Professionals Who Stage Homes Swear By These Cheap Tricks To Fix Eyesores In Your Home

"Boob lights are an eyesore and can make a home look cheaper,” says Ana Cvetkovic, Principal of Rowhome Design, a home staging and interior design studio based in Philadelphia. “As you stage your home, consider swapping boob lights for more modern-looking flush mounts." Cvetkovic recommends this highly-rated minimalist ceiling light, which has a matte brass base, a linen shade, and a dimmable dual-bulb design.

• Available styles: 7

"Gray walls and floors are common in builder-grade flips, but they’re so depressing,” says Cvetkovic, who offers two quick solutions: Cheer up the space by “painting the walls a warm white,” or “by adding color to the walls through art.” These recommended decorative paintings come in a set of three abstract designs, which brighten up a room with beige, turquoise, orange, and light pink. The canvases come already framed with slots on the back for easy mounting.

• Available sizes: 20" X 28" X 3 pieces — 24" X 32" X 3 pieces
• Available styles: 4

According to Cvetkovic, "One of the best ways to cut down on visual clutter while staging is to use see-through furniture. A glass dining table in an open-concept living area or an acrylic coffee table in a small family room demonstrate the space’s function without adding visual weight." This modern waterfall coffee table goes with any color scheme thanks to its totally transparent design, and it comes in six sizes to suit most spaces.

• Available sizes: 32" L*16" W *16" H — 50" L*20" W *17" H

This glass side table is a more affordable alternative that offers storage without adding too much visual clutter. Available in gold, black, or gray, it has a minimalist metal frame with a tempered glass top and a mesh shelf underneath to hold the essentials. Unlike side tables with thick frames and bulky drawers, you can glance right through it, which makes your space appear bigger.

• Available styles: 3

“If your home has wall-to-wall carpet in a bold color and you don’t have the budget to remove it before you list your home, neutralize it with an area rug. Jute rugs are a great option for staging because they’re inexpensive, durable, and go with many decor styles,” says Cvetkovic, who recommends this handmade jute rug. Crafted from natural fibers, its flat-woven design creates a geometric pattern that’s durable enough for high-traffic areas — and it comes in tons of shapes and sizes.

• Available sizes: 2’ x 3’ —12’ round

Because of its natural, earthy tones, jute is also a great way to warm up a cool space — especially if you’re looking for an affordable tactic to neutralize an all-gray room. This jute area rug comes in several sizes, four shapes, and three color options, all of which ground the space with organic texture. Even though it’s a less expensive option, it’s still durable, vacuum-safe, and pet-friendly.

• Available sizes: 4' x 6' — 10' x 13'
• Available styles: 3

Looking to neutralize a bold carpet or area rug? “Hang art that matches the color of your carpet,” says Cvetkovic. “For example, if you have an emerald green carpet, hang up paintings that prominently feature green.” This abstract artwork comes in three designs that help you incorporate bold colors in a modern, sophisticated way. Each set includes two 24-by-36-inch paintings, which are pre-framed with a versatile black border.

• Available styles: 3

"Natural light is one of the most important things homebuyers look for,” says Cvetkovic, so if you absolutely must have window coverings for privacy, “choose white linen curtains. These curtains look luxurious, but are budget-friendly and go with many decor styles.” The two panels are made from a genuine flax blend, so they’re soft, machine-washable, and wrinkle-resistant, plus they come in tons of sizes to fit most windows.

• Available sizes: 52"W x 84"L (Pack of 2) — 52"W x 120"L (Pack of 2)
• Available styles: 10

According to Carissa Kristoff, realtor at C Kappa Corp/Berkshire Hathaway HS Select Properties, "Sometimes the difference between a ‘charming home’ and a ‘house that’s stuck in a time warp’ is as simple as swapping out a pair of heavy curtains for something a little more airy.” This reeded glass film gives your windows a charming, traditional texture and added privacy— without blocking any natural light. Its non-adhesive design uses static cling for damage-free installation, re-positioning, and removal.

• Available sizes: 17.7"x78.7" — 35.4"x157.4”

If you do opt for curtains, Kristoff recommends choosing a set that’s more breezy and “less dungeon-like.” Per Cvetkovic’s advice, these kitchen curtains have a linen-like texture that lets plenty of natural light through — and since they only cover the bottom section of the window, they offer privacy while still letting in tons of light.

