38 Affordable Items That’ll Upgrade Your Home And Make Guests Think You Spent Wayyy More Than You Did

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Jun 03, 2023

38 Affordable Items That’ll Upgrade Your Home And Make Guests Think You Spent Wayyy More Than You Did

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

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.

Your friends are gonna think you spent thousands redoing your house, but you'll know you spent less than $100 on every item 🤑.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "For anyone questioning whether they can successfully install this...I am here to tell you, YOU CAN DO IT. I didn't measure a single thing. It has the perfect amount of stickiness and it's very forgiving. Very happy. Awesome product. My husband was shocked with how amazing this product it looks!" —Haley Mastri

Get a 10-pack of 12x12 panels from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in six styles).

Promising review: "OMG I LOVE THIS CHANDELIER! I just keep staring at it and loving it even more! We put it in our entryway! Installation wasn't bad at all. My only complaint would be peeling those little clear stickers off each rod that said 'max 60 v' but I am not complaining. This light rocks! Oh yeah it's super bright too which we love!" —Carolyn

Get it from Amazon for $87.99+ (available in five light quantities and two finishes).

Promising review: "I have 12-inch white tile in my whole house that is 20 years old. Even though I have kept it looking nice, the grout still was getting dark. I cleaned the grout and let it dry good 'til the next day then used the grout pen. It looks like it is brand-new. One thing that I found out was that if the tip of the pen starts to look worn you can just pull it out and turn it over — it is the same tip on both ends. It will take some time to do the whole house but it looks so great that I will just do a section at a time 'til I finish. One other thing that I did was run my finger down the grout line after I apply the grout pen then wipe down the tile line with a paper towel so no other cleanup was necessary." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available with a narrow or wide tip).

Promising review: "We love our new strip lights so much that I decided to buy a second set. The first one was installed above the kitchen cabinets where we placed some artwork and vases. The second set was placed under the kitchen island top. Grandkids love speaking to Alexa to change the colors of the lights. Set up was extremely easy and it works with the Alexa app." —junin07

Get it from Amazon for $25+ (clip the coupon on the product page to get $5 off this price; available in four lengths).

Promising review: "I purchased these to use as shampoo, conditioner, and body wash 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 which seems to be hard to find when looking for dispensers." —Rebecca Morea

Get set of two from Amazon for $14.99.

Koko Art is a Miami-based small biz specializing in murals, decals, and wallpaper.

Promising review: "Amazing quality! It was a two-person job for me, but well worth it! Completely changed the vibe of my apartment!" —Holly Mayo

Get it from Koko Art on Etsy for $53+ (available in two sizes and four materials).

Promising review: "I currently rent, and couldn't stand looking at these cabinets that have been painted 20 different times. So I decided to spice them up. And this product is downright awesome. I bought the aged color, to give it an antique look. I wasn't sure the stain would stick just because it a gloss finish and how many times they were painted before, but no problem!! The color is amazing and looks like I have new cabinets!" —Jennifer Carr

Get it from Amazon for $23.48+ (available in 14 colors and multi-packs).

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 leftover to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!" —Adelia

Get 10 square feet of tiles from Amazon for $73.79 (also available in end and corner pieces).

This set includes 14 professional chef knives, kitchen scissors, a peeler, a premium quality two-stage knife sharpener, a knife cleaner, a knife guard, and a modern knife stand.

Promising review: "I love these knives! I saw them on a TikTok and decided I had to have a set of black knives and they exceeded my expectations for sure. Super durable, and very sharp. And they aren’t an eye sore in the kitchen." —Emily S.

Get the 20-piece set from Amazon for $49.99 (clip the coupon on the product page to save $10).

Promising review: "I bought it because I saw a woman on TikTok showcase something similar like this on her page (on how to keep a home tidy) and I was like I HAD to buy! It’s wonderful! I have ALWAYS hated seeing all the clutter of cords stick out from cord extenders and having this makes my small place look cleaner and organized! I would recommend this for anyone!" —Chidi

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors).

Promising review: "My daughter wanted to organize the fridge after watching a series of TikTok videos! These were exactly what she wanted! Download TikTok for your kids and maybe they will want to help organize, too!" —Timothy C.

Get a set of two bins from Amazon for $10.79+ (available in four sizes and five pack quantities).

Promising review: "Did it during Covid lockdown and it still looks really good three years later! Holding up very well. The only spot I had to re-do was where we spilled boiling water on it… it was really easy to clean up the ~2" spot and splotch new paint on. Very happy with the purchase." —John Crane

Get it from Amazon for $99.95 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "Recommended off TikTok and I love. I didn’t realize how many holes were in the walls until I got this product! Easy to use and good filling. Much better than a tub of spackle for small fixes." —Leigh Helsel

Get it from Amazon for $11.89+ (also available as a two-pack).

