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40 Home DIY Upgrades That Are As Easy As They Are Gorgeous

Work smarter not harder.

1. A plug-in wall sconce that's powered by an electrical outlet, because not all of us can or want to hire an electrician to install a more permanent light fixture. It's also got a dimmer.

2. Or a plug-in wall sconce with a fabric lampshade if you're looking for something with a softer aesthetic.

3. Some peel-and-stick floor tiles if you're unhappy with the way your current bathroom or kitchen floors look. These are half an inch thick and made of vinyl, so they can withstand a lot of foot traffic. They're also water resistant and washable.

4. A set of metal house numbers to up your home's curb appeal. The simple yet stylish design will elevate your exterior to the next level. 

reviewer image of the number 10788 in metal pieces on the outer wall of a house
reviewer image of metal house numbers 161B on a plank of wood on a brick house

RapidArc is a small business whose products help you customize your home.

Promising review: "This house number plaque is everything I wanted it to be: bold, sturdy, modern looking, and well-crafted." —Amazon Customer

Get it from RapidArc on Amazon Handmade for $10+ (available in several sizes and colors).

5. A rainfall showerhead with a handheld attachment to replace the single showerhead you currently have. Who needs the Four Seasons when you can have a spa-like experience from the comfort of your own bathroom?

Showerhead with hose attached to tiled wall with adjustable rail for height

6. 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. Instead of ripping it out and replacing it with something expensive, use this tape to frame it.

7. brick whitewash paint kit because maybe it's time for your old red brick fireplace to get a modern update. 

before image of a red brick fireplace
after image of the same fireplace now painted white

This kit comes with everything you need for your DIY project! It includes a 16-ounce can of paint, three wiping rags, a mixing container, a plastic drop cloth, painter's tape, a stir stick, a paintbrush, and detailed instructions.

Promising review: "I highly recommend this brick paint to anyone wanting a cheap, easy, and amazing upgrade to an outdated fireplace! I googled a quick YouTube video first, then just followed the instructions. It was so easy, and I'm absolutely in love with the results!!!! It completely transformed & brightened our living room." —Daniel N Mandy C

Get it from Amazon for $49.95.

8. Some antique brass cabinet pulls to make your existing cabinetry look new. 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.

9. A roll of peel-and-stick floral wallpaper for upcycling an existing piece of furniture. If you have a cabinet that's looking a little tired, consider putting something pretty on the inside to jazz it up a bit.

Before and After photos of a bookshelf upcycled with floral design, demonstrating a DIY project idea.

10. Or a roll of peel-and-stick wallpaper with a farmhouse print if you want to update a nook with something neutral. This is a great option if you're a renter, because peel-and-stick paper adheres easily to the wall and comes right off (with little to no trace) when it's time to move out.

11. Or a roll of peel-and-stick wallpaper in a subtle black-and-white pattern that will add a bit of modern drama to wherever you install it. An easy DIY win that will instantly upgrade your space.

12. An entryway storage bench if you lack a proper foyer with storage but still need a place to stash all your outside stuff. This has nine movable hooks, shoe storage (including tall boots), and a bench with a max weight capacity of 330 pounds.

An organized entryway with a coat rack, a shelving unit with shoes, wall decor, and a door

13. 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.

A wall-mounted organizational shelf with slots for mail and hooks for keys and cables

14. An ornately designed vent cover that's magnetized to adhere to existing metal air wall vents. Pro tip: paint them the color of your walls if you really want them to blend in.

Decorative vent cover next to a standard one on wooden floor for comparison

15. A pack of 16 solar-powered outdoor lights to clip right onto your balcony's ledge. Warm nights spent out on your balcony will be so much nicer when you have proper mood lighting.

Reviewer photo of lights on a patio fence

16. Or a two-pack of solar-powered outdoor lantern lights now that it's warming up and you'll be spending way more time in your backyard. Because they don't require electricity, you can hang them and then not worry about maintenance.

17. A belt rack that hangs right on your closet rod. Each hanger holds up to 14 belts and comes in three stylish wood finishes.

Closet organizer with shirts on hangers, wooden shoe racks with shoes, and belts hanging above

18. A neutral rug with just a smidge of color if you have ugly carpet and want to cover it up with something pretty. This is also a great hack if your existing furniture majorly clashes with the color of your carpet.

A distressed white coffee table on a floral rug in a living room, with a sofa and blanket visible

19. Or a textured, shaggy rug with Moroccan vibes if you want a rug that's really plush.

Loft living room with exposed brick walls, two sofas, a rug, and a TV

20. A pack of six furniture markers to cover 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.

21. A pack of artificial ivy leaves so you can bring the outdoors in, minus the bugs and dirt. Hang these on your walls for a backdrop or use them as window treatments for extra privacy.

22. Or a pack of faux cherry blossom flower vines to drape over mirrors, furniture, and really anything else you want to add some spring flair to.

Floral archway in a bedroom with a bed and decor visible, promoting home decoration options

23. A privacy window film for turning 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. 

Gif of light shining through the film causing rainbow patterns
Reviewer's room's floor is covered in rainbows

Promising review: "I can't tell you how surprised and delighted we were at the rainbow effect this film has. I bought it to make a window overlooking the street more private, and I thought I would appreciate seeing the rainbow colors on the window itself. But then when the light was shining on it at the right angle, it cast these beautiful rainbow colors on the wall. So I bought a second roll to put on one of our master bedroom windows that overlooks our neighbor's patio so I don't have to draw the curtains. In the morning now, the light comes in at just the right angle to pass through the rainbow prism and cast beautiful rainbow colors on the wall." —J.B.

