27 Budget-Friendly Products That'll Give Your Home A Wow-Worthy Update

27 Budget-Friendly Products That'll Give Your Home A Wow-Worthy Update

BuzzFeed-Shopping·2023-06-12 05:10

1. A set of peel-and-stick tiles that will update your space without any of the hassle of a contractor. Were you one of those kids who liked to meticulously put stickers in a sticker book? Well this is the DIY project for you! 

www.amazon.com

Each pack comes with 10 11.8"x11.8" self-adhesive tiles that are heat resistant and moisture resistant, plus easy to wipe if they get dirty. 

If you'd like to create the tile layout above, it's so easy: certain tiles come with an area called "overlap here," so you'll know where each tile goes! Just align a tile with the jagged edge in the "overlap here" area, and you'll get that tile overlap effect in no time.

Promising reviews: "I absolutely love this backsplash!! It was easy to install and looks like real tile once it’s on the wall! I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking to add backsplash to an area of their house while staying on a budget. It will turn out looking great! JUST A NOTE: We used an adhesive spray to make sure the tile stays in place. Better safe than sorry!" —Anna

"Turned out beautifully! Before and after photos attached. I did not install it, so I can’t say how easy it was. This was an economical alternative to a real backsplash for a rental property. I will update my review if I see any problems after going back over there today. Very impressed!" —BGFAtlanta

Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in six styles).

2. A set of accent magnets to add to your bare garage door for a quick glow up. Just position them and let the magnet take care of the rest. Now you've taken your garage from a boring '90s install to a chic converted carriage house... just like that! 

www.amazon.com

This set includes four magnetic carriage-style gate hinges, and two magnetic handles. And if you'd like to add faux magnetic windows to your garage door, here is a decorating kit to help you out. 

Promising review: "The photos are before and after. These took about five minutes to install. They look amazing. Neighbors thought we purchased new garage doors." —Shanna

Get the set from Amazon for $16.99.

3. A wood conditioner and polish made with beeswax, carnauba wax, and orange oil to revive your well-trodden wood floors (and furniture!) and restore them to their former glory. Rearranging furniture, dance parties, dogs and cats running around the house — bring it on! 

www.amazon.com

Reviewers have also used this polish on other wood surfaces, including kitchen cabinets, dining tables, and antique furniture!

Promising review: "This product is worth every penny and goes a very long way. We had tired oak floors that haven’t been refinished in over 50 years. They were dried out and washed out. This product took away decades in an hour with a few rags and a lot of elbow grease. One word of caution: Floors are very slippery for a few days after use. Be very careful walking around. As a bonus, it smells amazing. It has a natural orange peel smell that is fresh and clean and not at all harsh or chemical. Highly, highly recommend." —GMD

Get an 8-ounce bottle from Amazon for $8.95+ (available in three sizes). 

4. A can of ultra-matte chalked paint, so you can upgrade your home and repaint almost anything in colors that you would actually choose. Perfect for transforming everything from fireplaces to that old side table from your aunt that you didn't have the heart to reject. Wait, did restoring old furniture just become your new side hustle? 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

This matte paint is designed for multiple surfaces, including ceramic, furniture, metal, and wood.

Promising review: "This paint works marvelously for staining interior brick! I researched for a long time and looked at many project reports for staining a raw brick fireplace. Finally, I committed to this chalk paint, and my fireplace looks better than any I have seen elsewhere. I diluted it to a half-paint, half-water ratio, applied one coat with a brush, and worked it into holes and crevices with a sponge. Very easy to do, especially if surroundings are appropriately protected from the very thin splashy paint." —maina donaldson

Get it from Amazon for $23.48 (available in 15 colors and two-packs).

5. A set of under-the-cabinet stick-on lights that will ensure you can actually see what you're cutting with that fancy chef's knife, which is pretty important for your precious little digits. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

This kit includes a remote that can adjust the brightness! 