Promising review: "I tell you what, I didn’t expect to get such a great carpet for the price I paid. This not only met my expectations but exceeded them. It’s soooooooo soft. I find myself on the floor lying on this rug more than on my sofa, lol. My friend came over to watch some shows, and we ended up on the floor the whole time because this carpet was just that soft. It’s easy to clean too. Because of its plushness, I was afraid that the vacuum would get stuck or suck it up as they do, but switching the vacuum to area/high carpet mode works just fine. I have a husky, who, as anyone who knows huskies know, they are very hairy and shed A LOT, but, one, I don’t see her hair in the carpet, and two, it’s just so easy to clean. Anyway, I highly recommend if you want something that’s a great deal for your money." —Christine

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in various sizes and nine colors).

Promising review: "Totally bought these because of TikTok but I love them! They are exactly what I never knew I needed. Very easy to set up and help keep my cabinets organized so I can always find what I am looking for right away without having to take everything out of my cabinet to get to it." —Joni Thomas

Get it from Amazon for $14.87 (available in three colors).

McMaster3D is a Langhorne, Pennsylvania based small business that specializes in 3D printing.

Promising review: "These are great! They come with command strips and I installed mine side ways on a cabinet instead of underneath and it's working great! Saving so much drawer space." —Rocio

Get the set of three from McMaster3D on Etsy for $11+ (available in 12 colors).

I have a set of these and I love them. The matte black color fits my vibe perfectly and they are surprisingly large, easily fitting all my products and my husband's. The hooks they come with are super convenient for hanging our luffas and my body brush, and having it not be a solid shelf is great to make sure there aren't puddles of water that have built up. The adhesive is incredibly strong, we've had ours up for a year and there is no doubt in my mind they will stay up for years to come.

Promising review: "I saw these shelves on TikTok and really wanted to try them out, as I have no shelves in my shower. The adhesion is impressive — they’ve stayed sticking for the past two weeks with no sign of letting up, and are holding about four bottles of products on each of the two racks I have hanging. I thought for sure they would fall after showering or something, but they have stayed strong and held up. I’m so impressed! I’m sure I will purchase more in the future. Super duper easy to install, they look beautiful and modern, and give my bathroom a totally different vibe. It’s so nice to have a product like this available!! Thank you!" —Sara B

Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available in three colors).

There are separate cushions for the covers and straps, so the cover stays in place even after lots of usage.

Promising review: "I have never been so excited about a slipcover. Total transformation of our couch and loveseat. I was worried about it not working on our leather couch, but it stays on really well due to the straps and the separate cushion covers. LOVE." —Brian/Liz

Get it from Amazon for $32.49+ (clip the coupon on the product page to get 15% off this price; available in five sizes and 10 colors).

If you need help changing out your bathroom faucet, follow this handy step-by-step guide!

Promising review: "Completely beautiful and modern. It was very easy to install; I do so in a matter of minutes. This was a really nice upgrade to my bathroom." —ca mom

Get it from Amazon for $40.29+ (available in two finishes).

Promising review: "It’s a little hard to squeeze but that totally makes up for the AMAZING results. I was embarrassed about our tubs because the people we bought our house from didn’t caulk or seal them properly and this resulted in mildew buildup. I tried EVERYTHING until I saw this on TikTok, I believe — MIRACLE FREAKING WORKER. I will be buying more, the only complaint I will ever have is the shipping got mixed up but that is not a problem and was fixed very easily!" —Brooklyn Nguyen

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

Poppy & Pour is a California-based Etsy shop established in 2020 that specializes in custom flower coasters, keychains, and more.

Promising review: "I got the surprise option with and without the gold rim, and I’m so happy that I got an even balance of white and multicolored coasters. These are so beautiful and can’t wait to use them!" —Jenny H.

Get one from Poppy & Pour on Etsy for $14+ (also available in two- and four-packs and with or without gold trim).

Psst — these come with black round labels you can write on, but a lot of reviewers got minimalist spice labels like this version you can get on Amazon for $18.95!

Promising review: "These jars were exactly what I was looking for to redo my spice rack! They are simple and have a nice modern look to them, and in my opinion, are the perfect size (I don't need any more spice than what these jars hold at one time). Perfect buy!" —Sophie Brandt

Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in four sizes).

Check out a TikTok of the solar lights in action.

