Designers say these are the smartest, cheapest upgrades you should be making around your home

A best-seller on Amazon, this peel-and-stick tile is a low-cost option to “rejuvenate kitchens or restrooms, and they're a cinch to remove as preferences evolve,” explains Kropovinsky. The 3D tile looks like the real thing, but it’s much more straightforward to install using the adhesive backing. It’s heat- and moisture-resistant, so it’s durable enough to use in the kitchen or bathroom. Pick from different color options in the listing.

Interior designer Chantelle Hartman Malarkey’s personal recommendation is this tissue box cover to “take everyday items you have to have out and make them aesthetically pleasing.” It’s made from durable faux leather, and it’s designed to work on any standard square-shaped tissue box. Choose from various colors in the listing, including white, charcoal, or rose pink.

Popper says these sleek peel-and-stick backsplash tiles are “great for revamping your kitchen or bathroom without breaking the bank whether you own or rent.” Made with a brushed aluminum finish that’s waterproof, anti-scratch, and heat resistant, they can update any room fast. Several other finishes are also available in the listing if you’d like to add some color.

Swap out your old, tired fixtures with this flush mount light which “upgrades the space instantly,” says Hartman Malarkey. The light features built-in LED lights that give off a warm white glow (3,000 Kelvin). And the shade features a matte black exterior and champagne gold inside, though other finishes are available in the listing.

Kathy Kuo, founder and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home, recommends putting up a wall mirror because they “have the effect of making a room feel larger and more full of light.” It’s easy to hang and comes with all of the pieces needed to do so. Choose from various diameters in the listing, as well as gold, black, or matte gold.

Artem Kropovinsky, the interior designer and founder of Arsight, says storage baskets help to “merge organization with flair.” Each one in this set of three is made from woven cotton (and there are various neutral color options to select from in the listing) with a thick base and reinforced handles for sturdiness. When not in use, the baskets fold down for storage.

Wooden wall hooks like these aren't solely practical. “Set them with intent and they morph into stylish accents, ideal for suspending accessories, caps, or standout neckpieces,” explains Kropovinsky. They’re handcrafted from walnut wood, and screws and anchors are included for straightforward installation. They’re also available in beech wood, white, and black finishes in the listing.

Kropovinsky recommends a gallery frame set for “turning blank wall spaces into intimate showcases.” The set comes with seven frames (including some as small as 5 by 7 inches and one that’s as large as 11 by 14 inches), each made from engineered wood with a glass front. Choose from several finishes in the listing.

When placed on a sofa or armchair, Kropovinsky says that a well-designed throw blanket “exudes coziness and elegance.” The fleece blanket is plush for comfort, and the 50-by-60-inch size is big enough to wrap up in, though there are other sizes available as well in the listing. Choose from more than 20 color options to match your home’s color scheme.

If you want to add an “invigorating slice of the outdoors” into your home by bringing flowers or other plants into your life but don’t have a green thumb, Kropovinsky recommends a self-watering planter as the solution. The planter can store enough water for a week-plus (the level indicator tells you when it’s time to refill it), and it’s suitable for use indoors or out. The planter is also available in dark grey in the listing.

Installing under-cabinet lighting “can elevate a kitchen's aura, bolstering its utility and mood without an extensive revamp,” notes Kropovinsky. This set comes with three waterproof light strips (with evenly-spaced LEDs) that put out a warm white hue. They’re simple to mount using the included adhesive, and they are hardly noticeable until you turn them on. The lights are powered by AA batteries, so they don’t need a nearby outlet.

Another way to upgrade your entryway according to Abbott is to utilize a shoe rack to keep your dog leashes and shoes organized — it doubles as a bench, so you’ll have somewhere to sit as you take your shoes on and off. The rack is made from water-resistant bamboo and there are three finishes to pick from in the listing.

“Add a carpet runner inside your front door to welcome guests and set the design tone for your home,” advises Abbott. This runner rug is budget friendly, machine washable for easy cleaning, and available in a range of striking pattern and color combinations. Plus, it’s only 0.13 inches thick to not impede doors.

FLOOR360 interior designer Nichole Abbott stresses that “one of the easiest ways to give your home a design upgrade is by decluttering your entryway.” This floating shelf has three metal hooks to hang your keys, coat, and bags, plus two slots for mail. There’s even a small shelf to display decorative items.

