Design Drama! Turning a Gray Living Room Into a Colorful Boho Dream (Renter-Friendly Makeover)

[@Tronnie00]

Yay!!! This is my place 🤩 Katy this is SO COOL!! I love that extra window idea so much! It's always bothered me that that one window is so small and off center of the wall, but this makes it look intentional - something I didn't think was possible. I love all the natural wood and woven elements and the colors (I'm obsessed with those wall sconces and the table!) I can't wait to play around and try some of these ideas! Thank you again so much!! ❤❤❤

[@tammywhite3670]

Let us see what you do! 😁

[@LaughCryDIY]

Yay! This was so fun to work on. I hope you got some fun ideas-and may we all end up with those sconces!

[@kimeejae]

Love the color palette and the style. Katy, you did it again🩵🩷🧡💛💚Just throw a fur on it💕

[@LaughCryDIY]

I need to make that catchphrase into merch. Lol.

[@shamikab1385]

The faux window is genius. That made a world of difference. The color palette is 🤌🏾 chefs kiss.

[@LaughCryDIY]

I am pretty proud of that one. Mirrors are magical. 💁‍♀️

[@chocolatesooner]

I remember Interior Designer Rebecca Robeson use this mirror trick for an offset bdrm window to make symmetry… it’s such a good hack! ❤

[@BenjamintheTortoise]

That pop of yellow was perfect! 😊💖

[@LaughCryDIY]

It’s so cheery I had to do it.

[@carolinejane8145]

Love it. I’m singing ‘put a fur on it’ to the tune of Beyoncé’s ‘put a ring on it’ 😂 Excellent advice.

[@LaughCryDIY]

Ok now I am too

[@tngirlz4622]

Love the drop zone by the door because I’ll bet without it everything winds up on the desk (it would in my home). Dutifully loving the wicker sconces (they really are very cute).

[@LaughCryDIY]

Story of my life too

[@KarMa-ws3ll]

The curtains really change everything!

[@LaughCryDIY]

It’s such a vibe

[@Falling_Star_Catcher]

LOVE this transformation! Now, if you could just get your own HGTV show that'd be great!

[@carolinejane8145]

@@Falling_Star_Catcher great idea. I’d watch it.

[@LaughCryDIY]

I would love to, yet word on the street is they’re not interested in colorful or renter-friendly content 😭

[@ericaeschenbacher4921]

I really appreciate the way your renderings bring a space to life using available products, but you always mention thrifty hacks to achieve a similar outcome. Your creativity is amazing!😻

[@LaughCryDIY]

That’s so nice of you to point out. I really try to be realistic for whatever works for someone’s budget.

[@leslieschmitt7749]

This is a great transformation … they’re going to love walking into this space that looks so bright and cheery … and thank you for always bringing the function!! 😍

[@LaughCryDIY]

Can be a challenge in small spaces, but this one was fun.

[@Raven_Snow]

As a fan of cottage style, I think you did a great job with this prompt! I hope Stephanie/Stefanie likes these ideas and is able to make a lot of these changes. I love using the faux window as an excuse to throw colorful curtains on that other wall, as well.

[@LaughCryDIY]

So happy to hear that! It’s a bit outside of my comfort zone, so I really wanted to do it some justice.

[@dorisskowronska1330]

I'm a brutal minimalist 😂 but I really like this makeover, especially that it doesn't seem to require a lot of money or skill to instantly improve the space. And the wall sconces are gorgeous!

[@LaughCryDIY]

Shoutout to my brutal minimalists. You deserve love too. Hahahha.

[@toyalashon1334]

Please follow back up to see how they implemented your suggestions!

[@PTT-w1m]

My personal design style is literally nothing like yours….yet I await your videos with bated breath! Love watching your subscriber count grow! 😊

[@LaughCryDIY]

I love to hear this! Building bridges between communities. Uniting the nation. Hahaha.

[@fromhumblebeginnings7798]

Wow, great ideas!! Thanks for sharing!

[@LaughCryDIY]

Happy to help my renters

[@kristazala2213]

Because I think you'll like this history and unusual word: the strips of wood or metal separating individual panes of glass in a single window unit are called muntins (in the US; muntin, mullion, and astragal have different meanings in various countries). Muntins were common in homes into the 19th century, when plate glass was cheap enough for people to upgrade to. Restored homes often reinstall the traditional muntin style.

