10 Ways to Make Cheap Furniture Look Custom

You don’t have to spend thousands to get furniture that feels like it was made for your home. Even budget pieces can be elevated with the right tweaks. By focusing on finishes, details, and presentation, you can take something mass-produced and give it a look that feels intentional. These tricks work for dressers, tables, chairs, and storage units—and most can be done over a weekend.

Swap Hardware

Changing knobs and pulls is one of the fastest ways to upgrade furniture. Cheap hardware tends to look dated or flimsy, but swapping it out makes a world of difference.

Go for matte black, brass, or brushed nickel—Home Depot, Amazon, and even Walmart sell packs for under $20. This one change instantly makes a dresser, nightstand, or cabinet feel higher-end.

Add Molding

Flat, boxy panels are a giveaway of budget furniture. Adding trim or molding gives them depth and a custom look.

Lightweight molding strips from Home Depot can be glued or nailed on, then painted to match the piece. It doesn’t take much skill but makes furniture look like a built-in.

Upgrade Legs

Cheap furniture often comes with basic blocky legs. Swapping them out for stylish wood or metal versions elevates the entire piece.

Pretty Pegs and Amazon both sell affordable options that screw right in. Even small upgrades, like angled wood legs, can make a nightstand look mid-century modern.

Refinish Surfaces

Laminate can look dull or dated, but refinishing changes that. Chalk paint or mineral paint works on most surfaces without much sanding.

Walmart and Michaels carry affordable paint options, and sealing with a topcoat adds durability. Going bold with color or sticking with neutrals both make the piece look more intentional.

Add Glass or Marble Tops

Adding a glass or marble slab on top of a dresser or table gives instant polish. Glass keeps surfaces looking sleek, while faux marble adds richness.

You can find ready-made toppers at IKEA or Home Depot. It’s a quick fix that feels high-end without needing any real construction work.

Reupholster Seats

Worn or plain dining chairs can be transformed with fabric. All you need is durable upholstery fabric, a staple gun, and scissors.

Hobby Lobby and Joann carry fabric that looks designer but costs much less. Even swapping to faux leather or textured fabric makes chairs feel new.

Use Contact Paper

Wood-look or marble contact paper can cover laminate, shelves, or tabletops for a temporary but convincing upgrade.

Amazon sells waterproof rolls that hold up well for everyday use. It’s renter-friendly and easy to change out when you want a new style.

Add Baskets or Inserts

Open shelving units often look cheap when clutter is visible. Adding baskets or fabric bins instantly hides the mess and creates a custom feel.

Target’s Threshold line and IKEA’s storage inserts fit most cube shelving perfectly, making them look built-in.

Paint Two-Tone

Painting a piece in two coordinating shades adds dimension and style. For example, a dresser body in one neutral and the drawers in another.

Walmart’s Better Homes & Gardens paint line offers affordable, durable options. The two-tone finish makes furniture look designed, not generic.

Replace Tops

If the base of a piece is sturdy but the top feels cheap, replacing it can be a smart fix. You can add a butcher block, reclaimed wood, or even a stone slab.

Lowe’s and Home Depot sell pre-cut wood tops that can be stained and sealed. This trick works especially well for storage cabinets and TV stands.

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