Our Most Inspiring Before & After Makeovers

When homeowners Kelly and Walker Burley moved in to their farmhouse in Cullman, AL, they focused on the interior of the home. As a result, the outside became a collecting ground for a hodgepodge of furniture that was the wrong scale and size for the space.

With a few easy and cheerful touches, this porch went from drab to fab. Furnishings with an interior influence like the rug, sofa, and lamps look great in an outdoor room too. Colorful blooming containers in varying sizes create a garden setting. 

Have you recently bought an older house with “good bones” that’s sorely in need of a remodel? Or has your tiny, isolated kitchen bothered you for years? Whether you’re just starting to dream or ready to bring in the wrecking ball, these stories of renovation and remodeling will fill you with inspiration. Our editors have compiled this collection of our most creative and clever makeovers—loaded with ideas and advice from some of the South’s best designers and architects. Get ready to let the dust fly!

Here, in our first "before" kitchen, the old, dark wood cabinetry; a heavy island; and a dark brick stove enclosure made the large room feel cramped.

Designer Suzanne Kasler painted everything white for a serene feel and replaced the cabinetry to strengthen its architectural envelope. With Design Galleria’s Matthew Quinn, she designed the floor-to-ceiling cabinets and a handsome, furniture-like island. Glass door fronts lighten the main wall. Alabama white marble countertops, a white tile backsplash, and neutral barstools add texture to the monochromatic look.

Nadia NeJamie, a real estate agent in Washington, D.C., sees kitchens all the time. So when she decided to update the one in her 1914 Foursquare Colonial, she knew exactly how to relay her wishes to her interior designer, Christopher Patrick. “You can always tell a seventies or eighties kitchen,” says Nejaime, whose kitchen was last renovated in 2000. “What I craved was something classic—nothing super trendy that would go out of style in 10 years. And I wanted white. If you can see the dirt, you know it’s time to clean it!”

A new island serves as a buffet when entertaining. The bold color of the base cabinets (Blue Lagoon; omegacabinetry.com) and warm walnut top make it the focal point of the room. Nejaime wanted the kitchen to feel inspired by the history of the house,” says Patrick. Handmade glazed subway tile, marble countertops, and more traditional cabinet doors—Shaker style with bead detailing—all feel classic. “Even the hardware has a vintage feel: The flair on the edges is inspired by 1920s materials. Hiding the fridge, dishwasher, and vent hood behind cabinetry gives the kitchen a seamless look and disguises modern amenities.

Walls of windows made this room architecturally pleasing, but a blank white canvas screamed for a little color. 

An all-white palette spills over from the kitchen to the family room for a light-filled and timeless look. With its walls of windows, the room didn’t need much architecturally, so Suzanne strategically layered in color and patterns. Dark accents in small doses, such as the newly refinished dark wood floors and wooden coffee table, contrast with the white backdrop without overwhelming it. Suzanne softened the look with a floral pattern upholstered onto slipper chairs, which is repeated for emphasis in adjacent spaces.

Before, the breakfast nook was a light-filled space, but it lacked warmth. 

Suzanne transformed the existing windowed corner into a cozy eating area with substantial built-in benches that mimic the kitchen cabinetry and provide extra storage. To make the space intimate, she placed slipcovered armchairs on one side of the metal bistro table and colorful draperies above the pillowed benches on the other side.

The existing bath was overly decorated, a bit claustrophobic, and without adequate closet space.

The room was stripped down to the studs, leaving only the windows intact. Valuable floorspace was saved with narrow vanities. Just above, recessed niches with inset mirrors offer the feeling of more space. Pavers made of white marble further the airy feel underfoot.

When Southern Living Style Director Heather Chadduck Hillegas got the call from a childhood friend to renovate and decorate a cottage on Arkasas' Greers Ferry Lake, she didn't have to think twice. 

Here, a stained cedar ceiling paired with stone columns give the living room a heavy feel. 

See more of this Nature-Inspired Lake House

The juxtaposition of wood-clad walls and ceilings with the original stone columns and concrete floors plays up Heather’s textural, earthy palette and strikes the right balance between cozy rustic and modern industrial. She painted the stained cedar ceiling to brighten the space and then added bench-cushion sofas, a foot-friendly sisal rug, a large overhead light fixture, and a one-of-a-kind coffee table.

The tucked-away kitchen was dark but had good bones. 

Heather brightened the space with a backsplash made of 3- by 6-inch honed Carrara marble subway tiles and installed a grid of 16 flush-mount light fixtures controlled by a dimmer switch to cast even light throughout. To pick up the gray tones in the floor, she selected durable, hand-poured, concrete countertops.

