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50 Cheap Ways To Upgrade Your Home With Little Effort

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by Nina Bradley and Rebecca Martinson
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

Small improvements can make all the difference in the way your home looks and feels. However, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to drop a ton of money to switch things up. In fact, there are many cheap ways to upgrade your home that surprisingly require little effort. Adding minor tidbits such as pillowcases or a new shower head can make a major impact on your home's overall aesthetic, creating an ambiance that helps you feel relaxed and comfortable. Thanks to Amazon and its vast inventory, finding pieces that elevate the landscape of your dwelling space is now easier than ever.

To help you with your latest home improvement project, I've compiled a list of affordable items that will give you the upgraded look you've always wanted. From cool-mist humidifiers to a light sensor kit that ensures you'll never come home to a dark house, this list has it all. There are space-saving items (like bed risers), a mop and broom holder, and even a rolling storage cart that allows you to free up space, reduce clutter, and give your home better organization. I've even listed a security camera to help offer peace of mind when you're away from home or in bed asleep at night.

Wherever you're looking to make changes — major or minor — these products are sure to help your home look and feel better than it ever has before.

1This Soft 4-Piece Bedding Set For Less Than $30

This four-piece bedding set is made from soft microfiber and comes with a deep-pocket fitted sheet that won't slip off during the night. It features an 1,800-thread count and is additionally packaged with a flat sheet and two pillowcases. Hypoallergenic and durable, this set is resistant to fading, pilling, and wrinkling. Choose your favorite of 10 colors.

  • Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

2A Plush, Quilted Down Alternative Comforter

Designed with box-stitch styling, this comforter will make a great addition to your bedroom. It's filled with down alternative and has an outer made of soft and comfortable microfiber. This cover looks sleek and is easy to machine-wash when needed. Choose your favorite of three neutral colors.

  • Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

3The 100% Silk Pillowcase That Features A Zipper Closure

Made of 100% natural silk, this pillowcase is soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic — resisting allergens and comforting those with sensitive skin. It's also great for your hair, preventing tangles and unwanted frizziness as you sleep. Plus, this style features a zipper closure that holds your pillow in place throughout the night. Select from a wide range of colors.

  • Available sizes: Standard, Body, Queen, King, Toddler

4This Memory Foam Pillow For Better Alignment

This ultra-popular cervical pillow features high-density memory foam designed to better support your neck and align your spine while you’re sleeping. The soft, comfortable design is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified which means it's free of any harmful substances. It also comes with a moisture-wicking, hypoallergenic bamboo cover that can be removed and laundered in your washing machine.

5A Cozy Back Pillow With Storage Pockets

Get super cozy while working from home or reading in bed with this soft back pillow. It's stuffed with shredded, non-clumping foam that supports your back, neck, and arms — and it can be used almost anywhere. This design features a breathable outer cover made of velour and comes with an attached handle that makes it easy to transport from room to room.

6This Pack Of Wireless Light Strips That Are Motion-Activated

These light strips ensure that the path is illuminated wherever you go. They are easy to hang without the use of tools and can be stuck to any surface through the built-in magnet or the included self-stick backing. Each strip has a three-way switch that can be set to stay on or be activated by motion, working with a rechargeable polymer lithium battery.

7A Smart Light Switch That Can Be Voice-Controlled

Control your lighting from anywhere with this smart wall switch. It can be operated with the sound of your voice using Alexa or Google Home and also works via remote control on your mobile phone if you download the Kasa app. This device additionally features a timer that can be set to turn your lights on in the evening, so you never have to come home to a dark house again.

8The LED Strip Light With Lots Of Customizable Features

Add a bit of ambiance to your home with this LED strip light. It offers 16 color choices and comes with a ton of customizable features that can change the lighting to be dimmed, put on auto-off mode, and more. It's super easy to install and use, too: Simply plug it in and you're all set.

9The Marble Contact Paper That'll Look Amazing In Your Kitchen Or Bathroom

Give your countertops and other surfaces an instant upgrade with this marble contact paper. It'll work nicely in your kitchen, bathroom, or office — and it's super easy to use and cut on many surface textures. Super sleek in design, this contact paper is easy to wipe clean with a wet cloth after application.

