35 Cheap Home Upgrades That’ll Make You Feel Like You’re Living Your Best Life
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
No need to hire a mob of expensive contractors.
1. An electric fabric shaver to rescue furniture from pills, fuzz, and matted fibers. Get your couch back to just-bought-it condition!
The battery-operated model requires two AA batteries that aren’t included, but you can buy some right here!
Promising review: “This thing is excellent. I just ‘repaired’ two cashmere sweaters and one modal-blend jersey top to like-new condition. The waste compartment fills up quickly and will start clogging the blades if not emptied frequently. I will share one trick I found for emptying the area around the blades. Remove the waste compartment and hold the unit vertically over a garbage can while turning the defuzzer on. Blades will spin, and the rest of the pills will fall out. Enjoy.” —Fine Print Reader
Get it from Amazon for $13.30+ (available in six colors and two styles).
2. A set of metal house numbers because they add a little chic-ness to your curb appeal. Each laser-cut piece is coated in an all-weather powder to help them withstand the elements.
RapidArc is a small business whose products help you customize your home.
Promising review: “This house number plaque is everything I wanted it to be: bold, sturdy, modern looking, and well-crafted.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from RapidArc on Amazon Handmade for $10+ (available in several sizes and colors).
3. A stone-effect spray paint if your countertops are in need of a glow-up but your budget is DIY. Just spray in an overlapping pattern, wait 30–60 minutes for it to dry, and voilà!
Promising review: “We recently purchased a new home, and we’re not gutting our main bathroom until next summer, but I just couldn’t live with that 1980s green counter another day. So after reading a lot of tutorials, I decided to go for it and paint the counter. I LOVE how it came out! Once it was dry for 24 hours, I applied several coats of poly and let it sit for 72 hours before I let the counter go back into normal use. It’s held up like a dream.” —Mistella (This reviewer left a super in-depth review, so check it out for more tips and tricks.)
Get it from Amazon for $16.96+ (available in six colors and four pack sizes).
4. Or an acrylic, faux-granite DIY paint kit for an inexpensive countertop upgrade sure to impress!
Promising review: “I have a very small kitchen counter and was looking for a refresh without having to replace the ugly granite that was there. I wanted a more marbled/blended look instead of speckles, so I did a lot of blending to achieve the look. I absolutely love it! I am thrilled with this product, and I will be buying another kit for my granite upstairs!” —Salami Jones
Get it from Amazon for $99.95+ (available in five colors).
5. A set of three motion sensor closet lights to ~brighten~ up your wardrobe. If your closet is a dark abyss, these will help you see what clothes you actually have in there. No tools required!
These rechargeable lights offer three light mods: day mode, night mode, and always-on mode.
Promising review: “Highly recommend. Easy to install, no tools needed. The magnetic strength is strong enough so the lights don’t fall off. The light is bright and works great in the middle of the night as I walk into the kitchen. Light charges quickly, and it’s long-lasting, so you’re not always recharging them. Great for kitchens, closets, and any other dark areas where you would need bright lighting. Will be ordering more for my closets throughout my house.” —Monica
Get three from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four colors).
6. A cabinet makeover kit because it doesn’t require any stripping or priming. Upgrade your kitchen cabinets and enjoy having guests ask you how much you paid for that “renovation.”
Promising review: “Amazing! Amazing! Amazing. Did take more than one coat, though. My cabinets were bare wood, and I still needed a couple of coats. (Five to be exact, but that was just me being extra.) My kitchen is medium-sized, not too big, and it only took up one can. But I still went over a couple more times just to get a nice coating. I also let it sit for some days and saw the wood was sucking up the paint in some areas, so I went over it again. The project ideally takes one day, as the promotion video says, but “one day” is 24 hours. This took my kitchen from looking like a cheap rental apartment kitchen to a high-quality kitchen with just this paint and new knobs. The paint is perfect for cabinets — it’s not too thick, so you still see the wood grains. It comes with EVERYTHING you need. I didn’t have to buy a thing. The project is super easy, the paint dries fast, and I did it at first by removing the cabinets, but it wasn’t necessary at all. Just make sure you don’t leave any dripping because it would make your cabinets look cheap. I would recommend that everyone purchase this and give their cabinets a chance before making a big investment in new cabinets. Wood is wood, and it can be refinished.” —Brandon Moronta
Get it from Amazon for $69.95+ (available in 11 colors).
