35 Easy Home Updates for an Instantly Polished Look

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12 hours ago

A macramé wall hanging if you're feeling the boho chic look and want to add some texture and warmth to your wall. Its unusual shape will help soften up your room if it's full of a lot of hard right angles.
Promising review: "Beautiful addition to any room as it adds a textile splash of elegance where before there was none. Hygge!" —ryan lagerGet it from Amazon for $38.95+ (available in 10 styles).
A pair of battery-operated wall sconces to mount right onto your wall, no electrician (or electric outlet!) required. These renter-friendly lights last *two years* on a single USB charge, and the 12-color RGB spectrum and adjustable white light settings mean you can go moody, warm, or full disco depending on your mood.
Or this (Shark Tank–approved!) wireless wall sconce if you want something more modern. Rechargeable and dimmable, it requires no tools, causes no damage, and needs no electrical work.
Poplight is a LGBTQ+ and woman-owned small business in Denver that makes a gorgeous, budget- and renter-friendly wall sconce. Promising review: "This totally is a lighting game changer! If you're like me and are constantly revamping your home, and moving things around — well this cute, rechargeable, 'no-wiring-needed' light is just the ticket. It took me all of 30 seconds to install, and the brightness settings on the app are perfect. I like that I can set a timer on the light so I don't accidentally leave it on. Mine came with an extra battery, so when the initial one needs to be recharged, I just swap it out. I actually think I'm going to need to buy another one!" —LaurenGet it from Amazon for $99 (available in three colors).
A set of two 100% linen pillowcases at the fraction of the cost of designer brands to elevate the look of your bed. Reviewers say the color options are great for matching with other bedding, and that the material is especially soft and high-quality.
Promising review: "Love these! They look just like the picture and match perfectly with my comforter. They are a great quality linen." —RACHELLE ARELLANOGet it from Amazon for $25.19+ (available in three sizes and seven colors).
A can of eco-friendly chalk-like paint that dries within 30 minutes to transform a piece of furniture or cabinetry into something dazzling. It doesn't require a primer or a top coat, so you can get the job done quickly and easily.
This paint contains no harsh chemicals such as phthalates, formaldehyde, heavy metals, or solvents. Promising review: "First time painting anything in my life, and it was great. No sanding or priming is needed. Beautiful colors; description and pictures are so accurate. Easy to paint and quick to dry. Time-saving! I will always be using this paint." —Samah SafiGet it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in four sizes and over 50 colors).
Some velvet curtains to filter light without sacrificing style. These are very good at providing privacy and darkening the space.
An entryway storage bench if you lack a proper foyer but still need a place to stash your stuff. This has nine movable hooks, shoe storage (including space for tall boots), and a bench with a max weight capacity of 330 pounds.
Promising review: "I needed something not too large for my entryway, and this fit the bill perfectly. It looks great, feels sturdy, and was fairly easy to assemble. My family of seven has jackets, shoes, and bags on it regularly, and it is serving us well. I was a bit worried, given the relatively low price, that I would get low quality, but I was happy to find I was wrong. We love this coat rack!" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $75.99+ (available in three wood and metal finishes).
Or a rustic wall-mounted entry organizer if you just need a place to stash your keys and mail. There's also a little shelf if you want to keep your wallet or other essentials there too.
Promising review: "This is great for storing our million sets of keys and mail that usually ended up on our kitchen counter!" —BreeGet it from Amazon for $22.99.
Some pre-made wall panels to take your walls to the next level. The only things you need are a nail gun and glue (or Command strips if you're a renter) to get the look.
A set of beautiful wall-mounted amber bottles that come with matching labels to decant your shampoo, conditioner, and body wash into. Be sure to use a leveler to make sure yours are evenly aligned!
You can see how one TikTok user styled hers in this TikTok video by Miriam Gin.MaisoNovo is a woman-owned small business in Brooklyn that makes stylish refillable bottles for the home.Promising review: "We have a narrow bathtub/shower with little space. I love this product. It's so easy to install. I used a level to keep them aligned. Wait 24 hours before you use them. Great price, great quality, I highly recommend." —Karen KopeckiGet it from MaisoNovo on Amazon for $24.70+ (available in six different styles and quantities of one, two, or three).
