No Handyman Needed: Take On These 41 Bath Upgrades Yourself
Promising review: "Where do I start? I absolutely LOVE this product. I wanted to replace our bathroom mirror, but due to the 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 slow 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." —Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $7.98.
Promising review: "OMG!!! It works!!! After having this toilet buildup I gave up on everything, but I saw that this product 'worked' and decided to give it a try... with a little elbow grease and some music blasting in the background I managed to remove it all!!! I can’t believe it. I’m so happy, I was so embarrassed when company came over and would see that, not no more... yay!!!" —Asdrubal Orantes
Get it from Amazon for $11.
It's super quick to install, and one cartridge can last up to three months!
Promising review: "This is an excellent invention for keeping the toliet bowl fresh without a tablet that harms the flush seal. I was frequently replacing the seals in the tank but with this setup the seals last and last." —Awesome Guy
Get it from Amazon for $9.97.
Elizabeth Lilly
And if you're especially petty, you can copy my move of saving said switch plates with a piece of marked duct tape so you know where you put 'em when you leave. This was one of the first things I did in my current apartment, thus rendering the switch plates barely noticeable — which is how I like them!
Get a 10-pack of plates for plugged outlets for $10.19 and a variety of switch plates from Amazon.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Snug Plugs is a small business that specializes in home improvement products. I used one of these for the exact scenario I outlined above and it's going strong a year later!
Promising review: "I saw Snug Plug on TikTok and immediately ordered them. I have outlets at home AND at work that I couldn't keep anything plugged into because they're so loose. Snug Plug quickly and easily solved that problem and now I can finally have a phone charger in my den. Yay! I highly recommend this product." —KSay
Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $10.99.
Promising review: "I was skeptical about being able to conceal hairline cracks in our bathroom tile that is marbled. After matching the base color, filling the cracks and waiting for the areas to dry, I honestly had a hard time finding the cracks again to apply the clear lacquer. Wish I had found this product sooner. Will recommend to all my friends." —Aileen G.
Get it from Amazon for $23.05.
I've used this in my own rental bathroom several times. I find that it stays put for about a year on my tile floor! It's easy but a bit tedious, depending on your tiled floor design. Just put on a podcast episode and get to work.
Promising review: "We moved into our new home, and the shower had a really yellow grout. Cleaning didn’t do anything, and I saw this grout pen online. What a saver! Otherwise, I would have just hired someone to replace my shower. I used this grout pen, and my husband was so impressed :D The tip loses its shape fast, but just pull out the TIP AND FLIPPED IT OVER, and you’ll have a new tip." —jennifer
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two sizes).
Each box has 10 12" x 12" tiles.
Promising review: "Best purchase ever, love that it brightened and give my bathroom a new fresh look. Easy to put together and only took about two hours." —Billy
Get it from Amazon for $12.90.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I. AM. Shook! The previous tenant kept this apartment NASTY. I moved in the day he moved out and was scrubbing this nasty drain for months to no avail. I let this sit for an hour and came back just to peek and wow. The difference is crazy. Now I feel better about taking baths in my own home. Amazing. 9/10 because the instructions says rub lightly. I tried that way first and almost thought it was a dub (Meaning it wouldn’t work lol) But it definitely worked after letting it sit." —Julia R.
Get it from Amazon for $16.10.
Amazon
Promising review: "I knew I wanted something to finish off my bench seat windows. These blinds were not only easy to install, but I am impressed with the quality and how easy it is to raise and lower them. I think all four were out of the box and installed in 15 minutes. Offers light filtering, which is perfect for my needs. If I want to take them down for my holiday garland, it will be super easy to remove and put back up after the holiday." —doug huntley
Get each panel from Amazon for $51.99+ (available in seven styles and a range of sizes).
Promising review: "This bracket is awesome and was extremely easy to install. We were able to hang curtains over our vertical blinds in just a few minutes and didn't even need any tools. Great product!!!" —Amazon Customer
Get a set of two from Amazon for $19.95 (also available in brown, black, gold, and brass, and also available in inside-mount brackets).
Promising review: "I have a weird skinny window in my house where no normal window covering works. People walking on our community trail can see up into our upstairs bathroom when the light is on and it's dark outside. Not a good plan at all. So I used this window film and cut different-sized circles and placed then on this window to interrupt the view into the house. Worked perfectly! Very easy to use." —Marsgard
Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in 14 sizes).
Promising review: "This SAVED me my rent deposit!! I had stupidly put pots on the floor thinning the terra-cotta tray wouldn’t mold through to the wood floor (wrong!).