[@LaughCryDIY]

I love this fun fact!!!! I’m always amazed how much there is to know about these types of things. I also heard a history fact that post-Civil War, people needed cheaper building material, so they used the glass of ambrotype photos taken during the war as window panes. It meant all of those images slowly faded away, so we lost a lot of historical photography.

[@ivyarianrhod]

I'm in the US, and have only ever heard them referred to as mullions.

[@jadestone8552]

Wow what a transformation!!! That new look is beautiful and I love it!

[@maliaatmusictheoryshop]

Excellent!!

[@LaughCryDIY]

❤️❤️❤️

[@wickedwitch3520]

Love what you're doing here. Your ideas are great. But the desk appears to be a sit/stand desk, and I personally would not swap that out. I need mine for my sanity and health. The rest I love! ❤

[@LaughCryDIY]

You know I realized that a little too late 😭 I support them.

[@teelakovacs208]

So much lighter and the space will probably give her exactly what she's looking for now. If I were in the same space though, I would put the dog bed near the door and set my desk up facing out into the living room. Everyone's different but having my work space with my back to the door would have me jumping, but I guess I startle easy. Happy to find your channel!

[@LaughCryDIY]

I feel you there. Spaces always present some struggle!

[@Lullalies]

A floral boho print painted on the sides of the pink fireplace would look nice too.

[@LaughCryDIY]

Ooooh! Would love

[@melaniepeters4744]

I love this video. It changed the whole vibe of her apartment. Love the colors

[@LaughCryDIY]

She really got me on that pastel vibe!

[@robbyrobyn1963]

I think this transformation is gorgeous - go you maximalist colour queen!

[@LaughCryDIY]

Yayayay!

[@leslieschmitt7749]

Wow … what a wonderful transformation!! 😊👍🏻

[@LaughCryDIY]

It was a super fun challenge

[@lindaroyal8161]

A lot of great tips, as usual. I'm not into all the Easter Egg colors, but they work well with what your client asked for; I'm sure she's really happy about the transformation. The window mirror, is a super good tip, even works outside on a porch or patio that has a backdrop. I have thrifted, larger mirrors on my privacy fence, in my side yard. I have 1' deep shelves the full length of 3 - 8' wood sections, mirrors are hung above. Nice room upgrade, client got all she asked for and then some!

[@LaughCryDIY]

Oooh! I LOVE the idea of mirrors outside. It’s such an instant lift.

[@lindaroyal8161]

@@LaughCryDIY - I can't find any photos on my phone. The last hurricane threat we had, took all the mirrors down and have not put them back up yet. Didn't need them to break. I'm in the gulf coast area of Florida, about 60 miles inland. But when they predict that of the gulf, we still get fierce winds. Always have to be prepared for the storms, part of living in FL. We have Hurricane Kits and restock them yearly. I did find one photo of my front door with a mirror, sent it.

[@JaniceKirchoff-yz6bs]

Wondering what your background in design is because your ideas are brilliant, this boho redo is beautiful!! Love this kind of videos. Thank you😊

[@LaughCryDIY]

Out of college, I was a journalism major who started out working for interior design magazines. Then, as my interest grew, I really learned the most from being a frustrated renter and having to work around small budgets and landlords.

[@saharshams2497]

WOW Katy this is pure MAGIC 🤤

[@LaughCryDIY]

So glad you dig ❤️

[@Julierue]

Always funny, always lovely, thanks for the tips! We have a room that is way too chunky and dark, and this really inspires us to take another deco leap! And, faux fur, FTW ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@LaughCryDIY]

Too chunky. Haha. I will be using this phrase.

[@lorihodgeslor444]

i absolutely love this one the most! i changed all my shabby chic to boho but more in shades of oranges and brown. i miss the shabby, but i love what i have now, too!

[@LaughCryDIY]

Ooh, I dig that 70s boho style big time.

[@Bonnie-ww7mr]

l've a new love, Katy, it's with a sconce! And we invited a fur to come along. hahaha Hahahahaha hahaha🤹‍♀️ 🤸🥳

[@LaughCryDIY]

That sconce had a hold on us all! It’s so freaking cute.

