10 visual upgrades that come from just cleaning or rearranging

You don’t always need new decor to make a room feel better. A good clean or a smarter setup can give you that “after photo” feeling without spending anything. These upgrades all come from using what you already have—but doing it with more intention.

Clean your windows and mirrors

Natural light gets dulled by dirty windows, and dusty mirrors flatten a room fast. Giving them a deep clean helps everything reflect more light and feel sharper. It’s one of those things that doesn’t stand out until you fix it—and then it’s obvious.

Straighten every frame

Crooked art and uneven spacing make a room feel unfinished. Go wall to wall and straighten every frame or object. You can even try rehanging a few at better heights. The whole room feels more balanced when your eye doesn’t get distracted by the wall.

Reset your textiles

Shake out your throw blankets, fluff the pillows, and refold anything that looks slouched. Toss pillow covers in the wash or give everything a lint roll. Textiles are what make a room feel lived in, and refreshing them changes the whole tone.

Wipe down baseboards and corners

You’d be surprised how much grime builds up along the bottom edges of a room. Taking ten minutes to wipe down the baseboards and vacuum the corners makes the floors look newer—and the entire space feel better maintained.

Rearrange shelf styling

If your shelves have become a catch-all, pull everything off and reset with intention. Group items by height or color, leave some empty space, and style with odd numbers. It gives the room a cleaner focal point and helps anchor the wall.

Swap decor between rooms

If something feels stale, take a lamp, vase, or throw from another space and switch them out. A piece you’ve gotten used to in one room can feel brand new somewhere else. It’s the easiest way to refresh without spending a cent.

Deep clean your floors

Even if they look fine at a glance, most floors benefit from a thorough clean. Vacuum under the furniture, mop, or use a cleaner made for your flooring type. Fresh floors reflect light better and make the whole room smell and feel newer.

Re-center the furniture on the rug

If your rug is off-center or your furniture doesn’t line up, it can throw off the room’s visual flow. Take a few minutes to shift things into alignment. When the major pieces are grounded properly, everything else feels more in sync.

Reset your surfaces

Clear off countertops, nightstands, and entry tables completely—then only put back what you want to see. When surfaces are clutter-free, even average decor looks better. It lets your intentional pieces stand out.

Vacuum upholstery and fluff cushions

Furniture picks up lint, crumbs, and sagging over time. A quick vacuum and fluffing session can make a worn sofa or chair feel freshly styled. It won’t fix everything, but it gives a well-loved piece a little more life.

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