The dining room had lots of natural light, but heavy beams in the ceiling closed in the space. 

Beams were removed to allow more light to enter the room from above. Heather designed a 12-foot wooden table with a beveled zinc top to fit the narrow room. Two giant lanterns lend symmetry and balance and set the area apart from the surrounding spaces. With a skylight overhead and an expansive windowed wall, the room feels at one with nature.

A soaring ceiling made this space rife with possibilities. 

Three space-saving bunk beds stack all the way to the nearly 20-foot ceiling in the guest quarters. Heather opted for an arrangement of four chairs in a circle to facilitate conversation. For a grand yet earthy statement overhead, a 6-foot-tall empire chandelier made of rope fills the space above eye level.

A set of cabinets lacks the authority to be a focal point of the space. 

The addition of a large stacked-stone fireplace creates a focal point, adds a heat source, and visually links the porch with the rock columns inside the home. Heather flanked the fireplace with handy storage for stacked wood. The furniture is made with weather-resistant materials (teak, indoor/outdoor textiles, and water-resistant cushion fill).

Lindsay Bond Meadows had a lot of listening up to do when she set out to redecorate the home of a young family. To achieve the understated elegance she wanted, Lindsey couldn't wait to rid the rooms of their heavy window coverings and dark walls. 

In the living room, dark colors dominated the palette making it a heavy space. 

See more of this Neutral Home Update

Losing the dark colors, window headers, and formal draperies, Lindsey created a blank slate. New window shades welcome natural light, and black-and-white geometric prints make the room current. She reupholstered the sofa (formerly pink) in a white outdoor fabric, which resulted in a more up-to-date piece with classic lines.

This nook needed a complete overhaul that included banishing the dark furniture and heavy chandelier.

Creating a sunny nook here meant starting over. Lindsey chose a lacquered table that reflects light and a contemporary take on a traditional candelabra. She surrounded the table with rustic chairs and an upholstered bench, mixing in shades of white in varying textures.

The kitchen layout works, but the color and accessories were in need of an update. 

Keeping the existing cabinetry, Lindsey looked to finishes and furnishings to give this cookspace a fresh feel. Soft gray paint coats the original olive cabinets, making the kitchen’s palette cohesive with the rest of the house. Lindsey replaced the stainless steel backsplash with subway tile (grouted in dark gray for a graphic look) and gave the existing barstools a face-lift with simple slipcovers made of durable outdoor fabric.

Oversized furniture cluttered and dwarfed the space. 

Lindsey simplified the seating with a few large yet sleek pieces. A collection of patterned pillows maximizes visual interest. She strategically framed the view by hanging draperies over the walls instead of the windows.

A lack of light was an issue in this dining room, pre-renovation. Brown walls and brown-on-brown furniture made it a dreary space. 

Light was definitely in order here. Brown walls were painted white, and brown-on-brown furniture was shown the door. Chairs upholstered in off-white leather lend a smooth look. a round, chunky,stone table replaced the oval one, which didn’t suit the room’s dimensions. Lindsey left the existing chandelier for a spot of glamour overhead. Up the wow factor—go with open shelving with distinctive lines for an artful display area.

Olivia and Walker Brock looked at dozens of Charleston’s iconic Single Houses before they found one with their coveted “Three Ps”—porch, privacy, and parking. Unfortunately, the house lacked a fourth “P”—period authenticity. Olivia, who has a master’s degree in historic preservation, considered every detail, from the shutters to the light switches, to make sure they were appropriate to the home’s era.

At the front of the house, the existing period-discordant, ornate fence and iron gate were hampering the charm. 

See more of this Charleston Rebuild with Character

With the multi-storied porches restored, the couple replaced the existing fence and gate with welcoming wooden ones. Clapboard siding was painted a light green with cream trim, and the fixtures were backdated with reproductions. Not least, the front door was painted a classic navy.

Thick, formal moldings and faux plaster fireplace appliqués seemed out of place. 

The homeowners removed the moldings and appliqués and simplified the room’s architecture. They also added bookshelves on either side of the fireplace and replaced louvered plantation shutters with solid panels hinged in three places to perfectly align with the windowpane muntins. They coated the walls in shades of gray for a warm, subtle backdrop and filled the room with accents that lend an English Colonial flavor.

The existing kitchen looked dark and dreary. 

The owners wanted their existing kitchen to look like it had been added onto the home in the 1920s. That meant shiplap walls, no upper cabinets, mahogany countertops, and unlacquered brass cabinet hardware and sink fixtures. They ripped up the 1950s floor and laid a new pine floor on the diagonal, sealed and primed it, then applied two coats of high-gloss gray paint.