7. A set of plush velvet curtains — a must-have for anyone looking to add some light-dimming drama to their space. The perfect pop of color and texture!
Promising review: “Ah-maze! They’re super soft and luxurious feeling. The color is great and jazzs up any room. Great value for the money. They do a great job at darkening the room, too.” —Nayonna2001
Get them from Amazon for $35.95+ (available in 14 sizes and 29 colors).
8. A pair of sheer ruffled curtains for some whimsical charm that still allows natural light to come in and make you feel like the romantic lead in the movie of your life.
Promising review: “I absolutely love these curtains. They are exactly the color I needed. However, potential buyers should note that they are very sheer curtains. Personally, I wanted them to be sheer, and I love them because they allow so much natural light to shine through. If you are looking for a fuller curtain to filter out some light, I would suggest buying two sets for more volume.” —Vottie
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four sizes and five colors).
9. A set of peel-and-stick tiles — renovating your kitchen just got a whole lot easier (and cheaper). These eco-friendly tiles are easy to install, clean, and maintain. HGTV is shaking!
Each pack comes with (10) 11.8″ x 11.8″ self-adhesive sheets.
Promising review: “I absolutely love this backsplash!! It was easy to install and looks like real tile once it’s on the wall! I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking to add backsplash to an area of their house while staying on a budget. It will turn out looking great! JUST A NOTE: we used an adhesive spray to to make sure the tile stays in place. Better safe than sorry!” —Anna
Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in five styles).
10. Or peel-and-stick subway tiles that’ll make for the best bathroom sink backsplash. Oh, and these bad boys are waterproof and heat-resistant.
Promising review: “I run a cat rescue, and we just built a new building. I used the bathroom sink to bathe the cats, and the drywall was getting wet. I didn’t want to spend $300 for someone to install tile, so I found these, and they were by far the most realistic. I’m going to use them in the kitchen next!” —Showstopper
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in 12 colors).
11. A patio umbrella light to provide some much-needed lighting when the sun sets but your fam is in the middle of an intense Uno game. It has three brightness modes depending on what ~vibe~ you’re trying to create.
This requires four AA batteries (not included).
Promising review: “When I bought this, it was totally on a whim. I was convinced that because it was so inexpensive, it would be a cheap piece of junk! Was I wrong! It does a great job of lighting up the table with the three different settings. AND, if you turn it upside-down, you can further vary the brightness. (Sometimes you just want a hint of a glow, rather than a spotlight in your face.) I’m very happy with this, especially since I left it out all summer long with no issues. It was hidden under a closed umbrella, but I’m sure it got a little damp with rainwater and it survived! It is such an easy solution for my patio that has no electricity, and therefore, needs something battery-powered.” —LouiseN
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
12. A faux-marble surface cover because your laminate countertops have been begging for a glow up. All you have to do is peel and stick for a glossy, easy-to-clean surface that’ll elevate the look of your space.
Check out our marble adhesive surface cover deep dive to learn more about this inexpensive and super cool product.
Promising review: “I do not have the money for a new vanity right now. Insert DIY project to cover my ugly pink bathroom vanity with marble contact paper. It looks 100% better, and it’s super durable. It’s a little tricky to work with at first, and then you get the hang of it. I’m buying more for my half bath! My vanity looks so great that I decided to do the tabletop in my laundry room, and that looks great, too!” —Natalie Lamb
Get a roll from Amazon for $4.59+ (available in six sizes).