10This Pack Of Motion-Sensor Strip Lights That Come In Warm Or Cool Light

Install this two-pack of light strips to keep your home illuminated at all times. They feature motion-sensor technology and are operated via rechargeable battery (so they don't need an outlet or any form of electricity to work). Hang them easily without the use of tools by simply applying strong adhesive or other mounting hardware. They're available in both warm light or cool light.

11A Smart Light Bulb That's Color Changing And Voice-Activated

Use this smart light bulb in any room to control and operate your lighting quickly and effectively. It changes colors and can be dimmed to your desired settings as needed. This bulb can also be navigated through voice control when connected to Amazon Alexa or Google Home devices (or via an app from your phone at any time when you're away).

12The Security Camera That Sends Alerts To Your Phone

You'll get some peace of mind after installing this Wi-Fi surveillance camera in your home. The water-resistant camera gives you real-time access to the important areas of your house, whether you install it indoors or out. It also comes with a motion sensor that can be set to automatically alert your mobile phone if any movement is detected, and it has two-way audio. This device is great because it also has crisp night vision, so you can even see what's going on when the lights go down.

13This Sleek Bathroom Sink Faucet That Looks Like A Waterfall

Give your bathroom vanity a major upgrade with this brushed nickel faucet. It comes with hot and cold water hoses and is super easy to install and use. Plus, the water pouring out mimics a peaceful waterfall. Choose your favorite of four sleek finishes.

14A Squatty Potty Toilet Stool Made Of 100% Bamboo

Reduce strain when using the bathroom with this Squatty Potty toilet stool. It's made of 100% natural bamboo, which is eco-friendly, antibacterial, and mold-resistant. This stepper is easy to assemble and comes with all of the necessary tools to put it together.

15A Drill Brush Kit With A Piece For Every Cleaning Need

Attach these nylon brushes to your drill for all of your cleaning needs. This set comes with four different power scrub brushes that vary in shape and size to fit and clean between areas where you need it most. Each piece is easy to use and made with corrosion-free properties.

16This 2-Pack Of Window & Door Sensors That Don't Require Wiring Or Electricity

These door and window alarm sensors are a total bargain at $14 for a two-pack. Each comes with two adjustable settings that alert you any time a door or window is opened, and they can also be used on your garage door. These devices are easy to install with the included double-sided tape and are operated by batteries, so they don't require any electricity or wiring to activate.

17The Toilet Bowl Night Light That's Activated By Motion

Add a splash of fun to your bathroom with this toilet bowl lighting kit. It features a motion-detection sensor that senses movement at five feet, illuminating a nightlight inside the bowl. The set offers 16 colors that rotate or stay solid, according to your desired settings. It works on three AA batteries also has five brightness levels that can be adjusted to your liking.

18A Sleek Bathroom Shelf That's Rust-Resistant

This glass wall shelf will free up bathroom space while giving you an aesthetically pleasing area to store your items. It's made of tempered glass and features a towel bar that's rust-proof and perfect for the humidity from the shower. This unit is easy to install and comes with everything you need to get it up and ready to use.

19The Space-Saving Paper Towel Holder That Can Be Installed With Tools

Use this space-saving paper towel mount to free up counter space and more. It can be mounted on your wall vertically or horizontally with the included adhesive, but it also comes with two screws for installation (if needed). Made of aluminum alloy, this holder is rust-resistant and easy to care for.

20This Adhesive Door Draft Stopper With 30,000+ Ratings

Protect your home from drafts, lighting, pests, and outdoor sound with this door draft stopper. The wildly popular interior/exterior stopper boasts more than 30,000 Amazon ratings, with fans raving about how easy it is to install. Simply adhere it to your door with its included sticky backing and keep your home free of unwanted light, noise, smells, and more.

21A Dual Shower Head That's Easy To Use (& Feels Spa-Worthy)

Get the most out of your shower with this dual shower head. Designed with six water flow settings, an ergonomic grip, and a three-way water diverter, you can simply turn the switch to direct water flow between two shower heads. The flexible stainless steel hose and adjustable mount make it durable and easy to use at many angles.

22The Leaf-Shaped Soap Bar Holder That Eliminates Waste & Mess

Place this leaf-shaped soap holder in your bathroom for easy and mess-free use. It's not only cute in decoration, but it also reduces waste by using a triangular shape to drain away water. This device attaches using three silicone suction cups on the bottom for quick installation and easy access.

