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Builder Grade to Chic: Affordable Home Upgrades That Look Custom
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items Transforming a builder-grade home into a chic, cozy, custom-looking space doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In this list, I’m sharing the exact home upgrade finds we used to elevate our builder basic house — from lighting and hardware to wall accents, ...
Sections
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Kitchen Glow-Up Finds
Hardware That Makes Cabinets Look Custom
Peel-and-Stick & DIY Wall Upgrades
Cozy Living Room Finishing Touches
Smart Storage That Looks Built-In
Lighting That Instantly Elevates Builder Homes
Kitchen Glow-Up Finds
From faucets to backsplash solutions and smart organizers — these kitchen upgrades make everyday spaces feel polished and functional.
This round wooden tray is super cute on my kitchen counter. Adding a cute picture frame and an aesthetic S&P shaker for a quick glam upgrade.
Round Wood Tray Bathroom Counter Organizer
This wooden stand is super cute next to the kitchen faucet that can hold your dish soap.
zoocatia Small Wood Tray Pedestal Stand Brown
Adding this utensil canister to your kitchen counters is a neutral way to store some of the clutter that might be in drawers and elsewhere. There are two with the set, allowing for more storage.
LE TAUCI Ceramic Utensil Holder Set of 2
Adding this cute little vintage speaker to the wooden tray is an aesthetic upgrade that is low-cost and has a function.
Dosmix Retro Bluetooth Speaker, Mini Wireless
Even though silverware goes in your drawer, adding new utensils to the mix is a fun upgrade. This set is very sturdy and high-quality.
KINGSTONE Gold Hammered 45-Piece Flatware Set
Adding a Berger lamp has been one of the smallest yet biggest changes made to the kitchen. It gets rid of smells in the air and allows you to burn a clean fragrance oil with no flame. There are multiple color options to pick from.
MAISON BERGER Enigma Art Deco Catalytic Lamp 386mL Blue
This Lamp Berger fragrance oil is one of my favorites. Add it to any size lamp, and you'll smell it for hours.
Maison Berger Lolita Lempicka Refill 200mL
If there are enough wood tones in the kitchen, consider a marble cutting board. It brings a different texture to the counter and makes for a usable decorative element.
Bloomingville Black White Striped Marble Board
Adding a beautiful wooden cutting board with decorations on top or leaning it against the wall is a subtle yet necessary upgrade.
Acacia Wood Cutting Board with Grooves & Handles
Adding ceramic vases is such a fun way to add height and dimension to a flat surface like a countertop.
Ceramic Vase Set of 3 - Modern Rustic Decor
Adding faux flowers or greenery is the perfect way to add a pop of color to a kitchen that might lean on the more neutral side.
RyddeligHome Burnt Orange Faux Kiku Flowers 10 Stems
Hardware That Makes Cabinets Look Custom
Small details make the biggest difference. These knobs, pulls, and hardware upgrades turn standard cabinets and doors into a designer-inspired finish.
Adding gold hardware to your kitchen cabinets is a small upgrade you can make that is budget-friendly and easy to do.
Gold Cabinet Pulls
After you add new door pulls to your kitchen cabinets, now add the hinges to give them a touch of an upgrade.
50 Pack 1/2 Inch Satin Brass Kitchen Hinges
Peel-and-Stick & DIY Wall Upgrades
No contractor needed. These easy wall treatments add texture, character, and charm to flat builder-grade walls in just a few hours.
Adding a dark floral wallpaper is something we added to a single wall in our dining room. It gave the room depth without being too much. Peel-and-stick allows you to make changes whenever you want.
Vintage Black Floral Peel & Stick Wallpaper 17.5x393
This super cute, vibrant wallpaper would look so good in a smaller bathroom, giving the space just enough color to take it from builder-grade to chic.
Extra Long Vibrant Watercolour Floral Peel & Stick Wallpaper 17.5x393.5in
If boho is more your style, this is a perfect print to upgrade your space, whether that be in a living room or dining room.
Floral Peel & Stick Boho Wallpaper 17.3x118
If wallpaper isn't your style, then using wall molding is a quick way to take a room from basic builder-grade to an upgrade. These come in multiple color options.
Art3d Pre-Cut Wall Molding Set of 6 pcs
Wainscoting is such a fun way to upgrade a perfectly square room on a budget and with ease. There are multiple color options that go with your style.