Promising review: "If you rent and want under-counter lights, look no further. These lights are phenomenal! It took me all of five minutes to install in our kitchen under the counters. Before all we had was a horrible fluorescent light, and now I can just use these, and it's perfect. I even had a strip left over and was able to put lights under all of my counters and above the stove. The dimming feature is great, and we use the timer all the time when we leave our dogs home early in the morning or late at night so they have some light. Would definitely buy again." —Ashlyn McKenzie

Get the six-piece kit from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three light colors).

6. A set of digital art prints guaranteed to brighten your day with destination-inspired flowers and fruits. The six designs are perfect for a kitchen gallery wall and could even serve as some culinary inspo (lemons? oranges? pears? YUM). Just download, print, and place inside frames for a wow-worthy display.

April Lane Art/Etsy

April Lane Art is a small business that sells printable art, including pretty gallery wall sets featuring global destinations, mixed drinks, and plants!

Note: Each digital print comes with five PNG files that you can change to different sizes, which is helpful if you'd like to create a gallery wall with smaller or larger frames.

Promising review: "I printed these out and hung them from gold/acrylic clipboards in my cubicle, and they turned out so cute!" —Etsy Customer

Get a six-pack from April Lane Art on Etsy for $15.

7. A pack of Command picture-hanging strips that will let you hang frames up to 4 pounds without putting a single hole in your wall. Go ahead, decorate to your heart's content — you know you're getting that security deposit back now. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

No tools are required for these strips: Just prep the wall with isopropyl rubbing alcohol, click a pair together to lock them in place, stick them on the frame, press the frame on the wall, and that's it. When it's time for removal, just gently slide the frame down, and the strips will easily come off!

Note: Even though these strips are great for hanging up picture frames, wall art, and mirrors, they're not recommended for mounting shadow boxes, shelves, or tapestry.

Promising reviews: "Hung an entire gallery wall with these and the medium-sized ones. Easy to remove and reposition with the Velcro, and they're also easy to completely remove with no marks left on walls." —Amazon Customer

Get an 18-pack from Amazon for $9.12+ (available in three styles and multi-packs).

8. A cabinet painting kit so you can refresh the look of your kitchen without doing a total reno. And while demo day does look fun, nothing compares to getting the look you want at a fraction of the price.

www.amazon.com

Includes two 31-ounce cans of Nuvo cabinet paint, one roller arm, two roller covers, two stir sticks, and one angled paint brush. Each covers 100 square feet of cabinet surface.

Promising review: "This product was super easy to use. We went with the tips in the reviews and bought nicer foam rollers specifically for cabinets, and I’m so happy I did; it made it so we barely had to use a brush because of how the foam rolls over the side. We also took the doors and handles off, which I recommend also. It definitely wouldn’t have turned out as nice if we left them on.

This took four coats and five in the larger areas (i.e., next to the fridge, etc.). Our kitchen took two kits, but well worth it and still way cheaper than the quotes that we got from professionals. It totally changes the feel of the kitchen, and it looks SO MUCH BRIGHTER! I would say give yourself a few days to knock this out, as it took us several nights to finish. But would highly recommend." —T.J. Sarnese

Get it from Amazon for $79.95 (available in more colors here).

9. A pack of brass pulls that will make your kitchen feel instantly more fancy. If your cabinets are already dressed to the nines, try upgrading your dressers or bathroom vanities. You'll be golden! 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

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 luxe 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 $58.82.

10. A set of pretty outdoor string lights, which you can hang just in time for the warm weather. Your outdoor space will now be your favorite "room" of the house — time to entertain!

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I purchased these for my patio two summers ago, and I love them. I put them up in the spring and take them down when it gets too chilly to sit outside. I can’t say how they hold up in the cold temperatures of winter. But what I can say is that I love these; they are small enough that they don’t hang down too far, and they give off a nice relaxing glow that's not too bright." —Domzzs

Get them from Amazon for $16.15+ (available in three lengths and five colors).

