Contractors swear by these cheap tricks to make any room in your home look good

When you want a new bathroom but don’t have the time or money for a full renovation, Richard Garrett, founder of RG ProBuilders, suggests, “Swap out the vanity light fixture for something with multiple bulbs and upgrade to a rainfall showerhead.” This modern vanity bathroom light is a great option. The glass sconces look great with a showy Edison bulb in them, and the clean black form is elegant and modern. It comes in four sizes and two colors.

A new showerhead, according to Garrett, is another way to boost a bathroom while spending very little time or money on the effort. This luxurious high-pressure rain showerhead not only looks stylish, but its powerful, soft deluge of rain elevates every shower to something that feels sinful. It comes in four sizes and 22 colors.

“The single highest impact upgrade is replacing cabinet hardware and adding under-cabinet lighting,” says Garrett. It’s easy to do. And these cabinet knobs in are a great first step. The matte finish and simple shape bring a minimalist style to the room that will tone down any architectural flourishes or colors and make the room feel up-to-date and remodeled. They come in large and small packs to suit your needs. Choose from 15 colors.

Another way to easily update the kitchen or bath, according to Garrett, is to add under-cabinet lighting that illuminates the room without harsh overhead bulbs. This warm LED light strip is an easy way to do this. Peel and stick the lighted tape under your kitchen cabinets or on the underside of a bathroom shelf. Hit the switch to illuminate the counter or shelves without turning on bright lights. It runs on batteries, so you can do this anywhere.

“In bedrooms, paint the accent wall behind the headboard a darker color,” suggests Garrett. “[It] creates instant depth and sophistication for under $50.” This latex paint comes in so many colors that you can choose exactly the look you like without leaving the house. It’s easy to apply, dries quickly, and will cover walls, metal, wicker, and plastic.

“The ‘construction nerd' in me always tells new homeowners to tackle the envelope first,” says Garrett. “Seal air leaks, upgrade insulation if needed. It's not sexy but [it] improves comfort immediately and saves money on utilities.” Arm yourself with a roll of this foam seal tape and use it to seal windows, door frames, and other leaky places around the house. It cuts easily with scissors and is peel-and-stick simple to apply. It comes in 19 sizes.

“Then focus on lighting throughout the house,” says Garrett. “Good lighting makes every other upgrade look better.” You can do this with little more than a roll of these LED strip lights. Stick them to the underside of the bed, in shelving units, and on stair risers. Use your imagination! Use the remote or phone app to change the colors, sync the lights to music, and set the brightness.

Mike Martinez, owner of Accountable Home Services, loves to add pendant lights over a counter or kitchen island to bring focused lighting to the place where people gather. “We installed pendant lights with dimmers in a Westminster home last month,” he says. “The family said it completely changed how they use the space.” This modern black farmhouse pendant light is the perfect choice for this. It is simple but elegant and showcases the stylish bulb you choose for it. It comes in 22 colors and shapes.

Martinez also recommends adding a smart dimmer switch to maximize this pendant light update. It lets you control the brightness of your pendant or overhead lights from the switch or from your phone or smart home device. It’s an affordable upgrade that lets you connect your fixed lighting to your routines, schedules, and voice commands, which makes your home modern and convenient.

“The bedroom trick that works every time: Replace standard outlets with USB outlets,” says Martinez. “Sounds basic, but it eliminates bedside cord chaos and makes the room feel modern instantly.” This pack of two USB-C outlets has two standard plugs for lamps and other old-school devices, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C port. That means you can plug anything into it without looking for adapters or plugs.

“For bedrooms, my go-to trick is upgrading the closet lighting to LED strip lights with motion sensors,” says Daniel Rivera, owner of Proactive Property Management. This brightens an often-used and commonly neglected space while letting you forget about turning lights on and off. This rechargeable motion sensor ceiling light does it without any wiring. You can choose the color and brightness of the light with the included remote. It sticks to a metal surface or the included peel-and-stick metal plates.

“The room that benefits most from updating is actually the entryway or main hallway, not bedrooms or kitchens,” says Rivera. This space is the first impression your home gives when you or a guest walks through the door. Making it beautiful boosts the entire home. These washable area rugs are the perfect option for this high-traffic space since they bring a pop of pattern and color, and you can toss them into the washer and dryer to keep them looking great. They come in eight colors and 14 sizes.