The air conditioner was placed in the back of the house and compromised the layout of the garden.

Moving the air conditioner to the roof opened up a world of possibilities. The owners removed the too-wide plant beds and fooled the eye with beds running perpendicular to the façade, creating a square that feels like an outdoor room with European leanings.

When Susan and Jeff Johnson purchased their four-bedroom cottage in Nashville, Tennessee, they wanted to bring it up to speed while making it livable for their growing family. To jazz up the scheme, they teamed with designer Gen Sohr to give the home a stylish look and play up the family-friendly vibe. Pictured here, the pre-renovation kitchen was in need of a complete overhaul. 

Removing the wall with a pass-through window opened the room to the adjacent living area. Susan wanted the new kitchen to be sunny, with glass-front doors to counter the lack of natural light. She chose white for custom cabinetry and quartz countertops for a look similar to marble without the price tag or maintenance. A hefty island has ample room for cooking, entertaining, and homework.

The diminuitive den had the potential to be a bigger space thanks to a small bedroom beyond the den wall. 

Combining the breakfast area, small bedroom, and den allowed ample space for family and friends. Light pours into the added French doors. Gen upped the ante with a mix of fun patterns and a gallery wall of art.

Before the renovation, the breakfast room was actually the family room. 

The breakfast nook is also used for craft projects. Crisp white paint transformed the fireplace and bookshelves, and the dated mantel was replaced with a mod mirror. Gen enlivened the blank canvas with a graphic chevron rug and Roman shades made from an overscaled, blue-and-white floral print.

What happens when a self-proclaimed “non-beiger” buys a traditional home that’s completely covered in neutrals? In the case of Bailey and Pete McCarthy: major redecorating! Bailey, a decorator, writer of the lifestyle blog Peppermint Bliss (peppermintbliss.com), and owner of the Houston-based bedding company Biscuit, is best known for vibrant spaces.

Before, the sunroom was a colorless room that needed a dose of panache. 

See more of this Before & After: Redo with Color!

Bailey went for drama in the home’s sunroom, where rich browns and olive greens now dominate the once white-and-gray space. She enveloped the entire room with a dark brown hue in a chic, laquered finish, lending a warm, cozy feel. She redesigned the built-ins to house the television and to provide more closed storage.

Here, the white kitchen didn't appeal to the homeowners' love of color. 

The McCarthys replaced their lower cabinets and gave the uppers new life with glass doors and brass hardware. Tired of white kitchens, they drenched the space in deep, dark green in a glossy, laquered finish. A collection of white dishes, an impressive La Cornue range, and a white subway-tile backsplash bring balance.

This dull space was in need of whimsy, color, and pattern. 

A hand-painted floral wallcovering became just the colorful foundation this room needed. Every other color choice plays off of the wallpaper’s hues: the apple green rug, a pair of chartreuse gourd lamps, the hot pink velvet upholstered bed, and patterned linens. The room’s focal point is a canopy, edged in silky, green tassel trim. For the canopy’s interior, Bailey chose multiple yards of ivory silk for a luxe look.

With an awkward layout, this master bath seemed cramped. 

Bailey relocated the tub and tucked it into a cozy surround that includes a pair of glass-shelved cabinets and an inset beveled mirror. The mirror adds sparkle and enlarges the space, while the rows of open shelving give the room lots of storage and a vintage-apothecary feel. The millwork’s lacquered finish adds depth and polish, and the traditional marble hexagonal tile is a nod to the home’s 1930s roots. Bailey made sure to save room for a facing pair of marble-topped washstands with polished brass legs.

Shannon and Ted Holt were faced with a common dilemma: Their kitchen had good space and had been recently updated, but the end result just didn’t suit their style or tastes. The couple called on Birmingham designer Melanie Pounds, who instantly knew that the heart of this home wasn’t in need of a complete renovation—just a few tweaks to make it a more cohesive, functional space for the family. A few minor updates were all this kitchen needed to make it shine.

Melanie gave the kitchen continuity by removing the upper cabinets and installing open limestone shelving to match the countertops flanking the stove. A metallic tile backsplash, updated pendant lights, a sculptural range hood, and some conversation-piece barstools complete the look.

The dining room had great light, but was too formal for the family's needs. 

The formal dining room was replaced by a more casual, inviting spot for everyday family meals. Melanie added a series of freestanding closets with upholstered doors accented with nailheads. The center one opens to reveal a home office nook with overhead shelving to conceal clutter.