11. A tile peel-and-stick wallpaper to help create the Mediterranean villa vibes of your dreams. Just imagine: warm sunshine, fresh food, and vibrant tile in your kitchen. Now, you can satiate a bit of wanderlust while you're cozy at home. 

www.amazon.com

This peel-and-stick wallpaper is also removable, making it a great pick for folks who are renting an apartment or home!

Promising review: "The paper of my dreams! Thick, easy to install, VERY forgiving pattern, and I was able to pull off and reposition several times with no loss of stickiness. Can’t say enough good things! Not even a bad smell like I was expecting after reading other reviews. One roll covered my entire set of stair risers with exactly the right amount and a very tiny strip leftover. Posting a before and after so you can be amazed at the transformation like I was. The results are just what I was hoping for and more." —BwHow

Get a roll (measures 198" x 20.5") from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in three colors).

12. A set of thick velvet slipcovers which will instantly make you forget that your sofa was manufactured before you were born. Give it that chic, re-upholstered look at a price that feels like the good old days.

www.amazon.com

This set also comes with nonslip straps that'll prevent your "seats" from shifting out of place. It's also available in a bunch of colors, in case you want to do a total makeover, as shown in the review picture above.

Promising review: "This actually made my couch look new. I am genuinely impressed. The kids ruined my off-white couch, and I was desperate to throw it out. My husband on the other hand said, no, give couch covers a try. (I spent money getting the couches professionally cleaned multiple times!) This was the easiest, least expensive choice and I wish I bought them two years ago. It would have saved me a ton of money." —Leah Johnson

Get it from Amazon for $47.49+ (available in five sizes and 10 colors).

13. A cage pendant light — or two — that will not only brighten up any space in need (ahem, like your bathroom) but will also shine a light on your fresh design style.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The cord measures 4.9 feet. It does not include bulbs, but you can get a set of compatible Edison bulbs here.

Promising reviews: "This little light is perfect for extra/accent lighting! I’m very impressed with the quality of the metal cage, and it didn’t take more than 10 minutes to install. We needed it to be shorter in order to fit in the space we wanted it, so we just trimmed the wire to our desired length. We’re very pleased with our purchase!" —Amazon Customer

"Great value for your money with this light. Install was mostly easy, I needed mine closer to the ceiling so the excess cord was a little difficult to wrap up inside, but besides that, install was a breeze. Everything was properly marked." —Katy

Get them from Amazon for $18.12 each.

14. A recessed light converter if you want to get a more custom pendant light look in a cookie-cutter house or apartment. There are so many little ways you can make your space actually feel like YOU.

www.amazon.com

This converter's brace adjusts to fit recessed cans that are 4, 5, or 6 inches, plus works for sloped ceilings up to 45 degrees.

Promising review: "This product works exactly as advertised. It converts a recessed light so that you can install another light fixture, and it does not require that you remove the metal can from your ceiling. This is convenient because these cans can be obnoxious to remove, and the hole left in your ceiling is probably bigger than you want for your new fixture anyway. My large dining room stupidly had ONE recessed light for the entire room. I used this product to install a chandelier." —The Mamos

Get it from Amazon for $18.67.

15. A cute little bistro seating set which will turn your balcony into your new favorite restaurant in town. (And if you don't feel like cooking, takeout is just fine!)

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "So I have this tiny balcony for a studio apartment and I wanted something cute to fill up the space. This set is the most affordable and there were so many choices of colors. When I went for a walk around my apartment complex, I noticed some of the neighbors have the exact same set. Since my balcony is so small and I rarely have visitors, I only set up one of the chairs. I plan to get a small succulent next to decorate it." —Bunny

Get it from Amazon for $119.99 (available in 10 colors).