A roll of wood grain tape if you have one of those big frameless mirrors in your bathroom and want to take it up a notch. This is a great alternative to ripping it out and replacing it with something expensive.
Promising review: "Where do I start? I absolutely LOVE this product. I wanted to replace our bathroom mirror, but due to its size, it would have cost a lot! I came across this on Amazon and decided to give it a try. The application process was super easy and applied without bubbles as long as you go slowly and rub it down as you go. I kid you not. It looks like wood and feels like it, too! You can feel and see the 'wood grain.' It's absolutely stunning and looks like I bought a whole new mirror." —TaylorGet it from Amazon for $7.92.
A set of two battery-powered and remote-controlled operated mason jar wall sconces that'll add some rustic charm to your home. Everything's included: the fairy lights, the faux flowers...everything! It's giving modern farmhouse meets shabby chic.
Besuerte is a small business that sells home accents.Promising review: "All my guests are so impressed by this addition to my guest bathroom. They love the look and simplicity, but has a huge decor impact overall. Really recommend this!" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two different flower types and four different wood finishes).
A stick of Erase-A-Hole putty to cover up the holes in your wall caused by nails. It also works on wood and plaster!
An outlet light if you need a little light here and there around the house. Perfect for those of us who take nightly bathroom breaks or want to safely get to the kitchen for a midnight snack without turning on all the overhead lights.
A roll of privacy window film to turn any window into a rainbow factory. When the light hits it, your space will be covered in rainbows. And when the light isn't hitting it, it looks like ornate stained glass.
A set of special shelves that mount to the wall to show off your favorite books. These literally make it look like your books are floating on the wall.
From BuzzFeed editor Kayla Boyd: "I love my floating bookshelves because they save a lot of space, and since I colorized them, they look like fun decor in my room. It definitely helps me get excited about reading more since they're so cute and visible. The shelves were also super easy to hang, and, as you can see, they're very sturdy." Promising review: "These are so much fun! We ordered the small size, which fits standard hardback books (approximately five to seven hardbacks in my experience). They're a great way to add some extra storage to our very small home, and we've placed them in our hallway so people ask us about them all the time. I'd highly recommend!" —LaBuenaVidaMereGet it from Amazon for $11.50+ (available in small or large and in sets of three).
Some motion sensor under-cabinet lights to perfectly illuminate your kitchen and bathroom at night. After a full charge, they can last for about three hours if left on, or up to four weeks if they're on motion sensor mode and activated up to 10 times per day.
These have a built-in magnet that'll stick on most metals, or you can use the included adhesive tape to tape them onto an existing surface.Promising review: "These lights are so worth it. I have a closet with no light in it, and I installed these in maybe two minutes flat, and it has completely fixed my disdain for the previously dark and disorganized closet. If you think you need these, you probably do." —HDGet it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and in warm or white light).
Some antique-esque brass cabinet pulls if you want to jazz up an old cabinet. One of the most dramatic ways to change the look of drawers and cabinets is to swap out the hardware, and it's soooo easy.
Promising review: "These are so nice and heavy. Such great quality for the price. They look amazing on the kitchen cabinets. I would recommend these for sure!" —Kindle CustomerGet a pack of 10 from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in different quantities, styles, and finishes).
A pack of five refillable multi-surface touch-up paint pens to effortlessly fix scratches and nicks on walls, doors, and cabinetry. Just fill up a pen with paint of your choice and paint the problem area.
Slobproof is a small business that makes paint touch-up pens.Promising review: "I keep these in my kitchen drawer and it's SO convenient for my painted cabinets! I moved into a house with older wood cabinets, and because it's such a small kitchen, I knew that painting the cabinets white (actually went with cream!) would make it feel so much larger! I LOVE the way they look, but inevitably (even though I sanded and prepped), I'll get little chips in the paint. These touch-up pens stay in my junk drawer full of paint at all times. The cap makes it so it never dries out and stays super clean. But I'm able to grab them any time and just touch things up so my cabinets ALWAYS look fresh." —Claire FloresGet it from Slobproof on Amazon for $12.99+ (available in a pack of two or five).
