10 Cheap DIY Upgrades That Actually Make Your House Nicer

You don’t have to drop a fortune to make your house feel nicer. Some of the best upgrades are the small, cheap ones that clean things up, make stuff look newer, and pull a space together without a huge project. These are the DIY upgrades I swear by because they actually make a noticeable difference without sucking up an entire weekend—or your whole paycheck.

Swap Out Old Outlet Covers

Old, cracked, or yellowed outlet covers make a house look way more worn out than you think. Swapping them takes about five minutes and costs a couple bucks each.

Fresh white covers or matte black ones instantly make trim and walls feel cleaner. It’s one of those tiny fixes that you don’t realize matters until you do it—and then wonder why you didn’t sooner.

Update Cabinet Handles

Nothing dates a kitchen or bathroom faster than ugly, old cabinet hardware. Luckily, swapping it out is cheap, easy, and makes the whole space feel fresher.

Modern handles or knobs can make old cabinets look intentional instead of outdated. You don’t even need power tools—just a screwdriver and about an hour of your time.

Add a Peel-and-Stick Backsplash

If your kitchen or bathroom feels unfinished, peel-and-stick backsplash is a game changer. It’s affordable, renter-friendly, and looks way better than bare walls.

It goes on with adhesive, cuts with scissors, and holds up surprisingly well. For under $50, your space looks way more pulled together.

Paint Your Interior Doors

This one’s slept on. Painting old, scuffed-up doors does way more than you think. Whether you go clean white, soft black, or something fun, it makes the whole space feel sharper.

It hides years of fingerprints and dings, and suddenly your walls, floors, and trim look better, too. It’s one of the cheapest upgrades with one of the biggest impacts.

Swap Out House Numbers

Old, tiny, or faded house numbers do your curb appeal zero favors. New, modern numbers are cheap and easy to swap out.

Big, bold numbers make the front of your house look cleaner and way more intentional. It’s one of those tiny details guests (and buyers) notice immediately.

Frame Out the Bathroom Mirror

That builder-grade mirror glued to the wall? You can make it look 100 times better with a quick frame. Wood trim, corner brackets, or even a peel-and-stick kit will do the job.

It’s cheap, easy, and makes your bathroom feel way less “builder basic” and way more finished.

Swap Light Fixtures

Nothing drags a space down like an ugly, outdated light. You can swap most fixtures yourself, and it makes a bigger difference than almost anything else.

Basic flush mounts, pendants, or even thrifted chandeliers totally change the vibe. As long as you kill the breaker first, you’ve got this.

Add Floating Shelves

Blank walls can make a room feel awkward. A couple of floating shelves instantly solve that. They look clean, give you extra storage, and pull a space together.

It’s super affordable if you grab some brackets and lumber at the hardware store. Throw on some stain or paint, and it looks like it cost way more than it did.

Replace Old Caulk

Crusty, yellowed caulk makes your kitchen or bathroom look gross—even if it’s clean. Fresh caulk is dirt cheap and makes everything feel brighter.

Scrape out the old stuff, run a clean bead, and suddenly your sink, tub, and backsplash look like you care. It’s honestly satisfying work.

Paint the Front Door

Want instant curb appeal? Paint the front door. Whether you go bold or stick to a crisp neutral, it makes the whole house feel fresher.

It costs about $30 in paint and an afternoon of your time. Nothing else you do outside will have this big of an impact for that little money.

Swap Bathroom Faucets

If your bathroom still has that basic chrome faucet, it’s time. Modern faucets aren’t expensive, and swapping one out is easier than most people think.

It takes an adjustable wrench, a little patience, and about an hour. Your bathroom instantly feels less tired—and no one notices the old vanity as much.

Update Window Treatments

Old blinds, saggy curtain rods, or those cheap plastic shades quietly make a house look more worn than it really is. Swap them for bamboo shades, clean white blinds, or modern rods with real curtains.

It makes the room feel more finished and way less like a rental. Plus, you can do the whole house without spending a fortune.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.