Existing stone of the foundation wall was left exposed and painted gray. A black, faux leather king-size platform bed with tufted headboard, handcrafted in Italy, was positioned between a frameless door to a walk-in closet and an industrial nightstand with vintage lamp. Traditional vintage paintings were sourced and installed about the bed’s headboard, with the color green being selected to enliven the space. A large format digital canvas print of a Pacific northwest rainforest was selected as artwork to lean against the existing exposed stone wall foundation of the house.

Our clients house was built in 2012, so it was not that outdated, it was just dark. The clients wanted to lighten the kitchen and create something that was their own, using more unique products. The master bath needed to be updated and they wanted the upstairs game room to be more functional for their family. The original kitchen was very dark and all brown. The cabinets were stained dark brown, the countertops were a dark brown and black granite, with a beige backsplash. We kept the dark cabinets but lightened everything else. A new translucent frosted glass pantry door was installed to soften the feel of the kitchen. The main architecture in the kitchen stayed the same but the clients wanted to change the coffee bar into a wine bar, so we removed the upper cabinet door above a small cabinet and installed two X-style wine storage shelves instead. An undermount farm sink was installed with a 23” tall main faucet for more functionality. We replaced the chandelier over the island with a beautiful Arhaus Poppy large antique brass chandelier. Two new pendants were installed over the sink from West Elm with a much more modern feel than before, not to mention much brighter. The once dark backsplash was now a bright ocean honed marble mosaic 2”x4” a top the QM Calacatta Miel quartz countertops. We installed undercabinet lighting and added over-cabinet LED tape strip lighting to add even more light into the kitchen. We basically gutted the Master bathroom and started from scratch. We demoed the shower walls, ceiling over tub/shower, demoed the countertops, plumbing fixtures, shutters over the tub and the wall tile and flooring. We reframed the vaulted ceiling over the shower and added an access panel in the water closet for a digital shower valve. A raised platform was added under the tub/shower for a shower slope to existing drain. The shower floor was Carrara Herringbone tile, accented with Bianco Venatino Honed marble and Metro White glossy ceramic 4”x16” tile on the walls. We then added a bench and a Kohler 8” rain showerhead to finish off the shower. The walk-in shower was sectioned off with a frameless clear anti-spot treated glass. The tub was not important to the clients, although they wanted to keep one for resale value. A Japanese soaker tub was installed, which the kids love! To finish off the master bath, the walls were painted with SW Agreeable Gray and the existing cabinets were painted SW Mega Greige for an updated look. Four Pottery Barn Mercer wall sconces were added between the new beautiful Distressed Silver leaf mirrors instead of the three existing over-mirror vanity bars that were originally there. QM Calacatta Miel countertops were installed which definitely brightened up the room! Originally, the upstairs game room had nothing but a built-in bar in one corner. The clients wanted this to be more of a media room but still wanted to have a kitchenette upstairs. We had to remove the original plumbing and electrical and move it to where the new cabinets were. We installed 16’ of cabinets between the windows on one wall. Plank and Mill reclaimed barn wood plank veneers were used on the accent wall in between the cabinets as a backing for the wall mounted TV above the QM Calacatta Miel countertops. A kitchenette was installed to one end, housing a sink and a beverage fridge, so the clients can still have the best of both worlds. LED tape lighting was added above the cabinets for additional lighting. The clients love their updated rooms and feel that house really works for their family now. Design/Remodel by Hatfield Builders & Remodelers | Photography by Versatile Imaging

Kids' room - contemporary boy kids' room idea in Miami with gray walls

Transitional beige tile beige floor bathroom photo in Salt Lake City with beige walls and a hinged shower door

