Designers Say These Are The 50 Most Impressive, Cheap Home Upgrades You Can Make

"These matte black candlesticks are chic and can work well in both modern and classic settings,” explains Francine Hsu Davis, founder of Francine Hsu Davis Designs. This set comes with six candles in three different sizes, so each one will have a corresponding height partner. The stainless steel holders also have nonslip coatings on the bottom to keep them sturdy on a variety of surfaces.

• Available colors: 3

Nitya Seth, an interior designer at NITYANAMYA, says, “A simple way to renew your living room or bedroom is to exchange old pillows for modern ones.” These decorative pillow covers make a great choice because they not only have a soft, plush exterior, but their vertical quilting provides visual texture as well. And since they’re machine washable, they’re easy to care for.

• Available colors: 3

"Stylish, functional floating shelves not only provide a storage solution, but also attract attention from any corner of the room,” Seth advises. These shelves not only boast a minimal, bracket-free design, but they have metal guardrails to keep your items secure. And thanks to the wooden slabs at the bottom, they retain a classic look, too.

• Available colors: 2

Seth is also a fan of peel-and-stick wallpaper. “This cheap option enables you to convert walls without hiring professionals,” she says. This particular model comes in several different size dimensions depending on your project and has a slight metallic sheen to it. Not only is it ideal for refreshing walls, but it can also be used to breathe new life into old furniture.

• Available colors: 9

Noelle Harvey, Principal Designer and Chief Creative at Sunday House in Portland, Oregon, says, “Windows are truly the eyebrows of the home. We love textured, neutral, semi-sheer curtains because they really amp up a room while staying clean and polished.” These linen curtains make an excellent choice because they provide privacy while still letting in light. The linen-blend fabric gives them a look that’s at once rustic yet elevated.

• Available colors: 17

Chantelle Hartman Malarkey, interior designer and aesthetic expert, endorses decorative trays, and this leather ottoman tray is no exception. “Decorative tray options [are] perfect for serving and organizing items out on countertops,” she explains. This version comes in a chic faux crocodile print with metallic accent handles that make it easy to move around as needed. Place it on an ottoman, a coffee table, a vanity, or anywhere else for a touch of extra polish.

• Available colors: 6

This wood cutting board, made from acacia, is another option for decor display, especially if you prefer a more rustic look. Boasting a faded black finish for a well-worn vibe, it has a narrow, paddle-like shape with a circular handle. Whether you use it to stage candles, serve a charcuterie selection, or lean it against your kitchen backsplash for a bit of contrast, you’ll find endless uses for it.

“Investing in nice hosting pieces and servingware that can be placed and left out on countertops while hosting goes a long way,” Hartman Malarkey says, and these stemless wine glasses fit the bill. They boast a stylish ridged design with elegant metallic gold rims, and you can also opt for matching champagne flutes and cocktail glasses. Plus, the sturdy construction means they’re less likely to break. “These touches will add to the overall style of your home and are a great investment for the overall look and feel of your home,” she adds.

In addition to glassware, this snack serving tray is another functional item that looks chic and inviting. It features a trio of ceramic bowls nested in a metal tray for an attractive overall display. The oval shape of the platter perfectly complements the rounded silhouette of the dishwasher-safe bowls, too. Use them for chips and dip, nuts, or olives.

• Available colors: 3

Classics are classics for a reason, and these cocktail glasses combine the traditional martini glass shape with the practicality of stemless glassware. The result is a look that feels timeless yet modern. Each of these six glasses holds 8.5 ounces and since they’re dishwasher safe, they’re easy to clean as well.

This insulated ice bucket is yet another way to serve up superior style when you’re hosting, without missing out on functionality. Its bold teal hue and gold accents make this ice bucket a statement piece and its stainless steel construction ensures it’s durable as well. Whether you’re displaying a bottle of bubbly or just storing ice for cocktails, this bucket has got you covered.

• Available colors: 3

One of Hartman Malarkey’s pet peeves? “Old, mismatched, or dirty outlet covers!” She continues, “This is such an easy fix and looks nice once they all match." These framed wall plates have a clean, tailored design, and they come in a bulk pack, making it easy to create a cohesive look around your space. They work with most standard duplex outlets and have a slight reflective sheen.

