Budget-Friendly Home Makeover: 38 Must-Have Items Under $20 to Transform Your Living Space Instantaneously
Transform your shelter into a TV-worthy haven on a shoestring budget!
by Amber Usher, BuzzFeed Staffby Jasmin Sandal, BuzzFeed Contributor
Hey there! Get ready to upgrade your pad without breaking the bank. We've got you covered with budget-friendly hacks that'll make your crib look like a million bucks.
Here are some kickass products that'll elevate your humble abode:
1. A Swivel Grout Brush for the laziest cleaner. This handy tool attaches to almost any broom handle, allowing you to clean those pesky corners and grout lines with ease.
2. Stair Decals for the fashionista on a budget. Simply peel and stick to transform your stairs without breaking the bank or committing to a major renovation.
3. Fridge Organization Labels for chaos control. The minimalist queen, Khloé Kardashian, would be jealous of these labels, making finding your goods a breeze.
4. Scrubber Heads for Power Scrubbing. No more elbow grease with these nifty attachments for your drill. Just attach and let it work its magic.
5. A Pet House Candle to banish stinky dog smells. You won't have to go on a cleaning rampage 40 minutes before guests come over anymore!
**Review: Pet House Candle
One Fur All is a small business that specializes in home fragrances for pet owners.
Get it from Amazon
6. A Fireplace Cleaner Kit for the perfect flames. No need to crawl on all fours anymore to clean your fireplace. Nonabrasive cleaner, apply, rinse, wipe - that's it!
7. Vinyl Tile Stickers for a Mediterranean vibe on the cheap. Turn your crib into a beachside paradise without even leaving home! These wallpaper decals are renter-friendly too.
8. Hard-Water Stain Remover for when your shower turns into a battlefield. Say goodbye to brown stains in just a few minutes.
9. A Drawer Organizer set to turn your makeup vanity into a Pinterest-worthy work of art. Get your makeup life together!
10. Hardwood Floor Cleaning Spray for a shine that'll make you question reality. Just a spritz and a quick mop is all you need!
11. Foaming Cleaner for the rankest of places, ahem, the trash disposal. Not only does it eliminate the funky smell, but it also cleans the underside of the splash guard, a often-overlooked spot during cleaning.
Just pop the packet down the drain!
Promising review: "Easy to use. I followed directions, and it works just like it says. I only use this once every month now. First use I had to do it twice (which it says if it hasn't been cleaned in a while you may need to). Weekly I follow up with the Glisten garbage disposal freshener and that keeps my disposal working well and smelling great." -LostbraincellPrice: $9.58 (Available in a 4-pack)
12. LED Light Bulbs with a vibe. Change the ambiance of any room without breaking the bank! Program them to light up with the beat of your music and adjust the intensity from your smartphone.
13. Gold Cabinet Handles for a luxe upgrade. Transform your kitchen in minutes with these lovely handles for just a few bucks. They're lightweight but sturdy enough to last for years.
14. Sound Dampeners for slamming cabinets. No more squeaky sounds alerting nosy neighbors to your midnight snack raids.
15. Vintage wallpaper for an instant interior design pick-me-up! Apply it anywhere and bring that charming farmhouse feel to your home.
16. An Automatic Scrubbing Brush for the tough jobs in the kitchen. No more Cinderella-mode with a manual toothbrush for scrubbing away grout between tile floors.
17. A Squeegee Broom to catch stray hairs on your carpet and make cleanup a breeze. It also works wonders on wood and linoleum surfaces!
18. A Flexible Dryer Vent Cleaner to prevent damage to your dryer and keep it running smoothly. Conveniently maneuvers through tight spaces for easy cleaning.
19. Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets to keep your appliance sparkling clean. Why clean your undies and pee-soaked doggy bed but neglect your dishwasher?!
20. Awasher Machine Cleaner because even your washer needs love. Regular cleaning helps prolong its lifespan, ensuring your clothes stay fresh and clean.
21. A Multipurpose Cleaner for when Messy-McMesserson strikes. Clean any surface from your floors to counters and windows to tubs with just this one amazing product!
22. Light-Dimming Sheets for those overly bright LED lights. No need to squint or shield your eyes from the harsh glare anymore.
23. A Grill Scrubber for backyard barbecues. No need to labor over cleaning your grill after a day of feasting.
24. Toilet Bombs to tackle those nasty stains. They work wonders on ring-around-the-toilet and leave your bathroom smelling fresh and clean.
25. A Premium Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish to restore the shine on your stainless steel appliances and fixtures. It's like fairy dust in a bottle!
