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Before & After: See the UK's 10 best lockdown DIY transformations
- 1/21
Before & After: See the UK's 10 best lockdown DIY transformations
From garden glow-ups to toilet transformations, a new competition has unveiled the UK's best lockdown DIY transformations — and the results are seriously impressive.
In order to find the top renovation projects completed during the pandemic, ScS scoured the nation to uncover what Brits have been up to at home. 'There were some really impressive renovations in our competition, and it's great to see so many people have been able to fulfil their DIY dreams with the extra time at home,' says Amy Forster, Content Executive at ScS.
Need some inspiration? Take a look at the top 10 below...
ScS - 2/21
1) Sophie Ayris, Milton Keynes
Taking the winning spot is Sophie from Milton Keynes, who revamped her tired-looking hallway and added in a downstairs toilet.
'We had a dull, dark hallway that hadn't been touched in years. It was super dated and not very pleasant,' she said. Take a look at her impressive after photo below...
ScS - 3/21
2)
'I thought we needed a downstairs toilet, so we added a tiny basin and toilet under the stairs. As well as this, we installed new mosaic tiles and did an awful lot of painting and stripping on the stairs. To finish, we added a little doghouse, which our dog absolutely loves!'
ScS - 4/21
3) David Whistle, Brighton
During lockdown, David transformed his bleak and unloved garden corner into a stylish patio that's perfect for relaxing. Take a look at the after shot...
ScS - 5/21
4)
With a cosy garden sofa, wooden pergola and outdoor coffee table, it's the ultimate spot to unwind alfresco. BBQ, anyone?
ScS - 6/21
5) Dave Deeks, Thatcham
'Our garden looked a complete tip so we did a little DIY landscape job to make it more pleasing on the eye. Now we love to spend time in the garden and avoid going out as much,' says Dave.
ScS - 7/21
- 8/21
7) Michelle Payne, Southampton
Michelle put her furlough time to good use by painting her kitchen cupboards and walls, adding new handles on the drawers, and replacing the cooker hood and flooring. Take a look at her transformation below...
ScS - 9/21
8)
It looks completely new! We're crushing on the dark-hued cabinets, which add a grown-up feel to the space.
ScS - 10/21
9) Ashley Talbot, Cambridge
What once was a dumping ground is now a stylish and practical office space Ashley can use each day. Taking the fifth spot, we're pretty impressed with the outcome. Take a look...
ScS - 11/21
10)
'The room was just a general dumping ground in the house, so I decided to transform it,' says Ashley. ' I hand-built, sprayed and fitted all the cupboards myself and now I have a fully functioning office space, ideal for working from home.'
ScS - 12/21
11) Charlotte Leathert, Manchester
Manchester-based Charlotte used lockdown to transform her family's dated summerhouse into a trendy bar area in time for summer.
ScS - 13/21
12)
Now known as 'Marley's bar', it has wicker sofas, bar stools, a drinks cabinet and posters of Bob Marley, of course. We imagine Charlotte will be hosting some get-togethers here very soon...
ScS - 14/21
13) Colin Daniel, Worcester
Wanting to make the most of his garden, Colin from Worcester created his own outdoor decking area.
He says: 'I renewed my decking area, and although there was hardly any wood available during the lockdown, I still managed to get the job finished.'
ScS - 15/21
14)
It's now the ultimate space for alfresco dining.
ScS - 16/21
15) Gemma Linney, Southampton
Instead of replacing her fireplace, Gemma restored its condition with a little paint job — and it looks amazing!
ScS - 17/21
16)
'Our drab old ceramic fireplace was looking very outdated, but money is tight so getting it knocked out would have cost too much. I therefore bought a tin of green paint - my favourite colour!'
ScS - 18/21
17) Gwen Taylor, Sudbury
'We have always wanted to transform our patio, and it's only taken six years for us to become motivated, save the money and gird our loins for the mess which was to come!'
ScS - 19/21
18)
The newly-refreshed space looks so inviting!
ScS - 20/21
19) Sharon Jackson, Northampton
Taking the 10th spot in the competition is this garden renovation project from Sharon in Northampton.
'The garden was overgrown and becoming like the local tip,' says Sharon. 'I was desperate for some flowers and to stop the mud from being brought in by the dogs when it rained.'
ScS - 21/21
20)
With plenty of TLC, it now looks like the perfect spot to unwind. Giving it a refresh, Sharon added slabs, built raised planters and painted the fence an on-trend grey.
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