"These Transformed My Outdated Lights": 46 Things To Make Your Home Feel Brand New

Jul 29, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Removable wallpaper, a cooktop cleaning kit, LED string lights, and other products here to help you spiff up your space.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "I’m very pleased with this product. They are very shiny and look beautiful in natural light. They are textured and look very real. Honestly, I didn’t do the best job installing them, but you can’t see any mistakes unless you really stare at them up close! So even if you don’t have a DIY thumb, you can do it!! The white 'grout' on the white tile helps hide mistakes as well! Definitely would recommend. :)" —lauren porter

Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "This stuff is amazing! After over 10 years of the grout not being cleaned, and a botched repair job, the bathroom floor in this house looked horrendous. Two pens covered the entire bathroom floor, with plenty left over in the second pen, even with applying two to three layers (which you will definitely need as the paint is a bit thin and also absorbs into the grout). Super easy to apply, works exactly like a regular paint marker. Be sure to press the pen tip on a separate (thick) cloth to activate it before actually using on the grout so you don't end up with a huge mess on the tile when the paint floods out at first. If you see the first side of the tip is getting frayed, just pull it out and turn it around to the other side." —regalle

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "This wrap completely transformed my desk! I had to order two to cover everything, but nonetheless, my desk looks amazing, and everyone who walks into my room notices. It's not a super-thin vinyl, so if there are tiny imperfections/scratches where you want to place it, it will be covered! I've never used a vinyl wrap before so I was a little nervous, but surprisingly, it was super easy to apply and I finished up in less than 10 minutes." —Shan

Get two rolls from Amazon for $16.88 (also available in larger multipacks).

Reviewers attached these in different ways, with some just using mounting tape in apartments for no damage to walls. Others installed them on doors and kitchen islands!

Promising review: "I loved these panels so much, I bought three in my first order, then two more to mirror the other side of the room. They add sophistication to my apartment instantly. I used mounting tape to attach to the wall since I want minimal damage. The panels are light, so maneuvering them was not an issue. They’d break under extreme force, so don’t be reckless. I also used a panel to frame my makeshift mirror for my vanity corner. They’re very handy." —OU

Get a single panel from Amazon starting at $9.07+ (available in 17 sizes and multipacks).

The kit comes with one Baseboard Buddy and three reusable pads which can be used wet or dry.

Promising review: "Buy it NOW. Honestly, I had huge reservations for this thing. Yet another miracle cleaning tool that will break or bend or something. I was so wrong. It was easy to put together and I sprayed it with Mean Green and went to the baseboards. No more kneeling and no broken back. This thing is amazing. It is durable and the pad is super absorbent. I am so happy. I can't wait to do the rest of the house!" —artgirl

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

Promising review: "I’ve been wanting to upgrade our garage door for a long time and now I have no idea why I waited! The magnets are super strong. Purchased two sets but only used one set of 'handles,' I wasn’t a fan of how close I had to place each set next to each other with the narrow spacing on the door itself. Paired with the magnetic 'windows,' it looks like a brand new door!" —MrsPirate

Get them from Amazon for $16.26+ (available in three styles; also check out the fake garage windows).

Psst — you can read BuzzFeed's review of this decorative window film for more deets!

Promising review: "I absolutely love this! TikTok made me buy it for my sunroof and I'm so glad I did! It's so beautiful when the sun comes through! And you get so much for the price!! If you're on the fence, buy it!!" —Ashley Ann

Get it from Amazon for $7.98+ (clip the coupon on on the product page to get 10% off this price; available in 11 sizes)

Rocco & Roxie Supply Company is a family-owned small business established in 2013 that specializes in pet odor eliminators, pet toys, pet snacks, and pet accessories.

Promising review: "I don’t know how I ever survived without this. There’s tons of 'pet stain/odor remover' products out there, but this by far is the absolute best. I cringed paying the $20 for it when others are between $5–$10, but I have NO ISSUES paying now. I foster dogs, some puppies, some older, some not housebroken, and every room in my house is carpeted except the kitchen, which means I have lots of accidents.

