Before and After: 18 Dramatic Renos That Will Make You Look Twice
Renovating can make a radical difference to how a home looks, functions and feels, as these transformations reveal
Joanna Tovia
20 March 2018
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
If you’re still on the fence when it comes to whether or not to renovate your home, take a look at these radical transformations. They’ll have you throwing caution to the wind and seeing the potential of your house everywhere you look. Whether you’re planning a bathroom or kitchen overhaul, or a major renovation and extension, let these ideas inspire you.
BEFORE
1. Location: Lindfield, NSW
Project: An extension and upstairs addition gave this humble home the feel of a grand country estate.
1. Location: Lindfield, NSW
Project: An extension and upstairs addition gave this humble home the feel of a grand country estate.
BEFORE
This was the rear of the house before the renovation…
This was the rear of the house before the renovation…
BEFORE
2. Location: Gladesville, NSW
Project: A little-used formal lounge room received a makeover, turning it into an elegant sitting room.
2. Location: Gladesville, NSW
Project: A little-used formal lounge room received a makeover, turning it into an elegant sitting room.
AFTER
The sitting room once served as a room people walked through but didn’t use.
The sitting room once served as a room people walked through but didn’t use.
BEFORE
3. Location: Crows Nest, NSW
Project: A graffiti-tagged 18-square-metre kitchen was redesigned as part of the renovation of a 1920s heritage-listed home that had been inhabited by squatters.
3. Location: Crows Nest, NSW
Project: A graffiti-tagged 18-square-metre kitchen was redesigned as part of the renovation of a 1920s heritage-listed home that had been inhabited by squatters.
AFTER
The contrast between new and old couldn’t be more dramatic.
The contrast between new and old couldn’t be more dramatic.
BEFORE
Apart from providing shelter to a series of squatters, the home had been unoccupied for 10 years before the current owners bought it.
Apart from providing shelter to a series of squatters, the home had been unoccupied for 10 years before the current owners bought it.
AFTER
The finished kitchen bears no resemblance to its former derelict state.
The finished kitchen bears no resemblance to its former derelict state.
BEFORE
4. Location: Abbotsford, NSW
Project: A dated living room was cleverly redesigned, and the fireplace moved from its central position. The homeowners wanted to get rid of the imposing fireplace and the built-in television, which was located too high for comfortable viewing, and create a welcoming contemporary living area.
4. Location: Abbotsford, NSW
Project: A dated living room was cleverly redesigned, and the fireplace moved from its central position. The homeowners wanted to get rid of the imposing fireplace and the built-in television, which was located too high for comfortable viewing, and create a welcoming contemporary living area.
AFTER
Along with lowering the television to eye-level, the fireplace is now an off-centre feature balanced out by the custom wall joinery. A specialty paint finish created a solid ‘concrete’ look around the fireplace.
Along with lowering the television to eye-level, the fireplace is now an off-centre feature balanced out by the custom wall joinery. A specialty paint finish created a solid ‘concrete’ look around the fireplace.
AFTER
… a U-shaped entertainer’s kitchen with a breakfast bar and a whole lot more bench space.
… a U-shaped entertainer’s kitchen with a breakfast bar and a whole lot more bench space.
BEFORE
6. Location: Beaumaris, Victoria
Project: The backyard was nothing to rave about…
6. Location: Beaumaris, Victoria
Project: The backyard was nothing to rave about…
AFTER
… before being landscaped to perfection with a pool and spa, garden beds and new decking.
… before being landscaped to perfection with a pool and spa, garden beds and new decking.
BEFORE
7. Location: Lilyfield, NSW
Project: An old lean-to was torn down to make room for a rear addition to a turn-of-the-century worker’s cottage…
7. Location: Lilyfield, NSW
Project: An old lean-to was torn down to make room for a rear addition to a turn-of-the-century worker’s cottage…
AFTER
… complete with bi-fold doors that open to an outdoor entertaining deck.
… complete with bi-fold doors that open to an outdoor entertaining deck.
BEFORE
8. Location: Hampton, Victoria
Project: While still in good working order, the homeowners wanted a kitchen more suited to their needs…
8. Location: Hampton, Victoria
Project: While still in good working order, the homeowners wanted a kitchen more suited to their needs…
AFTER
… along with a serious style update
… along with a serious style update
BEFORE
9. Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Project: The kitchen was part of the wider renovation of an apartment in Mission Bay that took it from dowdy and dated…
9. Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Project: The kitchen was part of the wider renovation of an apartment in Mission Bay that took it from dowdy and dated…
AFTER
… to sleek and modern.