Some hexagon peel-and-stick tile if you have a large piece of furniture that could benefit from a little something special. This is also great if you have a kitchen or bathroom without tile and want to add a beautiful but not permanent backsplash or accent wall.
Promising review: "It took me and my husband about two days to finish our little project. It was all worth it because it turned out so well! It's really sticky but when we made an error and had to peel some of it off, it wasn't that hard to take it off and didn't damage the wall paint too. Will definitely order from the same company if we need to in the future." —Ashley L.Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in three quantities and six colors).
A textured shaggy rug to place over hard flooring so you have something soft underfoot. The Moroccan vibes will bring some bohemian energy to your space.
Promising review: "Product looks way way better in person. The pictures don't do it justice. Completely transformed one of my rooms simply by laying this rug out. It's softer than it looks, too." —GrantGet it from Amazon for $28.37+ (available in many sizes and nine colors).
These stick-on track lights if you want a continuous glow, not a spotted one. They're remote-controlled and dimmable, and you can set a timer so they shut off automatically. They plug into a power outlet, so you never need to worry about the battery dying.
Some floating shelves so your pretty things have a place to shine. Most bathrooms just have a few towel rods, so installing these will give you plenty of opportunities to show off your gorgeous candles, ceramics, and hand towels.
Promising review: "These shelves are so beautiful! My bathroom doesn't have a counter around the sink so this is perfect. It is modern and sleek and the wood and cast-iron shelves are very well built and sturdy. I was surprised that these are such high quality considering the price." —VincentGet a set of two from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in seven finishes).
A pack of six furniture markers to touch up small nicks and cuts in your wood furniture and floors. Each kit comes with the most common wood colors (cherry, mahogany, walnut, black, maple, and oak) and matching crayons for easy filling when the damaged area is a little deep.
Promising review: "I am thoroughly impressed! We have a 115-plus-year-old house, and we only have hardwood in our downstairs hall and den. We didn't want to spend tons of money because we were probably going to be replacing the flooring in a few years. I'm actually still working on this as I'm writing this, but I am so impressed that I just had to write a review right away. The only 'negative' I have is that the colors are darker than the caps show, but it's not a big deal. For the money, you can't go wrong." —BorgGet them from Amazon for $9.49.
A fog-resistant, wall-mounted shower mirror so you can get a perfect shave every time. It has three different light settings, adjustable brightness, a little shelf to hold and hooks your razors, and a squeegee just in case it does fog up.
Promising review: "I ran across this mirror on another person's TikTok. Once I received this and mounted it in my shower, it was amazing! It feels like a fancy hotel feature that was placed within my shower. I love the different light settings. On the downside, the mirror does fog up frequently due to the steam. Since the mirror comes with a wiper, that helps as a slight fix to that problem. Overall, I highly recommend this as a purchase for an elevated feature to your bathroom" —Shanel MitchellGet it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in three colors).
A pack of 16 solar-powered outdoor lights to clip onto your balcony's ledge. Warm nights spent in your outdoor space will be so much nicer when you have proper mood lighting.
Promising review: "Developed a garden on the apartment patio, and wanted to add some lights along the railing to give it some character. These solar lights are not too bright and were easy to install. All lights work, which is great. Better than could have hoped for. 👍" —KMFGet it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two colors and also a set of 20).
An under-cabinet lid opener so you never struggle to open a jar again. And because it mounts to the underside of your cabinet, it'll be out of sight and out of mind when you don't need it.
A 30-pack of picture hooks to make hanging pictures and mirrors on walls easy-peasy. Just push, twist, and insert into drywall or plaster.