I spray enough to saturate if it’s a lot of urine, let it soak for 10 minutes, then wipe it up with a hand towel. Then I put a larger towel on top of it if it’s in a high-traffic area until it’s completely dry. It’s taken out every stain and, more importantly, the odor is gone! I will never stop buying this product. I recommend it to everyone who has dogs!" —Shelley

Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "I am in love with this perfect matte black curved shower curtain rod! Semi easy to install. Because it’s curved, it does take some time to install both sides and make sure it’s lined up. Comes with everything you could need to install. Other than that, this shower rod is a dream." —Siarra

Get it from Amazon for $37.79+ (clip the coupon on the product page to get $8 off this price; available in five finishes).

Includes two 31-ounce. cans of Nuvo cabinet paint, one roller arm, two roller covers, and a two-inch angled paintbrush. Each covers 100 square feet of cabinet surface.

Promising review: "This product was super easy to use. We went with the tips in the reviews and bought nicer foam rollers specifically for cabinets and I’m so happy I did, it made it so we barely had to use a brush because of how the foam rolls over the side. We also took the doors and handles off, which I recommend also. It definitely wouldn’t have turned out as nice if we left them on.

This took four coats and five in the larger areas (i.e. next to the fridge, etc). Our kitchen took two kits, but well worth it and still way cheaper than the quotes that we got from professionals. It totally changes the feel of the kitchen and it looks SO MUCH BRIGHTER! I would say give yourself a few days to knock this out as it took us several nights to finish. But would highly recommend." —TJ Sarnese

Get it from Amazon for $79.95 (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "I need this in bulk!! I have tried so many cleaning solutions to get out hard cooking stains on my stovetop and nothing worked! This stuff took it right out without a problem!!" —Micaela Gunderson

Get it from Amazon for $5.97.

BTW, we have a full list of the best slipcovers available on Amazon.

Promising review: "I have never been so excited about a slipcover. Total transformation of our couch and loveseat. I was worried about it not working on our leather couch, but it stays on really well due to the straps and the separate cushion covers. LOVE." —Brian/Liz

Get it from Amazon for $32.49+ (available in five styles/sizes and 10 colors).

Kenna Sato Designs is a woman-owned small business based in St. George, Utah that specializes in unique wall decor, clip art, and personalized gifts.

Promising review: "This vinyl was so easy to install! The quality is amazing. I didn’t know what to put in my nursery and was debating on so many things, but chose this since it was simple and beautiful! I love how modern it looks, and have gotten so many compliments! This is a must buy!" —Yumi

Get it from Kenna Sato Designs on Etsy for $84.99 (available in various colors).

Promising review: "Beautiful. Just as described. The fabric is really light and thin, which made hanging super easy. That said, the image quality is SO good for the price. It seriously looks like textured, thick fabric. Also love the color combo. Very relaxing for my meditation corner." —Sylvia Markowitz

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in four sizes).

It also works great for cleaning leather handbags, shoes, jackets, and more!

Promising review: "This cleaner really does only require a small amount to clean the leather. The small bottle at first had me thinking I was going to end up having to buy three bottles before it was all said and done, but that wasn’t the case surprisingly. Follow the directions exactly and it works beautifully. I do suggest conditioning after the cleaning as leather does need moisture to retain its beauty. The leather cleaner is an excellent product and don’t be afraid of the small bottle, a little goes a long way. 10 out of 10 will buy again and recommend." —Dorothy I.

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "Living in Hawaii you have to select wise items that are weather-, salt-, and red dirt-proof, etc... In total I ordered 11 boxes to complete my yoga deck. I have a few left over to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!" —Adelia

Get 10 sq. ft from Amazon for $73.79.

It comes with a bottle of cleaner, a scraper, and a cleaning pad.

Promising review: "Works amazing! I hadn't thoroughly scrubbed my glass cooktop in years. I'd only wiped them down with random multi cleaners, which never seemed to do much. Then a friend recommended this product... AMAZING! The included scrubbers and scrapers really make the difference. As others have said, it will leave your cooktop shiny and new. Even marks that had been on there for years came almost completely off... 98% better. The key is to use very little product. Let it dry to a haze, and wipe with a clean dry cotton towel (just like waxing a car). If you aren't getting a mirrored finish, it's because you've used too much product and not enough elbow grease to polish off." —B Smartwood

Get it from Amazon for $14.68.

