The best before and after projects we saw in 2025

As a nation, we love a before and after story, and what’s more satisfying than a tale of rags to riches, dump to decadent?

Here are the best transformations we’ve seen in 2025.

Old Westpac bank clad in colourful murals

After

Before

West Australian artist Sobrane restored this historic bank and spent years adorning the structure with her bright, nature-inspired murals.

She used the space as her home and studio, converting the old bank vaults into extra rooms.

For the right buyer, she’s offered to paint over her hard work – the building’s stunning heritage features remain beneath.

Read the story: WA artist Sobrane is selling her restored Westpac bank masterpiece

From dilapidated bungalow to luxury family residence

After

Before

When Julien Moussi and Ryan Underwood of Moosewood Developments first saw this property in Melbourne’s Malvern East, it was dilapidated with threadbare carpets and peeling wallpaper.

Still, the duo could see it had good bones, with high ceilings and quirky details hinting at character waiting to be discovered.

“We really wanted to bring the old back to life but give it that contemporary feel,” Moussi says. “But it still has that original feel; it’s still a heritage home, for sure.”

Read the story: ‘Haven’t skimped on anything’: 1920s Californian bungalow in Malvern East gets a luxe makeover

Reimagined 1920s worker’s cottage with Scandi-style spin

After

Before

The team at Queensland architecture firm Vokes & Peters have worked with many run-down Queenslanders in their time, so when the owners of this worker’s cottage in Brisbane’s West End contacted them, they knew it was right up their alley.

The floorboards were rotting. The tin roof was rusting. The garden was overgrown. No problem.

The renovation modernised the property while doubling its size, and the design was nominated for multiple awards.

Read the story: From 1920s worker’s cottage to award-winning Durham House: Scandi-style Queenslander now for sale

‘Virtually worthless’ boat becomes holiday escape

After

Before

Brooke and Brad Attard spent two and a half years transforming a 1970s houseboat on Lake Eildon in Victoria.

They did most of the work themselves, ripping up flooring, removing the asbestos-riddled roof and demolishing the interiors.

Now, the modern houseboat is kitted out with air-conditioning and heating, ceiling fans, electric blinds and a water filtering system.

Read the story: One couple’s journey to buying a houseboat on Lake Eildon

Pastel-pink heritage home on the Tassie coast

After

Before

The old miner’s shack was heritage listed, but in desperate need of a contemporary touch.

Creative director and author Claire Lloyd bought the home with artist Matthew Usmar Lauder, and together they restored the cottage to its former glory.

The restoration of Rosy Summers is playful but respectful, bringing cohesion and joy to the once-chaotic patchwork additions from years gone by.

Read the story: Pink Tassie miner’s cottage on rugged coastline makes its owners $44k a year – now selling for $495K

Once a train carriage, now a one-of-a-kind home

After

Before

Restoration enthusiast Matt Burns took 15 years to restore this century-old sleeper carriage, but that wasn’t always the plan.

Originally he’d planned a “quick renovation”, but once he got started, the project grew.

The carriage originally travelled across Australia in the 1920s before being decommissioned. It now sits in the NSW town of Hill End.

Read the story: Live in a restored 1920s first-class sleeper carriage for $850,000