10 upgrades that look high-end but cost you less than $100

Making your home look expensive doesn’t mean you have to spend like you’re remodeling. Small, smart upgrades can make a big difference without running up your credit card. The key is focusing on details people notice right away — things that change the feel of a room or sharpen up curb appeal. For under $100, you can tackle updates that look high-end but stay firmly in budget. Here are ten worth considering.

Swapping Out Cabinet Hardware

Old knobs and pulls make cabinets look dated fast. Updating them with sleek, modern hardware instantly refreshes kitchens and bathrooms without replacing the cabinets themselves. You can get enough pieces to cover a room for under $100.

Since cabinets dominate these spaces, new hardware has an outsized impact. The change is immediate, and buyers or guests notice the difference even if they can’t pinpoint why the room feels more polished.

Adding a Statement Light Fixture

You don’t have to spend a fortune to replace an outdated light. Many modern pendants, chandeliers, and flush mounts are available for under $100 and can completely change how a room feels.

Lighting draws the eye, so swapping a tired fixture for something current gives the impression of a higher-end space. It’s one of the most budget-friendly ways to upgrade both style and function at once.

Upgrading Bathroom Faucets

A worn or outdated faucet makes the whole sink area look cheap. Replacing it with a modern design can be done for under $100 and instantly gives the bathroom a more upscale look.

Since faucets are heavily used, this upgrade pays off daily. Buyers and visitors see a clean, modern fixture and assume the rest of the bathroom has been updated too.

Installing New House Numbers

Your house numbers are one of the first details people see, and outdated ones pull down curb appeal. Sleek, modern numbers can be found for under $100 and completely refresh the look of your entry.

Because they’re so visible, updated numbers make the entire home look more current. It’s a small project with a big payoff for the overall impression of your house.

Refreshing Interior Paint on Trim

Trim gets scuffed and dingy over time, which makes rooms feel worn. A quart or two of paint and some patience can brighten baseboards, door frames, and window trim for under $100.

Crisp trim frames every wall, making the entire house feel sharper and better maintained. This small upgrade creates a surprisingly high-end look for very little money.

Hanging Curtains the Right Way

Budget curtains can look expensive if you hang them properly. Mounting rods higher and wider than the window frame creates the illusion of larger windows and taller ceilings.

For under $100, you can get rods, brackets, and panels that transform a room. It’s a designer trick that costs little but makes your home look more custom.

Updating Door Handles

Old brass knobs or loose handles make doors look cheap. Replacing them with modern levers or knobs in matte black, nickel, or bronze finishes can be done for under $100.

Since you interact with doors constantly, new handles make the house feel fresher and more expensive every time they’re used. It’s a subtle but powerful update.

Adding a Stylish Backsplash

Peel-and-stick backsplash tiles have come a long way, and many options look nearly identical to the real thing. You can cover a small kitchen wall or bathroom backsplash for under $100.

Because backsplashes are such a focal point, the impact is immediate. Buyers and guests see a modern surface that makes the whole kitchen feel upgraded.

Laying Down a New Area Rug

An outdated or worn rug drags down the look of a room. Swapping it for a fresh area rug in a neutral color can completely change the feel of the space, often for less than $100.

Since rugs take up so much visual space, a new one makes the entire room look more expensive. It ties furniture together and makes the home feel more intentional.

Installing Outdoor Solar Lighting

Solar lights are affordable and easy to set up along walkways, patios, or landscaping. For under $100, you can brighten your yard and create a more inviting look at night.

Good outdoor lighting doesn’t just improve safety — it makes the whole property feel cared for and upscale. It’s an easy project that adds curb appeal immediately.

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