• Available sizes: 25"W x 36"L (Pack of 2) — 25"W x 36"L (Pack of 2)
• Available styles: 11

“Clean your windows. Seriously,” Kristoff says. “You’d be surprised how a good deal brighter your house feels with spotless glass." This highly rated window squeegee has a dual swivel head with nylon netting on one side and a flexible rubber blade on the other. Its telescoping handle extends up to 30 inches to help you reach the tops of tall windows (or sliding doors, windshields, and shower enclosures).

• Available styles: 3

Kristoff recommends installing under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, because it’s a quick, affordable upgrade, but it brightens your workspace while making the room feel more high-end. These stick-on lights are battery-operated, dimmable, remote-controlled, and come with furniture-safe adhesive tape, so they install within minutes and don’t require an electrician.

• Available sizes: 1-Pack — 6-Pack
• Available styles: 2

When it comes to lighting, temperature is key for creating an inviting atmosphere. Kristoff prefers bulbs with a temperature rating of 2700K, which gives off a warm yet balanced glow that isn’t too yellow or too blue. These soft white LED bulbs come in a pack of two for an amazing price. The standard E26 base is compatible with most lamps and lighting fixtures while the technology is designed to save energy and last for up to 10,000 hours.

• Available sizes: 2 Count — 24 Count
• Available styles: 4

“If your front door is peeling, your landscaping is sad, and your property numbers are slightly visible, it’s time for a refresh,” says Kristoff, who recommends replacing your outdated mailbox with something more contemporary. This wall-mounted mailbox is made from rust-resistant steel with a matte-black finish that protects your deliveries from the elements while adding a sleek, modern touch to your exterior.

• Available styles: 4

According to Kristoff, buyers (and visitors) judge a house long before they step inside the front door, so pay attention to curb appeal: “Swapping out vintage residence numbers” is a small upgrade “with a massive impact.” These floating house numbers come in four sizes and a few letters, too. They’re made from rust-resistant aluminum, so they’re durable but lightweight, and they include stainless steel screws and anchors for easy installation.

• Available sizes: 4” — 8”
• Available styles: 13

“A crisp white trim makes any wall [look] better,” says Kristoff. This Rust-Oleum door and trim paint is designed to dry up to three times faster into a fade-, chip-resistant finish, and according to its overall 4.5-star rating, it works. The water-based formula is suitable for metal, wood, and fiberglass surfaces, both indoors and out.

• Available styles: 6

“Don’t neglect outlet covers,” says Kristoff, who believes this affordable upgrade makes a massive difference in your space. These decorative wallplates are made from metal with a clean white finish and a beveled border that adds a high-end, traditional touch. They also come in tons of designs to fit a range of outlets, switches, and combinations.

• Available styles: 16

"If I do not replace the couch, I overload it with cushions so that you can hardly see it,” says Dani Gottschalk, interior designer of Tinzeltown interior design. For an even more budget-friendly upgrade, transform your existing throw pillows with new pillow covers, like these square cushion cases made from plush striped corduroy. While this neutral set goes with most palettes, they also come in plenty of other color options.

• Available sizes: 12" x 12" (Pack of 4) — 28" x 28" (Pack of 4)
• Available styles: 32

Gottschalk is a big believer in refreshing a space with new rugs. For wall-to-wall carpet, you can “draw attention to a stunning multi-patterned rug” by placing it on top. This area rug is non-slip for bare floors, low-pile so it doesn’t get in the way of swinging doors, and machine-washable to remove dirt and spills. Its vintage farmhouse pattern comes in your choice of over a dozen color options.

• Available styles: 14

Plants and flowers refresh a space both visually and aromatically, according to Gottschalk: “They act like a room spray that calls in the new!" These circular vases offer a sleek, modern way to display fresh flowers, plant clippings, and dried pampas. They come in a set of two sizes, both made from off-white ceramic with cutouts in the middle.

The more clutter you have in your space, the harder it is for your brain to relax and focus. Gottschalk recommends storing unnecessary items (like shoes) in closed organizers. With its fluted wood, metal base, top shelf, and tilted drawers, this shoe cabinet looks like an expensive piece of modern furniture — all while hiding up to 24 pairs in plain sight.