23This Bidet Attachment That Installs Without The Need For Tools Or A Plumber

Get the extra-cleansing treatment without switching your actual commode with this uniquely designed bidet attachment. It installs in minutes without the use of tools, electricity, or a plumber. The self-cleaning mode cleans the device's nozzle after use, creating less stress and worry.

24A Mop & Broom Holder That Can Be Mounted On Any Wall

Rid your home of clutter with this mop and broom holder. It features five spaces that can hold cleaning tools as well as sports equipment and more. Made of plastic, it's compact and easy to mount on any wall where it's needed.

25The Tub Drain Protector That Catches Hairs Before They Get Into Your Pipes

Never worry about dealing with a clogged tub again with this hair-catching tub drain protector. This gadget fits neatly into your drain to collect stray hairs while keeping the flow of water moving freely. Once you notice your drain backing up again, simply pop it out, remove the hair, and place it back in to start over.

26An Effective Strap For Keeping Sheets On Your Mattress

If you’re sick of having to pull down your sheets to get them back on the mattress, you need this simple but elegant solution: Rubber Hugger’s bed sheet holder band. Available for mattress sizes ranging from twin to king, the strap helps to secure your sheets with patent-pending technology. Thanks to the grippy band, you don’t have to lift the mattress to tuck the top sheet and the fitted bottom sheet doesn’t budge either.

27A Door Stopper That Helps Prevent Damage To Your Wall

Door handles are notorious for scuffing walls, which is why I have these door stoppers installed throughout my home. They’re made from soft, protective silicone — and each order comes with sticky 3M adhesive so that they’re easy to install.

28This Holder That Keeps Your Scrubbers High & Dry

Even if your scrubber caddy is rust-resistant, it can still become grimy over time if it sits inside of your sink. This caddy, on the other hand, sits above and away from your wet sink to help keep it pristine. It’s made from thick stainless steel, and it even features a rack where you can hang a dishcloth.

29A Stylish Dispenser For Loose Grocery Bags

Instead of bunching up your loose grocery bags underneath your sink, why not stuff them into this dispenser? There’s enough space for up to 30 bags, and it comes with all the screws and tape necessary for mounting.

30The Curtain Holders That Come In Tons Of Colors

Looking for curtain tiebacks that match your home? These ones are available in 10 rich shades, including wine, pink, blue, and more. The magnets on the ends snap together so that you don’t actually have to tie a knot, and you can loop them around multiple times to accommodate thinner curtains.

31A Set Of Shelves You Can Use All Over Your Home

Shoes, books, electronics — you name it, these shelves can keep it looking neat and tidy. There’s no protective coating on the wood so that you can easily stain or paint it, and many reviewers raved about how they’re “easy to assemble.”

32This Wood Cleaner To Restore Stained Furniture

Banish water stains and eliminate discoloration with these convenient wood wipes from Guardsman. Whether your end table has coffee rings or you’re looking to make your dresser look brand new, these handy cloths can improve the wood’s appearance in no time — as long as you put in some elbow grease. One fan raved, “This cloth is literally a miracle! It removed ever single mark, even the very white deep heat scorch marks off the table.”

33A Mattress Pad With An Extra-Deep Pocket

Have trouble finding a mattress pad that’ll fit your tall bed? This one not only features an extra-deep pocket for mattresses up to 21 inches, but it’s also made from 100% cotton. Putting it on your bed is an easy way to help extend the life of your mattress by helping to keep it clean, too.

34The Remote That’s Compatible With All Popular Garage Door Openers

Lost your garage remote? Don’t worry — this one is universally compatible with all popular opener brands, including Genie, Stanley, Craftsman, LiftMaster, and more. The clip on the back lets you stick it onto a visor, and you can even program it to operate at two separate brands of openers at the same time.

35A Rolling Cart Made From Heavy-Duty Metal

Made from durable metal with a chic powder coating, this rolling cart works perfectly as a bar, or even for serving guests at dinner parties. You can also use it as an end table to stash some books, and assembly only takes about 10 minutes (no tools required).

36This Lazy Susan That Adds Storage To Tight Spaces

Running out of space in your cabinets? Just pop this lazy Susan turntable inside. It’s perfect for spices, toiletries, or even art supplies — and the raised edges prevent anything from falling off while it’s spinning. The best part? It’s made from shatter-resistant, BPA-free plastic.