Promising review: "To say I love these lights would be a understatement. They’re easy to hang, great looking, bright, and they work amazingly!!! On a sunny day, these lights charge enough to stay on from sunset to sunrise. Yep! That’s right! They’re still on until sunrise. These are the only brand of solar lights that I’ve ever purchased that last that long (and I’ve gone through more than my share of solar light.). These are DEFINITELY worth the price. You won’t be disappointed!! Btw — this is the fourth set I purchased; I love them that much. The first set I purchased is over a year old and they’re still working as well as they did on day one." —Josie Elliot-Goforth

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in two lengths).

Promising review: "TikTok made me buy this. This thing literally scoured away hard-water stains that I have been trying to get rid of for years in less than 30 seconds. 10/10 recommend." —Tleary25

Get one from Amazon for $9.59+ (also available as a two- or four-pack).

Promising review: "This stuff is a lifesaver. Life is tremendously busy with kids and cleaning the shower is at the bottom of the list. I bought this due to pure frustration and disgust of my shower and it has turned it around in a weekend. You literally spray it and forget it and just with that little effort, I have a clean shower!! Also great for glass doors. It cleaned everything! Love it!" —Amanda Nichols

Get it from Amazon for $20.98+ (available in two sizes, two scents, and multi-packs).

Check out a TikTok of the magnetic garage windows to see them in action!

Promising review: "Changes the whole look of my house! So easy to put on, and so far haven't moved one bit, and they don't seem like they're going to! For something so simple it really makes a statement." —RBlake

Get the 32-piece set from Amazon for $19.99 (this set includes only panels, if you are looking for the hinges, you can get them on Amazon for $11.99).

BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord has this and loves its dual purpose: "Another bonus? If you flip the lid over, it has a wooden base, so you can *also* use this as a teensy snack table. I recently got one of these for my new apartment to stash my candles and ~candle accessories~ in and it's pretty much become my favorite piece of furniture. I use it to prop up my feet during work hours and sometimes if I want to eat on my couch I'll use it as a tray. It's also sturdy enough to sit on, if I ever wanted to have guests over and needed an extra chair. It was RIDICULOUSLY easy to set up — I had it done in less than 10 minutes, and probably didn't even need the directions. It also just looks so darn cute (and comes in so many colors that I'm tempted to buy another!)."

Promising review: "I was using a small foldable step stool in my bedroom to reach the top shelves of my wardrobe. But you know, those things aren’t pretty. It wasn’t bringing me joy, just begrudging utility. This ottoman brings me joy. It’s pretty, it’s lightweight so I can move it easily to use it as a step stool, and the storage capacity is perfect for things like my nightly moisturizers, my Kindle, and journals, and other little miscellaneous things." —Monica N.

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in six colors).

This kit doesn't include the pendant lights, but you can pick through a wide selection here!

Promising review: "I wanted to swap out my outdoor can light for a chandelier. I am not handy but can follow directions. Westinghouse made this product easy to use, thorough/understandable directions and made this project very easy. Would highly recommend. Like others have suggested, make a mark in the can light in order to prevent the screw from slipping. It was all surprisingly easy!" —dave Yates

Get it from Amazon for $21.63.

A lot of people compare it to the Magic Eraser in paste form, so even your weirdest, most stubborn stains will meet their match.

Promising review: "Found this product on TikTok. I don’t think I’ve ever seen value like I do this product! Literally use it on EVERYTHING!! Kids and teens have dirt, grime, and grease on their walls? ...This will make it look like a new paint job. Baseboards need some love? A pea-size amount of this makes them look brand new. Need a shoe cleaner? PERFECT for sneakers. I could name a million more uses, but I can ASSURE you this is worth every penny. What’s more? You need such LITTLE of this product, it will last a VERY long time. Thank you, TikTok!!!" —Rachel in CLT

Get it from Amazon for $5.97.

Promising review: "This stuff would clean the white off rice. It cleans so good. One spray and it cuts through tough stains and stuck on food. My aluminum sink is sparkly clean and even cleans shower Stalls and toilets. I love the pink stuff spray and paste. Will buy again!" —Anonymous

Get it from Amazon for $5.97.

Promising review: "This is a nice fountain with a great design. It's very easy to install and maneuver to have the fountain go in whatever direction or height you want. We were concerned that it might lower the temperature of the water too much, as we like the water to be warm, but it has not been lowering the water temperature since we only run it during the day." —Mr. Ed

Get it from Amazon for $29.97 (available in two styles).

These pillows also have a natural cooling effect, so both sides are the cool side everyone loves!

Get it from our Goodful shop for $55+ (originally $59; available in two sizes and seven colors).