That entry area is also the first place you want to set down a bag, hang a coat, and kick off your shoes. Create a dedicated space for this gear so that all that clutter stays there and becomes part of the decor. This coat rack is the perfect place to hang your coats and bags. It is easy to assemble, has three height options, and looks slick in your entryway. Choose from four colors.

Hang this arched entryway mirror in your entryway or set it on a console table. It will open up the space, reflect light, and offer a place for you to check your hat and hair on your way out the door. It comes in five sizes, so you can choose the look that best fits your space. Choose from black or gold.

“If you can’t renovate fully, swap outdated cabinet hardware, upgrade the faucet, and add under-cabinet lighting,” says Ahmad Faiz, owner of Achilles Roofing and Exterior. “It creates a cleaner, more modern space without gutting anything.” Start with this industrial style kitchen faucet that not only looks modern but has terrific features like a pull-down sprayer and a push-button to switch between a water stream and a high-speed spray. There are eight colors and options.

“Add clean trim or molding around the ceiling for a subtle architectural touch,” says Faiz. This self-adhesive caulk trim makes executing this hack so easy to do. No need for messy gels or miter saws, it peels and sticks where you want it, and can be cut with scissors. It comes in six sizes and six colors.

When it comes to updating the bathroom, Faiz says to focus your efforts on a trifecta of change and a bit of paint. “Change out the mirror, light fixture, and faucet,” he says. “Add a fresh coat of paint. Those elements alone can transform a dated bathroom into something much more modern, without breaking into the tile or plumbing.” This modern metal framed mirror will boost the look with clean lines and a black trim, and it comes in three sizes so you can fit it easily to your space.

Mehdi Khachani, founder of JMK Contractor, recommends adding a peel-and-stick backsplash to a kitchen or bath. “It’s affordable, renter-friendly, and adds instant polish to kitchens or bathrooms,” he says. These tiles are elegant, too. They create the look of subway tile and are super easy to clean. Installation is easy, since they are already adhesive and you can cut them with a utility knife or tin snip.

Khachani also recommends installing crown molding or baseboard trim. “Pre-painted molding can completely elevate a room with minimal investment,” he says. This flexible, vinyl baseboard molding trim peels and sticks to baseboards and covers imperfections while adding an architectural element. It comes in nine sizes and 11 colors.

To make a quick impact while investing only a small amount of time and money, Khachani suggests that you “start with highly visible areas (entryway, kitchen, bathroom) for quick wins.” This coat rack is inexpensive and will quickly create order in an area that can quickly turn to clutter. It has a place to put shoes, set a bag, sit to put shoes on, and hang a hat and jacket.

“Don’t overlook landscaping,” says Khachani. “Even small updates like mulch and outdoor lighting improve curb appeal fast.” These mini solar ground lights are easy to deploy. Just push them into the ground. And they brighten a pathway, uplight flowers or trees, and create instant illumination in your garden. They are solar, so they require no wires or upkeep. Choose from cool or warm-white light.

Lighting is important indoors as well. It creates the mood. “Install wall sconces or reading lights for a boutique-hotel vibe,” says Khachani. These LED wall sconces are easy. Peel and stick the magnetic base to the wall. Then attach the light. You can pull it off the base anytime you like to charge it or use it as a flashlight. You can adjust the light’s brightness, color, and temperature with a few taps. It comes in six colors.

When it comes to the bedroom, it’s all about the soft furnishings. “Use large, neutral bedding and layered textures to make the space feel luxurious,” says Khachani. This duvet cover set is an affordable way to execute this. It comes in a range of neutral colors, and the texture of the fabric is soft and delicious. The set includes a comforter cover and two pillow shams with a zipper closure. There are 12 sizes and 31 colors.

Layer this sherpa throw blanket on top of your bed or drape it over the back of the couch to create texture and soft layers. It is super soft, cozy, and easy to wash. You can choose from a range of neutrals or use it to add a pop of color or pattern to your design. It comes in four sizes and 24 colors.

