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40 Common Things That Make Your Home Look Cheap (& How You Can Easily Fix Them)

Easily banish tacky mistakes.

Written by Jenny White
Amazon/Bustle
We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

If your fridge is a little messy, your counters are cluttered, and you have some damaged items around your home, you’re not alone. There are lots of common mistakes that make homes look cheap which can be easily remedied on a budget. On this list, you’ll find creative solutions for some of the most common mistakes — from simple solves for worn comforters to DIY-friendly repairs of scratched wooden furniture and damaged walls, and much more — solutions start at just $7.

1

Mistake: Ignoring Dingy Grout

Fix: A Grout Pen To Restore Brightness

You don’t need to scrub endlessly at your grout; reach for this white grout pen to draw right over the existing lines to make them bright and clean. The water-based pen covers up to 150 feet of grout, and there are two width options (narrow or wide) in the listing based on your needs.

2

Mistake: Having Poorly Lit Areas Around Your Home

Fix: These Motion-Sensor Light Bars That Run On Batteries

Brighten up dim areas throughout your home — including closets, stairs, underneath cabinets, and more with these light bars. They’re easy to install using either the included adhesive or screws, and once in place, the LED lights will put out a warm white glow. They feature a motion sensor to automatically turn on when movement is detected within 10 feet.

3

Mistake: Forgetting About Exterior Lighting

Fix: These Solar-Powered Pathway Lights That Turn On Automatically

Powered by the sun, these pathway lights charge up during the day (each one has a built-in solar panel), then they’ll turn on automatically at night, providing at least eight hours of illumination. This pick is waterproof, and the set comes with a dozen lights, so you can easily line a walkway, place them in a flowerbed, and more.

4

Mistake: Stacking Books Haphazardly On Shelves

Fix: These Sleek Bookends That Come In Lots Of Finishes

These metal bookends have a high-end appearance, yet they cost less than $20 for the pair. They can be used to prop up hardback and paperback books, as well as cookbooks, magazines, journals, and more. “Very pleased with the quality and design,” wrote one shopper. Choose from seven finishes in the listing, including black, white, and pale pink.

5

Mistake: Letting Cleaning Tools Clutter Your Counters

Fix: A Rust-Resistant Sink Caddy With A Built-In Drip Tray

While it’s handy to have your dish brush, sponges, scouring pads, and other cleaning tools nearby as you wash up in the kitchen, they tend to clutter the countertop and leave a pool of water. Grab this sink caddy to hold and organize all of your must-have tools. It’s made from waterproof stainless steel and has a removable drip tray and a nonslip bottom to stay in place. It’s also available in silver in the listing.

6

Mistake: Not Using A Duvet Cover On Your Worn Comforter

Fix: This Ultra-Cozy Duvet Cover That’s Available In 25+ Shades

If your comforter has seen better days, make it look new again with this duvet cover. The microfiber material is soft, lightweight, and breathable. When it comes to cleaning, simply pull off the cover and stick it in the wash — rather than putting the entire comforter in your machine — then reconnect it after washing using the eight ties. This set comes with two coordinating shams, and it’s available in 26 colors and six sizes in the listing.

7

Mistake: Using An Old Mug To Hold Your Toothbrush

Fix: This Chic Multi-Compartment Holder For All Of Your Bathroom Essentials

Give your bathroom a high-end look with this compartmentalized holder to organize your toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, and other items you’d like to have within reach. Despite its marble pattern, it’s actually made from resin (so it’s waterproof and durable) with five separate sections and six drainage holes at the bottom. The nonslip pads on the bottom hold it firmly in place.

8

Mistake: Cluttering Surfaces With Knick Knacks

Fix: These Roomy Cotton Rope Baskets For Stylish Organization

The key to having an organized home is ensuring that every item has a designated storage spot. These cotton rope baskets are a stylish yet functional solution for blankets, shoes, towels, clothes, and more. “Perfect in every way. Great size, super sturdy and helps give my room the perfect minimalist vibe,” wrote one fan. Choose from two sizes and nine color options in the listing.

9

Mistake: Living With Damaged Wooden Furniture & Flooring

Fix: These Markers & Wax Sticks That Are Designed To Repair Wood

You don’t have to get rid of wooden furniture or deal with flooring that’s scratched, scuffed, or nicked if you have this repair kit. It comes with six markers and six wax sticks that can easily and effectively repair and conceal the damage. There are six included colors — oak, cherry, maple, walnut, mahogany, and black — that can be blended to match any finish. The set also comes with a sharpener for the wax sticks.