This 9-foot-deep apartment in New Orleans was living rather small until designer Nathan Drewes came to its rescue with big ideas for taking it back to its 1830s glory.

Before, the narrow living room needed strategic furnishings to make the most of its modest footprint. 

See more of our Small-Space Makeovers

To give the eye a rest from the abundant color and pattern of the accessories, Nathan skipped patterned upholstery. He instead opted for tactile velvets and shimmery silks in solid shades of deep pink, mustard, and light blue. 

You have to be friendly in this house because it’s so small,” says Kevin Walsh of his lake cottage in Hot Springs, Arkansas. When he and Brett Pitts began searching for a weekend home, they wanted space to relax and entertain. The house that caught their attention was a dreary 1969 rancher. Because it had a vaulted ceiling and a large wall of windows overlooking Lake Hamilton, Kevin knew they could transform it into a fresh, sunny space.

Here, a brick fireplace and dark, raftered ceiling needed to be lightened up. 

See more of this Before & After Lake Retreat

Kevin kept the scheme consistent in the living area, where the brick fireplace surround is painted white. A pair of simple white occasional chairs and a cool, hide-covered ottoman provide a more personal arrangement than large sofas for sitting down for a conversation or checking out the ever-changing assortment of artwork and collectibles on the mantel. 

Dated cabinets and a bulky refrigerator meant this space was in need of a redo. 

To avoid moving the plumbing, Kevin kept the kitchen's original footprint but updated the cabinetry, appliances, and fixtures. He replaced the dated cabinets with easy-to-access open shelving and Shaker-style lower cabinets. Instead of a bulky refrigerator, he installed a two-drawer version in the wet bar area, just across from the kitchen, placing prominence on cocktails rather than frozen treats. 

A bulky sofa, loveseat, and chair filled the space in front of the windows. 

The dining table and four open-backed chairs anchor the expanse of glass, allowing the commanding view of Lake Hamilton to take center stage. “After that, it just made sense to put the seating areas in the middle of the room,” homeowner Kevin Walsh says. 

The existing bedroom was small, dark, and contained odd furnishings that were out of proportion. 

A new white headboard draws the eye upward, lending height and polish to the room. Matching clear-glass lamps and two mirrored night- stands keep the space airy and provide symmetry. 

Fran Keenan—magazine editor-turned-interior decorator—has an eye for old homes begging for new life. When she and her husband, Matt, looked to trade their colorful Birmingham cottage for a larger, more family-friendly one, they set their sights on a 1930s English Tudor that had never been renovated. Mesmerized by the light streaming in through banks of windows and besotted with the location (within walking distance of an elementary school), the Keenans saw past the imperfections and designed a new house with an old soul.

Before, dated carpet and lackluster furniture didn't allow this space to shine. 

For the main living space, Fran chose a cream backdrop of Lime White by Farrow & Ball. A pair of short sofas helps the long, narrow room feel cohesive, while modern, edgy prints keep the look from appearing pastiche. 

A metal awning and vinyl siding hindered the curb appeal of the Keenan's home. 

Fran and Matt removed vinyl siding to reveal the 1930s pine exterior. The lap siding was restored and painted a warm gray to connect the house to its landscape. Windows were reglazed and painted a darker shade of gray to add interest. The metal awning was scrapped, and the original screened porch was glassed in to create the study. 

Busy floral wallpaper and a choppy flow did not add to the appeal of the pre-renovation dining room. 

Homeowner Fran Keenan nixed the windows on the far wall, opting instead for French doors to connect to the exterior and visually pull the eye through the space. She removed the busy floral wallpaper and bathed the walls in the same color as the adjacent living room for a better sense of flow. A mix of seating and an antique area rug keep the room from feeling stuffy. 

Living in a horse stable isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But for horsewoman Sam Cato, the draw was irresistible. This house sat under the trees on a former estate, a shingle-style cottage that no one would guess had started life as a stable and carriage house. Sam teamed up with Charleston designer Melissa Ervin to bring this house back to it's equestrian roots. 

Melissa and Sam were drawn to the panneling in the original living room. It became a key component in the makeover design. 

See more of this Horse Stable Turned Cottage

In addition to replacing the oak floors, Melissa removed the chair rails to show off a continuous stretch of original V-groove paneling. She replaced the dark wood mantel with a larger, painted version inspired by a Georgian design, and she bathed the room in a pale, crisp gray (Stony Ground by Farrow & Ball). She also removed the built-in cabinet doors, replacing them with V-groove doors for consistency.