If we hadn't done 90+% of the work ourselves, it not only wouldn't be finished, it likely never would be.
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