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    43 Updates That'll Have A Big Effect On Your Home Without Needing To Call A Contractor

    Call HGTV — your house is going to look camera-ready once you've made these easy yet impressive upgrades.

    1. Switch out your boring switch plate covers with these satin nickel ones. It's a simple way to make something you touch and look at every day appear so much chicer.

    Franklin Brass outlet cover in a satin nickel color and detailed edge

    2. Or add a pop of color with this retro wall plate that will leave you feeling like you're living in The Jetsons house every time you turn on the light.

    3. Place some artificial monstera stems in your favorite vase to instantly add some color and dimension to your space. No watering required!

    4. Or if you'd rather take on some real plants, try out one from Plants.com, which breaks down important info like sunlight requirements, how much you need to water it, and what temperature it should be placed in to thrive.

    the snake plant in a white pot

    5. Now that you have your new plant baby, place it in one of these gorgeous seagrass baskets. No need to repot — just plop it right in!

    6. In fact, order a few of them and transform a couple into these really interesting-looking pendant lights:

    A Pair & A Spare's blog photo of two pendant lights made with seagrass baskets

    7. If you want to fill an empty wall with lots of framed artwork and pictures, use this guided gallery wall kit that includes seven frames, a hanging template, and hardware. The accuracy of the template ensures you'll only have to make one hole in the wall for each frame.

    8. Is your bathroom way too boring? Try adding some peel-and-stick tile to the walls to give it a chic, realistic-looking upgrade without the huge bill.

    Reviewer's bathroom with the tile applied above the sink for natural looking backsplash

    9. Sick of the bathroom mirror your house or apartment came with? Replace it with this beautiful octagonal mirror that adds personality and a little bit of glam. Plus: you get to stare at your pretty reflection in this every day. Lucky you!

    10. Don't forget about lighting! Get rid of the boring light fixtures your house or apartment came with and replace them with these cage pendant lights. They look extra fancy hanging above your bathroom sink!

    11. And if you're stuck with recessed light, use a recessed light conversion kit and hang whatever kind of fixture you've been dreaming about.

    Reviewer image of a bathroom that used the kit to turn recess lighting into pendant lighting

    12. Upgrading your bathroom doesn't require hiring a contractor — even a small change like installing a waterfall faucet will make your bathroom feel like a fancy resort!

    13. Putting on a set of mid-century or modern furniture leg replacements on your couch or dresser will make them look brand-new for a fraction of the cost of buying entirely new furniture.

    14. Makeover your bathroom or kitchen with some peel-and-stick floor tiles. Not only will it add a heightened level of decor, it can also cover up any scratches, cracks, or imperfections on the tiles.

    15. And if you want to modernize your kitchen, try out some peel-and-stick subway tile backsplash. Your kitchen will look more streamlined, and people will think you hired a professional to do it.

    16. Instead of picking out a new rug for your space and just hoping for the best, use this handy infographic to determine the perfect size to help you create the most cohesive layout and overall feel for the room.

    infographic showing what sized rugs to place in dining room, living room, and bedroom

    17. Have some empty wall space in your kitchen? Install a floating wooden shelf so you now have an aesthetically pleasing place to show off all your favorite dishware.

    the wooden shelves hanging in a kitchen and holding things like dishes, cups, and decorative pieces

    18. Use a roll of faux-marble contact paper to give your sad, old-looking counters a much-needed facelift. You can also use this to transform simple pieces of furniture into more interesting pieces.

    19. Blast all the dirt, algae, and built-up sediment off your deck with a good old-fashioned water pressure cleaner. You'll find it so satisfying to see the wood literally change color before your eyes.

    20. Add some chalk paint to any hand-me-down furniture that's seen better days. Chalk paint is actually ideal for furniture because it adheres well with very little prep work.

    Reviewer's before/after of an old piece of furniture that was painted white and looks more modern and clean

    21. Instead of throwing out your old couch, try out some thick velvet slip covers with nonslip straps so the covers actually stay in place. There are separate covers for each cushion, which will make it look like you completely reupholstered your couch.

    22. Or, tuck a blanket around your sofa cushions to breathe new life into your lumpy, stained sofa that has been passed down to you from the previous renters.

    blue blanket tucked into a sofa

    23. If you have blinds but want to add curtains for a more elevated look, you can use NoNo Brackets to install a curtain rod without any hardware. They easily mount to your existing blinds, and all you have to do is place the rod into the rounded space. Genius!

    24. Install interlocking Teak tiles in your patio, balcony, or backyard to make your little slice of the outdoors look like a fancy courtyard. Don't have any outdoor space? You can put them at the bottom of your shower — instant spa status!

    25. If your constant HGTV marathons have you wanting to redo your cabinets, utilize this cabinet painting kit to make them look brand new without having to completely replace them.

    26. Add magnetic garage handles and faux windows to up the curb appeal of your house without having to spend oodles of money on new carriage-style doors.

    27. Apply some peel-and-stick wallpaper to create a bold statement wall in your living room or bedroom without having to paint. It'll instantly give your space a whole new look!

    A living room with one wall covered in the constellation-print wallpaper in Frost

    28. Or make your closet feel like a fancy designer store by sticking this removable botanical wallpaper to the back walls. You'll get a burst of tropical prettiness every time you open your closet doors to get ready in the morning!

    reviewer's closet with wallpaper hung on the back wall behind each shelf

    29. And before you start the wallpapering process, make sure you read up on how to properly measure and apply it so you don't end up with lots of air bubbles or uneven lines.

    30. Instantly make your kitchen look more sophisticated with these vintage-style glass lights with Edison bulbs. See...good lighting fixtures really do make all the difference!

    Reviewer image of three pendants above a counter top in a reviewer's kitchen

    31. Dress up a plain space by installing a DIY art ledge, aka hanging narrow shelves. This works especially great on smaller walls because it'll help your eye move across the room, which will help the space appear bigger. And now you finally have a place to display those prints and photos you've been meaning to hang up for forever!

    32. Instead of buying an entirely new countertop for your bathroom, try out this stone-effect spray paint. Just spray on your dated countertops, let dry, and then marvel at your fantastic handiwork.

    33. Add some much-needed light in the dark corners of your home by installing a pack of LED battery-operated puck lights. They look especially fancy when they're placed underneath your kitchen cabinets!

    reviewer photo of a gray kitchen with multiple puck lights lighting up the counter underneath the cabinets

    34. Or install these stick-on track lights for a more uniform lighting option. The best part is you don't even have to worry about outlets or electrical wiring! It's such a simple yet effective upgrade to your kitchen, closet, bathroom, or anywhere else you plan to put them.

    reviewer's kitchen cabinets with lighting installed underneath

    35. Give your visitors a colorful greeting by applying a fresh coat of paint to your front door. Just looking at this beautiful blue door is making me smile!

    Reviewer's front door painted in a bold blue

    36. When adding decorative items around your space, follow the Rule of Threes, which is the idea that items arranged in odd numbers look more naturally appealing to the eye. So if you have two vases arranged on a bookshelf, consider adding a third one — a tiny but super effective change for upping the sophistication of your decor!

    black plant stand with three plants on it

    37. Bring your dated fireplace into the 21st century by updating it with brick whitewash paint. No more ugly browns or dingy colors that make your living room feel like it could be a set for The Brady Bunch!

    38. Update any cabinet door or drawer with these gold cabinet pulls that are so sophisticated, people will think you hired an interior designer when they see how good they look.

    39. Transform a blank wall into an eye-catching design element with a stencil. Are you bored with how plain your home office looks? I think we just found the perfect way to dress it up.

    A big design painted over a desk using the stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils

    40. Or add a bit of pizzazz to your stairs by applying these stair riser decals. After all, you use your stairs every day, so they might as well be a little prettier to look at!

    black and white pattern on stairs

    41. To add a fun, extra detail to your gallery wall, apply copper tape around pictures frames or in an abstract design.

    Two frames with copper art and one with copper taped around the matte

    42. If you've always wished your house came with fancy molding, it actually can, all thanks to these pre-made wall panels. All you need is a nail gun, glue, and a good eye for measurement, and your house will start looking like a million bucks.

    reviewer's wall with panels installed and painted white to add depth to wall

    43. Instantly make your living room feel like a fancy restaurant or lounge by adding this wireless library light on the top of your bookshelf or above a framed photo you want to highlight. You can adjust it to warm or cool light settings depending on your preference.

    You admiring your new bathroom mirrors, faux marble counters, and the expertly applied wallpaper:

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