Promising review: "I love these faux pampas. They're such good quality. The best thing is that they don’t shed like real pampas. I highly recommend this product. It’s so on-trend and makes for beautiful statement and decor." —jazG

Get it from Amazon for $28.99 (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "These are so much fun! We ordered the small size, which fits standard hardback books (approximately five to seven hardbacks in my experience). They're a great way to add some extra storage to our very small home, and we've placed them in our hallway so people ask us about them all the time. I'd highly recommend!" —LaBuenaVidaMere

Get it from Amazon for $12.50+ (available in two sizes and in sets of one or three).

Promising review: "I have an old shower/bathtub. I tried name-brand shower cleaners and bleach to try to clean the soap scum off the tiles and tub. I had no luck and I would cough and get sick because of how strong the smell was. I thought I would try this to save my lungs.

I sprayed my entire shower and left it for about 15 minutes. I came back and rinsed off the walls, and they were shiny! I've never had such a clean shower. The smell is amazing and subtle. All I smell is tea tree, and it didn't affect me at all. The price is also a good deal since the bottle is pretty large. It came with the sprayer separate and the bottle sealed so it wouldn't leak in the box. I highly recommend this." —Amber Erwin

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $13.60.

Farmhouse Iron Co. is a small business based at an actual farm on the central coast of California. If you're looking for shabby chic or rustic home decor, this is the shop for you!

Promising review: "These plates are very beautiful. They match perfectly with the decor of my house. Very happy with this purchase." —Ingrid Hogan

Get it from Farmhouse Iron Co. on Etsy for $13+ (available in five styles).

Promising review: "I have been putting off removing this horrid wallpaper for years, mainly because of the removal horror stories. As it turns out it was rather easy. 1) I used the Chomp scorer. Use it gently moving it in concentric circles, horizontal and vertical. 2) Use the Chomp liquid liberally, let it soak, use more, let it soak until you see paper bubble up. If paper is not coming off easily use more and let soak. Key is letting it soak. 3) Use scraper to start removal. On a large part of mine the paper and glue came off in sheets with no scraping. Other times the top layer came off and the backing and glue needed some scraping. If it's not coming off easily use more liquid and let it soak." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $13.97.

Promising review: "Nice size for a wall hanging. It's easy to hang, I use small hooks to hold it up. Looks great in my boho guest room." —WranglersRoost

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

Macrame Beautiful is a woman-owned small business based in Beijing, China that creates handmade macrame home decor such as plant holders, wall hangings, and even cat hammocks!

Promising review: "It is absolutely beautiful and well made. The yarn is soft but sturdy. I love the details. I used this fruit basket as a plant hanger and it's perfect for my space (I have cats that love to eat plants so everything has to be up high)." —N C

Get it from Macrame Beautiful on Etsy for $30.35+ (available in a variety of sizes and colors).

Alfa Modern Furnishing is a small business based in Los Angeles that wants to help you modernize your home with sleek accents to add to your furniture.

Promising review: "These were an excellent addition to my vintage refinished dresser!!! I just love these legs!!!" —theressa baker

Get it from Alfa Modern Furnishing on Etsy for $49.35+ (available in three finishes).

Promising review: "This rug is one of the softest rugs I've ever felt! Everyone that walks on it while talking thus far has seriously stopped mid-sentence and immediately started the 'Ooh' and 'Ahh' reaction or instantly laid down on it! 10/10 initial impression! Great price for an amazing rug!!" —ToriTay

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in seven sizes and nine colors).

Promising review: "This stuff is AMAZING! I was a little skeptical because I have some carpet stains I’ve let sit for a while because I didn’t have any cleaner at the time of the accident. The accidents have included coffee spills and poorly cleaned cat barf stains. I ordered this because I didn’t want to spend the money on a carpet cleaning service, plus you have to be out of your house too long. This stuff was INCREDIBLE. You just spray a concentrated amount and then scrub the stain away. It worked on every single stain I had, and was super quick and easy. 100% recommend if you need a good spot cleaner!" —Kimberly

Get it from Amazon for $6.65 (also available in packs of five).

