Our Favorite Projects & Makeovers Of 2016

Some years politely walk by, wave, and leave a tidy little scrapbook behind. Then there are years like 2016, which kick open the door carrying paint cans, half-built bookcases, a podcast microphone, a beach house with “potential,” and at least one project that makes everyone say, “Well, that escalated quickly.”

Looking back at our favorite projects and makeovers of 2016 feels less like reviewing a neat portfolio and more like opening a wonderfully chaotic junk drawer of creativity. There were meaningful room makeovers, practical home renovations, small updates that made a surprising difference, and a few big swings that reminded us why DIY home improvement is equal parts planning, problem-solving, and pretending you absolutely meant to get primer on your elbow.

This year was especially interesting because home design itself was shifting. Kitchens were becoming more like family command centers. Bathrooms were getting spa-inspired details. Matte black finishes, soft neutral palettes, cozy textures, geometric patterns, and personalized spaces were everywhere. Meanwhile, homeowners across the United States were investing more energy and money into improving the homes they already had instead of chasing the mythical “perfect house.” Spoiler alert: the perfect house usually still has a weird closet, questionable tile, or one outlet in exactly the wrong place.

So, let’s revisit the favorite projects and makeovers of 2016not as a dry list, but as a celebration of what made that year so memorable for DIY lovers, home decorators, renovators, and anyone who has ever stood in a room and whispered, “What if we just painted it?”

Why 2016 Was a Big Year for Home Projects

In 2016, home improvement felt personal. Instead of renovating only for resale value, many homeowners were updating spaces to fit real life: kids growing up, families entertaining more, remote work creeping into kitchen corners, and everyday routines demanding smarter storage. The best projects from the year had one thing in common: they were not about perfection. They were about making homes more useful, more comfortable, and more emotionally connected to the people living in them.

That is why the standout makeovers from 2016 still feel relevant. They were not just pretty “after” photos. They were solutions. A shared kids’ bedroom needed comfort and imagination. A teacher’s lounge needed dignity, function, and a little grown-up style. A kitchen needed better flow. A living room needed built-ins. A dated beach house needed vision, courage, and probably several deep breaths.

The Most Meaningful Makeover: A Space-Themed Kids’ Bedroom

One of the most memorable projects of 2016 was a space-themed bedroom created for a local family after a heartbreaking loss. The goal was not simply to decorate a child’s room. It was to help make the space feel safe, fresh, and hopeful again for the child who would continue using it.

What made this makeover powerful was its balance of sensitivity and imagination. A space theme can easily go full cartoon rocket ship, complete with enough planets to make a science teacher nervous. But done well, it becomes timeless: deep blues, stars, soft lighting, playful artwork, and details that make a room feel adventurous without overwhelming it.

Design Lesson: Theme Rooms Work Best With Restraint

The biggest takeaway from this project is that a themed room does not need to shout. A few strong design anchors can do the job beautifully. For example, a dark accent wall can suggest the night sky, simple star details can create wonder, and neutral bedding can keep the room flexible as a child grows. In other words, you do not need to glue a moon to the ceiling unless you really want to. And if you do, please measure twice.

The Teacher’s Lounge Makeover: Proof That Function Can Feel Fabulous

Another favorite project from 2016 was a teacher’s lounge makeover for a local public elementary school. Teacher lounges are often treated like the forgotten basement of institutional design: mismatched tables, tired bulletin boards, fluorescent lights, and one vending machine with the visual confidence of a refrigerator wearing a billboard.

This makeover turned that idea upside down. The space became more polished, practical, and welcoming while still serving the daily needs of teachers and staff. A black-and-white palette created energy without adding visual clutter. Improved storage helped keep supplies and lunch items organized. Counter space replaced the temporary feel of folding tables. The result felt more like a café-style break room than a leftover corner of a school building.

Design Lesson: Shared Spaces Deserve Real Design

One of the smartest parts of this makeover was the understanding that utility and beauty are not enemies. Teachers needed microwaves, storage, bulletin boards, and easy-to-clean surfaces. But they also deserved a room that felt calm, adult, and appreciative. Good design is not just for living rooms and magazine kitchens. Sometimes the most meaningful makeover is the one that says, “You work hard. This space should work hard for you too.”

The Kitchen Renovation: The Rise of the “Super Kitchen”

If 2016 had a home renovation mascot, it might have been the kitchen island. Kitchens were no longer just places to cook pasta and wonder why every container lid had disappeared. They were becoming homework zones, entertaining hubs, coffee stations, informal offices, and gathering spaces.

That trend showed up clearly in the best 2016 kitchen makeovers. Layout mattered more than ever. Open sightlines, better storage, built-in workspaces, brighter surfaces, and casual dining areas helped kitchens support more than meal prep. The most successful kitchen projects did not simply swap countertops and call it a day. They asked a better question: “How do people actually live in this room?”

Design Lesson: A Great Kitchen Starts With Flow

Cabinet color and backsplash tile are fun, but layout is the quiet hero of a kitchen renovation. In 2016, homeowners increasingly wanted kitchens that connected to living areas, dining areas, and even outdoor spaces. That meant fewer isolated cooking zones and more open, hardworking layouts. A beautiful kitchen that forces everyone to perform a sideways dance around the dishwasher is not a triumph. It is a choreography problem.