13. A set of Beckham Hotel bed pillows — you’re not achy because you woke up on the wrong side of the bed; you’re achy because your pillows (no offense) are trash. Try these super comfy and luxe Beckham Hotel pillows for a sleep so good, you’ll think you dreamt it.
Promising review: “I’ve had these amazing pillows for 6+ months now, and they are still just as plump and amazing as the day I received them. I’ve spent $50+ on pillows in the past for them to lose shape and support within months, so the fact that these are still so plump and supportive is amazing to me. I am a side, back, and stomach sleeper, and I can sleep comfortably in all positions with these pillows! MUST HAVE!” —Jennifer Cook
Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in two sizes and two styles).
14. Outdoor string lights for creating a cozy and warm atmosphere. Plus, they were built to withstand all kinds of weather, so no need to worry about them being damaged by Mother Nature.
Reviewers note that you should take the bulbs out before hanging the strings up!
Promising review: “Very nice set of lights for the price. I bought a number of sets in various lengths to install on our deck and used a staple gun to mount them. I am very pleased with how easy it was to mount them neatly and also with the quality of light. It’s exactly the amount of warmth that we were looking for.” —Frank Rizzo
Get it from Amazon for $15.19+ (available in seven sizes and five colors and in two-packs).
15. A fast-drying white grout pen that’ll give your tiles a bright backdrop to gleam against.
Promising review: “These things are awesome! I cleaned my bathroom tile grout first because the lady who lived there before me really let it go. A few places stayed stained and I was worried it wouldn’t cover them, but all grout areas are bright white and look new now!” —Donna K Cook
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two tip widths and a variety of colors).
16. A high-pressure rain showerhead so you can close your eyes and pretend you got caught in a storm. A very cleansing storm.
Promising review: “Water pressure is one of the key things I value when looking for a shower head. The one I’ve been using for the past X years needed to be replaced a long time ago, and I FINALLY got around to it. So glad I found this one and chose it. There were too many great reviews to choose another one, and I’m very glad I didn’t. The amount of water pressure I now have, and the coverage of water is unbelievable! You won’t be disappointed with this thing!” —Brad
Get it from Amazon for $33.25+ (available in two sizes, two shapes, and 32 colors).
17. A pair of vintage-inspired amber soap dispensers because the store’s plastic bottle does not fit your aesthetic. At all. These refillable dispensers are also dishwasher-safe.
Promising review: “These are amazing soap dispensers. The amber glass is sturdy and strong, and the pump works great. They’re easy to fill, and they look so good on your bathroom or kitchen countertop. Highly recommend!” —Emily
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three different pump colors).
18. A water mark remover cloth if you’ve got guests with no home training leaving rings all over your furniture. This cloth will get rid of marks, scratches, and blemishes so your furniture looks brand-new.
Promising review: “I had old water and heat damage on my antique table. I had thought there was no way I would ever get rid of them, but now I know better!” —Roberta Kentspeth
Get it from Amazon for $6.85.
19. A pair of energy-efficient stained glass lightbulbs for creating a multicolor ambience in your living space. Is that the light pouring through the stained glass in Saint-Chapelle? No? We’re in your living room? Wow.
20. Luxe cabinet pulls that’ll help bring your bathroom and kitchen into the 21st century. No offense to the rusting knobs you have now that were installed back when sliced bread was invented….
Promising review: “Wow!! That’s my first thought when opening these. I’m in the process of updating my master bathroom and saw these online. Of course, the bargain shopper I am, I checked my local stores. They had packs of 10 for $54…very lightweight. So I was scared of what I was getting here. These are almost 5 ounces each!! Very heavy quality, all individually wrapped with the screws for each. Definitely best quality and best price!!” —Margaret
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in seven finishes and four pack sizes).
21. Some vinyl tangerine decals sure to ~sweeten~ any bare wall (or appliance) you peel and stick them onto! Perfect for adding a splash of color without having to paint your walls.