Mirrors are another clever element to incorporate into your interior designs. They are useful for seeing your reflection, but they also bring style to the space. “Add a large mirror that reflects light and makes the space feel bigger,” says Khachani. This arched full-length mirror stands on its own and makes any room seem bigger and brighter. It comes in 10 styles and two sizes.

Don’t limit your mirror use to the bathroom or dressing area. A mirror can be used as wall art. “Replace your mirror with a framed one,” says Khachani. Or add a frame to that mirror with this gold molding trim. It’s super easy. Peel and stick it to the mirror’s edge, and that cheap builder-grade mirror becomes a framed one. It comes in five sizes and three colors, so you can create a frame that is as flashy or subtle as you like.

“Add peel-and-stick wallpaper on one wall for instant drama,” suggests Khachani. You might not want the big florals and leaves in this gorgeous wallpaper on every wall, but the room will look spectacular with it on just one wall. It’s easy to do, too, since the adhesive is already on the paper and all you have to do is apply it and cut away the remainder. It comes in three sizes and seven colors.

“Refrigerator and stove cleaning is the little-known secret that the majority of homeowners are not privy to,” says Andrew Reichek, CEO of Bode Builders. It is amazing how much better a kitchen looks if you take a few minutes to make sure these two appliances are sparkly clean. This stainless steel cleaner kit removes streaks and messes easily and applies a protective barrier that prevents fingerprints and scratches. And it smells like lavender! It comes in three sizes with a cleaning cloth.

Keeping the stove clean is easy if you have this stovetop cleaner on hand. It quickly removes baked-on messes and stains, wipes away grease, and helps to prevent scratches to your glass ceramic stovetop. Just apply it and wipe it away with a cloth for a streak-free clean. It comes in four sizes.

“Swap out the mirror, update the light fixture, and add fresh caulk, and suddenly it feels high-end without touching the plumbing,” says Uri Pearl, owner of Nealon Insulation. It helps to have this caulker tool-kit on hand when you are ready for fresh caulk. It scrapes away the old caulk and smooths your newly applied silicone caulk for a perfect finish.

“A new paint color, layered bedding, and properly hung curtains can transform the space,” says Pearl. These linen curtains are the perfect opacity to block light and heat without turning the entire room dark. The airy linen fabric hangs beautifully, is partially transparent, and has a linen texture that adds depth to your room without adding a wild pattern. They come in 19 colors and 10 sizes.

“Bonus points for ditching the overhead light in favor of lamps with warm bulbs,” says Pearl. Set this industrial table lamp on a side table, in your entryway, or on the bedside table to throw a warm, white light that is dimmable. The shape and simple design bring style to the room even when the lamp is turned off. It comes in seven colors.

Whether you are using overhead lights, floor lamps, or table lamps, be sure to swap the bulbs for warm-white ones. Bright white bulbs create harsh lighting that makes your space feel less welcoming. These soft warm-white bulbs will create a comforting, calming space and golden pools of light under your lamps with little cost or effort. This is a pack of five.

“Old switch plates deserve replacement, too, and it is another of my favorite hacks,” says Caspar Matthews, director at Electcomm Group Electrical & Data. “It is a small enough detail, yet this is something that can immediately turn a room into a more complete one.” Spend a few minutes with a screwdriver and this set of four switch plates to transform your room. There are covers for everything from light switches to outlets in packs that will match each room in your home.

“In the case of bathrooms,” says Mathews. “As long as you are not keen on reno, you can still get that luxurious feeling in the bathroom by changing rusted taps, mirrors, and bathroom lamps.” Set this cute table lamp on the vanity or beside the tub to throw an amber glow in the room, and no one will notice your old fixtures or tile. The Murano style glass is lovely and retro, and the light is dimmable, so you can see clearly or dim it down for ambiance. It comes in 10 colors.

“Add sconces or under-cabinet task lighting to instantly elevate ambiance,” suggests Dotan Trabulsi, owner of Optimal Home Remodeling & Design in San Diego. “Puck lights with remote dimmers cost under $30 and work wonders.” These battery-powered LED lights stick wherever you need light, can be set to stay on always, turn on when it’s dark, or come on when they sense motion. You can control the brightness and how long they stay on via the included remote.