DIY Built-In Bookcases: The Makeover That Looks Expensive

Few projects deliver the “Wait, you built that?” effect quite like DIY built-in bookcases. In 2016, built-ins remained a favorite because they solve multiple problems at once. They add storage, frame a room, create architectural interest, and give homeowners a place to display books, baskets, art, plants, and the one decorative object everyone owns but cannot explain.

Built-ins also have a magical ability to make a room feel finished. A plain wall can become a focal point. A living room can gain balance. A family space can hide clutter in lower cabinets while showing personality on open shelves above. That combination of beauty and practicality is exactly why built-in projects were among the year’s most satisfying makeovers.

Design Lesson: Storage Should Look Intentional

The best storage does not scream, “I am hiding chaos.” It blends into the room and supports the way the household functions. Closed storage is perfect for board games, cords, craft supplies, and other items that do not need to live their truth in public. Open shelves are ideal for books, framed photos, pottery, and seasonal décor. Together, they create a room that looks collected instead of cluttered.

Small Updates That Made a Big Difference

Not every favorite project of 2016 involved demolition, contractors, or the emotional roller coaster of choosing grout. Some of the best updates were smaller: repainting rooms in calmer neutrals, changing a child’s bed, refreshing décor, adding better lighting, or adjusting furniture layouts.

These smaller makeovers matter because they are realistic. Most people cannot renovate a kitchen every year. Many cannot even renovate a closet without first negotiating with the mysterious pile of things inside it. But painting a bedroom, updating bedding, adding a rug, or reorganizing a workspace can change how a room feels almost immediately.

Design Lesson: “Small” Does Not Mean “Unimportant”

A fresh wall color can make a room feel calmer. A larger bed can help a child’s room grow with them. A new rug can define a seating area. Better lighting can make a home office feel less like a punishment. The charm of 2016’s smaller projects was that they reminded readers and homeowners that progress does not always require a sledgehammer. Sometimes it only requires a paint roller and the courage to move the furniture.

The Beach House: A Big Dream in Very Rough Clothing

One of the biggest 2016 project milestones was the purchase of a historic beach house in need of serious repair. This was not the kind of breezy beach house that appears in vacation ads with white curtains floating in the wind. This was the kind of property that asks, “How strong is your vision?” and then immediately shows you a dining room that needs everything.

But that is exactly what made it exciting. Major renovation projects are not just about what a house is today. They are about what it could become with planning, patience, and a healthy respect for structural realities. The beach house represented possibility: layout changes, exterior decisions, restoration choices, and the thrill of bringing a neglected home back to life.

Design Lesson: Potential Requires Patience

Big makeovers are seductive because before-and-after photos make transformation look instant. In real life, the “during” phase can last a long time and involve dust, delays, decisions, and at least one moment where someone says, “Was that wall always doing that?” A project like a beach house renovation teaches the importance of pacing. Dream big, but inspect carefully. Save inspiration photos, but respect the budget. Love old character, but do not ignore old wiring.

2016 Design Trends That Shaped the Makeovers

The favorite projects of 2016 did not happen in a vacuum. They reflected larger design trends that were popping up across American homes, design blogs, magazines, and renovation surveys.

Matte Black Finishes

Matte black hardware, lighting, and fixtures became a favorite way to add contrast. The look worked especially well in kitchens, bathrooms, and modern farmhouse-inspired spaces. It was dramatic without being fussy, bold without requiring the homeowner to paint an entire room midnight blue.

Soft Neutrals and Warm Minimalism

While bright white interiors were still popular, 2016 also welcomed softer neutrals, warm woods, beige tones, and layered textures. These palettes made rooms feel livable instead of sterile. Beige even had a comeback moment, which shocked everyone who remembered the early 2000s builder-beige era and needed a minute to recover.

Rose Quartz, Serenity, and Gentle Color

Pantone’s 2016 Colors of the YearRose Quartz and Serenityhelped push soft pink and pale blue into the design conversation. These colors appeared in textiles, accessories, art, and accent pieces. Used sparingly, they brought calm and personality without turning a room into a cupcake.

Dark Kitchens and Cozy Texture

Design coverage from 2016 also highlighted darker kitchens, flannel bedding, natural textures, and grounded finishes. This was the beginning of a shift away from purely bright, glossy spaces toward rooms with more mood, depth, and tactile comfort.

Budget-Friendly Ideas Inspired by the Best 2016 Projects

The best thing about revisiting favorite projects and makeovers from 2016 is that they still offer practical ideas today. You do not need the same house, the same budget, or the same tolerance for sawdust to borrow the lessons.

Refresh a Break Room, Office, or Utility Space

Take inspiration from the teacher’s lounge makeover and improve a hardworking space that usually gets ignored. Add matching storage bins, replace a tired table, create a coffee station, hang simple art, and choose a clean color palette. Even a laundry room can feel less tragic with better lighting and a shelf that does not wobble ominously.

