We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. Some black matte-steel cabinet pulls that take literally five minutes to install: unscrew your current ones, then attach these in the same spot to pretty much instantly take your vanity from 1996 to 2022. (Rent? You can swap them back before you move!)
Just remember to measure before you buy: these are 5 inches long and the hole centers are 3 inches apart.
Promising review: "Perfect! They were exactly what I was going for! Great quality, very durable, and actually have some weight to them. Great purchase for replacing all of the hardware in my kitchen and bathroom for the camper I am remodeling. Definitely would recommend, especially at such an amazing price. Great value for great quality!" —Summertime
Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in quantities one through 60 and in black, gold, or silver).
2. Or some sophisticated gold cabinet pulls that will immediately dress up your bathroom vanity and make it easy to look past the fact that it was originally installed in the late '80s.
Promising review: "If you have any doubts in your mind about these handle pulls.... don't!!! They are absolutely stunning in person. They are heavy and have a lux weighted feel and look to them. The brushed brass gleams the perfect amount. I truly get so happy every time I walk into my kitchen. These handle pulls make it magnificent. They're like jewelry for your kitchen. I couldn't be happier with them." —Ravi S
Get a set of 10 five-inch pulls from Amazon for $51.65.
3. A plush, velvety slipcover in bright teal because it's an easy, wallet-friendly way to get the ~colorful couch~ trend. Because the couch is such a big piece, you'll be amazed at the difference that adding a cover will make to your space!
It comes with four pieces: a large cover for the back, arms, and base, plus a cover for each cushion. One reviewer bought two, and covered their back three cushions as well as the seats for an extra neat look! A couple reviewers also suggest buying some twist pins ($6.99) to help it stay perfectly in place.
Promising review: "I have to admit I was worried that these would look cheap. I have two dogs who just won’t stay off and did that “digging” on the cushions that dogs do. I aligned all the edges on the cover to the sofa and took the feet off my sofa to tuck the cover under the feet as well. It helped keep the cover taut and now my sofas look great again! Very impressed and happy for the price!" —James I. Velazquez
Get it from Amazon for $52.91+ (available in 2 sizes and 12 colors).
4. A bottle of Quick N Brite Fireplace Cleaner to save you from the years of buildup and make your living room actually look well, clean and nice again. Idk that anyone dreams of a home with a sooty fireplace, so this'll fix you up quickly and easily.
Promising review: "Unbelievable! My daughter just moved into her first home. She thought she would have to paint her brick fireplace because of the heavy soot stains that had been there for years. We applied the product twice and put in a whole lot of elbow grease, but what a difference! It’s a messy process, but well worth the time and energy." —MM
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
5. And a can of brick whitewash paint so you don't have to just live with your fireplace's earth tones that were oh-so-popular in the '70s but simply do NOT mesh with the ideal mantel you're picturing in your head.
Most reviewers seem to use it for their fireplaces, but it would totally work on just any old brick, too! BTW, you do have to dilute the paint with water to get full-coverage, so just be sure to read the directions before you get started!
Promising review: "This is amazing!!!!! It looks like a different fireplace. I have been looking at a horrible grout repair that the previous owners did for 20 years. I did this in about two hours!!!!!! This product is fast, it's easy to use, easy to clean up, and inexpensive." —Denise
Get a pint from Amazon for $24.95.
6. A set of reusable wall-mounted dispenser bottles complete with well-designed labels to transform your cluttered shower into a hotel spaworthy retreat.
7. Or a set of stainless-steel and glass soap dispensers to give your bathroom a lighter, brighter aesthetic, and let all the pretty colors of your decanted soaps bring a little unbranded color to the world.
Promising review: "I purchased these to use as shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash dispensers. I wanted our shower to look like a spa! They are great quality and many people I know have copied our idea, so they are a hit! Very high quality, the plunger part is always the most important part. These are metal and not plastic, something that seems to be hard to find when looking for dispensers." —Rebecca Morea
Get set of two from Amazon for $14.99.