10

Mistake: Reaching For The Same Cleaning Tool For Every Job

Fix: This Highly Rated 7-Piece Brush Set For Less Than $15

Leaving surfaces stained or dirty can make your home look cheap; stop using the same tired brush for every job and pick up this highly rated seven-piece set so you’ll have the right tool for every surface in your home. It comes with a scouring pad, pair of dish brushes, bendable brush, grout brush, and pair of extra-small brushes for everything else.

11

Mistake: Leaving Cleaning Tools In A Cluttered Corner

Fix: This Floor-Clearing Organizer That Can Hold 35 Pounds

This tool holder with five spring-loaded grippy slots and six hooks can get your brooms, mops, rakes, shovels, gardening supplies, and more off the floor. It can support 35 pounds, and it’s easy to mount with the included screws and anchors. This pick is weatherproof, so you can even use it outside. “Excellent quality and design,” wrote one reviewer.

12

Mistake: Shoving Plastic Bags In A Drawer Or Cabinet

Fix: A Wall-Mounted Bag Holder With A Convenient Dispensing Slot

That mountain of bags in your cabinet or drawers isn’t a great look. This stainless steel bag holder mounts on the wall (or even inside a cabinet), and you can shove all of your grocery bags right inside it. When the time comes to grab one, use the wide dispensing slot at the bottom to easily pull it out.

13

Mistake: Ignoring Cracked Or Damaged Tile

Fix: An Easy-To-Use Tile Repair Kit

Broken tile instantly cheapens your home. Use this repair kit (which is a filler, sealant, and colorant all in one) to fix it. It’s quite simple to use, as verified by reviewers. “I used it to fill a long crack in our bathroom floor and you cannot even tell there was ever a crack there. This stuff was so easy to use too,” wrote one fan.

14

Mistake: Leaving Unpleasant Views Uncovered

Fix: This Best-Selling Window Privacy Film That Allows Light To Shine Through

If you have a window that faces a view that you’d prefer not to see, hang up this window film. It lets light filter in, yet offers privacy. It even provides insulation, keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in the cold-weather months. The trim-to-fit window film is simple to hang; only water is necessary. It’s available in several sizes and a few finishes in the listing.

15

Mistake: Having Your Electronic Cables Hanging Loose

Fix: This Customizable Concealer Kit That Can Be Painted

This cord cover kit can hold up to three electronic cables depending on thickness, and the 157 inches of channels — which come in 10 separate pieces that can be trimmed — can be used to direct the cords wherever needed. You can even paint it to make it blend in. The pieces can be easily installed using the included adhesive.

16

Mistake: Leaving Scuffs & Scratches On Your Walls

Fix: These Fillable Paint Brush Pens For Effortless Touch-Ups

You don’t have to lug out the can of house paint and a brush to cover up scratches, holes, scuffs, and other small damage on your walls. Grab these paint brush pens, which can be loaded with your paint color for quick and practically effortless touch-ups — even in hard-to-reach areas. Each pen holds enough paint for dozens of uses, and the vacuum-sealed design keeps it fresh for up to seven years.

17

Mistake: Hanging Artwork Without Ensuring That It’s Level

Fix: A Rotating Laser Level That Suctions To The Wall

Because it rotates 360 degrees, this compact laser level can project an easy-to-see laser line at any angle, allowing you to hang pictures, mirrors, artwork, and other decorative accessories perfectly — and on the first try. “Very easy to use and very accurate for [its] size,” wrote one reviewer. It’s powered by two AA batteries.

18

Mistake: Not Repairing Holes In Your Drywall

Fix: This 4-Piece Repair Kit With Everything You Need For Less Than $15

This repair kit comes with everything you need to fix holes in your walls, including spackling compound, a self-adhesive patch, a putty knife, and a sanding block. It couldn’t be easier to do — and the end result rivals those of a professional. The kit is suitable for holes up to 3 inches in diameter.

