Be honest, how much time do you think you’ve spent admiring (read: stalking) someone else’s home on Instagram? Like me, the true figure is probably too shocking to think about – does time go quicker when you’re scrolling through the Gram or is is just me?
But, it has to be said that it is a wonderful place for ideas and inspiration – especially when it comes to Instagram renovation projects. Pinterest was once the sole destination for building an online moodboard for how you’d like your next decorating scheme to pan out. But Insta has joined it: the two platforms are now cited as the go-to places for new ideas to bring into your home. I tend to flit between the two and now have boards on each. They’re filled with industrial-inspired décor, ways with houseplants, open-plan schemes and sustainable living tips. Oh, and ideas for home styling (for when I am constantly rearranging my display shelves).
Some of my favourite Instagram renovation projects are ones that track the progress of a remodel (whether that’s a whole house refit, self build, extension or a single room makeover). They show the sometimes questionable and other times amazingly retro before shots alongside the afters. It’s the journey (sorry) of the project that catches my attention and then I get drawn in by the clever interior design tricks, cool use of décor, colour and pattern.
Arguably, social media is emboldening us to all be a bit more ‘out there’ with our home style and embrace colour, pattern and texture in new ways, mixing and matching finishes to create schemes that shows off our own unique tastes and personality, while also looking great through a lens. I’m convinced that the rise of the dark blue kitchen is in part thanks to those Instagram renovation projects that dared to go dark. How many dark kitchens with parquet flooring and brass details have you saved? Insta-worthy for sure.
Celebrating Instagram renovation projects
To celebrate those Instagram renovation projects, I’ve rounded up ones that have caught my eye of late. I’m not in the business of getting you to spend even more time online (screen breaks, people!). But do check out these guys’ accounts for some serious inspiration. Oh, and share yours using #thesethreerooms so I can snoop on yours too…
@makingstreathamhome
The couple who are renovating this Edwardian home in south west London are lovingly bringing it back to life and restoring the amazing period features. The hallway is amazing – check out the original woodwork in all its intricate-detailed glory. And that’s before you get to the fireplaces – you can almost imagine the grandeur of this place when it was first built. The kitchen is fast taking shape, too. The bar area (with its worktop and splash back) caught my eye… and not only because it’s a bar! This is one of our favourite Instagram renovation projects.
Instagram renovation projects
@hornsby_style
If you follow Shazza (and sometimes Jim) you’ll know that they’ve been working on a new home renovating project after moving from their old house, which was as Insta-worthy as they come. So I’m eagerly anticipating what they’ll create in their new place. So far, there’s a new kitchen-dining extension and the exterior has been given a beautiful makeover. This has modernised the property, but kept the feel of its heritage alive. The before and after shows the great transformation. Scroll through the feed for a host of wonderful before and after shots, showing just how far this project has come. Can’t wait to see the kitchen.
We’re in love with these renovations
@ck_homestyle
If you love patterned tiles, you’ll love it here. Created by Claire in Harborne, the kitchen and bathrooms feature bold wall and floor tiles. They catch the idea and create the base for a really fun, cool interior look. My favourite is the way they’ve laid the metro tiles vertically and horizontally in the shower alongside the encaustic-style designs. Simple but oh so effective. Anyone on the team will tell you that I’m a sucker for a dog too, so this account wins on that as well. This is the dreamiest of Instagram renovation projects.
Check out these gorgeous projects
@my_london_home
One word. Terrazzo.
Not only does it look beautiful in my_london_home’s bathroom, she made it herself. Yes, DIY terrazzo. Oh how it must feel to look at that stunning surface and pat yourself firmly on the back to say ‘yes, I did that’. Creative and fun throughout, this project includes colour and pattern galore – from the ‘wow’ downstairs loo to the dark and moody living room and bedroom. The kitchen? Slick. This is one of the sleekest Instagram renovation projects.
@last.house.on.the.left
I’ve been following Charlotte for a while and tracking the progress of her humongous renovation – taking a two-bed chalet-style home with a downstairs WC and small kitchen and transforming it with a double-storey side and rear extension (and ripping out and totally modernising the rest). Take a look at how construction has progressed from bare bones to new glazing, fewer walls and finally new kitchen. Slow and steady wins the race. 100% one of our favourite Instagram renovation projects.
@thehappybuild
Aside from the cheery name, Laura’s renovation account showcases her family home in all its glory. A self-build project, the pièce de résistance has to be the open-plan kitchen-living-diner which connects seamlessly to the garden. So seamlessly, in fact, that when the doors are wide open, you’d be forgiven for mistaking the two spaces as one – quite the design feat. Laura says in one of her posts, “Building is what we do both our home and our life in it. We do it with a smile and sense of humour is key!” and that just about sums it up. Lovely.
More Instagram inspo
@suszi_saunders
We featured Suszi’s beautiful home in the January 2020 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine (on the cover, no less) to showcase how she has created her interior with sustainability and vegan design in mind. From reclaimed materials and organic finishes to plant-based alternatives, her approach is interesting and thought-provoking.
More Instagram renovation projects
@our_1930s_project
If you love a before and after like me, this is one for you. A double-storey extension with spacious open-plan kitchen has added wow factor to this 1930s property in south Manchester. As a self-confessed interiors lover, Jo, who runs the account, has brought the property bang up to date and added design touches including marbled finishes, metallics and a log burner that I’d love to curl up in front of. Take a look at the tiled kitchen splashback for an idea of how to do something a bit different with your tiles.
Even more exciting Instagram renovation projects
@insidetwentyfive
One look at this Instagram renovation project and you’ll add glazed walls and ceilings to your wishlist. Located in London, the property has undergone some serious renovation. It’s had a rear and side-return extension (with said glazing) and significant internal remodel to knock small rooms into a large open-plan kitchen-diner. And the new upstairs bathroom has relaxation written all over it. Note the wood panelling in there too.
@atnumber13
Have you ever heard of people not buying a house because it’s number 13 since they’re superstitious? Nah. Look at Fi’s Georgian townhouse in Frome, Somerset and you’ll realise there’s nothing to worry about. My favourite part of this particular project is the way she has created such a great kitchen in a small space, adding abstract panelling to the wall to make a design feature. As well as proving that you can be creative even in compact rooms, it’s a great example of working within the walls you have (rather than building on) to create a stylish family home, complete with cute dog.
Don’t forget to add #thesethreerooms to your posts – you could even find yourself in a future roundup!
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