8. A guided gallery wall kit because day dreaming about the gallery wall won't make it happen, but this comes with seven frames, a hanging template, hardware, and some lovely black-and-white prints that'll make it much, much easier to put something together that looks both nice and is evenly spaced.
Promising review: "I love this set! It was delivered quickly, all of the frames and glass came in perfect condition. My favorite part of the entire thing was the guide it came with. After putting the pictures in the frames, I hung the guide, made sure it was level, and drilled the holes right into the paper. Everything came out level, the frames and pictures look great. Definitely happy with this purchase." —Cristina C Sanchez
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in four finishes).
9. Some luxurious blackout velvet curtains that'll instantly elevate any space you hang them in, especially if you follow the cardinal rule of decorating: always hang any drapes both higher and wider than the window. That's how these have such a grand, sweeping appearance!
Promising review: "Purchased these for my studio, which is in an old mill. I wanted them for their insulating properties more than to block out the light because my studio loses a lot of heat at night due to its enormous windows. The curtains/drapes work great for both — I am especially pleased with how well they help keep the space from losing heat! Before having the curtains the space would lose about 8 degrees in temperature overnight (which in the winter is a significant amount, especially in the Northeast). Now, with the curtains, the space no longer loses heat overnight! It is now so nice to go into my studio in the morning and find it still toasty warm!" —Noname
Get them from Amazon for $32.99+ a panel (available in four sizes and up to nine colors).
10. Some self-adhesive film so you get the marble counters you so deeply desire without having to pay a pretty penny for a slab of stone and workers to install it. (Or having to convince your landlord to do the spending, instead.)
Promising review: "I used this adhesive film to turn two cheap Ikea tables into less-cheap-looking Ikea tables because I'm not made of money, but I would like others to believe I am. Super simple to use and you get a ton of it for the price. I was really pleased overall. The pattern actually looks like marble, not a weird pixely repetitive pattern, so that's great as well. Also it was delivered same day which was miraculous as my DIY initiative tends to fade approximately 48 hours after I discover a project I want to do." —Spencer House
Get it from Amazon for $12.21.
11. A roll of stick-on track lights because besides making it just plain easier to cook and do dishes, they make the kitchen (or bathroom or closet) ~glow~ with sophisticated, expensive vibes.
It even comes with a remote that can adjust the brightness!
Promising review "This is a wonderful product; just what I wanted. Super easy to install and I love that it breaks off into sections so you don’t have any hanging over to hide. The remote is awesome and there are lots of brightness settings. I’m going to use these everywhere!" —Queen Halloween
Get the six-piece kit from Amazon for $17.84 (available in white or warm white).
12. Some super soft velvet covers you can slip over the throw pillows you're not so excited about anymore (maybe they're stained, maybe you're just going for a different look) to make your living room or bed look completely fresh.
To make the pillows look extra fluffy, buy covers that are one size smaller than your inserts! (Or if you need inserts because you don't currently have any throw pillows to reuse, you can get a pack of two for $13.99.)
Promising review: "Definitely have bought a fair amount of these with my constantly changing decor. Don’t think I’ve ever had a broken zipper, which is nicely matching and hidden. They clean nicely with soapy water. Rich, deep colors that transform in different lighting. Cream and white are a bit see through. Extremely soft and nice to lay on. Cream is utterly delicious to look at with an expensive looking sheen that is matched only by its luxurious feel. Great value." —Aliza
Get a pack of two on Amazon for $12.99+ (available in eight sizes and 35 colors).
Of course, depending on your decor preferences, Amazon has dozens of under-$15 throw pillow sets available (frayed cotton, fuzzy plush, black and white geometric patterns...) — I bet you can find something you'd love!
13. Some stainless-steel-effect contact paper because it'll update your circa-1990s appliances for less than the cost of dinner for two: simply cover them and then step back to marvel at your handiwork (and ability to save $$!) .
Several reviewers said it really helps to use a wallpaper smoothing tool — you can get one for $4.99!
