If you’ve ever looked around your home and felt like it needed a refresh but not a full renovation, you’re not alone. The good news? Transforming a space doesn’t have to mean tearing down walls or blowing your budget. You just need some easy home upgrades that make a big difference.
Often, it’s the smallest changes that make the biggest difference.
From quick weekend upgrades to subtle design tweaks, these ten easy home upgrades can instantly elevate the look and feel of your home. Even better, they’re DIY friendly, affordable, and packed with personality, especially when paired with expert insights from our designer.
Whether you’re refreshing a single room or rethinking your entire space, these easy home upgrades prove that a little effort can go a long way.
Create an Accent Wall
Rather than redesigning the entire room, create an accent wall for a singular pop, says The RTA Store Designer Jessica. You can paint the wall a different color, add open shelving, or throw up some peel-and-stick wallpaper to create a standout feature.
If the kitchen is the room in question, you can use peel-and-stick backsplash or tile to change up the backsplash with some personality.
This easy home upgrade that makes a big difference and should be planned in advance, but absolutely executed in 1 weekend (maybe 1 day depending on what you’re doing!). Plus, an accent wall can work in multiple spaces in your home, from the living room to the bedrooms.
Add Pops of Greenery
Adding greenery to shelving or countertops provides a pop of color that makes a space feel vibrant and welcoming. Faux plants can help brighten the space without the extra work, and are more of a one-and-done project.
If going with real greenery, consider plants that can give added benefits to your space. Many indoor plants help to cleanse the air, sort of like a living air purifier, and others can be used throughout the home like aloe or herbs in the kitchen.
This easy home upgrade can also be done in just 1 day, with some planning ahead!
Light Up Your Kitchen
Making changes in the kitchen can feel daunting because of the big-ticket items in the room. Plus, you may love your kitchen overall, and just want a small change. There are some simple options that can drastically change the way the kitchen feels, and may even help with efficiency!
The RTA Store Designer Jessica suggests incorporating under-cabinet lighting as an easy home upgrade. “It’s a simple way to improve functionality while giving the kitchen a more polished, high-end feel.” You can also consider toe-kick lighting along with it, to complete the look. Both types of lighting not only help to create an ambiance in the room, but also aid in prep lighting and nightlights.
Swap Hardware
Changing cabinet pulls or knobs is a cost-effective way to reinvent a space. Swapping old nickel hardware for matte black, vintage brass, or gold can provide a stylish facelift and a completely new appearance.
You can also consider only swapping some of the hardware and going for a mixed-metal look. Mixing metals creates a curated, custom look with depth and layering, and can help you save on more high-end finishes. Another weekend-only easy home upgrade!
Lead the (Hall)Way
You’ve probably seen some videos circulating online, showing the drastic difference a color change in your hallway can make. If you’re open to moody colors, the hallway leading to your bedrooms is the perfect spot to test it out.
Try painting the hallway with a pop of color, contrasting the wall color for rest of the surrounding house. Usually being a smaller space, repainting the hallway would definitely be a one-day project!
Alternatively, consider sanding and painting your bedroom doors, leaving the hallway a lighter color. The stark contrast between the walls and doors gives a dramatic look to the small space. Whichever you choose to go dark/colored with, this easy home upgrade makes a big difference!
Elevate with Crown Molding
Crown molding would potentially be bigger than just a weekend project, but for good reason. Adding crown molding to not only the kitchen but also bedrooms, living room, and beyond can add value to your home and give a completely different look to the space.
Make Smart Choices
While not as inexpensive an option as some of the others, upgrading to smart appliances and accessories is also a small way to make a big change. Think major appliances in the kitchen and laundry room, but also thermostat, lighting, switches, and outlets. It may even may your day-to-day a bit easier, if you’re into the smart tech!
Add Some Shade
Another easy home upgrade that makes a big difference, is adding modern blinds to the kitchen or living room windows, or just curtains throughout the home. A small change in color or design for your curtains can bring new life into a room, and help switch up the style. Definitely a simple, one-day project!
Coat the Space
Fresh coats of paint throughout the home can make your space feel refreshed and clean, even if it’s the same color! Pro tip: Using 1 color throughout helps keep the flow moving and is easy to touch up when needed. This also allows you to bring personality to each individual room differently, whether it be through curtains or an accent wall!
Curtains that are hung higher and wider than the window frame itself can give the illusion that the ceilings are taller and give a cozy vibe. – The RTA Store Designer Jessica
Go Outside for Inspo
Everything inside to your liking? Take a stroll outside and consider upgrading the exterior of your home. A fresh paint tone on the front door, lower portion of the house, or even the shutters or brick can give the home an entirely different appearance. Save this project for a nice weather weekend, and make sure to get the appropriate paint for outside, and for the medium you’re working with!
The beauty of these easy home upgrades is how seamlessly they can fit into your everyday life. You don’t need a full remodel to fall in love with your home again, just a few thoughtful changes in the right places.
Start with one project, build momentum, and before you know it, your space will feel completely transformed. Once you’re ready, check out this Redfin article featuring The RTA Store, for more inspo on easy DIY home projects that can spruce up your space!
And if you’re not sure where to begin, lean on the details. Those finishing touches are often what turn a house into a home.
Working with The RTA Store
The RTA Store is your online one-stop-shop for all your cabinet needs and accessories. Our ready-to-assemble and pre-assembled kitchen cabinets give the look and durability of custom cabinetry at 30-50% less than big-box stores. With A-grade plywood boxes and MDF/HDF or hardwood door/drawer fronts, our cabinets come with a 20 year limited warranty.
But don’t stop there – we also have all the accessories you would need for your dream kitchen. Work with The RTA Store to complete your kitchen with range hoods, sinks, faucets, countertops, and under-cabinet lighting.
From spice drawers to mixer lifts, The RTA Store has more inside cabinet accessories than you’ll have room for. And it’s not limited to just the kitchen! Think file organizer for the office, laundry room hamper pullout, or bathroom vanity organizer, to customize your space.
Most importantly, you’ll have us in your corner every step of the way. Our Customer Service and Design teams are ready to support your cabinet journey so that you have confidence in your choices, and no surprises or regrets on installation day.
Getting Started
Not ready to commit to a cabinet collection? Ordering fully-refundable cabinet door samples is a great way to see the style and color in your lighting. You’d be surprised how different a finish can look in different lighting! Plus, many of our cabinets have matching collections to mix in one room. Try one collection for upper cabinets and another for lower cabinets, or different cabinets for the kitchen island!
Once you’re ready to start, a member of our free design service will work closely with you from steps A-Z. They’ll let you know exactly what size cabinets you need and double-check to make sure everything lines up perfectly. Our upgraded design service also gives you unlimited design revisions and price quotes. Plus, the cost of the service is taken off your total once you order!
No matter the room or cabinet, we’re here to help make your dream space a reality, and at your budget. Located near the Hudson Valley in New York? Come visit our showroom on Route 52 in Hopewell Junction, NY!