This took the mold and water damage right off! I did first try baking soda/water mixture which helped get the mold off, but these wipes are what saved the water damage! Any light-colored water damage will be easily fixed by this, but it seemed that any dark or black-water damage wasn’t fixable with this." —Al
Get it from Amazon for $4.79.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Enhances the natural beauty and depth of grain on finished *and* unfinished wood. For use on antiques, dining tables, kitchen cabinets, wood doors and trim, etc.
Promising review: "Very impressed so far. Just tried this stuff on one of our kitchen cabinets and it really did a nice job. The cabinets are 15-year-old cherry-stained hard work cabinets (oak, maybe?) and are scratched deeply in certain parts from the previous owner's dogs. 20 minutes after applying this product and wiping it off, I can't complain at all about the results. It looks great in the picture, and even better in real life where you are not focusing on staring at imperfections. In addition to helping tremendously with the blemishes, it also leaves a nice glossy shine on the cabinets, making them look clean and fresh (not over the top glossy and fake). For the minimal price, I can't complain at all. Finally, I used about a 1/3 of an ounce to do the 36" double base cabinets and the 36" wide drawer, so I believe the 16-oz bottle will last quite a while." —Patrick Gallagher
Get it from Amazon for $8.98.
Promising review: "I was happy with how it turned out! I used three coats of clear polyurethane over the top to really make it last long and protect it against water and stains. It’s a good thickness and a very cheap option to update your style look." —Sophia B.
Get it from Amazon for $14.97.
Promising review (from 2018): "May 2020 Update: The countertop is just now starting to need (slight) touch ups around the sink itself. We had to postpone the remodel until this summer, and this counter has held up like a champ. I couldn't be happier with this product!
This paint can be a little tricky to work with until you get the hang of how it applies, my suggestion would be to test it out on a scrap or something prior to applying. Once I had it, this product was a breeze to work with.
We recently purchased a new home, and we're not gutting our main bathroom until next summer, and I just couldn't live with that 1980s green 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. I wouldn't use any heavy chemicals on it (but I wouldn't advise those period), but otherwise zero issues with it.
(I had done this previously with a different color by a different brand and the outcome was similar, it held up like brand new for several months of daily abuse before I decided to repaint because I didn't really like the color).
I think this will easily hold up until we remodel, and it looks great too. DEFINITELY better than that '80s green!
Side Note: I see a lot of negative reviews on this product because it doesn't hold up for people outdoors. USE A SEALANT. Don't blame a product if you don't use it correctly. It's not rocket science folks." —Mistella
Get it from Amazon for $22 (available in six colors).
Amanda / Amazon / Via amazon.com, Amazon Customer / Amazon / Via amazon.com
FYI, it installs like a regular outlet cover. Of course except with the wonderful shelf. Can also be installed so the shelf is below the outlet.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this thing! I have much less clutter on my sink thanks to this. If there's anyone not sure if it will fit due to an object, all you need is 1.25 inches of space between the edge of your existing outlet plate and the piece of furniture. I have a GFCI with a standard wall plate." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in four colors).
www.amazon.com, Amazon
SnapPower is a small biz that specializes in unique and innovative lighting products.
Promising review: "I ordered this after seeing it on TikTok. I’m very happy with this product!" —Miss. Harris
"Game changer. When I get up, I don’t want to wake everyone up with flipping on lights and all. These provide plenty of walking through the house light. Super easy installation, too." —Monica Martinez
Get it from Amazon for$22.98(available in three outlet styles and four colors).
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." —HD
Get it from Amazon for $19.78+ (available in two sizes and in warm or white light).
Amazon
It fits on any toilet bowl, and has 16 colors, five brightness levels, and a 170 degree radius.
Promising review: "At first I thought that the idea of an illuminated toilet bowl was funny. However, given the choice of an illuminated toilet bowl, turning on the light, or missing, an illuminated toilet bowl is a great idea. This unit is much better than the first I used because there are no suction cups (which never stay attached) and it use AA batteries instead of AAA, and it has a five-level dimmer for middle-of-the-night eye comfort." —William D.
Get two from Amazon for $19.99.
Promising review: "Great product for a great price. Very sturdy, but lightweight and small — under my bathroom sink is *very* small, and the metal frame is thin enough that it doesn't take up much space, and of course it allows me to utilize the empty vertical space instead of shoving things all the way to the back wall. I might rearrange the shelves, but it's just held with screws on each end so that's easy enough to do-comes with two supports for two shelves, but you can choose from four heights/positions. 👍🏻 Might need to order a second for under the kitchen sink..." —Jennifer Mowry
Get it from Amazon for $24.47 (available in three colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This was an easy way to spruce up a small space! My walls have zero texture and flat paint, so these stuck to them very well. I tried to move one of the pieces, and it pulled up the paint, so there was no going back once I started placing them. With the shine, you can tell they are stickers, but overall, they add the fun ambience that I was going for. I used 2.75 sheets to fill this one wall." —PGK
Get a 32-pack from Amazon for $8.99.