“Paint interior doors black (especially with white trim) for a designer look with zero structural work,” says Trabulsi. This is such an easy update, and you will appreciate it every time you enter or leave your home. This black paint and primer lets you accomplish it without having to prime first. It dries quickly, so you can get the door back to work fast.

“Even without gutting, upgrading fixtures, adding framed mirrors, and using luxury vinyl flooring mimicking marble gets noticed,” according to Trabulsi. These vinyl floor tiles are the affordable way to achieve a luxury flooring look. Peel and stick them directly onto the wood, concrete, or vinyl floor that’s there now for a fast, cheap, and powerful update. They come in 45 colors and styles, including several marble looks.

“First impressions count,” says Trabulsi. “We often repaint the entry and add statement house numbers and lighting for under $500.” These floating house numbers, in an elegant sans serif font, look great at the entry. They are elevated to create a shadow effect and big enough to read from the street. They come in five colors.

“Hang a framed mirror and add a floating shelf beneath it for candles or greenery,” suggests Ryan Majewski, General Manager of CWF Restoration. These floating bathroom shelves are ready to hang and look stylish with a few ordinary items, like washcloths or lotions, as well as some candles and plants on them. They are easy to hang, too. Steel brackets mount to the wall, and the wood shelves slide onto them. They come in seven sizes and five colors.

“Swap in a linen shower curtain on a tension rod,” suggests Majewski. The fabric elevates the room. This cloth shower curtain has a strip and tassels to add texture and bring a chic vibe to the space, and the fabric has been treated to repel water, so you don’t need to use a liner. It’s weighted so it hangs beautifully. It comes in 18 colors and 12 sizes.

“Layer your bedding with a textured throw and a couple of accent pillows,” says Majewski. It will bring depth and color to the room easily. These throw pillow covers are an affordable way to achieve this look. Pull them right over a set of tired-looking pillows you already own, or purchase inserts for them. This is a set of two, and they come in 10 colors and two sizes.

“Simple landscaping, a clean walkway, and even a fresh pop of color on the front door can make a home feel more inviting from the street,” says Ray Moro, a seasoned contractor and renovation expert. Roll out this cedar curved garden pathway to create a charming vignette in your garden. It will make it easier to walk through the plants while suppressing weeds. It comes in two lengths.

This eucalyptus wreath will brighten your front door while adding some bling to your entry and curb appeal to your home’s exterior. It is made from silk, with a metal base, so it will last as long as you like. You can adjust the leaves, branches, and flowers into the perfect look.

“Hang curtains high — close to the ceiling — to give the illusion of taller windows and more space,” says Moro. This curtain rod is designed to hang from the ceiling so you can get those curtains way up high, no matter what’s happening with the window frames. It is solid enough to hang heavy drapes from and comes in three sizes and three colors.

“Don’t underestimate the power of a well-placed headboard or a few quality throw pillows,” says Kevin Crawford, co-owner of TexFix. This wall-mounted headboard lets you get the look of a plush, upholstered headboard without replacing the bed. It makes sitting up in bed comfortable, too. It comes in two sizes and five colors.

“Update your door hardware and light fixtures,” says Crawford. This interior privacy doorknob will bring a modern, minimalist style to your space with little effort. The flat, round knob is on trend, especially in matte black, and it allows you to lock your bedroom or bathroom door. It comes in four colors and either a round or a square base.

If you want to give your space a few final touches, Crawford suggests that you “add plush towels and maybe even some greenery.” Layer these Turkish cotton towels on a towel bar or hang a few, in a row, from hooks. Your bathroom will look welcoming, and you will always have a towel handy. They come in seven sizes and 15 colors.

This eucalyptus wall decor brings the greenery Crawford suggests to your bathroom, even if there isn’t enough light to support live plants. It hangs from the wall so it won’t take up in-demand counter surface real estate, and it has a charming eclectic feel that is both fresh and with a hint of witchy dark academia.

“A new shower curtain and a sleek soap dispenser can go a long way, too,” says Crawford. This sleek and stylish soap dispenser has a dedicated spot to drop a sponge into, so it gathers together your countertop clutter into one decorative element. It comes in five size and style options.