This matte black floor lamp would make a welcome addition to nearly any room. “A black accent piece coordinates with every color scheme and when placed strategically adds stylish punctuation to your space,” explains Abbott. Its slim design means it takes up next to no room and the weighted base ensures it won’t tip over.

Install these grommet curtains in your living room, bedroom, or elsewhere to not only make a budget-friendly cosmetic upgrade but also “to save on energy costs by keeping the outside weather outside instead of leaking into your home,” says Abbott. The curtains block up to 99.9% of sunlight and even reduce unwanted noise. The set comes with two panels — choose from various lengths, as well as six colors in the listing.

Another recommendation from Hartman Malarkey is this 10-inch bowl that serves as a designated spot to toss keys, sunglasses, or your wallet when entering your home. “This keeps the catch all bowl functional but also makes it part of your everyday decor,” she explains. It’s made from recycled materials with a dark charcoal finish. It’s also available in a few other neutral shades in the listing.

“Good lighting is everything,” according to Melony Huber, an interior design stylist, buyer, and co-founder of La Peony. She recommends adding wall lighting above picture frames (and other artwork). “It's a game changer for giving boring walls and hallways an upgrade,” she adds. The battery-powered picture light features several adjustable settings (including brightness and a timer) and the head rotates to cast light wherever necessary. It’s also available in black and silver in the listing.

Madison Popper, the founder and interior designer at Chill Casa, recommends installing this smart switch to “remote control your house lights from your phone - regardless of where you are in the world.” It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home Assistant. Installation is straightforward; a neutral wire is required.

For just $10, this smart bulb lets you use your voice (via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Microsoft Cortana) or Kasa’s free app to control the various settings, like the color of the light (there are 16 million options) or its overall brightness. You can also set up a lighting schedule that’ll “provide energy savings and safety for your home,” explains Abbott.

“Builder grade or no hardware is a clear sign of an outdated kitchen,” explains Jennifer Verruto, CEO and founder of Blythe Interiors. She suggests installing cabinet pulls to “create length and drama,” specifically in black or gold tones for a modern vibe. This set comes with 30 pieces for less than $30 to create a big impact in your bathroom or kitchen on a budget.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is the definition of “risk-free decor shifts,” according to Kropovinsky. Hang it on the wall to change up the look of a room for less than $10, and you can easily take it down without leaving behind any damage. The geometric wallpaper comes in either gold or silver color options, as well as various roll lengths.

This easily self-installed stainless steel glass rinser features high-pressure water jets to get rid of residue from cups including wine glasses, drinking glasses, coffee cups, and more — in seconds. Then, everything flows right back into the sink thanks to the tilted design.

Alex Bass, the founder and CEO of interior design studio Salon 21, recommends changing out a light fixture as a low-cost way to upgrade any space. “I love a dramatic chandelier over a table or in an entryway,” she explains. This Sputnik chandelier features six crossing arms that can be adjusted to different angles. Select from two finish options in the listing: gold or black.

Bass says, “I love adding a pop of color to a wall to really enhance a space.” This painting supply set has so much of what you need to get started with painting, whether you’re adding a fresh coat of paint to an accent wall or outfitting an entire room. With two rollers for each roller frame, a foam brush, an angel paint brush, and a tray, you can lay out a sample and get it up on a wall — before committing to the whole wall.

Mehreen Baldoni, creative director of Mehreen Baldoni Interiors, advises that “upgrading the light switches around the house” is a worthwhile change — and it’s a low-cost project. This switch plate set with a 4.8-star overall rating comes with two single-toggle plates in a matte black color for a modern look, though there are 25 other sets and two additional finishes to pick from in the listing to find a match for your home.

While these plastic platters can be used for serving food, Baldoni says storage platters offer “organized and visually appealing storage options” like for jewelry, paper clips, spare change, and more. This marble tray is perfect for countertops, whether it sits next to your kitchen sink, on the vanity in your bathroom, or set on your bedside table.

Another visually appealing storage option that Baldoni recommends is glass apothecary jars. This set boasts a 4.7-star overall rating on Amazon after 8,000-plus reviews and comes with two glass jars, each of which has a gold lid. Use them in your bathroom, kitchen, office, or other spots in your home. Several other lid finishes are available in the listing, including brushed nickel, bronze, and black.

