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 New York City 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. 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. From Builder-Grade to Beautiful
Before
After
- Who: Melissa Wagner
- What: Modern-contemporary living room upgrade
- Where: Boulder, Colorado
When refreshing this living room, the challenge lie in refreshing dated finishes and adding personality to the builder-grade space. In addition to some light demo and a DIY fireplace mural, Melissa — a Havenly lead designer — added personality with an oversized lantern pendant, modern-contemporary furnishings, perfectly curated decor, and just shy of 70 houseplants.
3. 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. From Cottage to Creative
Before
After
- Who: Autumn Williams
- What: Parisian modern living room makeover
- Where: Denver, Colorado
Homeowner Autumn Williams loved the historic details in her 19th-century Denver home, but not the cottage-esque yellow paint and overall dated vibe. With a crisp coat of white paint, a casual DIY faux fireplace mantle, matte black accents, and some brass touches, her “after” looks like a proper Parisian pied-à-terre.
5. 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.
6. From Bare to Bold
Before
After
- Who: Brady Burke
- What: Moody modern dining room refresh
- Where: Denver, Colorado
Havenly lead designer Brady Burke did a full-scale design overhaul in his stunning Denver Victorian, and decided to go moody in the dining room. With a coat of charcoal paint, a considerable light fixture upgrade, proper window treatments, and a stunning dining table display, it’s safe to say he restored the dining space to its former glory.
7. 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.
8. From Cold to Cali Cool
Before
After
- Who: Keltie Knight
- What: Desert modern living room makeover
- Where: Los Angeles, California
Overwhelmed by the size and scale of her new Los Angeles abode, LadyGang CEO and television host Keltie Knight tapped Havenly to reimagine her spacious living room. Designer Maha Boulfelfel helped her strike the perfect balance between beauty and comfort, adding layered rugs, elevated mis-matched furniture, tonal artwork, and a striking, brick red accent chair.
9. 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.
10. From Sunken to Sunny
Before
After
- Who: Shelby Girard
- What: Warm Minimalist Sunroom Refresh
- Where: Norwalk, Connecticut
Our VP of Creative & Design saw literally nothing but potential in the dark and dusty sunroom in her Connecticut abode. Eager to make it a lounge-worthy space (overlooking the expansive backyard), she painted the walls, floor, and ceiling a crisp white, added texture via jute accents, and finished it off with sleek, cozy seating. Styled with marble coffee tables and greenery, it’s equal parts serene and elevated.
11. From Incomplete to Inspired
Before
After
- Who: Odette Annable
- What: Warm minimalist bedroom refresh
- Where: Austin, Texas
Actress Odette Annable’s guest bedroom had great bones and the building blocks of a striking design. But Havenly lead designer Kelsey Fischer was able to take it to new heights, creating a cozy, lived-in guest room brimming with visceral texture. A neutral linen bed anchors the space (the Modern Wingback Bed from The Inside), while tonal drapes, patterned throw pillows, light wood furniture, and hints of edgy black add warmth and visual interest.
12. 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.
13. From Old-Fashioned to High-Fashion
Before
After
- Who: Melissa Wagner
- What: Modern-contemporary living room upgrade
- Where: Boulder, Colorado
Overwhelmed by the sheer size of the her new bedroom, Melissa focused on adding warmth, texture, and “wow” moments to the space. In addition to constructing a 14-foot DIY upholstered headboard for an eye-catching statement, she added a plush area rug, pretty window treatments, and brand-new light fixtures to give the space a considerable face lift. The resulting “after” feels cozy, lived-in, and complete.
14. 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.
15. From Unfinished to Ultimate
Before
After
- Who: Odette Annable
- What: Warm minimalist office refresh
- Where: Austin, Texas
With a reclaimed wood desk and cozy upholstered chair, Odette’s office was already well-decorated. But to add a little bit more form to the existing function, Havenly lead designer Kelsey Fischer set out to infuse the space with cozy texture. A large checkerboard area rug expands the space while adding a trendy element, while the statement pendant light draws the eye up and checks the “sculptural” box.
16. 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.
17. From Stale to Striking
Before
After
- Who: Shelby Girard
- What: Warm Minimalist Living Room Update
- Where: Norwalk, Connecticut
Enamored with the centered fireplace, historic wall moulding, and original hardwood floors, Shelby knew her home had good bones. But to add personality, sophistication, and a modern edge, she went with mis-matched furniture, sculptural side tables, and hints of marble. Finished with an ornate statement mirror, new wall sconces, and a plush area rug, the “after” space feels thoughtful, elevated, and just edgy enough.
18. From Outdated to Organic
Before
After
- Who: Veronica Collins
- What: Vintage Modern Bathroom Reno
- Where: Denver, CO
Clearly, Veronica’s Denver, Colorado home was basically begging for a modern refresh. To make the open-concept living and dining space suited to a busy family of four (with two young kids), her designer created separate “rooms” with rugs and strategically-placed seating, plus a spacious dining table for family meals. With thoughtful details — like performance fabric and going sans-rug in the dining room — the space is just as chic as it is kid-friendly.
19. From Bland to Boho
Before
After
- Who: Danielle Chiprut
- What: Playful Bohemian Tudor Refresh
- Where: Long Island, New York
With a genuine flair for bold colors and bohemian design, New York-based Danielle Chiprut wanted to make sure her primary bedroom aligned with the rest of her colorful home. Her designer started with a coat of bold blue paint to create a cozy, serene atmosphere, and finished the look with a natural live-edge headboard, basket wall decor, and crisp white bedding pilled high with texture.
20. From Empty to Impactful
Before
After
- Who: Shelby Girard
- What: Warm Minimalist Living Room Update
- Where: Norwalk, Connecticut
A second angle of Shelby’s living room shows the transformative power of good design. Finished with plus, floor-to-ceiling curtains, a large area rug, and fresh greenery, the once-bare space feels warm, inviting, and brimming with cozy texture. The statement chandelier is like icing on the cake – it draws the eye up and makes a subtle, sculptural design statement.
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.