Create a Flexible Kids’ Room

Instead of overcommitting to a theme, choose a broad idea like space, nature, sports, books, or travel. Use art, bedding, and accessories to carry the theme while keeping the furniture simple. That way, the room can evolve without requiring a full redesign when the child’s interests change from planets to pirates to “please don’t come in my room.”

Add Built-In Style Without Custom Prices

If true built-ins are outside the budget, use freestanding bookcases, wall-mounted shelves, or stock cabinets to create a similar effect. Paint them the same color as the wall or trim for a more custom look. Add baskets and boxes to hide visual clutter. The goal is not to fool a master carpenter. The goal is to make the room work better and look more intentional.

Use Paint as a Reset Button

Paint remains one of the most affordable makeover tools. A soft neutral can calm a bedroom. A deep accent color can add drama. A crisp white can freshen trim. A painted door can bring personality to a hallway. Paint is not magic, but it is probably the closest thing sold by the gallon.

What These 2016 Makeovers Still Teach Us

Years later, the favorite projects and makeovers of 2016 still hold up because they were rooted in real needs. They were not about chasing trends for trends’ sake. They were about making spaces more functional, more personal, and more joyful.

The space-themed bedroom showed how design can support healing and comfort. The teacher’s lounge proved that shared spaces deserve care. The kitchen renovation reflected the changing role of the kitchen in modern family life. The built-ins demonstrated the power of practical storage. The beach house reminded everyone that big dreams usually arrive wearing work boots.

And maybe that is the real reason 2016 stands out. It was a year of firsts, experiments, and “let’s see what happens” energy. Some projects were emotional. Some were practical. Some were ambitious. Some were small enough to finish in a weekend. Together, they created a snapshot of home design at its best: human, imperfect, creative, and occasionally covered in paint dust.

Extra Experiences and Reflections: Living With Projects After the Reveal

One of the most honest things about home makeovers is that the reveal is not the end. It is just the moment when everyone clears the tools out of the photo. The real test begins weeks and months later, when the room has to survive backpacks, coffee cups, muddy shoes, late-night snacks, laundry piles, and the mysterious household habit of leaving scissors in every room except the one where they are needed.

That is why the favorite projects of 2016 are useful beyond their pretty finished photos. They show that a successful makeover should age into daily life. A teacher’s lounge is not successful because it looks good for one afternoon. It is successful if teachers can actually use the counters, find supplies, heat lunch, sit comfortably, and enjoy five quiet minutes before the bell rings. A kids’ bedroom is not successful because it matches a mood board. It is successful if the child feels safe, sleeps well, plays freely, and has storage that makes cleanup at least slightly less dramatic.

From experience, the best projects usually begin with a clear frustration. Maybe the room feels too dark. Maybe the kitchen layout causes traffic jams. Maybe the living room has no storage. Maybe the entryway collects shoes like it is training for a marathon. When a makeover solves a real problem, the design choices become easier. You stop asking, “What looks trendy?” and start asking, “What would make this room better every single day?”

Another lesson from 2016 is that emotional energy matters. Some projects are joyful from the beginning. Others are born from change, loss, transition, or the need for a fresh start. In those cases, design becomes more than decoration. Choosing a wall color, replacing worn furniture, or creating a calmer layout can help people feel differently in a space. A room cannot fix everything, of course, but it can support a new chapter. That is not a small thing.

There is also the budget lesson, which every DIY enthusiast eventually learns, usually while holding a receipt and blinking slowly. Great makeovers are not always the most expensive ones. They are the ones where money is spent in the right places. Invest in the elements that get daily use: durable flooring, good lighting, comfortable seating, functional storage, reliable fixtures, and surfaces that can handle real life. Save on accessories, small tables, paintable furniture, thrifted art, and seasonal décor. A room does not need designer everything. It needs thoughtful decisions.

Finally, 2016 reminds us to document the process. Take the before photos, even if the room looks like it owes you an apology. Write down paint colors. Save measurements. Keep a list of what worked and what you would do differently. The process becomes part of the story, and sometimes the messy middle is the most helpful part for someone else planning a similar project.

Whether you are refreshing one corner or renovating an entire house, the spirit of 2016 still applies: start where you are, solve the real problem, add personality, and do not be afraid of a little imperfection. After all, every great makeover begins with a space that needs help and a person brave enough to say, “I think we can make this better.”

Conclusion

Our favorite projects and makeovers of 2016 were memorable because they combined heart, function, and style. From a meaningful kids’ bedroom and a hardworking teacher’s lounge to kitchen updates, built-in storage, small paint refreshes, and the beginning of a beach house renovation, the year proved that home improvement is not just about beautiful rooms. It is about better living.

The best makeover ideas from 2016 still work today because they focus on timeless principles: improve flow, add storage, respect the people who use the space, choose finishes with personality, and make room for real life. Trends may come and go, but a home that feels thoughtful, useful, and loved never goes out of style.

Note: This article was written in original language for web publication and synthesized from real 2016 home renovation, DIY, and interior design trends without inserting source links into the HTML body.