Handymen say these cheap things make your home look surprisingly expensive

“If you want a bigger home transformation,” says Adam Bushell, director and electrician at AB Electrical & Communications, “adding smart home technology is a huge impactful upgrade.” Start with this smart light switch that connects your overhead lights to your network so you can control it with your phone or smart home appliance such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa. “Automating lighting and blinds creates a seamless, high-end experience,” he says. “Smart switches make managing the home easy and classy.”

“On the other hand, nothing cheapens a space faster than exposed wiring, outdated light switches, or visible extension cords,” says Bushell. Fortunately, this is super easy to fix with this outlet concealer. Plug the flat concealer plate into the outlet and run the extension cord to place the power close to your appliances and equipment. Use the included adhesive cord concealer to hide the wires and that mess is gone.

This cable management box is another great way to hide messy wires. Drop the power strip into the box and run the wires through the cutouts. There is room inside for a big power strip and all the plugs you want to plug into it. Vents ensure the interior doesn’t get too hot. Instead of a mess of wires and plugs, you have a decorative box. It comes in three colors and two sizes.

“Upgrade your door hardware,” says Ryan Gregor, owner and head electrician of RCG Electrical. “Those cheap, shiny brass doorknobs from the ‘90s? Swap them for matte black, brushed nickel, or something sleek. A client of mine replaced every doorknob and cabinet pull in their house for under $300, and it made the whole place feel custom.” This stylish, iron-black lever door handle is a great option. It comes in several styles, with and without a matching deadbolt. It also comes in satin nickel.

“Soft-close everything,” says Gregor. “If your cabinets and drawers slam shut, your house feels cheap.” You don’t have to replace the drawers. Replace the existing hardware with these soft close drawer slides. “Soft-close hinges are easy to install and immediately make your kitchen and bathrooms feel more refined,” he says. “I’ve installed these in basic kitchens, and people are blown away at how much ‘fancier’ it feels.” They come in eight sizes so measure before you order.

According to Danny Pen, president of New Era Plumbing & HVAC, the hardest part of upgrading your home with inexpensive touches is choosing where to start. “There are so many things,” he says. “It's hard to pick only one. But if I were to choose, I'd say swap out faucet aerators and upgrade showerheads.” This sink aerator that swivels, for example, is a fast way to make your sink much more functional. It lets you point the water where you want it and increases the water pressure.

“High-pressure, water-saving showerheads, will not only save you money,” says Pen, “but also will make bath time more pleasant.” This luxury shower head douses you with a high-pressure rain-like downpour that feels amazing. And, since it boosts the water pressure, it uses less water to do it. “As a bonus, that's a DIY project that everyone can complete,” he says. It comes in six colors.

Pen suggests that you scan your home for mismatched or outdated plumbing fixtures and make them match. “If your kitchen faucet is brushed nickel, but your bathroom has polished brass and your showerhead is plastic chrome, it creates a disjointed look,” he says. “Stick to a consistent, high-quality finish throughout.” This towel bar set is an affordable way to create a coordinated look in the bathroom. The two towel hooks, towel ring, and toilet paper dispenser are each rendered in the same finish and style. There are three colors to choose from.

This four-piece bathroom hardware set has everything you need to update your bathroom, including a towel bar that will hold a collection of decorative towels, a hook for bathrobes, a hand towel ring, and a spring-loaded toilet paper holder. There is also a five-piece option with two towel bars. They come in three colors.

“Install a pot filler behind the stove,” suggests Pen. “It’s one of those upgrades that feels high-end but is actually pretty simple to add. No more lugging heavy pots of water from the sink—it’s a total game-changer for people who love to cook. Plus, it’s a feature that makes a kitchen stand out in home listings.” This one comes in three finishes and folds flat against the wall when not in use.

Want a bathroom that screams luxury without remodeling anything? “Install a heated bidet toilet seat with customizable settings,” says Pen. “It’s a small luxury that makes a massive difference in daily comfort. Once you have one, you’ll never go back to regular toilet paper.” This one has a water heater with three temperature settings, a warm air dryer, and front and rear wash settings. It will also wash itself.

This bidet toilet attachment has fewer features than a heated one but is so affordable you might not care. It washes front and back, cleans itself, and taps into your toilet’s clean water supply line to deliver unprecedented levels of clean to your toilet. A dial makes it easy to control the water pressure as you wash and it installs under the toilet seat you already have.