… to sleek and modern.
BEFORE
10. Location: South Yarra, Victoria
Project: A cold, dark townhouse became a modern masterpiece filled with light, fit for a couple and their young children. Wait until you see the home’s new front facade…
10. Location: South Yarra, Victoria
Project: A cold, dark townhouse became a modern masterpiece filled with light, fit for a couple and their young children. Wait until you see the home’s new front facade…
BEFORE
11. Location: Moonee Ponds, Victoria
Project: A 3 x 4-metre bedroom became a bathroom in this renovation, with enviable results.
11. Location: Moonee Ponds, Victoria
Project: A 3 x 4-metre bedroom became a bathroom in this renovation, with enviable results.
AFTER
BEFORE
The original doorway stayed where it was…
The original doorway stayed where it was…
AFTER
… but little else remained the same.
… but little else remained the same.
BEFORE
12. Location: Sydney, NSW
Project: A bathroom tucked under the stairs was in need of some attention, mostly in the style department.
12. Location: Sydney, NSW
Project: A bathroom tucked under the stairs was in need of some attention, mostly in the style department.
AFTER
It’s now a luxurious space that feels lighter and brighter thanks to a mostly white colour scheme and a mirror that stretches the length of the double vanity.
Browse more amazing home images for inspiration
It’s now a luxurious space that feels lighter and brighter thanks to a mostly white colour scheme and a mirror that stretches the length of the double vanity.
Browse more amazing home images for inspiration
BEFORE
The cabinetry in the old bathroom made the space feel gloomy and dark…
The cabinetry in the old bathroom made the space feel gloomy and dark…
AFTER
… a problem rectified with sleek, white cabinetry. Reorienting the vanity from under the window also made space for the oversized mirror.
… a problem rectified with sleek, white cabinetry. Reorienting the vanity from under the window also made space for the oversized mirror.
BEFORE
13. Location: Concord, NSW
Project: Part of a whole-house renovation, this entryway, living and dining area was given an industrial edge with custom-designed stairs, along with under-stair cabinetry, refreshed decor and new window treatments.
13. Location: Concord, NSW
Project: Part of a whole-house renovation, this entryway, living and dining area was given an industrial edge with custom-designed stairs, along with under-stair cabinetry, refreshed decor and new window treatments.
AFTER
BEFORE
14. Location: Maylands, Perth
Project: Building designer Janik Dalecki bought this 1940s house to turn it into a light-filled and liveable home for himself.
14. Location: Maylands, Perth
Project: Building designer Janik Dalecki bought this 1940s house to turn it into a light-filled and liveable home for himself.
BEFORE
15. Location: Northcote, Victoria
Project: A small, rundown house became…
15. Location: Northcote, Victoria
Project: A small, rundown house became…
AFTER
… a spacious family home, without losing any of its charm from the street.
… a spacious family home, without losing any of its charm from the street.
BEFORE
This is the rear of the house before the renovation …
This is the rear of the house before the renovation …
BEFORE
16. Location: Dover Heights, NSW
Project: While the whole-house renovation kept within the confines of the original footprint and stayed true to its Art Deco roots, this finished home is a far cry from what the architects were faced with when work began.
16. Location: Dover Heights, NSW
Project: While the whole-house renovation kept within the confines of the original footprint and stayed true to its Art Deco roots, this finished home is a far cry from what the architects were faced with when work began.
BEFORE
17. Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
Project: This house had been renovated numerous times since being built in 1925. The latest renovation enhanced what was already there, without breaking the bank.
17. Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
Project: This house had been renovated numerous times since being built in 1925. The latest renovation enhanced what was already there, without breaking the bank.
BEFORE
This is the back of the house prior to work beginning…
This is the back of the house prior to work beginning…
BEFORE
18. Location: Brighton, Victoria
Project: An old house, homeowners with an open mind, and the skills of a creative architect combined to create a life-enhancing addition…
18. Location: Brighton, Victoria
Project: An old house, homeowners with an open mind, and the skills of a creative architect combined to create a life-enhancing addition…
AFTER
… and a mind-boggling back deck for this home.
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… and a mind-boggling back deck for this home.
Tell us
If you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more stories about renovating
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Wow! I love before and after articles. The transformations are all breathtaking!
For 4, 10 and 17 I actually prefered the before!