37A Set Of Tiered Shelves For Toiletries & Spices

You’re not limited to just spices with these tiered shelves: Put them on your bathroom vanity to store toiletries, or even use it for polishes and makeup. Each tier is lined with non-slip material to keep your items stable, and many reviewers wrote about how it’s a “space-saver.”

38The Organizer That Holds Your Pans & Lids

Instead of stacking your pans and lids willy-nilly in your cabinets, why not keep them organized on this rack? It’s made from durable metal, and the end caps prevent scratches to your surfaces. One rack is able to hold up to five pans or lids.

39This Easy & Affordable Solution To A Sagging Mattress

Investing in a new mattress can be expensive, but thanks to this sagging mattress repair kit, you can extend the life of your existing mattress a while longer. Designed for use with latex or innerspring mattresses — and for sizes ranging from twin to king — this supportive, shock-absorbing foam insert can help with unwanted indentations. Choose from two thickness options to customize for your specific mattress problem.

40These Shelves That Save Space In The Shower

Don’t clutter up the sides of your tub — just pop these shelves into the corner of your shower. They’re made from rustproof stainless steel, and each order comes with sticky adhesive so that you can install them without any drilling. Choose from two finishes: silver or bronze.

41A Set Of Shower Shelves Available In 4 Different Finishes

Looking for a stylish storage option in your shower? These shelves come in four chic finishes: bronze, chrome, nickel, and white. They’re rust-resistant so that they stay looking fresh, and the tension rod easily adjusts to fit most standard showers.

42The Lights That Turn Any Mirror Into A Hollywood Vanity

I was a little skeptical at first — but now that I’ve added these lights to my vanity mirror, I’m a big fan. The brightness is adjustable up to five levels, and you can even trim the wires to fit your mirror. “Everything from the size of the lights to the length fit perfectly on my mirror,” one reviewer wrote.

43An Unstuffed Pouf That Can Store Everything From Towels To Toys

A pouf is an instant way to add a pretty-yet-functional design detail to your living space, but they can be pricey. But this unstuffed faux suede pouf cover comes in at an affordable price point thanks, in part, because it’s up to you to decide what to fill it with. Consider it a win-win: Not only do you get to save some money, but you gain extra storage space too. Reviewers mentioned filling theirs with everything from old towels, blankets, pillows, kids’ toys, and more.

44A Cute Bamboo Kitchen Organizer For Flatware & More

For quick and easy access to your silverware, salt and pepper shakers, napkins, and more, it doesn’t get any better than this bamboo and acrylic caddy. Place it on your table and enjoy not having to keep popping up to grab something in a different part of the kitchen. One fan gushed, “Very sturdy and holds a large amount of utensils. Love the fact that you can write what you want on the front.”

45These Throw Pillow Inserts That Come In A Variety Of Sizes

Need some filling for your throw pillows? These inserts are made with siliconized fiberfill that helps them maintain their puffy shape — even after you’ve slept on them for hours. Each order comes with two, with sizes ranging from 12-by-12 inches up to 28-by-28 inches.

46A Cool Mist Humidifier That Runs For Up To 16 Hours

Dry air always leaves my throat and nose feeling irritated at night, which is why I keep this humidifier on my dresser. The water reservoir is so large that it can run for up to 16 hours, and there’s even a built-in night light in case I get up to use the bathroom in the dark.

47The Bath Mat Filled With Soft Memory Foam

You don't have to step onto a cold tile floor once you're out of the shower — just grab this soft bath mat. It's filled with plush memory foam that contours to the shape of your feet, and the top is covered in rich velvet. Choose from more than 15 colors as well as eight sizes.

48A Set Of Lifts That Add Height To Your Bed

Not only do these bed risers give you more storage space underneath your mattress, but each one is also rated to hold up to 300 pounds. They're designed to work with any type of bed, and you can stack them together in storage when you're not using them.

49This Handheld Vacuum That's Completely Cordless

At less than 2 pounds, this handheld vacuum is perfect for quick messes all around the house. Each order comes with a wall-mountable charger that doubles as storage, and the cordless design means you're not stuck next to an outlet while you're cleaning. The best part? The dirt bowl is bagless as well as easy to empty.

50A Box That Keeps Your Cables Looking Neat & Tidy

Got a jumbled mess of wires sitting out in plain sight? Keep them tucked away in this cable management box. It's great for home offices, entertainment centers, or anywhere else you'd like to disguise some wires — and the non-slip feet keep it from sliding around. Choose from two finishes: wood or white.

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