Promising review: “Love these decals! I’m in a rental space and wanted to spruce things up for the summer without breaking the bank. It took me 20 minutes to do. They were super easy to stick and smooth out nicely, even on my textured walls. Makes my space so much cozier and is a very budget-friendly option, especially for renters. I will say that two of my decals ripped when I removed them from the paper. Cutting the torn pieces off and using them on the edge of the wall made for an easy fix. Completely worth the money!!!” —Casey
Get a pack of 32 from Amazon for $8.99.
22. A pack of waterproof abstract watercolor wall decals if you have no time (or desire) to paint but need a splash of color! And you can remove and reposition them without leaving behind any sticky residue.
Promising review: “I was looking for something that would match up my abstract aesthetic and pastel colors. It really adds more personality to my room! It was easy to stick — probably spent 15 minutes trying to decide the best arrangements. I would 100% recommend.” —Sofia Camarillo
Get it from Amazon for $10.89 (available in five styles).
23. Prismatic window film for a little added privacy. Plus, when the sun shines through, you’ll see rainbows everywhere. What an easy solution to a lack of color!
Check out our write-up on the Rabbitgoo rainbow privacy film for more deets on why it’s so popular!
Promising review: “Buy it just for the prisms! I can’t tell you how surprised and delighted we were at the rainbow effect this film has. I bought it to make a window overlooking the street more private, and I thought I would appreciate seeing the rainbow colors on the window itself. But then, when the light was shining on it at the right angle, it cast these beautiful rainbow colors on the wall. So I bought a second roll to put on one of our master bedroom windows that overlooks our neighbor’s patio so I don’t have to draw the curtains. In the morning now, the light comes in at just the right angle to pass through the rainbow prism and cast beautiful rainbow colors on the wall…and the bed…and the cat.” —J. B.
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 11 sizes).
24. A plant-based tub and tile cleaner made with eucalyptus and tea tree so you get a thorough clean that’ll leave your bathroom smelling heavenly. It’ll work on just about every surface of your bathroom, including your shower curtains!
Promising review: “Best cleaning product I’ve ever used. I don’t usually go for all-natural cleaning materials because, honestly, a lot of them don’t do what they say they’re going to. This one, on the other hand, definitely does the job! I tried it out on my brother’s college bathtub (none of the boys had cleaned it since moving in a year before). I covered the entire tub, waited five minutes, and then scrubbed with a magic sponge/rinsed. Most everything washed off immediately!!! I covered the more difficult areas once more, and it was as good as new!” —Anonymous
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $13.07 (also available in individual packs).
25. A modern waterfall faucet that’ll make your bathroom feel like a fancy resort!
26. Chalkboard paint to turn any boring surface into a message board!
Promising review: “We got new garage doors, so I took a panel of our old garage door and made a yard sign with the chalk paint. I prepped the surface very carefully and painted when I had ideal outdoor painting temps. The paint was easy to use and went on smoothly. It’s been outside for a month and has lasted pretty well. I think it looks great!” —Jean-Jeannie
Get it from Amazon for $14.25.
27. Easy-to-install interlocking teak tiles perfect for elevating any space to the level of tropical resort spa.
Promising review: “I used these tiles to cover an unattractive concrete patio, and they worked beautifully! Not to mention, they were a tenth of the price of the professional contractor quote we received to install a new deck. Overall, this is a beautiful, simple-to-use product that I’d recommend for any DIYer!” —Allison Jones
Get 10 tiles (covers 10 square feet) from Amazon for $82.98.
28. A set of soft corduroy pillow covers as plush as they are pretty. Functional decor? We love to see it.
Amazon
If you’re looking for affordable pillow inserts to match the covers, you can get a pair of pillow inserts on Amazon for $11.99+ (available in five sizes). And pro tip: Opt for inserts 2 inches bigger than your cover for a fluffier effect!