These hooks saved the day (and my walls) after I failed miserably with nails, screws, and adhesive strips while trying to put together a gallery wall in my dining room. Instead of fumbling to find a study to drill into (what am I, a magician?) or risking smashed fingers with another ill-fitting nail, I used these to hang my art quickly and safely. You just push them into the wall and twist until only the hook portion is visible. No stud-finding, no pre-drilling, no anchors — just push, twist, and hang. I honestly don't understand why these aren't in every household. They're that good. Get it from The Home Depot for $14.98.
Some shelf dividers for organizing and partitioning shelves in your closet. Not only will it help keep the stacks of clothing and bedding upright, but now everything from towels to linens will have their own spot.
Promising review: "If you need to Marie Kondo your closet, this is really useful, and it looks really nice. I got the gray ones. Bought two to see how they were. Perfect. Bought six more. Loving it!!! Really recommended this product, ready to install and very sturdy." —Nicolò R. Get a two-pack from Amazon for $17.99.
Some solar-powered outdoor lantern lights since the time is now to spend evenings hanging out in your backyard. Because they don't require electricity, you can hang them and then not worry about maintenance.
Promising review: "My goodness, I did not expect to love these lanterns as much as I do. They are very, very good quality and display lots of light. I hung both of them between my small patio and English garden, and they provided enough light for both areas. I received them late afternoon, so they got about four hours in the sun. At 9 p.m., both came on like clockwork. I got up at 3 a.m. to check if they were still on, and they were as bright as ever. They are so dang cute and unique in my yard. I will be buying more. Love, Love, Love them." —Dog TailorGet it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in three styles).
A satin nickel switch plate, because good design is in the details. Walls can be so drab, and this is basically a snazzy accessory to jazz yours up.
A mold-resistant grout pen to cover grout stains with a fresh coat of waterproof white paint. Each pen can cover up to 150 feet of grout.
Be sure to clean your grout beforehand, as this pen covers stains that will be easier to cover if the surface is clean.There are 11 different grout colors available: white, winter gray, light gray, gray, dark gray, black, ivory, cream, beige, brown, and terracotta. You can view all the colors.Promising review: "I have 12-inch white tile in my whole house that is 20 years old. Even though I kept it looking nice, the grout still was getting dark. I cleaned the grout and let it dry well until the next day, then used the grout pen. It looks like it is brand-new. One thing that I found out was that if the tip of the pen starts to look worn, you can just pull it out and turn it over — it is the same tip on both ends. It will take some time to do the whole house, but it looks so great that I will just do a section at a time 'til I finish. One other thing that I did was run my finger down the grout line after I applied the grout pen, then wipe down the tile line with a paper towel so no other cleanup was necessary." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in a narrow or wide tip).
A pack of artificial ivy leaves that'll bring the outdoors in. Hang these on your walls for a backdrop, or use them as window treatments for extra privacy.
Promising review: "These are fantastic and look like it could be real ivy once hung. One pack of 16 vines covered the length of my wall just like I was hoping, and they complimented the zen/oasis aesthetic I have in my living room perfectly." —EricaGet it from Amazon for $7.99.
An aesthetically pleasing hair dryer holder to free up drawer and countertop space in your bathroom. It comes in gold, black, or silver, so it's sure to match any metal finish you have in your bathroom.
See it in all its pretty glory in Teresa Caruso's TikTok video.Promising review: "I don't have a lot of counter space so I wanted something to store my hair dryer. This works great and it matches my house beautifully!" —Amjohnson247 Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in three metal finishes; be sure to clip the $5 off coupon).
Some stackable acrylic drawers that'll keep your most unruly closet organized. From a tiny collection of cleaning supplies to literally organizing everything in your bathroom, these conveniently lock on top of each other for easy customization.
Promising review: "TikTok made me do it. If you're a clean freak and love to organize, I would definitely recommend this product. Easy to assemble and aesthetically pleasing. I use this to store my Scrub Daddy/sponges and microfiber cleaning cloths. Not necessary but definitely worth it!" —SierraGet it from Amazon for $22.99.