Amazon
Promising review: "ThIs is the best thing I have purchased from Amazon! It is holding two brushes, blow-dryer, and four other heating tools! Best used with blow-dryer that has retractable cord." —katie
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in two finishes).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Just make sure that the paint is a match!
Promising review: "Rather than ditching furniture into a landfill, which is bad for the environment and one's pocketbook, this product allows you to give new life to existing furniture. Between the Soto touchup and new handles, my entertainment center looks like new....for less than $35. If you can use liquid paper, you can use this. I just ordered another bottle for porcelain. This is a fantastic product. You will love it!" —LexiNYC
Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in 24 colors).
You run your bath, add the cleaner, watch the gunk emerge, drain your bath, and then clean off the gunk!
Promising review: "It's disgusting to see what comes out of your jets when you use this product. I can't believe we bathed in this! I've run bleach and dish detergent through my jets before, and that combination never cleaned with this efficiency. I highly recommended this product." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
Amazon
Promising review: "Thought these would be silly, but they are great. Have a lot of trouble with leakage around my tub when I shower. Tried double liners and magnets but curtain still blows enough to leak onto the floor and from there through the ceiling of the dining room downstairs thanks to an infinitesimal gap between flooring and wall. I was desperate, so I gave these a try. Problem solved. Liner stays tight against the tile and can be freed for cleaning." —D Polsky
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $7.99.
If you're a renter, it's a good idea to adhere these with water-resistant removable strips instead. Get a four-pack from Amazon for $4.28.
Amazon
Can be used on tub surfaces and shower walls. Simply press the tab levers to securely attach.
Promising review: "After slipping in the shower on several occasions, it was time to look for some sort of assistance. My initial thought on these suction cup products was, were they really going to be able to hold my 185 lbs. after grabbing them for leverage to help prevent another slip and fall? SHOCKED!! Not only was I shocked at the gripping capacity of these suction cups, but being so simple to move around is a big plus. It took a couple of adjustments to find the perfect spot for me which would have been a mess using a permanent grab bar. Would and have recommended these to anyone needing that extra help in the shower or anywhere else there's a smooth surface for the suction cups to adhere to. Great for the grandkids too because of the ease at which they can moved at anytime!" —Kokomo Mike
Get it from Amazon for $11.95.
Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed
Tulip is a small biz from Lori Smyth. Her inspiration? The drab lighting in a college dorm! Her innovative design requires no re-wiring, no power tools, no nothing! Check out the different styles and how easily they install via Tulip's TikTok.
My colleague Chelsea Stuart has tried and loves this: "I just had a chance to try one of these and I am simply OBSESSED. I live in NYC in a rental and I have a really drab light in my kitchen that even an electrician couldn't get off of the ceiling without breaking... so I gave up on replacing it right after I moved in. Alas, fast forward a year and I found Tulip on TikTok! Instantly, I thought 1. This is absolutely genius and 2. How has no one come up with this before?!?!
"Installing" it (installing makes it seem way more involved than it is) took all of 10 minutes and that includes removing it from the box, Command Strip-ing the ring to the ceiling, and then popping the magnetic shade in place. (Honestly, the thing that took me the longest was fishing my step stool out of the depths of my junk closet.) Not only is the shade itself beautiful, but the diffused light is just so soft and pretty. I can't wait to get another one for my entryway!!!"
Promising review: "I have been searching for a paper lamp or replacement for my current apartment lights, but they either wouldn't fit or it would require too much effort that my landlord wouldn't appreciate. That's when I came across Tulip. I can't be more blunt than this — you literally Command Strip the ring to the ceiling and the shade attaches via magnet... seriously ingenious." —Oliver O.
What's included: Ceiling mount, Tulip shade, 12x removable tape, and 3x screws (as needed for textured ceiling applications).
Get it from Tulip for $149 (check out other styles).
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
Yep, you're looking at my shower! I upgraded from a corner tension rod caddy and never want to go back. The mesh pockets drain water so your liner won't get all icky. And they make it easy to tell the difference between the minimalist packaging for your face wash and shave cream when it's way too early in the morning. Read my full review of Maytex Pockets Shower Curtain Liner (#2) to learn more about why I'm in love with an object that can't love me back.