Promising review: "I needed something practical to go in a narrow cabinet to hold all my spices and food wrappings. It was getting really tiresome either climbing on a chair to reach everyday things or practically crawling in the cabinet to find the plastic wrap. This shelf unit solved that problem! It is sturdy, was pretty easy to install and works perfectly. The quality of the materials is superior to a lot of other things offered. We are very pleased with this product." —Penny Arnold

Get it from Amazon for $82+ (available in eight sizes).

Promising review: "So great to have heavy dishes LOW instead of high. Especially as you age. The only thing better would have been if the builder on my new home had custom built this in. But as an Amazon after market addition to my kitchen, I LOVE IT." —LobsterCheesecake

Get it from Amazon for $113.99+ (available in two sizes).

And they are super easy to clean, just shake off the dirt or hose them down!

Promising review: “Love this rug! It looks great, feels great, is easy to clean, and is very durable! Have had this for about two months, and it still looks brand new. This porch gets sun for two-thirds of the day and does not show any sign of sun-bleaching! It's cute and no maintenance!” —Pomchi Productions

Get it from Amazon for $29+ (available in five sizes and 17 colors/patterns).

Iirntree is a small business that sells beautiful wooden furniture from shelves to benches to garden decor to wall art decor.

Promising review: "Beautiful shelf at a great price and it was securely packaged for shipping. It even came earlier than I had anticipated!" —Kandi

Get it from Iirntree on Etsy for $31.07+ (available in various sizes and wood stain finishes).

It's long-lasting, suitable for interior and exterior doors, and works on metal or wood surfaces.

Promising review: "I was nervous about using this on my old steel front door, but couldn't believe how easy it was to do. I didn't sand or prime the door so it needed three coats, but with just one hour between coats, it was done in one afternoon. I used a small roller and a 1-inch brush. Beautiful color and finish. The first coat will be really spotty and streaky, but don't let that scare you! After the second coat, the coverage is great. I did a third coat just to be safe for the coverage." —Noel Fisher

Get it from Amazon for $43.67+ (available in 15 colors).

Promising review: "These lights are great!! No lag time when you walk out! As soon as I open the storm door, they turn on quicker than when flies hits the poo!! The eight LED lights are way bright enough, too!! I am ordering more for the back porch and for the garage!!" —Kevinss

Get a set of four from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Set up was extremely easy and it works with the Alexa app.Promising review:Promising reviewPromising review:Promising review:Living in Hawaii you have to select wise items that are weather-, salt-, and red dirt-proof, etc...Promising review:Promising reviewI saw a woman on TikTok showcase something similar like this on her pageI have ALWAYS hated seeing all the clutter of cords stick out from cord extenders and having this makes my small place look cleaner and organized!Promising reviewPromising review:Promising review:Promising review: This not only met my expectations but exceeded them. It’s soooooooo soft. I find myself on the floor lying on this rug more than on my sofaPromising review:Very easy to set up and help keep my cabinets organizedPromising review:Promising review:The adhesion is impressive — they’ve stayed sticking for the past two weeks with no sign of letting up, and are holding about four bottles of products on each of the two racks I have hangingSuper duper easy to install, they look beautiful and modern, and give my bathroom a totally different vibePromising review:Promising review:Promising review: I was embarrassed about our tubs because the people we bought our house from didn’t caulk or seal them properly and this resulted in mildew buildup. Promising review:Promising reviewPromising reviewThey’re easy to hang, great looking, bright, and they work amazingly!!These are the only brand of solar lights that I’ve ever purchased that last that long These are DEFINITELY worth the price.Btw — this is the fourth set I purchased; I love them that muchPromising review:Promising review:Life is tremendously busy with kids and cleaning the shower is at the bottom of the list.You literally spray it and forget it and just with that little effort, I have a clean shower!!Promising review: I use it to prop up my feet during work hours and sometimes if I want to eat on my couch I'll use it as a tray.It was RIDICULOUSLY easy to set up — I had it done in less than 10 minutesPromising review:It’s pretty, it’s lightweight so I can move it easily to use it as a step stool, and the storage capacity is perfect for things like my nightly moisturizers, my Kindle, and journalsPromising review:Promising review:I don’t think I’ve ever seen value like I do this product! Literally use it on EVERYTHING!!I could name a million more uses, but I can ASSURE you this is worth every penny.Thank you, TikTok!Promising review:Promising review:This is a nice fountain with a great design. It's very easy to install and maneuver to have the fountain go in whatever direction or height you wantPromising review: Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:Promising review:These lights are great!! No lag time when you walk out!