Kitchen before and after renovation with new blue cabinets and granite countertop.

35 DIY Home Upgrades That Look More Expensive Than They Were

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Nate ArmbrusterByNate Armbruster

My wife has a talent for making our home look like it belongs in a magazine using stuff that cost about twelve dollars and a Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, I once spent four hundred bucks on a shelf that still wobbles.

There’s a special kind of person who can look at a bare wall or a dated cabinet and see exactly what it needs. Not to mention having the eyes to DIY it with no contractor or hired help. Or an uncoordinated husband like myself. Just vision and a trip to the hardware store.

Here are some DIY home upgrades from people in this online forum that look like they cost a fortune and definitely didn’t.

1. Understairs Doghouse

Cozy pet nook under staircase with a small sofa and two dogs on a mat.
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2. 4 Months Ago I Lost All Respect For Local Contractors. 4 Months Later I’ve Gained A Ton For Myself

Before and after basement renovation with storage and living space.
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3. New To The Group! Thought I’d Share My Tiny Bathroom Wallpaper. Seven Years Ago I Cut Pages Out Of A Book And Used Mod Podge To Make This Wallpaper. I Love It So Much!

Bathroom wall decorated with various butterfly and insect illustrations.
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4. Thoughts On My Bathroom Renovation Vision

Bathroom with bathtub, window, and shower area, green walls, and patterned floor.
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5. Stained Glass Transom Window

Green door with decorative trim leading to a bathroom, with a stained glass window above.
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6. Secret Doorway

Before and after of a built-in cabinet transformation in a dining room.
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Out of three Walmart shelves and some advanced assembling. Turned out alright!

7. Painted A Mural On My Bedroom Wall Yesterday And Its My New Favorite Room In The House!! All Sherwinn Williams Paint, Flexible Molding And Leds From Amazon!

Living room with beige walls, ceiling fan, and a bed with two dogs and pillows.
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8. My Project For My Cats

Large outdoor cat enclosure with wooden frame and mesh sides on patio.
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9. Painted My Kitchen Cabinets – Before And After

Kitchen with wooden cabinets, white countertops, and a central island, cluttered with boxes and bags.
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10. I Built A Greenhouse!

Three images of geodesic dome garden structures in backyard, different designs and materials.
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11. Bookshelf For The In-Laws

Living room with a ceiling fan, fireplace, and a large window with curtains.
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12. Thoughts On This Staircase/Railing Update/Refresh?

Before and after staircase renovation showing painted and carpeted stairs.
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13. Penny Floor Project

Before and after images of bathroom renovation with flooring and wall updates.
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14. What A Difference 8 Months Of Gradual Remodeling Can Make

Before and after kitchen renovation showing white cabinets and new appliances.
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15. Knocked Out Glass Blocks And Put Some Shelves In

Glass block wall and built-in bookshelf with decorative items in a home.
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16. 39f, Never Used A Screwdriver, Really Wanted A Walk In Closet 🙂

Closet with clothes, drawers, and a white table in a purple-lit room.
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I know it’s far from perfect, but I’m proud of myself for my first diy project.

17. Recent Laundry Room Remodel

Laundry room with washer, dryer, shelves, and window, cluttered with cleaning supplies.
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18. Got Quoted Over $4k For An Epoxy Floor In My Garage. I Did It For Under $100 Using Watered Down Paint In Sprayers And Sealed With Garage Clear Coat Finish

Empty garage with polished concrete floor and white walls.
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19. Temporary Backsplash (Probably Permanent). Used Amazon Peal And Stick Stainless Steel Tiles. Turned Out Better Than I Could Have Imagined

Modern kitchen stove with a stainless steel range hood and checkered backsplash.
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20. We Made A Stained Glass Window For Our Bathroom Renovation

Stained glass window with a tree and red flowers in a bathroom.
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21. New Laundry Nook In Our 150yr Old House! After/Before And Full Process

Laundry room with white cabinets and a stacked washer and dryer in a green kitchen.
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22. My Girlfriend Wanted A New Bathroom, So I Built One

Before and after bathroom renovation showing improved decor and fixtures.
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23. Was Tired Of My Janky Walkout – Added Deck Tiles And Paint

Before and after of outdoor stairs renovation with new black tiles and planter.
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24. Refurbished A Rusty 50s Medicine Cabinet Into A Fun Bathroom Decor

Before and after of a bathroom sink renovation with tools and new fixtures.
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25. Wooden Shower Mat

Wooden slats and planks for DIY project, laid out outdoors and indoors.
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26. Bathroom Remodel And First Attempt At Wallpaper

Comparison of a plain and decorated bathroom with a toilet and wall decor.
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27. Carpeted Pine Stairs → Sanded And Stained Wood (First Woodworking Project From Start To Finish)

Before and after staircase renovation, showing carpeted and painted steps.
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28. My Capsule Bed

Cozy bedroom with neon sign, guitar, and colorful decor for home DIY projects.
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29. Wainscoting With Beadboard In Hallway?

Before and after hallway renovation with new wallpaper and flooring.
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30. Historic 1908 Home Restoration: Wallpaper Removal, Plaster Repair, Skim Coat To Paint

Before and after of a room renovation with new paint and flooring.
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31. Recent Pantry Renovation

Before and after of a pantry organization project in a home.
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32. Upgraded Bathroom From Single To Double Vanity

Before and after bathroom renovation with new vanity, mirror, and lighting.
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33. Same Room, 5 Weeks Of Work. One More Week Of Final Touches To Go!

Before and after laundry room organization with washer, dryer, and shelves.
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34. DIY Dining Room Transformation In Our First Home

Before and after images of a home renovation project in a dining area.
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35. My Husband Wanted Me To Show Y’all His DIY Fence. Quoted 3k To Extend. He Spent $750

Empty backyard with grass, new houses, and a cloudy sky.
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Nate Armbruster

Nate is a writer and stand-up comedian living in Chicago. He enjoys finding the internet’s funniest corners so you don’t have to.