Get it from Amazon for $22.97.
Space is a small business founded by a 6'3" man who always felt cramped in his shower and wanted more space, so he invented an extender that did just that.
Promising review: "Wow! This is exactly what I was looking for! I have a tiny bathroom in an old apartment building with an untreated window that needs to be covered with a shower curtain inside my shower. Every time you'd shower, you would be attacked by curtains from both sides. That is until I purchased this curtain. It gives so much more room in the shower, like a curved shower rod, but without all that hardware and work associated with it. It's weighted enough so it doesn't move. I'm no longer attacked by my shower curtains. I 100% would purchase again" —Brittany Hopkins
Get it from Space on Amazon for $41.99 (available in six colors).
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "I love these. Super easy to use, they glide well, and they look so much more expensive than they are. These really elevated the look of the bathroom, and the color is spot on to the pictures." —Emma Wilson
Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in six finishes).
Promising review: "Wow my bathroom drawers are ELEVATED now. They look clean as hell and I can actually find stuff. Easy to snap together and organize how you'd like. Definitely buying a second set for my kitchen drawers!" —Toni Bish
Get it from Amazon for $12.96.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This thing ROCKS! It will pay for itself just in soap-savings since your bar won't melt! It works exactly as advertised, has a super-strong adhesive and the little smiley metal piece is easy to insert into any bar of soap." —zembu
Get it from Amazon for $5.44.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I absolutely love these. I use the everywhere. I have some on my fridge to hold dish towels. I have them in my closet to hold my towel and robe. I use them in cabinets. They are strong. I liked them so much I bought a few more sets. I would definitely recommend." —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $9.99(available in five finishes).
Barwood Shop / Amazon Handmade
Barwood Shop is a small biz based in New York State.
Promising review: "This is my favorite piece in my farmhouse powder room. It’s the topic of discussion! Soooo cute. I’m going to order another!" —Coleen N.
Get it from Barwood Shop on Amazon Handmade for $28.97 (available in four wood finishes).
Amazon
No more turning the car around because you don't remember unplugging your straightener.
Promising review: "Best ever. I just have to press the button and it auto turns on and shuts off after 30 minutes. I'm constantly forgetting to turn off my hair straightener so this is preventing house fires and saving electricity, yay! I originally was worried 30 minutes is too little time to do my hair and was looking for a one-hour version but it turns out 30 minutes is actually more than enough. And it really isn't that bad if I need another 30 minutes and have to press the button again LOL. I no longer worry about setting my house on fire from leaving on my hair straightener so I highly recommend." —AoiMizuno
Get it from Amazon for $11.59 (available in three timer types).
This game-changer includes a toothpaste dispenser, four cups and holders, and a place to store your toothbrushes.
Promising review: "I love this item! I saw it originally on TikTok and thought it would be perfect for our bathroom! We have one bathroom upstairs and five people who use it. This cleared up so much counter space for us! There are ventilation holes where the cups go to help make sure they dry properly. The toothpaste dispenser has really been working to get every last drop out of the tube. Would definitely recommend for a family or kids bathroom. There is also a little storage compartment behind the toothpaste that is great for extra brushes, cotton swabs, or flossers." —Sariyah J
Get it from Amazon for $20.77+ (available in three colors).
Psst, you don't need a primer OR top coat with this stuff. Plus, it 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 Safi
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in four sizes and over 50 colors).
Promising review: "Wished I upgraded my showerhead sooner. Installation was very simple, and it even came with a guide if needed. It comes with an extension arm that connects to your existing water pipe. No leaks whatsoever, and I did not need any other tools. Took less than five minutes to install. It feels really nice standing right under the showerhead, and it covers your whole body with nice pressure and looks nice! Definitely recommend it to those looking for an upgrade!" —Vincent Horng
Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in two sizes and four finishes).
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Reviewers say the motion sensor is the perfect amount of sensitive, meaning your cat or you strolling by won't activate it. Check it out in Julianna Christensen's TikTok video.
Note: it's powered by two AA batteries (not included).
Promising review: "I love this trash can because no one will ever see the trash I put in my bathroom trash can. When I put my hand above the sensor, it opens so discreetly and gently, and stays open for a few seconds then gently closes. The outside is absolutely beautiful. I know it’s just a trash can, but in my bathroom it looks like a cute piece of art." —Dawn
Get it from Amazon for $22.49+ (available with gold or gray detailing and in two sizes).
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 $5.95+ (available in quantities 1 through 60 and in black, gold, or silver).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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