Promising review: "It bothered me that my dishwasher was black and didn't match my stainless steel stove and fridge, so I decided to give this a try. I'm glad I did! It legit looks like my dishwasher is stainless steel now. It's not big enough to cover the whole thing at once so there is a seem, but I put the seem on the lower half of the dishwasher and it's not very noticeable at all. If I didn't know to look for it, I probably wouldn't see it. Just make sure you wash whatever you're applying it to so that it sticks well, and go slowly when applying so you don't get bubbles." —Sharon
Get an 15"x78" roll from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three sizes).
14. A few individual stackable bins that'll corral some of the fridge clutter that you're tired of dealing with. Just pile your condiments, cheese, and kids snacks into three different bins, and every time you open your fridge, you'll be amazed at how much neater everything looks.
Promising review: "Works perfectly in my fridge. Looks so much better than my old bins and can fit items nicely. Love that they are clear as it makes it easy for my toddler to see what he wants without having to take the whole bin out of the fridge. You could easily use these for various things throughout your home to organize and make your life easier. I bought several in various sizes." —runner34
Get packs of two bins on Amazon for $15.49 (available in four sizes, so you can mix and match).
15. And pretty custom decals you can attach to your most-used bins so you can feel like a Professional Organizer every time you open your fridge, and so everyone knows where to find everything and where to put things away.
CalliBanana is a Flemingon, New Jersey–based small business specializing in custom decals for all around your home.
Promising review: "These labels are perfect! I ordered several to organize and label fridge bins. I love the font. They are super easy to apply as well. I may end up labeling everything in my house." —Wendy Norman
Get them from CalliBanana Boutique on Etsy for $1.50+ per decal (available in 4 letter heights, 18 font options, and 10 colors).
16. A miracle wood finish restorer that'll erase old water stains from your antique furniture, polish up your cabinets that have seen a few to many enthusiastic paws over the years, and otherwise revive the furniture you already have and love so you can fall in love with it all over again.
Restoring a finish isn't quite the same as completely refinishing a piece, but it take much less time and can still make furniture (and floors, front doors, and kitchen cabinets) look new again so quickly.
Promising review: "Very easy to get results. I applied to eight dining room chairs which had scrapes, scuffs and white paint marks. An amazing transformation so quickly. I finished eight chairs in 90 minutes without rushing. I bought two pints but only one was necessary. I used a cotton cloth for most of the application but also used 0000 steel wool for the scrapes and paint removal." —Grumpy Neanderthal
Get it on Amazon for $8.79+ (eight wood finish colors available); many reviewers follow up with the same brand's wood polish and conditioner, which you can get for $9.99 on Amazon.
17. Some high-quality pretty switch plates because you'll be amazed at the dramatic difference it makes when you replace your yellowing, cracked, or otherwise blah switch- and outlet-plates with 'em. And it takes basically zero effort.
This is a change that takes only a few minutes: unscrew the old, and screw on the new! (Unless you decide paint them to match your trim or your wall color, but even then it's a quick project: paint in the evening, let 'em dry overnight, then install.)
Promising review: "I purchased two switch plates for the entrance to my living room. The scroll and antique finish make the wall look elegant. The screws are long (I can't tell you how many switch plates I've bought with very short screws that barley fit and are hard to screw in). I am very pleased with this purchase. I may update my living room in the future but not the switch plates. They are a complement to any decor." —Curious
Get the two-switch plates from Amazon for $22.50 (available in seven finishes) or see all the other plates in this pattern plus the other patterns available here.
18. A house number in a modern font that you can hang up next to your front door for an under-an-hour curb-appeal boost.
Go Home Numbers is a Florida-based small business that offers multiple font options and heights for home numbers, so if you want something in cursive, spelled out, or in green or bright orange, they can make it for you!
Promising review: "I am so happy with my purchase from this shop. The numbers seem pretty durable. Love that the hardware was included, because it was probably the simplest home improvement project we’ve ever done." —Katie Oshima
Get any one of the pictured 6-inch "modern" numbers from Go Home Numbers on Etsy for $7.75+ each.
19. And some no-sanding-required, fast-drying front door paint so you can finally achieve your dreams of a bright, friendly entry with just one day's worth of work.