“Adding smart bulbs or dimmers to your lighting setup is a super easy and cost-effective upgrade that can help create different atmospheres depending on the time of day or activity,” says Michael Clarke, founder and CEO of Pulled Inc. It’s easy, too. Replace your current bulbs with these smart LED light bulbs and connect them to your phone or smart home device. “You get the convenience of controlling everything from your phone or voice assistants,” he says.

“Crown molding and trim is one of the most effective ways to add character and dimension,” says Clarke. “[It elevates] the space and makes it feel more refined.” This flexible trim caulk strip makes it easy to install without expensive tools or skills. Cut it to size with scissors and peel and stick it to your surfaces. “Trim around windows, doors, or along baseboards adds instant sophistication without major renovations,” he says.

“Outdated or mismatched hardware and fixtures can have a big impact on the overall aesthetic of your home,” says Clarke. “When they’re worn or mismatched, the rest of the home's style is affected, making it feel like it's not well maintained.” Fortunately replacing hardware is easy and affordable. These cabinet pulls are stylish, come in a pack of 25, and instantly modernize your space. There are three sizes and three finishes to choose from.

“Changing the tile around the shower or tub can create a more modern and sophisticated space that will elevate the whole bathroom and make it feel more polished,” says Clarke. This tile puller tool will help you remove the old, dated tile. It gets under the tile and gives you the leverage you need to pop it out. It works well on trim, too.

“Often overlooked, the entryway is the first impression of your home, and updating this area can make a big impact on your home's interior,” says Clarke. This accordion entryway hanger is a fun element that’s the perfect place to hang your jacket, keys, and bag in that space. It comes in three sizes and three colors.

Hang this arch entryway mirror in that space, too. Not only does it allow you to check your hair and outfit on your way out the door but it also brings space and light into an area of the home that can often be cramped and small. It comes in eight sizes and three colors making it easy to create exactly the look you want in your entryway.

A front doormat in the entryway defines the space while helping to keep your home clean. This pair of them is a great choice, whether you want to put the mat inside the door or on the porch. They are durable, weatherproof, and absorb rain or snow before it gets inside. The textured surface traps dirt so it doesn’t get to your floors and they are big enough to set shoes on while they dry.

Hang this artificial eucalyptus wreath in the entryway to create a decorative greeting that makes that space feel more welcoming. Because it requires no care, you can set it and forget it. Or add ornaments to match the seasons. It has a spray of white berries and lush, realistic-looking leaves.

While you are dressing up your entry, don’t forget the doorbell. This smart doorbell camera alerts you when anyone is at the door, even if you aren’t home. It makes it possible to talk with whoever rings the bell, alerts you when there is motion at the door, and captures a photo of package deliveries and callers. It is easy to install and works with your home’s Wi-Fi.

For a simple, easy, and affordable doorbell solution, this wireless doorbell is perfect. Peel and stick the button at your entryway and plug the receiver in where you will hear it indoors. Done! It doesn’t need Wi-Fi or power — just batteries. And you can choose from 50 doorbell chime sounds. The bell lights up so guests can find it and it has a silent mode so no one can disturb your slumber.

If you have a bit of space at your entry, this shoe rack bench creates a welcoming place for people to stop, sit, and take off their shoes or set down a bag. It defines that space, keeps clutter from creeping into the living areas, and makes it easy to get out the door in a hurry. It comes in two colors.

“I would suggest swapping out outdated light switches for dimmer switches,” says Tim Hodnicki, president at Electrical Experts. “[It] is an easy, affordable upgrade that instantly improves ambiance and energy efficiency. With a simple install, homeowners gain full control over their lighting, allowing them to adjust brightness levels for different moods and activities while also extending the life of their bulbs.” These come in white or almond and in multiple packs so you can do several rooms.

“Upgrading to LED recessed lighting throughout the home is one of the most impactful changes homeowners can make,” says Hodnicki. This 4-inch — or 6-inch — recessed ceiling light is perfect for the job and comes in six light colors and brightnesses. “It will provide a sleek, modern look as well as significantly reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs,” he says.

“Exposed, yellowed, or outdated light fixtures can cheapen the overall look of a home,” says Hodnicki. “A home might have high-end finishes, but if it’s still using old brass fixtures or fluorescent tube lighting, it can feel stuck in the past. Swapping out fixtures for modern, cohesive designs can make a huge difference in the home’s aesthetic.” This affordable flush-mount ceiling light is a modern, minimalist option that will quickly update the look of your space. It comes in seven styles and five sizes so you can do the whole house with them.