16. A quart of affordable, water-based front-door paint because that weathered entrance has seen better days. Knock knock? Who's there? There's no joke or punchline, it's just your neighbor and they want to know where you got your paint. Don't gate keep! 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I just bought my first house and was looking for a quick, cheap update for the front door that will eventually get replaced down the road so I decided to paint the current one. My original door is a standard white exterior door. I was able to do this in a few hours (that includes drying time). Did two coats, the paint applies easily and dries very well. I purchased the color happy and would say it is a brighter yellow that contrasts well with my light blue house and white trim. Definitely recommend." —KBay

Get it from Amazon for $42.66+ (available in 16 colors).

17. A light-up address sign so there is absolutely no confusion the next time Door Dash makes a delivery or your Lyft arrives. TBH, it's probably helpful for your friends and family, too. Just help everyone out, will ya? 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

This sign comes with four sets of numbers 0–9, one set of letters A–E, and two additional numbers (3, 4, and 5 digits). It has a smart brightness sensor that switches the light on when it's the evening/early morning and off during the day. FYI: It's recommended to place the address sign in direct sunlight for optimal charging performance. 

Promising review: "My family just moved in to a home which did not have house numbers. We looked for decorative signs at first but settled on this for practicality. It has been up outside for 5 months now and we can't be more pleased. The numbers were easy to put on and adhered well. It appears sturdy enough and the visibility is good from the road. The solar light was definitely a selling point for us. I love having an illuminated sign to make our address visible for deliveries after sunset. I did not want to have to drill holes into our vinyl siding to hang this but it was very simple to hang after purchasing some vinyl siding hooks." —C. Miller

Get it from Amazon for $29.99

18. An iridescent privacy film that will let the sunlight in but keep the nosy neighbors out. And when the sun shines, you'll even have colorful rainbow colors on your walls. Who knew privacy could look — and feel — so magical?

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Want to update your home for cheap? Want to upgrade your crappy old windows? Want to live in a rainbow land and have a house where every room changes color depending on the time of day? Look no further. Creates great privacy during the day and moderate at night (if you’re right against the window and a light is on at night you can see in, but in the day you’ll see nothing but a blur, especially great for second stories, but we use these on our basement windows too). Our kitchen window directly faces our neighbors kids' room. We wanted to add a little privacy without trying to deal with curtains or blinds over the sink and this did the job." —Ry A. 

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in nine sizes).

19. A custom organization system that will give you a closet worthy of an influencer with an endless wardrobe. Can you call your closet your dressing room now? Double tap that heart, because the answer is YES.

www.amazon.com, Amazon

This closet system includes seven 26-inch shelves, two 48-inch shelves, two 48-inch top rails, 19 brackets, five 47.5-inch uprights, two 25-inch upright extensions, and two hang rods. It works with any reach-in or walk-in closet with at least one wall that's 4–8 feet wide.

Promising review: "I love this closet organizer! The quality is excellent, and it is very affordable. This is the second closet I've purchased it for — the first one has been going strong for five years in the master bedroom closet. I own a ton of clothes and shoes, so this sucker is really weighed down with stuff. It is so sturdy and I love all of the organizational options because I can move all the shelves and accessories around as my needs change." —TurnerTech

Get it from Amazon for $149.99.

20. A grout cleaner which will make cleaning it so easy you'll wonder why you managed to pretend it wasn't a problem for so long. No doubt, your grout will be the cleanest it has ever been.

www.amazon.com

Apply it to grout lines, let it sit for 5–10 minutes, and agitate the grout with a bristled brush to lift all the nasty gunk that's been there for way too long.

Promising review: "This stuff is seriously amazing. This is the one and only product review I have ever written, just because I'm so impressed with this stuff. Getting our house ready to sell and decided I needed to finally clean our filthy kitchen grout. This just lifted the grime away, took almost no scrubbing and no elbow grease. Totally worth the twenty bucks a bottle." —James David Lambert

Get a 32-ounce bottle from Amazon for $21.95.

