Sometimes when I’m watching home improvement shows, I get a little discouraged because the “before” houses all have really great bones. They’re usually older homes in established neighborhoods rather than the typical suburban home with oak kitchen cabinets, beige walls and fiberglass shower stalls. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching those shows for inspiration (and maybe a little vicarious living) but sometimes I need to be reminded that even a builder-basic house can shine.
Here’s a little inspiration right before the weekend so you’ll have today and tomorrow to plan your attack.
1. Builder-Grade to Industrial Master Bathroom Makeover
Lauren from Bless’er House created this beautiful, industrial-inspired master bathroom for less than $400. To give the room a more high-end appeal, she ditched the standard large mirror for two, framed mirrors.
I also love how she transformed a basic shower stall. This is such a brilliant project! There are so many amazing details, you just have to check out the entire makeover.
2. Modern Farmhouse Kitchen
What I love most about Taryn’s kitchen from Design, Dining and Diapers is that she hasn’t taken one inch of this space for granted. I’ve seen some beautifully designed kitchens with large islands, sky-high cabinets and counters that go on for miles but if you ask me, it takes true creativity to rock a small space.
3. Coastal-Inspired Laundry Room Makeover
I love how Kim from Sisal & Sand took a boring, beige laundry room and with the addition of some shelving and well-chosen accessories, turned the space into something that looks straight out of a Ballard Designs catalog.
Kim also invested in two high-impact features in this space; a beadboard ceiling (which would be a great option in a house with popcorn ceilings) and a sea-glass pendant. I think the key to customizing a builder-basic space is a high-low mix of finishes like you see here.
4. Plain Door Makeover
I love paneled doors, don’t you? This simple tutorial from Jenna Sue Design Co. shows you how to get the look on the cheap.
5. Standard Light Makeover
Almost everyone I know has one of these “boob lights.” I love this tutorial for giving the boring basic a bold new look.
6. Dramatic Wall Makeover with Molding
Sure, the natural light is wonderful but a wall of windows can be an overwhelming thing to tackle. Nate and Michelle from Decor and the Dog took their living room from boring-beige to clean and crisp with fresh, white paint, molding and new lighting.
I think one of the things that gives this space a craftsman-feel is the planked back of the built-in bookshelves and the fact that the molding detail carries over from the built-in shelving to the wall. Perfection.
7. A Simple Furniture Swap
One of my best blogging buddies, Sarah at Simply Sarah Style, proves that you don’t always have to head to the hardware store to transform a room. Without touching paint or power tools, she gave her dining room a dramatic new look just by swapping out her matchy-matchy dining room set for something a little more high-end looking.
I am obsessed with her chairs, which she bought for $80 a pair, A PAIR, at the Ballard/Frontgate Outlet in Cincinnati. And that rug! Isn’t this a great, no-mess makeover?!
8. Adding Old Details to New Spaces
You know how sometimes you see a space in a magazine and it sticks with you? I remember seeing Emily of Crisp Interiors’ house several years ago in Country Living and marveling over the way she brought warmth into her white rooms with natural fiber rugs, beautifully-aged wood and vintage finds. This set of doors may be my favorite detail because it adds so much character to an otherwise ordinary space.
9. Deceptively Inexpensive Kitchen Makeover
I met Jenny from Evolution of Style while at the Haven DIY and Blogging Conference in Atlanta and found a kindred spirit. The girl can paint cabinets like you wouldn’t believe! Here’s a kitchen she finished for a client, which shows just how far paint can go in transforming a space.
Keep in mind, the original flooring, cabinets, appliances and lighting stayed the same. The only difference is paint and some new hardware on the cabinets. WOW, right?! I’m in love with the contrast of dark gray walls with the white cabinets and that dreamy butcher block island now looks less primitive and more Restoration Hardware.
10. Painted Concrete Slab Porch
This is our front porch, which we painted this summer. I had agonized over what to do with this space because it was just a huge slab of concrete on the front of our house. I considered everything from floor decking tiles from Ikea to concrete stamping. With time and money limiting our options, we opted for paint. This took a Sunday and the hardest part was taping off the stripes. It made a big difference!
Do you have a builder-basic makeover that has transformed your space? Ooh! Ooh! We want to see! Post and tag it on Instagram with #ourstoriedhome. We’ll share our favorites in future posts.