This review gives detailed instructions to help everything come out perfectly, and most people will also need: a drop cloth, a regular paint brush, a small roller brush, touch-up brushes, and some painter's tape for the edges and windows. Oh, and you do have to clean your door quickly before you get started!
Promising review: "Excellent product. Very easy to use. We were able to paint our front door with two coats and be finished all in one day. Product is a very thick consistency that causes it not to drip, run, splatter or ruin your paint brushes. Very little prep work and clean up. They have an app that lets you take a pic of your door and try all of the colors. Plus, it comes in a really nice plastic container with a screw top lid. This makes it easy to pour and seal when done. You can apply a second coat within a few hours — it was completely dry by 4 p.m. and we were able to close the door. And by 9 p.m. I was able to hang my wreath. Yay!" —Jay
Get it from Amazon for $38.95+ (available in 15 colors).
20. A bidet attachment because those super fancy Japanese toilets may be the gold standard (with their warm water, warm toilet seats, and drying capabilities), but this lets you get the most important part — the fresh, clean feeling — easily on your toilet at home.
Check out BuzzFeed's full Tushy bidet review.
Promising review: "Life changer. No more clogged toilets, plumber visits due to wipes creating issues, endless 'paperwork' sessions...just an all around upgrade that has increased my confidence in my cleanliness no matter how formal or intimate the rest of the day may be!" —Nick S.
Get it from Tushy for $99 (available in 10 color comboss).
21. Some curtain lights you can layer under sheer curtains to turn any space into a magically cozy retreat. Reviewers have hung them around their four-poster bed, as substitutes for headboards, across ceilings in meditation spaces — and they never fail to look ethereal.
22. Or a fairy light photo display complete with tiny clips, which make it easy to always keep it updated with your favorite (printed!) pics. It's a beautiful way to create a focal point *besides* the TV, plus it'll add some super cozy ambient light!
Promising review: "These are fun lights that spruced up a dull area. Once I got them untangled initially, they were super easy to put up. They are a tad bit heavy and need something strong to clip to. The clips have good springs and will stay wherever they are put. It literally took just a few minutes, including adding the photos, to put up and enjoy." —Sheila Crawford
Get them from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three lengths and in warm white or yellow).
23. These carriage-style magnets because they'll instantly update your garage door, both creating a ~focal point~ that draws everyone's eyes and making it look like you spent $$$ on a brand-new garage door.
Promising review: "If you're looking for instant curb appeal with little effort, you need to get these. These haven't moved in large rain storms or excessive wind and hopefully won't rust out like the more expensive drilled sets like my neighbors have since there are no exposed screws or hardware." —SG
(They won't rust out at all because they're made of a super durable UV- and weather-resistant plastic.)
Get the set of four hinges and two handles on Amazon for $17.99.
24. Some furniture decals that'll turn that old chest of drawers into its very own unique work of art that looks like it could have come from a fancy custom furniture store. You just rub them onto your piece with a wooden stick, so it's the perfect project for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
They work on walls, furniture, wood, doors and many more surfaces! Maika Daughters is an Austin, Texas-based small business focused on selling all kinds of materials for upcycling projects. If you like the idea of furniture decals but these aren't quite up your alley, they have 96 different designs available, although many of them are floral or vintage-y.
Promising review: "These poppy decals are the best! Not as much work as I feared and they look sensational!" —ElizabethMeredith
Get the sheet with all these decals with from MaikaDaughters on Etsy for $29.99+.
25. A satin-finish cabinet paint kit so you can upgrade the builder's default cabinets without paying big bucks to a renovator, and get to have a kitchen with beautiful blue cabinets exactly like you've been envisioning for years.
It's low-VOC and low-odor too, so you won't be dealing with horrible fumes! Each kit covers 100 square feet of cabinets, and comes with two cans of cabinet paint, a brush, and two rollers. No sanding is required, although many reviewers do at least a little sanding anyway, both before painting and after each coat dries.