19

Mistake: Relying On Gross Sticky Traps To Get Rid Of Bugs

Fix: This Sleek Indoor Insect Trap

Eliminate fruit flies, gnats, mosquitos, and other small bugs from your home thanks to this insect trap. It utilizes a UV light, a powerful fan, and a sticky glue board to trap and get rid of these pests. And as a major bonus, it has a sleek design to blend right in with your existing decor.

20

Mistake: Ignoring Rugs That Are Curled Up & Askew

Fix: These V-Shaped Grippers That Work Indoors & Out

A curling rug is both an eyesore and a tripping hazard that these V-shaped grippers can easily fix. All you have to do is stick them on the underside of your rug (put one in each corner), then you’re all set. The grippers work with indoor and outdoor rugs and won’t damage the surface below.

21

Mistake: Keeping Your Trash Can Where It’s Visible

Fix: A Trash Can With Hooks To Hang Inside A Cabinet

A trash can is an unsightly necessity; luckily, this trash can features a sturdy steel hook at the top, allowing you to hang it on the inside of a cabinet door. Or for a more permanent solution, you can also choose to screw it in. It has a 10-liter capacity and the plastic bucket inside lifts out for easy cleaning.

22

Mistake: Forgetting To Clean Your Fridge Shelves

Fix: These Washable Liner Mats To Keep Shelves & Drawers Clean

Spruce up your refrigerator with these nine liner mats. They can be used to cover shelves or the bottom of drawers (they can be trimmed to fit). Should any spills occur, simply pull out the mats and give them a quick rinse. Choose from either a set with colorful mats or an option with white liners in the listing.

23

Mistake: Using An Ugly Power Strip To Charge Electronics

Fix: This Sleek Outlet Extender With 9 Ports & A Built-In Shelf

Power up to nine devices at once with this outlet extender — it has five AC outlets, three USB-A ports, and even one USB-C port. It has a sleek design, and it even boasts a built-in shelf (which is detachable should you not want to use it) to get your devices off of the counters or floors.

24

Mistake: Leaving Dirt & Grime On Surfaces

Fix: This 50-Pack Of Cleaning Erasers That Use Just Water

Remove grease, dirt, debris, and dust from surfaces around your home using just water and these cleaning erasers — no spray-on cleaners required. The set comes with a whopping 50 sponges for less than $15. “I use these for everything! For the price and bulk amount we get [...] I would highly recommend this. Helps clean walls, white leather shoes, shoe sole trims, and so much more,” wrote one shopper.

25

Mistake: Letting Furniture Scratch Your Floors

Fix: A 32-Pack Of Furniture Leg Covers That Stretch To Fit

These silicone and felt covers slide right onto the bottom of your furniture legs to protect your floor from damage (they also make it easier to move the furniture). The covers can fit on any furniture leg ranging from 1.25 inches to 2 inches in size, though there is also a smaller option available. Choose from transparent, black, or brown in the listing.

26

Mistake: Letting Shoes Pile Up By The Door

Fix: These Under-Bed Organizers With Individual Compartments

Stop piling out-of-season and rarely-used shoes by the door. These two under-bed organizers can hold up to 20 pairs; one organizer holds up to 16 pairs of shoes, while the other can accommodate up to four pairs of boots. They’re made from thick fabric with clear vinyl covers and dual handles on the sides for access.

27

Mistake: Keeping Your Dish Soap In The Original Container

Fix: This 13-Ounce Soap Dispenser & Sponge Holder For Less Than $10

Minimize the amount of stuff on display around your kitchen sink by scooping up this two-in-one caddy. Fill the bottom with up to 13 ounces of liquid dish soap, then place your sponge in the holder on top. When it comes time to clean your dishes, simply press down on the sponge and the perfect amount of soap will be dispensed into it without any messy drips.

28

Mistake: Living With A Messy Workspace

Fix: This Adhesive Under-Desk Drawer For Hidden Storage

It can be tough to focus on work with an unkempt desk. Use this plastic under-desk drawer to add valuable storage space; it can hold up to six pounds of pens, erasers, headphones, pencils, and other items. It mounts to the underside of any desk (even wooden ones) using adhesive, though screws are also included for a more permanent solution.

29

Mistake: Allowing Your Junk Drawer To Be Overrun By Batteries

Fix: This 93-Slot Battery Organizer With A Clear Lid & Built-In Tester

This battery organizer has 93 individual compartments to hold 45 AAs, 25 AAAs, four 9-volts, eight Cs, six Ds, and even five flat ones. The transparent lid makes it simple to take inventory of your collection, and you can even use the included battery tester to get rid of the duds.

