We all want a more beautiful home, but when it comes to shelling out the cash to spruce things up, few of us are quite so eager. But whether you're trying to sell your house quickly or just want a fresh look, there are tons of cheap products that can help you make small upgrades with a surprisingly big impact. Here are some of our favorites, all available from Amazon.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Related: Little Home Improvement Projects That Make a Big Impact
$14 and up
New garage doors might not be in the budget, but you can fake a swanky upgrade with these hinges and handles made to mimic that carriage-door look. They're made of weather-resistant plastic, and magnetic backs mean absolutely no drilling is required — just stick 'em on.
Related: 5 Projects That Boost Home Value — and 5 Cheap Alternatives
$30
Beadboard can give a room a classic elegance, but paying a contractor to install the real thing can add up fast. A clever alternative: This vinyl beadboard wallpaper, which can give you the look for a lot less. It's also paintable.
$15
Dangling cords stick out like a sore thumb in an otherwise put-together room. Keep TV cables, light cords, and tech chargers under wraps with these covers, which can be snapped together in several configurations and either screwed into the wall or secured with self-adhesive tape. If you want a seamless look, they can be painted.
$19
There's nothing more annoying than bright white crown molding, doors, or cabinets with nasty scuffs and spots. This paint and primer is essentially white-out for your walls and trim, and it hides those marks that stick out like a sore thumb pretty painlessly. Order the color chart first so you can get a perfect match.
For more smart home-improvement tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.
$9
Nothing ages a home faster than dingy grout. Unfortunately, nothing is harder to clean, either, so we won't blame you for faking it with a grout pen. They're available in several colors, and buyers say they're easy to use, especially compared with scrubbing like mad.
$40
Luxe-looking fixtures can take a bathroom from "ho-hum" to "wow," and they don't have to cost hundreds. This chrome waterfall faucet earns raves, especially for the price, and the simple single-lever design is user-friendly.
Related: How to Save on a Bathroom Makeover
$7 and up
So you want to try some fun wallpaper, but you're a commitment phobe? Peel-and-stick wallpaper is an inexpensive way to experiment with design, especially if you just want to make a small area or accent wall pop. This mod pick comes in three colors, but if it's not for you, there are enough colors and patterns out there for any taste.
For more great home-improvement tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.
$20
Cabinetry is never cheap, especially if you splash out on custom lighting, too. But why not add that little luxury to your existing cabinets for less than the price of a few light bulbs? These pre-cut LED strips come with a wireless remote control that has a timer, a dimmer, and a 60-foot range.
$10
Decorative flourishes such as ceiling medallions can really give a home character. If you aren't lucky enough to live in a historical gem, try these PVC medallions. They come in lots of sizes and varieties, from simple to ornate, and installation is as simple as sticking them up and caulking around the edges.
$8 and up
Don't underestimate the impact of small changes such as trading up to some more-modern house numbers. A fresh set can really pop on a porch or mailbox, especially in the place of cheap stick-ons or tired traditional styles. The hardware is included — all you need is the will and a drill.
$64
A chic gallery wall can become a real focal point on a blank wall, but if you don't know where to begin, join the club. Grabbing a kit such as this one, complete with coordinating frames and templates to ease hanging, can eliminate the guesswork (and all those errant holes in the wall).
$36
Recessed lighting is versatile — and, well, a little boring. If you're wishing you'd picked a more dramatic fixture, there's a way to make it happen without calling an electrician. This converter kit can turn those can lights into a spot where you can put a fancy chandelier or pendant instead.
$40 for 12 sheets
A beautiful backsplash can really elevate a kitchen, but getting one installed professionally is no small chunk of change. Fake it till you make it in a kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom with this peel-and-stick subway "tile" — it has a glossy look and a 3-D feel that will fool all but the most expert of eyes.
$13 for 6
Even Ikea's cheapest dressers can look a lot more expensive if you update the hardware. These leather pulls are an inexpensive but on-trend update that would also work for wardrobe doors or even bathroom cabinets.
$37
Outdoor lighting can boost curb appeal and safety around your property, but a custom setup can be a serious splurge. Instead of calling in the pros, experiment with low-maintenance solar lights that you can install along any paths or flowerbeds. They last up to 12 hours after soaking up the sun during the day, and they're weather-resistant.
$12
If you have leather furniture or upholstery that's cracked, or worse, scratched up courtesy of a furry friend, this leather tape is a surprisingly cheap way to make the damage disappear, at least temporarily. Reviewers say enough comes in a roll to replace the tape if it eventually starts to curl at the edges, and there are close to 40 colors so you can get as close a match as possible.
$66
Shop Now
Fresh, modern cabinets are a pricey upgrade, so why not give the old ones a makeover? This Nuvo kit, suitable for wood, laminate, and metal, is a good place to start. It covers up to 100 square feet and comes with the roller and angled brush you'll need to make the magic happen. No stripping, priming, top coat, or sealant is required, either.
$20
Vibrant custom tile can truly elevate a room; these stencils give you an easy way to experiment with an international look using what you already have. They're also an easy way to update a plain dresser, walls, or even stair risers.
$23 and up
Shop Now
Fake the look of fresh landscaping with this nontoxic dye, which can take your existing mulch from faded to like new. One bottle can treat up to 2,800 square feet — just mix it with water, spray it on, and let it dry.
$45
Stair runners are dated and expensive, and they can be tricky to install. A cheaper, more modern alternative: stair treads such as these. They have a grippy bottom to limit sliding, and they're made from a durable polyester pile that can stand up to constant foot traffic.
$9
Nothing dates a room faster than dinged-up wood furniture. Fill in all those "oops" moments with furniture markers and crayons. They come in six blendable colors and include wax filler crayons for those really deep gouges.
$16 for 2
Add instant class to a bathroom by putting soap, lotion, and other toiletries in a classic dispenser instead of leaving them in their plastic bottles. These glass bottles have rust-resistant pumps and come in black, copper, and oil-rubbed bronze.