Promising review: “These pillow covers exceeded my expectations. I needed to cover up some older and worn decorative pillows, so I chose solid corduroy to accent my home colors. The cool thing about these covers is that, along with fitting well, the fabric is super soft! Most decorative pillow covers tend to be scratchy; we ACTUALLY use our pillows for naps, so this is great! The coverings easily slipped over my pillows, and the zipper closing worked with ease. The color was just as shown (blue). I will definitely order these again.” —zbergteacher
Get a set of two covers from Amazon for $10.79+ (available in nine sizes and 34 colors).
29. A nontoxic leather conditioner that’ll restore your leather throne to its former glory. Just spread a thin and even layer of conditioner to reveal rejuvenated (and water-repellent) furniture.
Promising review: “I did a lot of research to find a non-chemical leather conditioner for my couch. I applied it to a full-sized leather sofa as well as a large leather chair with an ottoman. I only needed to use a little bit, and they were shiny and smooth and looked brand new! Clean your leather first, then use a little bit of this with a lint-free cloth, and it will turn out beautifully. My couches were dry and silky smooth in about five minutes. Amazing conditioner! I HIGHLY recommend Leather Honey!!” —ASD1
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three sizes).
30. A brick whitewash paint kit to help modernize your living space. And it’s simple enough to get done in just one day!
This kit comes with everything you need for your DIY project! It includes a 16-ounce can of paint, three wiping rags, a mixing container, a plastic drop cloth, painter’s tape, a stir stick, a paintbrush, and detailed instructions.
Promising review: “I highly recommend this brick paint to anyone wanting a cheap, easy, and amazing upgrade to an outdated fireplace! I googled a quick YouTube video first, then just followed the instructions. It was so easy, and I’m absolutely in love with the results!!!! It completely transformed & brightened our living room.” —Daniel N Mandy C
Get it from Amazon for $49.95.
31. A hand-woven bamboo and rattan pendant light whose tropical vibe will add a beautiful and natural element to your space.
32. A pack of mirrored acrylic decals that’ll dress up any bare walls. And because these adhesive decals are mirrors, they’ll even help make your space look bigger!
Promising review: “Considering the price, it’s pretty good. It’s easy to install, and it makes a boring wall more interesting. As others said, it’s not glass. Glass would probably be way more difficult to install for a similar effect. This works just fine and only involves peeling and sticking.” —Me
Get a set of 12 pieces from Amazon for $11.99.
33. A rustic gallery wall set complete with 10 varied frames so you can customize any wall in your home with pictures and artwork hung in an eye-catching array.
Promising review: “These are great frames that take the legwork out of finding a coordinating set. Great neutral colors, perfect for many decor styles. They came very carefully packaged, and included a template to help hang them. The frames are also perfect width to use Command strips to hang, if you want to. I loved them so much, I bought more!” —M. Zierke
Get it from Amazon for $72+ (available in nine styles).
34. A set of four mason jars that’ll not only help you keep your bathroom organized but will also help make sure your bathroom honors the rest of your home’s more rustic aesthetic.
You’ll receive two cotton swab holders, a soap dispenser, and a toothbrush holder.
Promising review: “These are very sturdy. They’re great quality. Super super cute! I chose black, and I absolutely love it. Perfect for that farmhouse look.” —Angie
Get it from Amazon for $15.11+ (available in two styles and six colors).
35. A recessed light converter so you can hang the pendant lights of your dreams without having to get an electrician involved.
Amazon
Promising review: “This was a pretty easy installation, considering the work is on the ceiling. I’ve been wanting to change out the two can lights over my sink for years, so I started investigating the easiest possible way to do so. Ran across this item and watched the video on YouTube. What the heck, I thought! Rewatched the video before installation, looked at the directions on both the converter kit and the pendant light, gathered the necessary tools described in all instructions, and set upon my mission. The hardest part (for me) was getting the self-tapping screws started. I’m pretty pleased with the outcome, I must say! By the way, I’m a 55-year-old female who has worked at a bank all of my life. Yes! It was that easy. I would highly recommend it.” —Trischa Reeve
Get it from Amazon for $21.52.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