Promising review: "This shower curtain is well made and the design is beautiful! It makes me extremely happy every time I see it, and it instantly brightens my day!" —EB

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in 16 styles and 10 sizes).

Sweet Pea Wall Design is a business based in Charlottesville, Virginia that specializes in vivid and easy-to-apply removable wallpaper.

Promising review: "Absolutely love the wallpaper. It adds a different dynamic to my new bedroom and it was so easy to apply!" —Anna

Get it from Sweet Pea Wall Design on Etsy for $5+ (available in four sizes, one sample size, and two materials).

Promising review: "WOW, this exceeded all our expectations. Easy to apply, dries very fast, and it's holding up very well. It's been over a year since we painted the front doors and they look great. They are easy to clean too." —Rimfire

Get it from Amazon for $40.46+ (available in 14 colors).

Plus, these bulbs come with a lot of super cool features! You can set specific times for the bulbs to turn on and off, use their "sunrise" and "sunset" modes to ease you in and out of the day, sync with your music so the lights change based on the rhythms and dynamics of your favorite songs, AND you can use your camera and photos to select the specific color you want your bulb to match.

Promising review: "I love this light bulb! The app you download for it is very user friendly, and I adapted to it very quickly. You can adjust brightness and the color all from your phone. One of my favorite features is 'scene.' It has a variety of options like 'romantic,' 'reading,' and the coolest in my opinion: 'sunrise/sunset.' Over the span of 15 minutes, it mimics the colors of a sunrise/sunset. It goes from red, to orange, to purple, etc. It’s a very cool light bulb and I recommend it to all of my friends." —Kristina Adamik

Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (also available as a pack of two).

Handrails Boutique is a small business based in Los Angeles that specializes in stylish handrails.

Promising review: "This rail is absolutely gorgeous! It’s very heavy/substantial and looks awesome. Installation was relatively easy — very impressed. Would buy again."

Get it from Handrails Boutique on Etsy for $50+ (available in 67 sizes and with two bolt styles).

Promising review: "This chalkboard paint is super easy to use, and the finish turns out fantastic. I was refinishing a metal filing cabinet for my daughter to color on. It was originally bright pink, and this covered it in one coat. I did use two coats to be safe. It dried quickly and evenly. I ordered two cans, but only needed one. Very impressed with the product." —Victoria

Get one quart from Amazon for $15.56+ (available in four colors and two sizes).

Need a drill? Here's one!

Promising review: "I bought the yellow and use it regularly for cleaning shower tile, removing hard-water stains from glass (with Lime-A-Way) and even for my oven top. For the price you can't beat it. They are good quality and the different sizes are convenient for different jobs. Gonna get a red set next for the tougher jobs!" —Emir D Hayic

Get the set of three from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in six colors and five bristle stiffnesses).

Promising review: "I absolutely love these lights. I bought them for my dorm in college because bad lighting puts me in a weird mood. These lights are beautiful and made the room feel warm, cozy, and homey. They also helped with 'winter blues' that I always get, because I live in Michigan and the winter weather is always cold and gloomy, so having nice lighting helped a lot. I received tons of compliments on them every time someone came into my room. I love these lights so much that I bought another set to hang in my room at home. Just buy these beautiful lights!" —Madelynn K.

Get them from Amazon for $20.28+ (available in seven colors and two sizes).

Promising review: "This is hands-down the only product that has ever perfectly cleaned my stainless steel appliances. It deserves 10 stars because nothing else comes close to removing streaks and toddler finger prints as easily and completely as this. I have tried for years to get my appliances to look like new. Everyone who has stainless should own this." —Danielle

Get a bottle from Amazon for $19.95 (also available as a pack of two and six).

It works on brick, stone, block, and mortar without ruining the texture of the surface!