30

Mistake: Keeping Your Plant Pots On The Floor

Fix: A Pair Of Durable Wooden Plant Stands For A Mid-Century Modern Accent

Crafted from durable acacia wood, this pair of plant stands look great and function well, giving your beloved plants a new look without repotting. Each one can support pots up to 9.5 inches in diameter and hold up to 150 pounds.

31

Mistake: Letting Cords & Cables Take Over Your Garage

Fix: This 6-Pack Of Heavy-Duty Straps That Can Hold Up To 50 Pounds Each

If you’re not wrapping up your hose, ropes, extension cords, and other cables in your garage, you’re making a big mistake — it looks messy and can turn into a knotted mess before you know it. Scoop up these heavy-duty straps, each of which features a sturdy hook-and-loop closure. The set comes with six of them in various sizes for different items.

32

Mistake: Overstuffing Your Closet

Fix: These Jumbo Storage Bags That Are So Roomy

A closet stuffed to the brim makes it nearly impossible to find what you’re looking for — and it looks chaotic. Pick up this pair of jumbo storage bags and use them to stash your off-season clothing. The sturdy polypropylene construction resists tears, keeps dust and pests out, and allows air to circulate. Each one has a clear vinyl lid to easily see the contents inside. These storage bags are also great for blankets, sheets, or towels.

33

Mistake: Packing Your Drawers With Cooking Utensils

Fix: This Rotating Caddy With A Removable Divider

Declutter kitchen drawers with this stainless steel caddy. It has a removable divider, a weighted base for stability, and a rotating design for easy access. In addition to the brushed stainless steel finish featured here, it also comes in white, black, mint green, and lava gray.

34

Mistake: Forgetting To Corral All Of Your Cords

Fix: A Pair Of Self-Adhesive Cable Clips That Work Anywhere

Stick these cable clips onto nearly any surface that’s smooth (using the peel-and-stick adhesive on the bottom), then use them to tidy up your electronic cords. The set comes with two of them — one has slots for five cables, while the other has three slots.

35

Mistake: Having A Cluttered Pantry

Fix: These Food Storage Containers For A Streamlined Look

This set of food storage containers comes with six 1.2-liter containers and six universal lids, so there’s no more digging around to find a match. The silicone seal ensures that your food stays fresh for longer. Also included are labels and a chalk pen for better organization.

36

Mistake: Tossing Your Stuff All Over Your Entryway

Fix: This Simple Organizer With A Storage Bin & Hooks

Hang this entryway organizer near your door so you always have a spot for your keys, wallet, mail, and other essentials. It features a perforated metal bin paired with five wooden knobs. It’s simple to install using the included hardware, and you can choose from two different sizes and two colors in the listing.

37

Mistake: Ignoring Broken Items Around Your Home

Fix: This Moldable Silicone Glue That Can Repair Practically Anything

This moldable silicone glue can fix pretty much anything imaginable both indoors and out. It has a unique dough-like texture for molding to the exact shape and size for your project, and it starts to set in about 30 minutes. It will be fully set in as little as 12 hours and is waterproof.

38

Mistake: Stashing Your K-Cup Pods In The Box They Came In

Fix: This Sleek & Space-Saving Organizer With Spots For Up To 36 Pods

This K-Cup storage drawer has slots for up to 36 individual coffee pods, and because your machine can sit right on top of it, it’ll save major space. It boasts a near-perfect 4.8-star overall rating on Amazon, and it’s also available with a glass top in the listing.

39

Mistake: Neglecting To Clean Your Ceiling Fans & Other Surfaces You Can’t Reach

Fix: This Feather Duster With A Pole That Extends Up To 12 Feet

Effortlessly dust hard-to-reach spots like your fans, light fixtures, and ceilings with the help of this feather duster. It features an extendable pole that reaches up to 12 feet in length, and the microfiber cleaning head can be washed and reused.

40

Mistake: Letting Your Fridge Get Disorganized

Fix: A Set Of Stackable Storage Bins That Come With Labels

If your fridge is messy, try this bin and label set. Utilize the six clear bins (which stack to take up less space) to stash fruits and veggies, meats, cheese, and more. Attach the labels to the front and use the chalk pen to write on them.