• Available styles: 3

“The most common eyesore I see in houses is rooms that are messy and disorganized,” says Holden Andrews, real estate investor and founder of Helpful Home Group. These recommended storage baskets help a space “go from something that feels chaotic and messy to a squared-away room” — and since they’re made from off-white cotton rope, they “match the decor” in most homes.

• Available styles: 9

"Another item that can be used to cut down on visual clutter, especially in a kitchen, is a rolling cart,” which boosts organization and minimizes countertop messes, says Andrews. “Most kitchens have some kind of dead space where a countertop or an island ends, and this is the perfect spot.” This slim rolling cart has four wooden shelves for storage, a metal base for durability, wheels and handles for easy retrieval, and side rails to keep your stuff secure.

• Available styles: 3

You can also utilize rolling carts in laundry rooms, bathrooms, pantries, offices, and crafting areas to “increase counter space” and store “your important things,” says Andrews — especially since you can move the cart “out of the way when it is not needed.” Available in four colors, this rolling cart has three tiers that increase in size towards the bottom, so it’s great for toiletries, supplies, and ingredients. It even works as a side table in tight bedrooms.

• Available styles: 4

“Bins are your best friend: Toss mail, keys, chargers, and random muddle into ornamental packing containers or baskets,” says Kristoff. “Boom. Clean." With their braided texture made from natural water hyacinth, these wicker storage boxes are way more elevated than your average bins. They also have toggle lids for stacking and to thoroughly hide your clutter.

A relatively simple upgrade that makes a huge difference in your kitchen or laundry space? “Upgrade your taps to cutting-edge, easy designs — you could discover tremendous alternatives below $150,” says Kristoff. This kitchen faucet costs well under $100, even though it’s made from stainless steel with a pull-down sprayer, a drip-free ceramic cartridge, and an easy 15-minute installation process. It’s compatible with most one- or three-hole sinks.

• Available styles: 9

"Mediterranean-style bathrooms are another huge problem I'm seeing daily. Those oil-rubbed bronze fixtures and heavy travertine tiles scream 2008,” says Wesley Kang, founder of Realtor 1099Cafe. After swapping out those bronze fixtures for black metal options, an outdated house “sold in three days while similar homes with dated baths sat for months." Sold in tons of sizes, this tempered glass mirror has a black metal frame with curved edges, which instantly modernizes your bathroom.

• Available sizes: 20"L x 16"W — 84"L x 32"W
• Available styles: 6

Kang recently had a client that spent “$3,000 swapping just the fixtures and mirrors” to modernize their bathrooms — but if you know where to look, you can upgrade a space for much less. This matte-black showerhead looks high-end but costs less than $30. It also has an average 4.6-star rating from over 13,000 reviewers because it boosts water pressure, hinges at the neck so you can adjust the angle, and is designed to install without tools and in mere minutes.

• Available styles: 6

“Every charcoal gray or navy blue statement wall I see costs my sellers money in 2025. Just helped someone paint over their dark den — the room literally looked twice as big,” says Kang, who notes that buyers will pay tens of thousands more when a space feels larger and more current. To effortlessly paint over dark walls, use a quality primer paint. This low-odor formula is designed to hide water stains, stick to most surfaces without sanding, and dry in no more than an hour.

According to Kang, "Those kitchen desk nooks are absolutely destroying resale value now. Nobody wants a built-in desk next to their fridge anymore.” A better use of the space? Convert it into a “coffee bar with wine storage.” With wooden shelves and a metal frame, this two-tier caddy offers a stylish, space-savvy way to organize your coffee station essentials, including beans, syrups, mugs, K-cups, and more.

• Available sizes: Medium — Large
• Available styles: 3

When creating your at-home coffee bar, don’t forget to use a coffee station mat. This one is made with thick PU on the bottom and soft diatomite on top, which prevents sliding, protects your countertops from heavy appliances, and soaks up any spills while making the space look sleek and tidy. Despite its low price tag, it has an average 4.6-star rating from over 5,500 reviewers on Amazon.

