Southern Living's Best Before and After Home Renovations

Jean Allsopp / Styling: Elizabeth Harrell

Amazing Transformations

These are 20 of our best before-and-afters, including kitchens, bathrooms, exteriors, and more. You'll be shocked when you see the original version of this spectacular kitchen!

Best Exterior 1: Before

Owners called this diamond in the rough "a pit... with a certain charm and wonderful natural light."

Sylvia Martin

Best Exterior 1: After

They planned the house and landscaping in unison so that the handsome exterior finishes, paint colors, and architectural detailing would complement the glorious garden.

Best Exterior 2: Before

At first, the homeowners wondered if there was any hope for this 1960s Alpine chalet located far from ski country.

Van Chaplin

Best Exterior 2: After

Fieldstone columns, finely detailed dormers, and a wood-shingled roof help transform the house into a cottage-style haven.

Best Bathroom 1: Before

A mom-and-daughter team sought to transform this dated bath in their 1920s home.

Best Bathroom 1: After

The finished product has a truly vintage feel and clean lines. Pink tile and unsightly floral wallpaper were replaced with fresh blue beaded board and white paint.

Best Bathroom 2: Before

In addition to being drab, this bath was so narrow that the owners could barely slide past one another at the sink.

Best Bathroom 2: After

New flooring, regrouted tile, and fresh paint gives the room a new look. A smaller sink gives the residents more elbow room.

Best Addition: Before

This home needed extra room and light without losing its character.

John O' Hagan, Styling: Rose Nguyen

Best Addition: After

Besides lending its good looks to the backyard, the two-story addition also opened up the kitchen and added a bedroom and extra living space.

Best Bedroom 1: Before

This bedroom was virtually a clean slate before the homeowners started the project.

Sarah Jernigan

Best Bedroom 1: After

A series of do-it-yourself projects, including the upholstered headboard, completely transform the space.

Best Bedroom 2: Before

Homeowners wanted to remove the childhood touches from this master bedroom for a modern, mature look.

Best Bedroom 2: After

The new stylish room is full of surprises, like bright red lamps wired from vases and inexpensive, colorful prints hung together for high impact.

Best Bedroom 2: Idea

The two nightstands add extra storage space in an inexpensive and innovative way. The skirted tables are actually new metal trash cans topped with 30-inch rounds of plywood. The cans hold seasonal items, such as sweaters, that aren't needed year-round.

Best Breakfast Nook: Before

Heavy drapes and paint colors weighed down this cozy room.

Best Breakfast Nook: After

Now a pretty botanical theme lightens up the room. Minor color changes make a big difference.

Best Kitchen 1: Before

This closed-off kitchen made little use of the space available and was outdated, to boot.

Best Kitchen 1: After

The space is now open to both the family room and dining area and features a large multi-purpose island. All of the appliances were relocated for ease of use and appearance.

Best Kitchen 2: Before

The tragic flaw in this big kitchen was the lighting―fluorescents set in a dropped ceiling.

Best Kitchen 2: After

Recessed lighting and a new, 9-foot gypsum drywall ceiling was just the start. New tiles, flooring, and paint complete the picture.

Best Kitchen 3: Before

This small kitchen was no longer large enough to accommodate a growing family.

Best Kitchen 3: After

The kitchen now maintains its original U-shaped plan but expands into a former bedroom. Removing the upper cabinets adds even more space.

Best Kitchen 4: Before

Everything about this kitchen was as outdated as those soda cans.

Best Kitchen 4: After

Now, this wide-open French country kitchen welcomes all comers. Notable details include beaded-board walls and smart black countertops.

Best Living Room: Before

This perfectly livable space was suffering from a case of the blahs.

Best Living Room: After

New fabrics, paint, and adjustments to the layout have turned it into a showplace.

Best Overall Makeover, Exterior: Before

Though homeowners loved this old bungalow, they found it unlivable. After buying it, they didn't move in for more than a year.

Jean Allsopp / Styling: Elizabeth Harrell

Best Overall Makeover, Exterior: After

On move-in day, the cottage was aglow and every nook and cranny indoors had gone from sad to super.

Best Overall Makeover, Fireplace: Before

The fireplace bore a noticeable cutout for a gas furnace flue and "everything was salmon colored."

Jean Allsopp / Styling: Elizabeth Harrell

Best Overall Makeover, Fireplace: After

The remodeled fireplace is wood-burning and is the centerpiece of the renovated living room. Comfortable furniture and columns add character and definition.

Best Overall Makeover, Kitchen: Before

The original kitchen was a tiny galley in need of a total overhaul.

Jean Allsopp / Styling: Elizabeth Harrell

Best Overall Makeover, Kitchen: After

The stunning new kitchen is graced with a generous island and ample cabinets. It opens into a living area fitted with an entertaining wet bar.

Best Overall Makeover, Living Room: Before

This small space was a bedroom next to the original kitchen.

Jean Allsopp / Styling: Elizabeth Harrell

Best Overall Makeover, Living Room: After

Now, this cozy spot provides room for guests to chat while meals are prepared. Additions include a new fireplace flanked by low bookshelves.

Best Mantel 1: Before

The original fireplace was dark and uninviting―almost foreboding.

Best Mantel 1: After

Fabric panels and a fresh coat of paint provide an instant, amazing update. The small travertine marble hearth is comprised of remnants from a stone shop―a great cost-cutting move.

Best Mantel 2: Before

This unappealing fireplace dated the whole room with its contrasting bricks and bronze hardware.

Best Mantel 2: After

The homeowners created this dazzling look with a combination of textured and latex paint. Built-in bookshelves and favorite artwork add to the appeal.

Best Closet: Before

Everyone has a closet like this―a haven for junk and seldom used items.

Best Closet: After

Storage systems, shelving solutions, and task lighting turn this closet into a multifunctional entertainment nook with an office workstation.

Our 20 Best Before & Afters

Amazing Transformations

Best Exterior 1: Before

Best Exterior 1: After

Best Exterior 2: Before

Best Exterior 2: After

Best Bathroom 1: Before

Best Bathroom 1: After

Best Bathroom 2: Before

Best Bathroom 2: After

Best Addition: Before

Best Addition: After

Best Bedroom 1: Before

Best Bedroom 1: After

Best Bedroom 2: Before

Best Bedroom 2: After

Best Bedroom 2: Idea

Best Breakfast Nook: Before

Best Breakfast Nook: After

Best Kitchen 1: Before

Best Kitchen 1: After

Best Kitchen 2: Before

Best Kitchen 2: After

Best Kitchen 3: Before

Best Kitchen 3: After

Best Kitchen 4: Before

Best Kitchen 4: After

Best Living Room: Before

Best Living Room: After

Best Overall Makeover, Exterior: Before

Best Overall Makeover, Exterior: After

Best Overall Makeover, Fireplace: Before

Best Overall Makeover, Fireplace: After

Best Overall Makeover, Kitchen: Before

Best Overall Makeover, Kitchen: After

Best Overall Makeover, Living Room: Before

Best Overall Makeover, Living Room: After

Best Mantel 1: Before

Best Mantel 1: After

Best Mantel 2: Before

Best Mantel 2: After

Best Closet: Before

Best Closet: After