10 projects that make a room look better without spending over $300

Sometimes all a room needs is a few smart changes to feel more pulled together—and you don’t have to spend a fortune to get there. With under $300, you can take on projects that actually shift how a space looks and feels.

These aren’t halfway makeovers. They’re the kind of upgrades that make you stop and say, “Okay yeah, that was worth it.” Here are ten room projects that’ll make a big visual impact without blowing the budget.

Swap Out the Lighting

Lighting can completely change the feel of a space. For under $300, you can upgrade a flush mount, chandelier, or even add recessed lighting to brighten things up and make the room feel larger.

Skip the trendy statement pieces and go for something clean and timeless. Better lighting not only changes how the room looks, but it makes everything in it look better too.

Add New Window Treatments

Old blinds or sagging curtains can drag a whole room down. Swapping them for updated curtain panels and modern rods gives the space a finished look without a big investment.

Hang them higher and wider than the window to give the illusion of bigger, taller space. You’ll be surprised how much that one change can elevate the entire room.

Paint the Walls a Fresh Color

A couple gallons of paint can go a long way. Whether you’re brightening things up with a lighter tone or warming it up with something deeper, paint has one of the biggest impacts for the lowest cost.

Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring—pick something with some personality, but still livable. Fresh walls make everything else in the room feel newer and cleaner too.

Install New Baseboards or Trim

If your room has old, dinged-up trim or no trim at all, adding or replacing baseboards makes a huge difference. You can do a full room with pre-primed boards for under $300.

It frames the space and instantly makes it look more finished. It’s one of those details that quietly adds value without needing to say anything.

Replace the Rug

Area rugs anchor a space. Swapping an old, stained, or undersized rug for one that fits your furniture layout better can completely shift the way the room feels.

You don’t need to spend thousands on a hand-knotted wool rug either. There are plenty of quality options under $300 that look great and hold up well.

Update the Door and Hardware

Old hollow doors and scratched-up knobs bring the whole vibe down. Replacing a room’s door with a solid-core option and a modern handle can change the look and feel fast.

A better door makes the room feel more private, more finished, and more high-quality overall. It’s a small change that affects how the room functions too.

Add Built-In Style Shelving

You can build wall-to-wall shelving or floating shelves for under $300 with the right materials. It makes the room feel custom without needing to call in a carpenter.

Use it for books, plants, baskets—anything that helps define the room and use the vertical space. Bonus: it doubles as storage and style.

Replace the Ceiling Fan or Add One

If you’ve got a noisy, outdated ceiling fan, replacing it with a modern, quiet model instantly makes the room feel newer. You can get a quality one for under $300.

A well-chosen fan looks better, works better, and helps with airflow and temperature—all things that make the space more comfortable and functional.

Upgrade Closet Doors

Sliding doors that stick or old folding panels can make a room feel outdated fast. You can replace them with modern bifold doors, shaker panels, or even a curtain setup for under $300.

Closet doors take up more visual space than you think. Upgrading them makes the whole room feel more current without much effort.

Add a Statement Wall

Whether it’s peel-and-stick wallpaper, a wood accent wall, or board-and-batten trim, creating a focal point can completely transform the room’s personality.

Materials are affordable if you’re smart with your measurements and shop the sales. And if you DIY it over a weekend, you can keep it well under $300 and still make the space look high-end.

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