Art3d WPC Wainscoting Panels 16-Pack 48x6
Cozy Living Room Finishing Touches
Soft textures, layered décor, and warm neutrals that make your builder-grade living room feel inviting and lived-in.
Upgrading your backstop is a very simple way to make an upgrade to your standard springs that is cheap, and can match your color scheme.
RELIABILT 3-in Black Rigid Door Stop 5 -Pack
Adding new hardware to all of your builder-grade doors in the house is a fun way to go from boring to chic. These matte black options were easy to install and made my white doors pop.
RELIABILT 4-in H x 5/8-in Radius Matte Black Mortise Interior/Exterior Door Hinge
A basket in the living room not only adds a decorative touch but also provides convenient storage for blankets when you need a quick tidy-up.
Villa by Classic Home Sumatra Rattan Floor Storage Basket & Reviews | Wayfair
A laundry hamper basket can be a great addition to your living room, providing structure and storage for quick cleanups.
Bayou Breeze Ludmilla Round Tall Water Hyacinth Woven Wicker Laundry Hamper & Reviews | Wayfair
Using a throw blanket create visual interest on the couch and makes it look cozy and inviting. Having a throw on the couch is also a nice touch of it gets chilly. You can put it in the storage basket once it's time to put it away.
Amazon Basics Chunky Chenille Knit Throw Blanket, 60x80, Grey
Using a smaller size blanket intended for a bed is another option in replace of a throw. This blanket sits on our couch and can easily be washed have needed.
Bedsure GentleSoft Full Size Sage Green Blanket
Smart Storage That Looks Built-In
Organize your home beautifully with storage that feels custom and intentional.
This set of two bookcases with storage can be used in so many ways, including a coffee or drink bar. Put them in the dining room with cute accessories and the added benefit of storage to hide any clutter. There are multiple color options.
Charlton Home® Scarlett Set Of 2 Bookcase With Doors & Drawers, 5 Tier Bookshelf, Tall Book Case Shelf With Glass Storage Cabinets, Large Farmhouse Bookshelves For Living Room Bedroom Home Office Kitchen & Reviews | Wayfair
If you have a large room with lots of wall space, a shelf like this is a great way to add dimension, but you gain a large amount of storage, possibly for a library or even toy storage. This specific unit looks like it's built into the wall.
Hokku Designs 78.7''H X 142'' W Storage and Display Bookcase With 6-Cabinet And 4-Tier Shelf & Reviews | Wayfair
Adding a bench to the entryway is helpful when guests come to visit. It adds visual interest and provides storage. We have this in our narrow hallway, and it works perfectly.
Ebern Designs Hahnville Upholstered Storage Shoe Bench & Reviews | Wayfair
Introducing a sideboard to either an entryway or even a living room makes the space functional and decorated.
Kelly Clarkson Home Sara Modern 45" W Sideboard with Solid Wood Legs & Reviews | Wayfair
Lighting That Instantly Elevates Builder Homes
Swap out basic fixtures for statement lighting that makes your home feel custom and high-end. These affordable lighting finds instantly warm up builder-grade spaces with minimal effort.
These mixed metal light fixtures are hanging in my hallway as we speak. They are a simple way to upgrade your hallway lighting.
allen + roth Fenland 1 -Light 12-in Matte Black Flush Mount Light
This cute little light is a neutral home aesthetic piece you can add when you need a touch of something simple. It's budget friendly and easy to install.
Origin 21 KOLTEN 1 -Light 7.09-in Matte Gold Semi Flush Mount Light
This easy to install modern farmhouse design light fixture would be a nice upgrade to your dinning room or even the hallway.
allen + roth Vallymede 3 -Light Aged Bronze Farmhouse Clear glass Jar Small Hanging Pendant Light
This wall-mounted smart mirror with a built-in medicine cabinet is an excellent upgrade for your bathroom. It not only provides convenient storage but also features integrated lighting.
DeerValley Led Lights Wall Mounted Medicine Cabinets With Mirrors And 2 Adjustable Shelves & Reviews | Wayfair
Adding two of these mirrors is an easy way to break up the wall space in those boring builder-grade bathrooms. This mirror features both a light and anti-fog technology.
Ivy Bronx Beveled Front & Back LED Bathroom Vanity Mirror Dimmable Anti-Fog Tempered Glass & Reviews | Wayfair
These lights are by far my favorite in the bathroom. We have two, and the mixed metal tones fit together perfectly and match the darker color paint.
allen + roth Torrington 22.75-in 3 Light Matte Black Transitional Bathroom Vanity light