Another smart upgrade Baldoni recommends is “[adding] plants on the windowsills, side tables, coffee tables, and shelves to add some nature, calm, and freshness to your interiors.” This set comes with four various potted plants that range in size from 8 to 10 inches tall. A recent reviewer raved, “I could not be happier that I bought this set. The plants were incredibly well packed and each one arrived in superb condition, neither waterlogged nor dry. All had abundant and healthy leaves.”

Another budget-friendly upgrade Baldoni suggests is “changing the cushion covers or throws on the sofas or bed to create a new look.” These velvet throw pillow covers have 58,000-plus five-star reviews on Amazon. There are nearly 50 color options to pick from in the listing, as well as various sizes to fit on inserts of your choosing.

Baldoni advises “adding candles and fresh fragrance to create your own home scent.” This soy candle is marine breeze-scented — this includes fruity notes (like lime and grapefruit), floral scents (such as violet and ylang ylang), and a touch of woodsiness with amber, cedarwood, and sandalwood. It’ll burn for approximately 90 hours. Beyond scent, this candle comes in a thick glass jar that’s embossed with a delicate pattern. Other scents available in the listing include cinnamon pumpkin, and eucalyptus and sage.

If you don’t want to completely change out your curtains, Baldoni shares a designer secret to upgrade the look of your current ones: “[A]dding a different color sheer behind your existing curtain [adds] a new dimension and layer to the space.” These sheer curtains cost less than $20 for the pair. The grommet top allows for efficient opening and closing, and they come in six colors and four lengths in the listing.

According to Baldoni, there are many low-cost solutions to freshen up your bathroom, including grabbing a plush towel set to replace your old ones. The set comes with eight towels — including two bath towels, two hand towels, and four washcloths — each of which is made from soft and absorbent ring-spun cotton. Choose from 24 colors in the listing to match your decor.

Replacing worn and tired bath mats is another suggestion Baldoni has for refreshing your bathroom. This bath mat has a 4.5-star overall rating after more than 59,000 reviews. It’s filled with memory foam for plushness and features a soft velvety exterior for added comfort. The PVC dots on the back prevent it from sliding around during use. When it inevitably gets a little dirty, the mat can be cleaned in the washing machine. It’s available in lots of colors and sizes in the listing.

Baldoni is a fan of adding “reed diffusers to your bathroom to give it an updated look.” This reed diffuser features an earthy, refreshing pine and clove scent to bring a bit of nature indoors (two other scents are also available in the listing). Included are a sleek black vase and six diffuser sticks — control the strength of the fragrance by adding or taking away sticks as desired.

Replace your outdated thermostat with a programmable thermostat “for better climate control in the house,” according to Baldoni — it’s a project you can pull off on your own, no hiring a professional required. The thermostat features an easy-to-read digital display, and you can set different heating and cooling schedules as needed.

“Sprucing up the front door with a lick of fresh paint to add color and distinction from the other main doors in the surroundings is usually a quick and effective way to create a WOW,” explains Baldoni. This paint and primer combination makes the job easy, saving you time (since you can complete both steps at once) and money. There are 19 different color options to pick from in the listing, and the paint contains low VOCs and is low odor as well.

Teri Simone, the head of design and marketing at Nieu Cabinet Doors, favors utilizing turntables to maximize storage space “whether they’re being used in the kitchen, bathroom, organizing your crafting gear, or even in the garage for nuts and bolts.” This turntable with removable sections is made from sturdy, clear plastic and the base has nonslip feet to keep it in place as you turn it 360 degrees. Each of the six sections has a handle and can be removed for ease of access. A three-section version is also available in the listing for storing larger items.

Grab a pair of these magnetic tiebacks to pull back your curtains. “They’re easy to use, look stylish and neat, and can be used on any type of curtain or drape,” notes Simone. The magnet is strong and the tiebacks come in more than 12 color options to match your existing decor. They’re “great for renters as there’s no need to drill holes in walls, so it’s a practical and flexible option,” adds Simone.

These steel spice racks are a quick and easy way to upgrade your kitchen and make more space in cabinets. “The colorful spices and jars can be an attractive display, while reducing clutter and keeping your spices neatly organized.” Mounting hardware is included.