• Available sizes: 12"x19" — 17"x31.5"
• Available styles: 19

"One of the most common unsightly things stagers see is electrical cords weaving a web across floors and up walls,” says Omer Reiner, licensed realtor and president of Florida Cash Home Buyers, LLC. This outlet concealer is a reviewer-favorite hack with over 45,000 five-star ratings. It covers plugs with a sleek white plate and redirects the power through a long cord to a three-outlet power strip, which is easy to hide on shelves, underneath furniture, or behind appliances.

• Available sizes: 3 ft — 16 ft
• Available styles: 2

“You can’t generally help where your outlets are, but you can draw attention away from the cords,” says Reiner, who recommends that you “add a house plant” in front of a busy outlet. This tiered plant stand holds up to five pots with its walnut wood design, which elevates your space and raises your plants off the floor to prevent damage. It also has locking wheels so you can move it from spot to spot with ease.

• Available styles: 2

You can also “move bookcases or other furniture closer to outlets” to disguise cord clutter, according to Reiner. Available in several configurations from two to 10 cubes, this wooden bookshelf is a minimalist piece of furniture that boosts storage while hiding plugs. It’s also great for speakers, albums, and organizational bins, and it comes in seven color options to match most decor.

• Available sizes: 2 Cube — 10 Cube
• Available styles: 7

Finally, you can put a “stack of books or other decorative items in front of the cords to make their presence less known,” says Reiner. This hidden storage box looks like a stack of books, but it’s actually hollow to disguise your modem, power strip, wires, or charging station. It’s made from sustainable wood and real reclaimed books, and you can also use it to hide jewelry, money, and other valuables in plain sight.

"Any type of clutter makes a house look smaller and less attractive. Stagers generally recommend you declutter as much as you can and then use decorative baskets” to store remaining items in style, says Reiner. This storage basket is made from cotton rope with built-in handles, making your clutter look like intentional decor. It comes in large or extra-large sizes to fit bedding, pillows, toys, clothes, and more.

• Available sizes: Large — Extra Large
• Available styles: 6

According to Reiner, decorative bins are also great to “store like items that you are still using” and need to access often. Thanks to their squared shape and flip-up lids, these wicker storage bins work well on shelves or stacked one on top of the other. They also have a natural woven texture with cotton lining and iron frames, so they’re stylish, sturdy, and easy to clean.

“In-wall cable management kits clean up exposed wires without needing an electrician,” says Adam Bushell of AB Electrical & Communications. This kit comes with two grommets, a hole saw, and a drill bit, so you can easily create a discreet pass-through behind the wall for your cords. The grommets have a notched design that can accommodate most sizes of plugs, so monitors, floating TVs, and gaming consoles look as sleek as possible.

• Available sizes: 1 Pair — 2 Pairs

If you’d rather not drill any holes, you can also use cord covers to “instantly make a space look cleaner and more polished,” according to Bushell. This self-adhesive cord cover kit comes with straight channels, elbows, and splitters that you can cut to size and snap together, discreetly directing your wires from your electronics to your outlets. The fire-resistant material is also paintable, so it fully blends in with your walls.

• Available sizes: Medium —Large

"The best thing to do with outdated decor when staging a home is to put it away!” says Cvetkovic. “Anything smaller than a basketball is unrecognizable in listing photos and therefore just creates visual clutter." These plastic storage bins are stackable to save space, clear so you can see what’s inside, and sturdy to withstand the garage, attic, or shed. They also come in plenty of size options to store everything from tiny knick-knacks to clunky holiday decorations.

• Available sizes: 15.5 QT (4 Pack) — 64 QT (2 Pack)
• Available styles: 3

The “easiest and most affordable way to cut down on visual clutter, make a space feel larger, and add more perceived value to your home,” according to Cvetkovic? Remove unnecessary furniture (like ottomans, loveseats, and extra tables) and put it in storage. Since they’re made from reusable, heavy-grade plastic that keeps out dirt and moisture, these dust covers help you protect your furniture while it’s stashed away. (And you might not even miss them.)

“If you’re staging your house, sell or donate your superfluous furniture or store it in your basement or garage until you move,” says Cvetkovic, who’s been able to add “$4,000 of perceived value” to clients’ homes by maximizing space. This Oxford fabric cover is waterproof, dust-resistant, and anti-scratch to protect your furniture. It comes in several sizes and has an elastic drawstring cord to secure it in place.

• Available sizes: 20*20*20in — 160*160*160in