[@chocolatesooner]

I have some old IKEA lace curtains that I could dye for this same effect! Thanks Katy!

[@LaughCryDIY]

Oh awesome!

[@sharonmcbride2374]

Great ideas. You are always a joy to watch.

[@LaughCryDIY]

😘 I gotta help my people

[@mythra7174]

Nice make-over. If one doesn't want to crowd a couch with a bunch of pillows, if the back cushions are separate from the body of the couch (those looked to be), one could also get large sham covers and just change the color of the back cushions. I have an old beige and white striped couch. I bought solid beige cushion covers for the seat cushions and floral shams for the back cushions and just kept the body of the couch with the stripes. Looks good.

[@LaughCryDIY]

Yep! Totally love that idea.

[@mythra7174]

@@LaughCryDIY Thanks. Wow. That was a quick response.😄

[@ChristineTowles-sd6ds]

I love this! I have a room that is small like this one, and I only have one windiw as well, so this DIY would work in my space as well. Great color pallette, too. Thank you fir sharing your skills (and humor) with us!

[@LaughCryDIY]

Ooh! The mirror would be a great option.

[@stemmalee]

Love the faux window!!

[@LaughCryDIY]

It’s my fave too!

[@cecilianagy3562]

Love it.

[@LaughCryDIY]

😘😘

[@janlint7434]

I love 💗 it… those colors are spot on. Love the faux window idea. Such a transformation.

[@LaughCryDIY]

Mirrors are magic!

[@Lewisa369]

You did that!

[@LaughCryDIY]

❤️❤️❤️

[@meercatt]

Great job! 😊

[@LaughCryDIY]

❤️

[@debbiez3984]

Some fans have lighter color on the other side and therefore can be flipped. My dad taught me this years ago.

[@LaughCryDIY]

I had no idea! That’s brilliant.

[@KarenRandall54]

Love it! You’re amazing!

[@LaughCryDIY]

❤️❤️❤️ Hope things are well over there!

[@daneeinglis1894]

Loved it!

[@LaughCryDIY]

❤️

[@annamaxflair]

cool video love

[@olbird7647]

Hmmmm 🤔, I'm not usually a pastel fan but I really liked the inspo boards and your suggestions, obvs! And I weirdly find myself drawn to the blush pink for my kitchen walls...what's happening to me?!? I am a committed maximalist but...brace yourself....I must confess to really liking grey. It makes a great contrast base, if you know what I mean. My new kitchen cabinets are in fact mid-grey- I'd have preferred a darker hue tbh- but as a renter I was happy to have some kind of choice control this time. 😊

[@LaughCryDIY]

Blush pink walls?! I’m worried for you 😂 I will admit I have seen some beautiful pairings of those colors, as well as some moody dark gray rooms that do delight me. But don’t tell anyone!

[@olbird7647]

@@LaughCryDIY 🤫🤐

[@cherylacampora670]

NICE!!!

[@LaughCryDIY]

❤️❤️❤️

[@franzone70]

Wow,l just found you,and l was watching the video of your grandmas home.wow I’m 71 and my moms home was like that.She should sell her paintings,She is amazing. Omg l have a lamp like your grandmas,l don’t know don’t know if they work. Does she keep up her own garden,it’s amazing.

[@LaughCryDIY]

Glad you found the channel. Shoutout to grandma’s house. She does a bit of the gardening but has help for the bigger things.

[@janelynch2180]

Not my colors but it looks wonderful. A great change.

[@LaughCryDIY]

It was definitely a fun challenge.

[@diegnicaacotai4996]

I'm first!🎉

[@LaughCryDIY]

Yesss

[@crickets994]

You need an hgtv show. Imagine the amount you could do with a big budget

[@LaughCryDIY]

If only they cared about color or renters 😭

[@thestorykeeper6818]

I would love to see a video from you just on lighting. What can I do if I rent but my rooms don't have overhead lighting?

[@LaughCryDIY]

Ooooh. Good one. Easiest renter-friendly tip is a plug-in swag light for overhead, and sconces or other lamps for around the room.

[@janedoe932]

Do we get to see what the person did after??

[@LaughCryDIY]

Maybe!

[@anneeriksson]

😍

[@isabellauzaraga1904]

❤

[@LaughCryDIY]

❤️