In 2026, DIY home design and renovation will become easier than ever. Free mobile apps like Houzz, Homestyler, and Planner 5D will put professional tools in everyone’s pocket, letting users visualize layouts, test colors, and estimate costs before buying materials. Experts predict that over 50% of homeowners will use apps to plan upgrades. It will save money and reduce costly mistakes. Even now, about 54% prefer mobile tools. Why Mobile Apps are Changing Home Renovation DIY renovation has changed a lot in recent years. Homeowners don’t have to rely on sketches or guesswork anymore. Thanks to AR, AI, and 3D renderings, apps can show exactly how furniture and cabinets will fit. By 2026, many of these tools will be free - and packed with features that rival expensive software. With just a smartphone, anyone can try out layouts, test colors, and even create detailed floor plans. The Tech Behind Modern Design Apps Most renovation apps now leverage AI to generate design suggestions. They are based on your space and preferences. Upload a photo of your room. The algorithms will check the sizes, lighting, and features. Then, they’ll suggest furniture layouts or color schemes. Some apps use your phone’s camera and sensor. They make accurate measurements, so you won’t need tape measures or notepads. Top Free Apps Transforming DIY Projects Houzz continues to lead the pack with its massive photo library and ability to connect users with local contractors. The platform now gives AI design suggestions. It looks at your style preferences across millions of professional spaces. For anyone serious about planning their next project, exploring comprehensive resources helps narrow down what works. It’s just like in iGaming, where review platforms like Slotzilla help gamblers to find casinos with user-friendly tools, bonus rounds, and progressive jackpots that will work for them. Planner 5D shines with realistic 3D renderings and a huge furniture catalog, letting you switch between 2D plans and 3D walkthroughs - even in VR. Room Planner helps you design practical layouts. You can easily arrange furniture and check dimensions. It offers real-time 3D views and features items from real brands. Apps for Specific Renovation Tasks Not every project needs full 3D renderings - sometimes you just want to try paint colors or test tile patterns. ColorSnap by Sherwin-Williams uses AR to show colors on your actual walls and even matches shades from photos. Magicplan makes creating floor plans easy by measuring rooms with your phone as you walk around. Both apps help plan renovations and communicate ideas without the guesswork. Budget Tracking and Project Management Renovation apps do more than make spaces look good - managing budgets and timelines is just as important. HomeZada even uses AI to predict your budget and track material prices, so DIYers don’t get hit with surprise costs. Trello is a lifesaver - set deadlines, track progress, and share updates with anyone helping on the project. How Apps Reflect 2026 Design Trends This year’s popular apps reflect the largest home design trends. Colorful rooms are on the rise. Zillow shows a 149% increase in listings. Plus, apps like Houzz let users test bold shades before making a choice. Cozy reading nooks are also on the rise, showing up in nearly half of listings. Renovation apps now provide templates. They include tips for shelves and lighting. This helps create cozy, thoughtful spaces. Here’s a quick comparison of what different free apps offer: App name Best feature Learning curve Platform Houzz 25M+ inspiration photos Easy iOS, Android Planner 5D Photorealistic 3D renders Moderate iOS, Android, Web Room Planner Accurate measurements Easy iOS, Android Magicplan Auto floor plan creation Easy iOS, Android Natural materials and earthy tones will lead design trends in 2026. Warm neutrals will take over from the grey-and-white minimalism of the last ten years. The AI Revolution in Home Design AI is no longer just a gimmick in renovation apps. Chat features can suggest furniture layouts, color palettes, and materials for your budget. It’s like having a designer on call. Renovate AI turns photos of your room into multiple style ideas in seconds, from mid-century to rustic farmhouse. It’s great for brainstorming and getting past the “I don’t know what I want” stage. Practical Tips for Using Renovation Apps Getting the most from design apps requires a strategic approach. Here are essential steps every DIYer should follow: Start by gathering inspiration. Look through photo libraries on Houzz or Pinterest. Then, dive into detailed planning. Don’t rely solely on screen colors; get actual paint chips and fabric swatches. Save multiple design versions. Create variations of your plan to compare options side-by-side. This workflow helps you avoid common mistakes. It leads to better design choices before you buy anything. When Apps Aren’t Enough Digital tools can’t do everything. Big structural changes, electrical work, or plumbing always need a pro. Apps are great for planning and talking with contractors, but they can’t replace expertise. And always check textures in real life - that sofa might look perfect on screen, but feel different. The Future of DIY Renovation In 2026, renovation apps will become smarter. They’ll have voice control and better AR. Improved AI will make DIY design feel more like professional services. Creating beautiful, functional spaces is easier than ever. For homeowners, it’s important to use apps that match local materials and building codes. The biggest benefit is confidence - seeing your design in 3D makes projects far less intimidating.