21. A glossy contact paper to give you the look of marvelous marble countertops that HGTV dreams are made of without the panic that comes each time a lemon or a glass of red wine comes near them. 

www.amazon.com

This marble-print surface cover is so easy to use: measure your kitchen countertop, cut the amount you'll need, peel off the adhesive liner, and stick it on! Some reviewers also recommend using a credit card to gently smooth out any bubbles that may pop up in the process.

If you want to spruce up other areas around home, this cover also works great for cabinets and other pieces of furniture (bookcases, desks, dressers, and more).

Promising review: "I ordered this contact paper a while ago as a project to upgrade the dingy look of the bathroom counter in my rental. I needed a solution that I can easily remove without damaging the property when it's time to move out. THIS IS THE GREATEST STUFF EVER. I have just purchased two more rolls to give an old desk a little sprucing up. I would highly recommend this product. Friends have now purchased this and feel the same love that I do for this product! :)" —ErinReneeee

Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in four sizes).

22. A pack of wood repair markers to keep your furniture looking as good as new (and hide the fact that you accidentally scratched your brand-new side table).

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I can’t believe how well these work! Much better than I was expecting. I just had my home interior painted and the painters damaged a fiberboard medicine cabinet when they removed the masking tape. It ripped off the fake-wood veneer. These markers completely filled in the ugly spots and the colors blended well. I love that it appears to have some clear coat in it too as it dries with a slight shine that makes it look more like wood stain rather than marker. I also used them to stain wood filler in two spots in my maple kitchen cabinets where a previous homeowner had hung a paper towel holder and I really struggle to see the hole! It looks fantastic. I highly recommend this set. It’s a good value and works very well." —Shane

Get a set of 13 from Amazon for $8.99.

23. A set of Interlocking teak tiles to instantly get you that tropical patio look from the Pinterest board you made all those years ago. It's outdoor space goals, and it's going to be yours.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

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!" —Adelia

Get 10 sq. ft from Amazon for $72.15+ (also available as individual tiles).

24. A ceiling medallion that will absolutely class up whichever room you put it in. Adding thoughtful design details like this not only gets rid of the big bland box feel, but it could turn you into the person who has afternoon tea with sugar cubes. You're fancy now.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Lots of reviewers painted it!

Promising review: "These medallions were much prettier than I expected, and were super smooth for reception of paint. It took me a few days to decide the color placement and style, as they will be in rooms that are visible to one another. Pre-colored medallions are expensive, doing it myself saved me money I used to upgrade my chandeliers." —Cris

Get it from Amazon for $62.05+ (available in 63 colors).

25. A set of two faux fur covers because those tired throw pillows deserve some love, too. And when they're refreshed and soft and snuggly, they'll get all the hugs and cuddles a pillow craves.

Amazon

Promising review: "Soft and plush, but not to fluffy. It helped add texture and color to the variety of throw pillows. And, it was an affordable way to update our living room." —Alexis Adkins

Get two 16"x16" pillow covers for $12.99+ (available in six sizes and 14 colors).

26. A plume of dried pampas grass to provide a beautiful neutral that will bring evergreen style to your home. Whether you're boho or coastal or farmhouse or MCM, you'll find a place for this in one of your best vases.

www.amazon.com, MariMax Studio/Amazon Handmade

MariMax Studio is a small business that sells dried pampas grass bundles and soy spa candles.

Promising review: "Absolutely recommend this seller and the Pampas grass was beautiful. They were large, tall and fluffy. They did not shed too much. They arrived quickly and well packaged. I was 100% thrilled with this purchase and would buy again! My search is over!" —Lynda Chmil

Get it from MariMax Studio on Amazon Handmade for $22.99+ (available in two sizes).

27. A ladder shelf so you can show that you've been climbing the rungs to the next level of design skill. Level it up with your curated collection of knickknacks and coffee table books — you're on your way up! 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This was a great addition to our home office! I absolutely love it! The instructions were easy to follow. I put it together myself too! It was exactly what I was looking for. I have some plants on it and books. It looks great. I recommend this piece to anyone. So worth the cost." —Wendy

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in two colors).

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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