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 10 sizes).

24. A mold-resistant white grout pen to cover grout stains with a fresh coat of waterproof white paint. Each pen can cover up to 150 feet of grout.

25. A set of special shelves for showing off your favorite books. These literally make it look like your books are floating on the wall.

26. Some rechargeable motion sensor under-cabinet lights to perfectly illuminate your kitchen and bathroom. After a full charge, the these 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.

Reviewer's under cabinet light is shown

27. A set of Shoe Slotz that'll double your shoe storage area if you have a big shoe collection but no where to store it. Because of its clever design — it stacks one shoe on top of another — you'll save so much space *and* have a way more organized shoe collection.

A before and after photo of a organized shoe collection and an organized one

28. Some floating shelves to install in your bathroom to give your pretty things 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.

Brown floating shelves with white plant vases and green towels hanging below

29. Some velvet curtains if you need to filter light but don't want to sacrifice style. These are very good at providing privacy and darkening the space.

A bright and airy bedroom
A dark green velvet curtain

Please note that these are sold per panel and not in a set of two. 

Get a closer look at these in this TikTok from @happilyinspired.

Promising review: "Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! I did a lot of homework on finding the perfect curtains for our new home addition. I needed a lot of them, something pretty, full, and good insulation. It could get very expensive. These were more than I could have wanted, and at such a great price...I ended up getting the longer ones because they cost less (I needed 12 panels). As a result of longer ones, they are fuller on the bottom, look so lovely, and I get all the compliments. My mom is a designer and I grew up being particular about fabric and how things are made, these are well-constructed and have gorgeous lining, lots of detail put into these, thank you!! Also, they are true to color ;)" —Mrs

Get a panel from Amazon for $48.79+ (available in 32 colors and nine sizes).

30. A fabric defuzzer to safely remove unsightly pilling and unwanted broken and matted fibers from furniture and clothing. The tool is battery-operated and has three depth settings to quickly shave fuzz.

A reviewer's before-and-after image of the side of their sofa. The armrest was scratched with fabric pulled and after using the defuzzer it looks brand new.

31. rust-removing spray that'll save even the most disgusting shower surrounds. It's specifically formulated to cling as it dissolves the toughest rust stains on contact. Just spray it on, give it a few minutes, and then wipe away years of rusty buildup. It's that easy. 

reviewer pic of shower surround with tons of rusty stains on it
same shower surround that's completely stain-free now

Promising review: "Used it on our tubs, toilets, sinks, and shower. Compared it to the It Works Bathroom you can get at The Dollar Tree. It took one bottle of this stuff to achieve the same result as three bottles of the It Works. I will buy this again, hands down. I tried the powder, which was good for scrubbing and soaking the tub, but the spray was fantastic for the shower and sink. Just spray, walk away for a few minutes, and wipe/rinse." —Carrie D

Get it from Amazon for $13.45.

32. Some shelf dividers if you stack clothing and linens to the ceiling in your closet. Not only will it help keep the stacks upright, but now everything from towels to linens will have their own spot.

reviewer photo showing shelf dividers used to separate stacks of towels in their linen closet

33. A fog-resistant, wall-mounted shower mirror to get that 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.

34. A set of removable tile decals that are specifically designed for stairs. They come in a roll just like tape, so you slap them on your risers and — boom! — you're done.

The stair riser stickers in beige and white are shown applied to a set of stairs

35. A roll of peel-and-stick subway tile backsplash for your kitchen to create a more finished look. These are extra great if you're a renter — they don't damage the wall at all if you ever need to remove them.

Reviewer's kitchen before and after installing the kitchen tiles

36. An automatic soap dispenser that also tells you the temperature. This is a game-changer if you're short on countertop space because it mounts to the wall *and* it keeps soap dispensing tidy.

37. A set of two stackable acrylic drawers to keep your unruly closets 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.

38. Some beautiful wall-mounted amber bottles that come with matching labels to decant your shampoo, conditioner, and body wash into. Pro tip: Use a leveler to make sure yours are evenly aligned.

39. stone-effect spray paint if your countertops have seen better days and you want to give them a refresh. Instead of shelling out big bucks for new slabs, use this paint to create a stone-like look.

Reviewer pic of aged green bathroom vanity top
Reviewer pic of transformed bathroom vanity with the help of the spray paint

Promising review: "We recently purchased a new home, and we're not gutting our main bathroom until next summer, but I just couldn't live with that 1980s green counter another day. So after reading a lot of tutorials, I decided to go for it and paint the counter. I LOVE how it came out! Once it was dry for 24 hours, I applied several coats of poly and let it sit for 72 hours before I let the counter go back into normal use. It's held up like a dream." —Mistella (This reviewer left a super in-depth review, so check it out for more tips and tricks.)

Get it from Amazon for $16.96+ (available in six colors).

40. And an aesthetically pleasing wall-mounted hair dryer holder to give your hair dryer a home of its own (and free up drawer and cabinet space, while you're at it). It comes in gold, black, or silver, so it's sure to match any metal finish you have in your bathroom.

The dryer holder is shown mounted to a wall

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.