This ceiling light fixture brings a modern industrial vibe to your space and is perfect over a dining table or in a space where you want lighting that brings some visual impact. Add a stylish Edison bulb and it becomes a piece of modern design. It comes in five finishes.

“Layered lighting — like under-cabinet LEDs, pendant lights over an island, or smart sconces in hallways — creates a more sophisticated and luxurious feel,” according to Hodnicki. Start with these LED under cabinet lights to create task lighting in the kitchen, a pool of illumination in a hallway, or subtle lighting on a staircase. They are battery powered so you can place them anywhere and offer timers so you don’t have to worry about turning them off.

Because it requires nothing more than a couple of hooks and an outlet to install this plug-in pendant light is a great next step in your lighting layer. Hang it over a chair or dining table. It throws a cone of light under it to help you create a lighting landscape in your home. It has a switch on the cord and comes in four colors.

“Smart recessed lighting options allow homeowners to control brightness, color temperature, and scheduling from their phones, adding both style and convenience,” says Hodnicki. This LED wall sconce is a great way to bring this sort of modern upgrade into your space. The simple, modern semicircle pairs well with the ability to set the brightness, lighting color, and mode right from your phone or through your smart home system. It comes in four colors.

“Adding outlets with built-in USB chargers is another simple upgrade that makes a home feel more modern and functional,” says Hodnicki. Replacing an old outlet with this wall outlet charger that has three USB plugs (two of them USB-C) is a simple change that has a big impact, on both the feel and functionality of the space. It makes it easy to charge a phone or tablet or plug in a modern small appliance with a USB plug. It comes in white or black.

Adding this outlet extender to an existing plug is even easier than replacing the outlet. Plug it in, secure it with the center screw, and you have a plethora of plugs. It adds five standard plugs and four USB ports (one of them USB-C). It also has a built-in surge protector and an indicator light that lets you know your devices are being protected.

“Under-cabinet and toe-kick lighting are game-changers in the kitchen,” says Hodnicki, “These are subtle yet effective lighting additions that will improve functionality by brightening countertops and create a high-end, ambient glow that enhances the overall look of the space.” It’s easy to install, too. Peel and stick this motion sensor light tape to the underside of the cabinets then choose if you want the light to be always on, on a timer, or triggered by motion. “Motion-activated toe-kick lighting can also provide a sleek, modern touch while serving as a nightlight for late-night kitchen visits,” he says.

“Installing backlit mirrors or vanity lighting with adjustable color temperature is a great bathroom upgrade,” says Hodnicki. Again, this is so simple to do that you will wonder why you haven’t yet. These vanity lights stick to the glass around the edge of the mirror. Then you can choose the light color — warm white, cool white, or daylight — you want. The brightness is adjustable, too.

Hanging this backlit LED bathroom mirror is a great way to create elegant lighting in that room. You can turn on the lighting and change its color with a touch to the integrated touch button. Dial up the brightness, and adjust the lighting temperature the same way. A separate button controls the anti-fog feature, which turns itself off automatically. It comes in four sizes.

“Smart switches with humidity sensors can also be installed to automatically control exhaust fans, preventing mold growth and improving air quality,” says Hodnicki. This is a great way to keep your bathroom comfortable and clean without having to remember to turn on a fan or turn it off. Just replace the switch for your fan with this humidity sensor switch and it will turn the fan on when it’s needed.

“Having automated devices throughout the house provides both modern convenience and high-end appearance,” says Jason Rowe, founder of Hello Electrical. Connecting your fans, lamps, and other appliances and electric devices to your smart home system is easy. Plug this smart plug into the wall and plug the device into it. Then connect it to your phone, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home.

Once you have a smart home system up and running, adding a few security cameras to it is as simple as mounting this security camera to a wall or fence and connecting it to your phone or smart home system. It will keep an eye on your pet, alert you when packages are delivered, and provide a record in case someone steals your stuff. It will even show you what’s happening outside on the screen of your Amazon Alexa.

The Echo Show 8 is a useful smart home device that will answer questions, serve as an alarm clock and in-home communication system, and will become the hub of your smart home system. It can control the lighting and appliances you’ve connected to it with smart plugs and switches, display the view from your wireless security cameras, and much more.

“Outdated switches and power outlets represent the major design fault which creates an impression of low-priced home décor,” says Rowe. “The yellowed appearance of plastic covers together with mismatched switch plates make every home design look out of place despite other nice design features.” This is so easy to fix. Unscrew the old plates and replace them with this clean, new switch cover. Choose from seven colors. This is a pack of 10.