Here at Realtor.com, there are few things we find more satisfying than flipping through before and after photos of a great home transformation. And in 2022—a challenging year when many would-be homebuyers or sellers decided to stay put and fix up their house instead—there was no shortage of noteworthy renovation projects.

In our “Lessons From Listings Photos” series, we looked at plenty of homes in need of some love that went from drab to fab. With the help of home design and real estate experts, we homed in on what changes made these renovated homes so sought after—from fresh coats of paint to total kitchen makeovers.

It was tough for us to pick out a single property as the winner, so instead, we put together this room-by-room showcase of our favorite transformations to give you a recap of the best of the best in 2022.

Best backyard

The property: A plain Jane 1950s L.A. ranch home in need of a personality infusion

The transformation: A slew of smart aesthetic upgrades inside the house, like dramatic black borders around windows, accentuate the hidden gem beyond the sliding patio doors. With the help of a landscape designer, the owners set out to create an impressive backyard retreat and emphasize one of the home’s most attractive qualities: an incredible view of the city.

The bottom line: “The landscaping was that unique element that made people think, ‘This is the house. I want this. I want exactly this, this moment here,’” says Silke Fernald of ACME Real Estate, who calls this outdoor oasis the emotional epicenter of the home.

Best kitchen

The property: A stuffy, outdated Seattle mansion near Millionaires Row

The transformation: Lots of work went into renovating this spacious home, but it’s the kitchen transformation that gave us heart eyes. In addition to being ill-defined, the space featured an odd patchwork of clashing design elements. Our experts were happy to see the new Shaker-style cabinetry in crisp, clean white and blue. Luxury touches like stainless-steel appliances and a roomy island bring it all together.

The bottom line: “This kitchen design has maximized cabinetry for all storage needs, has expansive counter space, and includes professional-size appliances that any serious cook would love to use,” says Susan Serra, a certified kitchen designer based in Huntington Station, NY.

Best living room

The property: A single-family midcentury marvel in serious need of an upgrade

The transformation: An architectural beauty from the get-go, this house needed some help returning to its midcentury modern roots. Solid bones, including large room-framing windows, and smart staging helped to transform the living room into a bright and inviting space worthy of entertaining guests.

The bottom line: “This is a pretty tough one for staging, but laying this room out to take full advantage of all the light and windows is great,” says Matt Baran, founder of Baran Studio Architecture and a licensed developer, architect, and builder, based in California.

Best bathroom

The property: A cozy mountain home in idyllic Incline Village desperate for a modern touch

The transformation: Nothing was salvageable in this seriously dark, dreary, outdated bathroom. A light palette and a brand-new vanity brighten the room and make this bathroom feel more spa than dungeon.

The bottom line: “Probably 95% of the time, if I show two houses to a buyer, one that has been updated and one that is priced lower but needs updates, they’ll go with the updated one,” says Deb Tomaro, owner of Deb Tomaro Real Estate in Indiana. “It’s just less stress.”

Best front of house

The property: A Bentonville, AK, farmhouse in need of a polish

The transformation: Inspired by HGTV home transformations, the sellers of this house opted for a farmhouse chic style. A dramatic exterior transformation helped boost curb appeal and emphasize the farmhouse aesthetic.

The bottom line: “The quaint and charming exterior of this home is no doubt what brought in the buyers,” says Stephanie Summers-Mayer, a home improvement expert and brand host at HSN based in St. Louis.

Best dining room

The property: In a city dripping with Southern charm, this century-old carriage house in Savannah, GA, was seriously lacking charisma.

The transformation: The originally dark-wood-paneled dining room is hardly recognizable and looks almost triple the size in the after photos. White shiplap walls brighten the carefully staged space, creating an appealing dining area.

The bottom line: “You’ll see that the owners turned what was once a haunted-looking space into a bright and airy one—perfect for holding dinners and entertaining guests,” says Rinal Patel, licensed real estate agent and co-founder of We Buy Philly Home.

Best en suite

The property: A retro fixer-upper that was a little too ’70s and begging for a face-lift

The transformation: The old en suite bedroom was badly outdated and covered in tacky floral wallpaper that only served to make the space look dark and cramped. Renovations included revamping the room’s layout for better flow and removing the bathroom vanity’s ceiling overhang, Hollywood lighting, and outdated spa tub. The result is a main suite with a calming energy.

The bottom line: “Reconfiguring the layout and allowing space between the tub and shower makes the space look less crammed,” says Shelby Greene, a California-based studio production designer for Living Spaces.

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