And if you prefer a traditional, elevated choice, these decorative wall plates can replace a tired, dirty model in no time. They come two to a pack and feature a brushed brass finish for an antique look. Around the perimeter of this zinc plate, you’ll find a carved frame design featuring tiny pearl-shaped accents.

Renowned potter and designer Jonathan Adler, says, "Put all of your lighting on dimmers. It will make you feel younger and richer than you actually are,” and who are we to argue? These dimmer light switches offer up a classic look with options to power your lights on and off as well as dim them. Plus, they’re compatible with an array of incandescent, LED, and CFL bulbs.

• Available colors: 5

Live out your rich lighting fantasy with these smart bulbs that are dimmer compatible, but don’t need a dimmer for brightness adjustment. Not only can you dictate how much illumination they give off, but you can even customize the temperature depending on how warm or cool you like your lighting. You can also select a sleep mode that mimics a sunset at night and a sunrise in the morning.

• Available colors: 2

It’s not just your overhead lighting that’s customizable — you can personalize your accent lighting, too, using items like this industrial table lamp. It comes with a vintage-looking globe bulb that gives off a warm amber hue, complete with a visible filament. And all you have to do is touch it to adjust the brightness level, making it both stylish and simple to operate.

“The biggest blight a home can have is when it’s filled with nothing but beige. Your home should reflect back your most glamorous, interesting self, so go with whatever tingles your chakras most, and if you love it, it will work,” Adler counsels. Case in point: this flower vase with colorful squiggly lines that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It has an abstract, organic design that feels fun and vibrant. And thanks to its compact size, it will fit perfectly in a variety of spaces.

If you’re not sure where to begin, Adler advises, “Start with a chic foundation and then accessorize with abandon." This wall art set is a great way to bring strong, punchy hues to any space. The set includes 13 prints in a variety of sizes, and since they’re unframed, they provide yet another opportunity to accessorize with your personal style. If you don’t like this maximalist set, there are other varieties to choose from too, so you can satisfy your dark academia, coastal cowgirl, or vintage aesthetic.

• Available styles: 13

“Nothing messes up a room’s ‘flow’ quite like too much space that goes unused. It’s counterintuitive, but when a room is too spare, people are afraid to move and don’t feel at home,” Adler says, so put that space to use by filling your home with greenery using this cement statue planter. It can be used both indoors and out and has a lovely Grecian vibe that works whether you’re planting live florals or faux blooms.

You can further properly fill out a room with pieces like this floor lamp, which makes a statement thanks to the fact that it occupies a footprint while cultivating ambience at the same time. It features four globe bulbs in different sizes, all of which come frosted for a stylish effect that’s also soft on your eyes. It’s built to last, too, as it comes with a three-year warranty.

• Available colors: 6

When you’re looking to overcome plain, boring floors, give this area rug that comes in lots of colors a try. It boasts a classic vintage look with modern conveniences, like its nonslip backing so that it’ll stay in place. It’s also fully machine washable, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas.

• Available colors: 14

Nichole Abbott, FLOOR360 interior designer, recommends floating picture ledges. “Instead of a boring gallery wall of photos in your hallway or living room add [these] wall shelves to prop your photo frames and decor. This is a more modern spin on photo display and an opportunity to personalize and create a design moment.” These shelves are made from pine and feature raised lips to better support your photos. Use them for other things, too, like displaying favorite objets d’art or storing cooking oils and spices in the kitchen.

• Available colors: 5

And if you’re looking for display options to lean on those photo shelves, look no further than these picture frames. They come 10 to a pack in a variety of dimensions, so you can create a gallery that’s matching but not cookie-cutter. They’re highly rated, too, with nearly 4,000 reviewers weighing in to give them an impressive 4.7-star overall rating.

• Available colors: 5

Abbott says, “"When you are styling a surface like a nightstand, console, coffee table, or bookcase, use groups of three vases that are the same but different,” like these ceramic vases. “Difference in sizes gives depth and angles and a finished, expensive look versus standalone decor,” she explains. This set features a variety of shapes and sizes, but looks cohesive thanks to the pastel palette and ridged design. Besides this colorful set, they also come in a soft, stone white if you prefer something more understated.

• Available colors: 2

If you’re looking to cop Abbott’s advice, but prefer a more classic look, this glass bud vase set is another route to go. Their transparent glass construction makes them more minimalist, but you don’t lose out on depth or texture, thanks to the vintage-inspired etching on each piece. And since the largest vase measures just 5 inches tall, they’re compact enough to display nearly anywhere.

Professional organizer Liora Seltzer says, “Clutter will forever be the pitfall of any space. And while clutter is part of life [...] there are many ways to manage the clutter and help keep it at bay. If you have to ‘hide’ some of it at the end of day, it's better than it driving you crazy. So a few neat storage bins or baskets in each room will help you manage the clutter when you can't deal with it!” These fabric storage bins are a reliable choice, since they fold flat when not in use so as not to contribute to even more mess. Their faux leather handles make them a stylish option you’ll be proud to display, and you can choose from a variety of neutrals in two-tone and monochrome options.

• Available colors: 10

Regarding clutter solutions, Seltzer adds, “This is not meant as a system, more like a very nice looking Band-Aid when you need a break from looking at clutter, or when you are hosting and need the room clean ASAP!” And who can argue that this storage basket isn’t a good-looking bandage? Each rattan basket has a soft fabric liner and an internal divider that allows you to sort and separate your clutter. The hinged lid keeps it out of sight, too.

• Available colors: 3

Rounding out our clutter collectors is this rope storage basket. It has a layered, woven design and come in two sizes, so you can get just as much space as you need. The two built-in side handles make it easy to maneuver as well. Use it in the living room for loose items and in the bathroom for extra towels and linens.

• Available colors: 6

“Focusing on more functional furniture in each room will upgrade your aesthetic and function. For example, a neat shoe cubby will hide the [hall] clutter, drawer dividers in the kitchen will allow you to use them more efficiently... etc.,” Seltzer explains, and this bamboo shoe rack is a great way to get function and style all in one, thanks to its classic wooden look. This bench can store 12 pairs of shoes and supports up to 300 pounds, making it a great spot to sit as you suit up for the day, too. Stick it in the entryway or use it in your bedroom.

If you’re looking to hide your shoes altogether, this shoe cabinet is a great option. It features two slide-out shelves that can store eight pairs each, resulting in space for up to 16 pairs, with additional room underneath. It boasts rattan-style paneling over the front shelves and has a top ledge perfect for styling with personalized decor, too.

• Available colors: 3

For homes with minimal floor space, this vertical shoe rack takes up less than 1 square foot — but it can still store up to eight pairs of shoes and has dual hooks for accessories. Its wood and metal construction makes it both sturdy and stylish, so you can place it in closets or out in the open.

Per Seltzer’s advice, these expandable bamboo dividers help you upgrade your drawers’ functionality by giving your items their own customized sections. They’re spring loaded with nonslip rubber pads on the ends, so they fit most drawers between 17 and 22 inches and won’t scratch your cabinets or furniture.

• Available colors: 3

These stackable drawer organizers have earned a near-perfect 4.8-star overall rating after thousands of Amazon reviews. They’re clear, easy to clean, shatter resistant, and come in a handful of sets and sizes to accommodate everything from cosmetics to office supplies.

"A shower plant hanger can turn your bathroom into a sort of mini oasis,” says Malak Bellajdel, the in-house interior design expert at Interior Moderna. “Try hanging a pothos plant with vines that droop down, [which] will soften the hard edges of the shower.” These hanging planters come with crochet ropes and S-hooks, plus they have drainage holes and self-watering trays.

• Available colors: 6

The steam from your shower “keeps the plant alive and the touch of green makes your morning routine feel more luxurious,” continues Bellajdel. If you have a smaller bathroom, these wall-mounted planters take up minimal space, but still add a chic, natural feel with their glass fishbowl design. They’re suitable for hydroponic plants and install with the included spike hangers.

Jessica Brugger, owner of Dwell Well Design Co. in Albany, Ohio, has “become a huge believer in pink as an accent.” This vanity stool utilizes the color in a fun but sophisticated way with its pleated velvet upholstery and gold metal legs. It also has adjustable feet and a weight capacity of 250 pounds.

• Available colors: 13

Brugger continues: “Pink, in the right shades and use, has a sophistication that goes unnoticed because we have long treated it as a character more than a color." These embossed drinking glasses are barely tinted in a warm, subtle rose. Their vintage-inspired design brings a touch of character to your tablescape without overwhelming the eye.

Coasters are another easy way to incorporate an accent color, and these pink marble coasters are “gorgeous” and “very well made,” according to reviewers. They have nonslip cork on the bottoms and absorbent porcelain on the tops to soak up condensation before it damages your furniture. This set of six includes a stylish gold holder. Besides pink, you can also find a soothing blue option in the listing.

• Available colors: 2

“Lighting is always a key upgrade,” says Brugger, explaining that “layered lighting [...] adds depth and functionality.” This desk lamp has a gold brass exterior and a modern shape, so it elevates your space while illuminating it at the same time. It’s also height adjustable with a pivoting head, so you can direct the light where you need it while working, reading, or crafting.

• Available colors: 6

Modern, compact, and customizable, this LED table lamp is as minimalist as they come. Still, it doesn’t compromise on functionality, thanks to its touch-control design that lets you customize the temperature and the brightness levels. Reviewers love it because it’s “elegantly simple” and “takes up little space.” Choose from three finishes: gold, silver, and black.

• Available colors: 3

“I love adding greenery — whether it's a statement plant in the corner or a collection of smaller plants throughout the space,” says Brugger. For multiple smaller stems, these test tube vases come in a pack of five, with each one suspended inside a metal rack. Whether you use them for decoration or propagation, they’re compact, unique, and have hinges so you can rotate them.

• Available colors: 2

Greenery “brings a touch of nature inside and adds life to the design,” according to Brugger — but if you don’t have a green thumb, faux plants offer a similar effect with way less work. These artificial potted plants come in a pack of four and have earned an average 4.5-star rating because they “look so real,” according to reviewers.

• Available colors: 3

Alternatively, faux flowers can brighten up your space with texture and color that lasts indefinitely. These artificial chrysanthemums and eucalyptus leaves come in muted, natural tones with long stems. “Such good quality for the price. They look real and you get a very generous amount,” one reviewer wrote.

• Available colors: 6

Instead of “eyesore containers [...] all over your house,” Hartman Malarkey loves to use stone organizers on countertops and recommends this marble tray, which is “perfect to hold your hand and dish soap in your kitchen.” Despite its reasonable price tag, it’s made from genuine marble, plus it comes in two colors and two sizes.

• Available colors: 2

Hartman Malarkey also recommends this catchall bowl, which is “great for keys, wallets, etc.” in your entryway. Its minimalist design is made from concrete with a matte, white finish, so it goes with any decorating style. You can also use it for fruit in the kitchen or decor in the bathroom.

• Available colors: 4

“Wood also adds great texture and is another great option for a catchall,” says Hartman Malarkey, who recommends this round decorative bowl. Hand-carved from paulownia wood, it’s lightweight but sturdy, and its diameter measures nearly 12 inches, so you can use it for keys, jewelry, remote controls, or centerpiece decor.

“Under-cabinet lighting is a game changer to upgrade any space from the kitchen to the closet,” says Hartman Malarkey, who recommends these rechargeable LEDs that are magnetic and motion activated. “It immediately elevates the space and makes the space look custom,” plus it’s a “nice functional touch that also adds ambience.” And because these lights don’t require wiring, they’re a breeze to install wherever you want them.

• Available colors: 2

Ample lighting is “especially important if you are hosting in the evening and can’t rely on natural light,” says Hartman Malarkey. This portable LED table lamp is rechargeable, with three touch-controlled temperature and brightness levels. That way, you can bring it anywhere — whether there are outlets or not — to add ambience and illumination to your gathering.

• Available colors: 3

“Upgrading your hardware also goes a long way and can make items in your home look brand new instead of having to replace the entire item,” says Hartman Malarkey, who recommends these cabinet pulls. They come in several colors, sizes, and set options, but they’re all made from sturdy metal and include the correct screws for easy installation.

• Available colors: 7

According to Hartman Malarkey, swapping out the hardware on your furniture is another easy way to upgrade your space. These curved handles are compatible with dressers, closets, wardrobes, coffee tables, and cabinets. Thanks to their sleek shape and brushed metal finish, they transform even your most traditional pieces.

• Available colors: 3