Promising review: "I don't know what kind of fairy dust this plant-based spray is hiding inside, but it made my mucked-up fridge sparkle within a MINUTE! I was a bit skeptical when I first sprayed it onto my fridge because it took a second for the streaks to start fading, but lo and behold, there was zero residue left behind after a super brief wipe sesh. Once I saw how downright dazzling my fridge looked, I decided to put it to the ~real~ test - my filthy dishwasher. Again, a minute of buffing with a microfiber towel was enough to make it look like a brand new appliance, and it worked wonders on the greasy stainless steel edges of my oven, too. Oh, and it legit smells like lavender, which makes me look forward to cleaning! I can confidently say I will never be without at least two bottles of this magic spray in my house for as long as I live."Price: $19.95 (Available in two sizes and a two-pack)
26. Microfiber Cloths to quickly dust your surfaces without leaving streaks. Your home will be spotless in no time!
27. Howard Products Wood Polish to make your wooden furniture look like new again. Say goodbye to scratches and stains!
28. A Broom and Mop Organizer to keep your cleaning tools organized and easily accessible. No more digging through a pile to find what you need.
29. The Pink Stuff, the all-purpose cleaning paste capable of cleaning and removing stubborn stains with minimal effort.
30. A Cooktop Cleaner Kit to restore your stovetop to its former glory. The scraper and non-abrasive cleaning pad make short work of crud and grime.
View on Amazon
View on Amazon
Promising review: "I really didn't think that there was much hope for my stovetop to look good again. It had years of burnt-on grime that no other cleaner could touch. I read the reviews for this product and decided to give it a try. Well, I am blown away! It does everything it says in a matter of minutes, and with minimal effort! My stove top is gleaming, just like in the product picture. Note what others have said, unscrew and turn the blade around if you use the scraper. It did not scratch the surface at all. I couldn't be happier!" -WisegirlPrice: $18.98
31. A Stackable Cutlery Organizer to tame the chaos in your utensil drawer. No more knives with forks and spoons hiding in the shadows!
32. Vinyl Contact Paper for a major upgrade without the hefty price tag. Make your rental feel like a luxury penthouse in just a few easy steps!
33. Waterproof Screen Repair Tape for those pesky tears in your screens. They're not just for windows anymore!
34. A Cable Management Sleeve to keep your cords looking sleek and organized. No more tangled messes hiding behind the TV!
35. A Drain Snake to tackle even the toughest hair clogs. You'll never have to worry about water back-ups again!
36. Wood Repair Kit for the love of all things wood furniture. No more constant replacement of furniture, this magical fix makes your wood items look brand new!
37. Insect Traps to banish those pesky gnats and fruit flies. They're gross but effective!
38. A Door Draft Stopper to keep cold air out and warmth in. It's like a little security guard for your home's comfort.
Reviews for this post may have been edited for length and clarity.
Affordable Home Improvement Tips:
- Shop online for a wide variety of budget-friendly products at stores like Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe's.
- Try DIY projects, such as painting, updating fixtures, or using peel-and-stick solutions for flooring or wallpaper.
- Visit thrift stores or online marketplaces for second-hand items that can be repurposed for home decor or organization.
- Check out discount stores like Dollar Tree or IKEA for budget-friendly finds.
- Keep an eye on sales and discounts at local hardware stores or home improvement centers for affordable items.
Budget-Friendly Home Improvement Ideas:
- Decorative updates: use vinyl tile stickers, peel-and-stick wallpaper, or color-changing light bulbs to create a more modern look.
- Cleaning and organization: invest in multipurpose cleaners, microfiber cloths, and organizers like drawer sets or stackable cutlery organizers to keep things tidy.
- Kitchen and bathroom upgrades: update cabinet handles, use fridge organization labels, or install a new backsplash without a full remodel.
- Outdoor and curb appeal: improve your home's exterior with budget-friendly projects like painting the front door, replacing house numbers, or power washing the driveway.
Where to Shop:
- Home Improvement Stores: Home Depot, Lowe's
- Online Retailers: Amazon, Walmart
- Discount Stores: Dollar Tree, IKEA
- Second-Hand Stores: Thrift stores, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace
Sources:
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] (Various n.d.). Budget-Friendly Home Improvements. Retrieved from Home Stratosphere.
[6] The Pink Stuff. (n.d.). The Pink Stuff Reviews: Is the All-Purpose Cleaner Really as Good as People Claim? Retrieved from Consumer Reports.
[7] Mmmcoo. (n.d.). Mmmcoo Cooktop Cleaner Kit with Scraper and Cleaning Pad. Retrieved from Amazon.
[8] Aromatech. (n.d.). Aromatech Premium Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish - Multi-Surface Protectant - Lavender Scent - 16 Ounces - Pack of 2. Retrieved from Amazon.
- A Swivel Grout Brush for the laziest cleaner can help manage grout lines more easily, attaching to broom handles for convenient use in corners.
- Instead of sound dampeners for slamming cabinets, consider implementing vinyl tile stickers for a Mediterranean vibe on the cheap, as they transform the look of floors and are renter-friendly.
- For a luxe upgrade on a budget, try out gold cabinet handles to revamp the appearance of kitchen cabinets quickly with minimal cost. These handles are lightweight yet sturdy enough to last for years.