One person who left a review on a sold-out listing for this paint kit recommends cleaning your cabinets with a heavy-duty degreaser like TSP, and then you only have to sand any uneven areas. If you want to get the white kit, multiple reviewers from both that old listing and the current listing also recommend painting a primer coat first — you can get a quart of primer for $15.89. You can also get extra cans of the cabinet paint for $39.95 each.
Promising review: "One day's work! Super happy with the quality of product. The project was easier with most everything included. I'd suggest getting 300 grade sand paper and a small paint tray before starting. That's all I found missing from the kit. Very easy application. And good instructions." —Catherine C. Harding
Get it from Amazon for $89.95+ (available in 11 colors).
26. A set of Command hooks and some cute decals for the inside of a kitchen cabinet because it all takes up pretty much no extra space and it'll be storage for a bunch of quick-reference ~knowledge~ (how many cups is one quart of chicken broth anyway?) as much as it's a convenient spot to stash your measuring cups and spoons.
27. Shrink wrap window insulation — so those fancy energy-efficient windows may be out of reach, but this seals over your current windows to block any drafts, meaning your summer AC bills and winter heat bills could be lower! And you can still enjoy the bright cascades of natural light in your thoughtfully decorated space.
Promising review: "My husband and I put this kit on all our windows in about one hour. I was afraid it would look terrible having plastic on the windows, but after you shrink and trim it, it's not so noticeable and it does keep out any draft and the stink bugs. I am going to try putting on the outside of the cat door window to keep out the lady bugs and stink bugs, which are terrible in our area." —Kat M.
Get it from Amazon for $9.55+ (available in three sizes and two styles).
28. A three-outlet power strip that lays flat against the wall, because while it seems like a small thing, getting those couple of inches of floor space is still space that'll make your room feel a little bit bigger!
It includes a cord concealer kit, too, so you don't have to buy anything extra to get perfect results!
Promising review: "My girlfriend and I had a cord nightmare going on behind our bed since there was only the single outlet but we both wanted cords by our bedside tables. This solved all our problems: the plug's against the wall so our bedpost can cover the outlet, and the cord concealers help us keep the cords out of sight. Love it!" —Brandan Murray
Get it from Amazon for $24.95+ (available in three sizes and with or without surge).
29. A leather restoring polish if you've *had* your dream couch for many years, but with all the years of movies, sports games, homework sessions, naps, and good talks, it's seen better days. This will help bring back its former glory!
Promising review: "I used this product to breathe new life into a leather sofa that I got for free on Facebook Marketplace. I changed the color of the sofa from a medium brown to the dark brown color. The product was easy to use, dried quickly, and covered much of the damage, cracking, and fading on the sofa. I love the finished product, and this was for under $30 cost total for materials. It took me two containers to cover the entire couch with a small amount left over. If you weren't doing a complete color change you could probably get away with one container. I highly recommend buying some cheap stippling brushes for getting the color into seams and crevices. This product works more like a paint than a dye, so keep that in mind." —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $17.95 (available in 16 colors).
30. A set of airtight containers to transform your pantry or cupboards into an Instagramworthy organized oasis. Ditch the piles of mis-matched cereal boxes and rubber-banded half-full plastic bags and you just might feel a true sense of calm and control every time you start prepping dinner.
Promising review: "Love everything about these! Not only do they look great and help me not stress me out every time I open the cabinet, they work very well. The air lock seal is perfect. Plus the tall ones are great for a box of cereal and cute enough to leave out on the counter for the kids! Hoping they last over time, but right now I feel these are worth the investment. Will buy more soon!" —Kindle Customer
Get a five-piece set from Amazon for $24.99.
31. And some minimalist labels that'll make it easy to ID ingredients *and* immediately elevate the overall look of each container. You may occasionally just open the cabinet door to admire how. darn. pretty!! everything looks!
This woman-owned small business is based in Seattle, Washington that makes all kinds of shapes and sizes of labels in this same style!
