A good before and after crystallizes everything we know and love about interior design. These dramatic reveals are not only creative and inspiring, they highlight the power and importance of thoughtful design as it related to happiness and overall well-being. Think interior design isn’t worth the money? Just look at a transformative bedroom makeover or a complete kitchen overhaul — priceless.
So, in the name of both inspo and enlightenment, we’re chronicling a selection of Havenly before and after reveals. From Austin, Texas to Los Angeles, California and beyond, these design makeovers are equal parts stunning, eye-catching, and straight-up impressive (if we do say so ourselves).
Ahead, find nine of our all-time favorite room makeovers, courtesy of Havenly clients and designers:
1. Best Living Room: From Dated to Dreamy
Before
After
- Who: Havenly CEO Lee Mayer
- What: Cali Classic Living Room Refresh
- Where: Denver, CO
To give this living room a modern facelift, we started with the obvious: a crisp coat of white paint on the walls (Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, to be precise). Next, we nixed the dark wood paneling, rock fireplace, and storage cabinets in favor of clean shiplap and bench-style seating on each side. Finished with comfy, contemporary seating, Pacific-inspired textiles and prints, and a statement pendant instead of the ho-hum fan, the finished look is California classic perfection.
2. Best Bedroom: From Heavy to Breezy
Before
After
- Who: Becca Tobin
- What: Coastal Bedroom Overhaul
- Where: Austin, TX
From the massive dark bed frame and ornate details, his bedroom was, in a word, heavy. To bring Becca’s California roots (and style) to her new ATX bedroom, designer Kelsey Fischer gave the space a modern room makeover, complete with a neutral upholstered bed, plush bedding, boucle swivel chairs, and plenty of organic textures.
3. Best Dining Room: From Bland to Glam
Before
After
- Who: Lauren Murdoch
- What: Eclectic Luxe Dining Room Upgrade
- Where: Austin, TX
The “before” space was just a run-of-the-mill dining room: white walls, old-school buffet, and standard window treatments. Add in black paneled walls, statement wallpaper, and glam furnishings, and voila — it’s ready for its close-up. We love the vibrant jewel tone pops and brass finishes for even more luxe refinement.
4. Best Kitchen: From Uninspired to Insta-Worthy
Before
After
- Who: Shelby Girard
- What: Warm Minimalist Kitchen Reno
- Where: Norwalk, Connecticut
From the soffits to the appliances, our VP of Design’s old kitchen was straight out of the 1990s. She gave it a major overhaul finished with mushroom-painted cabinetry (Clare Paint’s No Filter, to be exact), swoon-worthy marble countertops and backsplash, vintage brass hardware, a floating island and pendant lights, plus plenty of natural texture for added warmth.
5. Best Small Space: From Cramped to Calming
Before
After
- Who: Vivian Torres
- What: New Classic Condo Update
- Where: Denver, CO
This 500-square-foot condo features a long, narrow living-slash-dining space — a notoriously difficult layout to work with. But Havenly lead designer Vivian Torres was up to the room makeover challenge — she went with DIY built-ins (yes, those are from IKEA), clever chaise lounge chairs facing the fireplace, and a small but chic open kitchen and dining nook as a focal point. The “after” vibe feels intentional, calming, and classic.
6. Best Office: From Cluttered to Curated
Before
After
- Who: Amy Wildstein
- What: Femme Chic Office Overhaul
- Where: Chappaqua, NY
This office is proof that styling can dramatically transform a space. Amy had a beautiful foundation (those soft blush built-ins, though!), but, the space lacked a distinct design point of view and felt a bit more cluttered than curated. Havenly’s Shelby Girard helped her refine the sophisticated blush, ivory, and brass palette and carried it through to the statement chair, window seat, and shelving decor.
7. Best Bathroom: From Cold to Character-Rich
Before
After
- Who: Veronica Collins
- What: Vintage Modern Bathroom Reno
- Where: Denver, CO
Nothing was necessarily “wrong” with Veronica’s bathroom — it was just stuck in the early 2000s. The heavy vanities, wood mirrors, overdone lighting, and tile backsplash were begging for an update. With help from her designer, Veronica opted for timeless wainscoting in a French blue hue, a modern wood vanity set against vintage-inspired faucets, and a statement curio cabinet. Details like the scalloped woven rug and brass pendant light bring the space to life.
8. Best Wallpaper: From Simple to Statement-Making
Before
After
- Who: Veronica Sullivan
- What: Boho Maximalist Bedroom Refresh
- Where: Los Angeles, CA
This spacious bedroom had great bones (just look at those French doors!) but was in serious need of a style upgrade. We swapped the drab gray headboard for a lucite canopy bed, added shiplap to the upper half of the walls, and went all-out with a vibrant palm wallpaper. Finished with a blush velvet bench, playful pillows, and a show-stopping chandelier, we brought Veronica’s Beverly Hills Hotel-inspired retreat to life.
9. Best Paint: From Musty to Must-Have
Before
After
- Who: Juli Bauer
- What: Eclectic Modern Bedroom Makeover
- Where: Denver, CO
Believe it or not, that’s paint, not wallpaper — hand-stenciled in a bold geometric repeat by Havenly designer Marie Lacote. From there, she added even more personality to this once-drab bedroom with a colorful area rug, blue velvet bed, and jewel-toned accents. While the graphic backdrop steals the show, the finished space is a head-to-toe glow-up.
Want a jaw-dropping *after* of your own? Work one-on-one with our expert interior designers for just $129 per room. Get started on your room makeover today with our style quiz.