Promising review: "I had a brick repair on the wall in the front of my house. They did not match the rest of the brick at all, and I was embarrassed every time I walked past it. When I bought my kit, I didn’t know what to do with it at first, but I got great service. One of the Masonry Cosmetics guys helped me. I sent him samples of the brick and pictures, and he figured out the stain colors for me. He also noticed something that I never would have thought of on my own: the mortar color was wrong, and he had me fix that first. Fixing that was the icing on the cake. Great product and even better service." —Gabe Williams

Get it from Amazon for $199 (clip the coupon on the product page to get 5% off this price).

Promising review: "Power washer was delivered Monday — it’s Wednesday and I have washed two cars, cleaned the driveway and sidewalks, cleaned the back fence, and the work keeps piling up; everything I see now needs to be cleaned! This little dude does not back down; plenty of power, and it's surprisingly not too loud. Soap dispensers work great, and the tips are easy to change." —Mar

Get it from Amazon for $149.

Heads up that some reviewers recommend purchasing your own screws instead of using the included ones.

Promising review: "I put 28 of these cabinet handles in my new kitchen on dark black cabinets. They look modern with a pop of glam — so pretty with stainless steel appliances and faucet. They are very sturdy, yet sleek. I love them!" —Linda OB

Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $7.27+ (available in seven colors and multipacks).

Madhatters by Robyn is a woman-owned small biz based in Los Angeles. Each hat hanger is handmade to order!

Promising review: "Wow. This hatter is beautiful!!!! I can’t wait to show it off. Robyn was nothing but kind, quick to respond, and went above and beyond to make sure my hatter arrived. Customer service was INCREDIBLE. Thank you, Robyn! Our apartment is now complete!" —sambelvin

Get it from Madhatters by Robyn on Etsy for $44+ (available in three sizes and multiple configurations).

It's from a family-run small business that specializes in cleaning products, especially ones for homes with pets!

Promising review: "Worth every penny. I’ve bought this product so many times now I have it on auto ship! Saw the reviews and figured I’d give it a try. My cat likes to pee over the litter box and stained the brand new carpet. I used this in my Bissell and it took all the stain and smell out!!! I’ll never use another cleaner." —Wendy

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "If used correctly, this achieves excellent coverage. I have used it on (sanded) aluminum, on previously powdered coated steel, on raw mild steel, on brushed titanium. With proper application, the results were always excellent. That said, it's not an easy paint to use. If you just 'spray and pray', without surface preparation and with only one coat, it will make for a very terrible, blotchy finish. But if you know what you are doing, this is an excellent product." —Filippo Beretta

Learn some tips and tricks for spray painting to ensure you get the best results.

Get it from Amazon for $17.25+ (available in 48 colors, two sizes, and six styles).

Divider Records (formerly Prather Made) is a couple-owned small business based in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Owners Brit and Jason Prather specialize in hand-built vinyl record storage and offer a lot of super cool options for record enthusiasts!

Promising review: "I wish there were more than five stars to give out! Quality wood; flawless finish. Arrived well-protected with lots of bubble wrap, and included drywall screws to easily hang. I requested shelves a few days earlier than their normal ship time to arrive in time for a birthday celebration, and they came through for me. Very much appreciated!" —Emily Arnold

Get it from Divider Records on Etsy for $68+ (available in five materials and six finishes)

Clare is a Black woman-owned small business that focuses on making paint shopping easy and inspiring, offering designer-curated colors, peel-and-stick color swatches, and high quality paint and supplies so your experience is hassle- and mess-free. If the whole concept of repainting stresses you out, Clare is here to help!

Get it from Clare for $70 per gallon (and $3 per swatch; also available as a quart and in two finishes).

Promising review: "When we moved into our new place, the shower doors looked like they had never been cleaned before. I tried at least 10 different products and methods to remove the hard-water spots but nothing even made a dent. Bioclean, however, was like a magic eraser! I scrubbed each door for about 10 minutes and it was incredible! I’ve never written a cleaning product review before but this one is worth every penny." —Shane B

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes).

May Louise Interiors is a small business based in Haslemere UK.

Promising review: "Absolutely gorgeous! Exactly what I wanted, fitted perfectly." —Carolann

Get it from May Louise Interiors on Etsy for $5.71 (available in 12 colors/styles).