Promising review: "Absolutely obsessed with how organized my kitchen looks with these effortless and minimal stickers for my jars. I’m tempted to buy each and every sticker! If I ever need to change out my jars, I will definitely be reordering these stickers." —Emily Nguyen
Get a set of 20 from Real + Vibrant on Etsy for $10+ (available in larger sets, customizable options, and in a spice set).
32. Interlocking teak tiles that'll cover any blah flooring and make it look warm, tropical, and just downright gorgeous. Want your shower to look like a spa? Simply lay down a set of these!
Promising review: "Living in Hawaii, you have to select wise items that are weather-, salt-, and red dirt–proof, etc... In total I ordered 11 boxes to complete my yoga deck. I have a few left over to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!" —Adazzle
Get 10 sq. ft from Amazon for $77.99.
33. Some pre-made wainscot wall panels because they take just an afternoon's work with some glue or nails — or if you're a renter or just non-committal, Command Strips! — to transform your boring, blank wall, door, kitchen island, or hallway into one with a little architectural charm.
Reviewers have figured out all kinds of ways to attach these and if you own your home, gluing or nailing them on is the way to go! But I'm a renter, and I think that Command picture-hanging strips would be a super easy way to hang them without having to worry about damage. Oh, and they come in a bunch of different sizes, so you'll be able to find one that works for your project.
Promising review: "Moved into an apartment with an ugly old plain front door that has seen better days. Since I cannot replace the door I decided to spruce it up, and these frame pieces are going to do the trick. They can be nailed or glued on, and then I have some colorful paint to cover them and the door...making the door look like it always was an upscale door with panels. I am happy with this purchase." —tj44
Get a single panel from Amazon starting at $7.88 (available in sets and a huge array of sizes).
34. A floating wooden shelf you can hang on that one blank wall in your kitchen, to get the trendy open shelving look — and give you a spot to display all your prettiest dishes and jars — without having to tear down any cabinets or give up the convenient hidden storage those cabinets provide.
Iirntree is a small business based in Canada that creates gorgeous wooden furniture including shelves, benches, garden decor, and wall art.
Promising review: "I am absolutely thrilled with the quality and look of these shelves. We just renovated our floral studio and the contractor quoted $1,500 to make two 6-foot floating shelves. [Editor's note: for context, the 6-foot version of this Etsy shelf costs $291.97.] These were easy to install and really complete our kitchenette! Thank you!" —Kandi
Get it from Iirntree on Etsy for $22.53+ (available in lengths from 10" to 96" wide, and a wide selection of wood stain finishes).
35. A peel-and-stick subway tile backsplash because it's a quick, cheap, and relatively easy way to transform your blah kitchen over the course of a Sunday afternoon.
Promising review: "This peel-and-stick tile backsplash has completely changed the look of our kitchen. It was relatively easy to install and it was our first time using any peel and stick product. One thing we did learn is once it's on the wall...it's not coming off easily. I would highly recommend using the glass cleaner method — this will allow more time to fix your placement if you don't have it just right. Overall, this product is totally worth the price and little time it takes to apply. P.S. It's a great quarantine project if you're looking for one! :)" —Nikki Moody
Get a 10-pack of 12x12 panels from Amazon for $28.89+ (available in six colors).
36. Or a gray brick peel-and-stick tile option if you're wanting something with a little color and texture to warm up the space.
Promising review: "This brought new life to my super boring kitchen! This was much easier than I thought and was really worried about taking on this project but I'm glad I did. Took me over three hours from start to finish." —Blood Agent
Read the rest of this customer's in-depth review for some handy tips and tricks.
Get six tiles from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four color schemes).
37. A gorgeous octagonal mirror that would be a fabulous replacement for that builder-grade mirror that looks straight out of 2001 — or just look really darn good on the wall above your entry table.
It comes with two side hooks attached to the back, but you'll need to provide your own nails or anchors.
Promising review: "This mirror is elegant. I love the shape and color, it’s exactly what I needed in my bathroom. I bought two of them. I am very happy and satisfied with this purchase." —Shay
Get it from Amazon for $64.95+ (available in three sizes and four frame colors).
You when you step back to admire your finished project, and realize how much $ you saved:
