People who stage homes for a living say you don't realize these things make your home look cheap

“The first thing I tend to notice in a kitchen is the amount of clutter on a kitchen counter,” says Robin DeCapua, home staging and decor specialist and owner of Mad Mod Home. These magnetic spice racks can mount to the side of your refrigerator, giving you way more storage space while taking the clutter off your counter and making your kitchen feel way more organized. They even come with little hooks that can hold oven mitts, tea towels, and more.

Robin DeCapua, owner of staging and design firm Mad Mod Home, thinks “most kitchens can benefit from a clean sweep of the many small appliances, [...] spice jars, canisters, and other items we all keep on our counters.” That’s where this stove top shelf comes into play. It magnetically mounts to the stove’s control panel, giving you an off-the-counter place to store your essentials (think: spices, oils, salts, and other cooking must-haves). It’s heat resistant and easy to clean in case there are any spills, too.

Building on the decluttering advice from Mad Mod Home’s Robin DeCapua, this rack that neatly stores your pots, pans, baking sheets, and lids is a must-have to instantly tidy up countertops. It has 14 adjustable dividers, so you can change the width depending on the size of your cookware. And it sits neatly inside a cabinet so you can pull things out one at a time instead of having everything haphazardly stacked.

Robin DeCapua, home staging and decor specialist and owner of Mad Mod Home, recommends utilizing “spice-jar organizers [...], shelf extenders, and other kitchen organization products to maximize your cabinets' capacity.” This spice rack is an excellent way to make the most of your cabinetry because of the vertical, pull-out design. Each one has two tiers and can hold eight to 10 spice jars, giving you easy access to them when you need them, and tucking them out of sight when you don’t.

According to Lori Bitter, owner and lead designer at Dalia Staging & Design, chipped and scuffed paint “really makes a home feel tired and unloved!” That’s where these DIY paint pens come into play. Simply use the included syringes to fill a pen with your desired color, then apply it like a brush to your walls to hide discoloration, scuffs, chips, and other imperfections. “Less is more with touch-up; use a light touch to the tiniest area and then build on that for the best result,” Bitter advises.

Lori Bitter, owner and lead designer at Dalia Staging & Design loves cleaning erasers to keep surfaces looking loved. “We use them everywhere,” she notes. They’re super tough on grease, soap scum, grime, scuffs, dirt, and more and are safe to use on your walls, tiles, and glass. All you have to do is add water and a little elbow grease.

“Anything trying too hard to look expensive usually does the opposite,” explains Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer of design firm Living with Lolo. Don’t settle for uninspiring materials in the kitchen and swap out cheap, flimsy colanders for these gorgeous stoneware colanders. The set comes with two different sizes and look handmade and designer without a designer price tag. They also double as great countertop holders for fresh fruit and veggies.

“Go authentic with real wood, natural stone, [and] unlacquered metals,” says Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer of Living with Lolo. “These materials have depth and texture that only get better with time." This brass bowl is a great example. Between the ribbed texture, distressed design, and vintage-inspired details, it can be used to display bouquets of flowers, store fresh fruits and veggies, or be that entryway catchall for keys and wallets. In any case, it instantly elevates the space and makes even storage feel stylish and intentional.

Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer of Living with Lolo encourages you to replace imitation materials with something more organic. “They might seem like shortcuts to luxury, but they don't age well and they don't feel real,” she points out. These wooden utensils are a great option to elevate your cookware. They’re heat resistant, feature long handles, and the set includes a spatula, slotted spatula, salad fork, soup spoon, and strainer spoon. They basically give you a designer look without sacrificing function.

“If you have furniture pieces that you love and they function well, but they’re the wrong color or just banged up, consider painting them to create a fresh version of the piece,” says Lori Bitter, owner and lead designer at Dalia Staging & Design. This water-based stain can be added to any piece of wood furniture to help details stand out or create an antique finish — all without without tossing your piece and getting something new. It’s super easy to DIY and can even be used on raw wood to create a stained effect.

“In staging, we do a lot of furniture touch-ups,” explains Lori Bitter, lead designer at Dalia Staging & Design. “We have many sets of furniture markers in a range of finish colors.” This set comes with markers and wax in the most common furniture finishes — from light oak to dark mahogany. The markers are great for surface-level issues like marks, scuffs, and scratches. Plus, the wax can fill in holes, nicks, and other larger issues to keep your furniture looking good as new.

“Too-short drapery instantly leaves a space feeling unfinished,” says Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer of Living with Lolo. “Panels that just kiss the floor create verticality and calm, which translates as luxurious.” These semi-sheer linen curtains come in dozens of size options to perfectly fit the length you need in your space. They have three installation options and the linen fabric adds a softness to your space that feels elevated and cozy.

"From a perspective of the home’s shell, it’s mismatched flooring from room to room [that makes a home feel cheap],” explains Lori Bitter, owner and lead designer at Dalia Staging & Design. This floor transition strip can solve that problem in seconds — without spending big bucks. It has a peel-and-stick design that adds a neat finishing touch between two rooms where flooring changes to cover the gap and mismatched edges neatly.

“Another tip I like to do is turn outlet covers and switch plates into art,” says Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer of Living with Lolo. “Standard white plastic plates are visual noise that cheapen an otherwise thoughtful space.” These antique brass light switch covers are a great option if you want to add a more intentional decor choice to your switches. The vintage-inspired beadboard design adds an eye-catching touch without overpowering the wall.

“Replacing [white plastic covers] with painted metal, brushed brass, or plaster-finish covers feels intentional and elevated,” says Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer of Living with Lolo. “It’s a small detail most people don’t notice consciously, which is exactly why it works.” Between the pearled frame design and the contrasting border color, these outlet covers add a high-end touch to your space that doesn’t take much time, effort, or money to achieve. They even include matching screws for a totally seamless look.

“One of the most common mistakes is using pieces that are too small. Rugs should anchor the furniture...” explains Ilaria Barion, a pre-listing staging expert at staging consulting agency Luxury Staging Expert. Replace too-small rugs that make your whole room feel off with this large rug that comes in multiple sizes to fill the floor space and make the whole room feel more intentionally styled. The low-pile rug adds a modern style to a classic design. And it’s machine washable so it’s easy to keep looking good as new.

“When the scale of the elements is right, a room instantly feels more balanced and sophisticated,” says Ilaria Barion, a pre-listing staging expert at staging consulting agency Luxury Staging Expert. These wooden wall planters are a great way to fill a large, empty wall. Just adjust the height and width of the greenery you put inside to fill the space accordingly, giving the walls the kind of intentional and balanced feel that Barion loves.

“Things like color temperature (more often than not, too cold) [...] are a tell-tale sign for me that a home was probably not as well thought-out as I would have liked.” says architectural lighting designer Roberto Esquenazi-Alkabes. These light bulbs offer an amber hue that creates a cozy environment around your home in the evenings. They’re free of blue light and the warm temperature helps reduce eyestrain, too.

“Layering textures — from bedding and pillows to throws and accessories — adds depth and gives rooms that finished, designer feel,” says Ilaria Barion, a pre-listing staging expert at staging consulting agency Luxury Staging Expert. This bedding is a great place to start your layering journey. From the tufted stripe design to the fluffy texture, this duvet cover set elevates the look of your bed instantly. Plus the bedding is super breathable, unbelievably soft, and can be machine washed so it always looks as good as the day you bought it.

Since Ilaria Barion, a pre-listing staging expert at staging consulting agency Luxury Staging Expert, loves layering textures, this plush faux rabbit blanket is a great item to add to your bedroom or living room to create that pristine finishing touch. It has a three-dimensional bubble design that looks designer and brings a cozy, warm, and buttery soft feel to your room.

Following the advice of Ilaria Barion, a pre-listing staging expert at the staging consulting agency Luxury Staging Expert, another way to layer like a pro is to add in some textured throw pillow covers. With a shaggy, faux fur design, these instantly bring some dimension to your couch or bed, blending softness and style for a designer-level look for less. Bonus: They have hidden zippers for a sleek look.

“Lighting strategies overall that only depend on downlighting alone are doomed to fail,” says Roberto Esquenazi-Alkabes, architectural lighting designer. “Introducing more layers of light in the shape of floor lamps, table lamps, reading lights and cabinet-integrated lights really goes a long way to create ambiance and a sense of place.” This modern floor lamp is a great way to bring more layers of light into your space, with three color temperatures, an adjustable angle to target light exactly where you need it, and a gorgeous linen lampshade that looks so expensive.

“A linear light underneath a cabinet can act as a perfect task light,” explains Roberto Esquenazi-Alkabes, architectural lighting designer. These strip lights are super easy to install in your kitchen and they’re motion-activated to automatically turn on when you start meal prepping or grabbing a drink of water at night. They have five brightness levels and they’re rechargeable so you don’t have to be married to an outlet.

“Avoid positioning downlights directly on top of your bed,” advises Roberto Esquenazi-Alkabes, architectural lighting designer. “If you need a reading light, having a dedicated reading light on your nightstand can solve this.” This industrial-inspired, modern table lamp is a gorgeous way to elevate your bedroom lighting while still setting the right mood. It has a warm white Edison bulb that looks so expensive and can run for about 25,000 hours before it needs to be replaced.

Roberto Esquenazi-Alkabes, architectural lighting designer, also recommends wall scones as a way to remove harsh overhead lighting without taking up any additional space on your nightstand. This one has a frosted white glass shade, a golden metal finish, and curved arm that looks high-end. Mount it facing either upward or downward, depending on whether you like a hanging lantern or floating light look.

“One of the most impactful changes is also the simplest: Remove excess clutter and keep everything spotless,” says Ilaria Barion, pre-listing staging expert at staging consulting agency Luxury Staging Expert. This over-the-door organizer is a great way to get clutter under control and keep your essentials easily accessible but also out of sight and out of mind. It has five tiers of storage and can hold up to 80 pounds. It even has outer pockets to store smaller things on the side.

This slim cart is a great way to take advantage of narrow areas in your home by adding hidden storage. It has four shelves and multiple outer hooks for a super versatile storage solution. And it’s on wheels so you can easily roll it out when you need something. After all, pre-listing staging expert Ilaria Barion says that “clean, edited spaces always feel more elevated.”

Another way to keep your space decluttered per the advice of Ilaria Barion of Luxury Staging Expert, is by removing tangles of unsightly wires with this extension cord. The key is that the attached plate completely covers the wall plug, giving you a totally seamless, uninterrupted look that feels clean and intentional. It has two 3-foot extension cords that split in two different directions so you can plug in everything you need while hiding all the wires required to do it.

“When handles, taps, lighting, and other metal details are in different colors and finishes, the space starts to look random,” says Chris Murphy, real estate expert and founder of Waterfront Homes, LLC. These modern cabinet pulls have neat and clean lines that can turn your mismatched kitchen into one that looks understated and elevated in minutes. They have a stunning matte black finish and a timelessness that’ll look great for years to come.

Chris Murphy, real estate expert and founder of Waterfront Homes, LLC, says he sees mismatched fixtures all the time. “People buy pieces over the years and replace one thing when it stops working, but they rarely step back and update everything in a unified way.” This faucet comes with a matching drain stopper so you can update your finishes while keeping them looking cohesive and tidy. It has a single-handed style that feels modern and cool and it’s made of stainless steel with a matte finish to add a certain elegance to your space.

“I’d love to see people lose that cheap plastic dish drainer from their countertops,” says Lori Bitter, owner and lead designer at Dalia Staging & Design. This collapsible dish drying rack is made of ultra-sturdy bamboo, giving you two tiers of storage to dry your dishes without making your countertop look crowded or cluttered. The bottom is best for cups, the top is best for bowls and plates, and the whole thing folds up when you’re not using it.

“There are all sorts of inexpensive bamboo drying racks, stainless ones, and even simple mats that you can put away when you don’t need them,” explains Lori Bitter, owner and lead designer at Dalia Staging & Design. This stainless steel rack unrolls on top of your kitchen sink, giving you the perfect spot to store wet cutlery, glassware, and tableware. The best part is that it self drains directly into the sink and the mat rolls up for easy storage until you need it again.

“Guests notice [damage], and buyers notice it even more,” warns Chris Murphy, real estate expert and founder of Waterfront Homes, LLC. Those stains on your couch or rug or curtains? Get rid of them ASAP with this stain treater spray. It’s tough on grease, coffee, wine, ketchup, blood, and so much more, while staying gentle on your actual fabrics. Simply spray it onto a slightly damp surface and clean as usual to watch the stain disappear.

Chris Murphy, real estate expert and founder of Waterfront Homes, LLC, says that water marks under the sink are a big issue that makes your home feel cheap or not taken care of. This waterproof silicone mat can be placed in that under-sink space to catch drips and spills and protect your cabinets from getting soggy or moldy. It has raised edges that hold up to 2 gallons of liquid, and the patterned surface keeps your under-sink essentials from slipping around.

“People get used to [damage and issues] while living there, but these details make a home look cheap,” says Chris Murphy, real estate expert and founder of Waterfront Homes, LLC. This hole repair kit helps you clean up your walls in an instant with very little work. Simply apply the spackle directly onto a hole or dent, smooth it out with the back of the applicator, and then sand it down with the lid and there you have it. Your walls will look good as new and no one will know there were ever any issues.

“You don’t have to spend a lot to make your home look expensive,” says Marty Zankich, real estate expert and the owner of Chamberlin Real Estate School. Start with your exterior, the first place people see, to pack the biggest punch. “Layering door mats is a great way to add visual interest to your front porch,” Zankich says. This mat is made of handmade woven cotton that’s stain resistant and easy to wash and dry, which is so important for high-traffic areas like your front porch. And thanks to its large size, it’s a cinch to lay a small welcome mat on top.

“Start outside because your front yard and façade will either make a great or terrible first impression when people visit your home,” explains Marty Zankich, real estate expert and the owner of Chamberlin Real Estate School. This wooden pathway comes in multiple lengths and features an organic looking curve that can fit around plant beds and gardens. Lay one — or several end-to-end —for a pathway that leads straight from the driveway to the door.

“In a kitchen, you already have different appliances and handles, and if you add a busy backsplash into the mix, the home can start to look outdated even if it is not,” says Chris Murphy, real estate expert and founder of Waterfront Homes, LLC. This peel-and-stick tile allows you to add a simple, balanced backsplash without paying for a huge renovation. The subway tile has a glossy white finish that’s waterproof, heat-resistant, and stain proof so you can use it around food and cooking without worry.

“Adding lighting to the front of your home also gets you a lot of bang for your buck,” says Marty Zankich, real estate expert and owner of Chamberlin Real Estate School. This light has a modern design that reflects up and down to add a high-end exterior lighting effect akin to resorts and fancy restaurants. It has four brightness modes to customize it to your needs and it can be used for 10 hours on a single solar-powered charge.

Building off guidance from Marty Zankich of Chamberlin Real Estate School, these solar stair lights not only create a captivating lightscape on your outdoor stairwell, but also help illuminate the space to help prevent you from tripping and falling in the dark. On a single daylight charge, the lights work for up to 10 hours at night.

“Grout that is dirty and old-looking [...] can immediately make an older bathroom look dated,” says Keith Sant, founder and CEO of Kind House Buyers. This grout pen makes it easy to DIY a totally fresh and new look in your bathroom for cheap. No more scrubbing or expensive renovations, this grout pen recolors your grout, giving it a bright and clean appearance that makes your bathroom look brand new.

Building on founder and CEO of Kind House Buyers Keith Sant’s advice to clean your bathroom, this tub and tile refinishing kit covers up to 110 square feet, restoring and refreshing worn-out bathrooms by making old, stained, or discolored surfaces look brand new. It works on ceramic, porcelain, fiberglass, acrylic, and steel. Better yet, it creates a glossy finish that resists moisture and corrosion.

“A $40,000 kitchen with a blender, toaster, knife block, paper towel holder, and five decorative items strewn across the counter looks cluttered and cheap,” says JoAnne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs. “Leave out one cutting board leaning against the backsplash and maybe one bowl or vase.” This cutting board is great because it’s functional and cute so you can leave it on the counter and use it when you need it. It has three built-in compartments that can separate food as you chop things to make meal prep so easy. The bamboo board also has a juice groove to catch any spills from getting onto your countertop.

This vase is a great way to take president and owner of Archival Designs JoAnne Loftus’s advice to properly stage your kitchen counter while still layering in a few pieces of stylish decor. Made of ceramic, it has an expensive, handmade look with two small handles and a smooth glazed finish. It’s great for a floral bouquet or displaying some simple greenery.

“Swapping out your shower liner for a thicker material will update these areas,” says Keith Sant, founder and CEO of Kind House Buyers, regarding a cheap-looking bathroom. Between the embroidered and tufted design, the stunning linen fabric, and the adorable tassel detail at the bottom, this shower curtain makes your bathroom look and feel so much more expensive than it is. You can even use it on the outside of a dated glass shower door to add a finished touch.

Mismatched or flimsy bathroom accessories “can make an older bathroom look dated,” says Keith Sant, founder and CEO of Kind House Buyers. Swap out your old accessory set with this gorgeous green glass dispenser set that feels intentional, monochromatic, and high-end without spending designer-level bucks. It comes with two apothecary jars, a toothbrush holder, and a soap dispenser to organize your countertop and make your space feel finished.

“Mounting your rod as high and wide as possible and allowing your drapes to sweep the floor will give you that high-end, custom look,” says Jonathan Carcone, principal of 4 Brothers Buy Houses about how to properly style windows. This curtain rod has a sleek wooden finish with carved accents on the end that really made it stand out. It has an extendable design that helps create that oversized look that goes with almost any aesthetic.

“If you own your home — or have permission from your landlord — try stenciling a small bathroom floor for a cute one-of-a-kind look,” says Robin DeCapua, home staging and decor specialist and owner of Mad Mod Home. What’s nice about this stencil kit is that it can totally refresh the look of your bathroom or kitchen without any kind of renovation. And the stencils themselves are made of durable plastic that you can reuse over and over again without bending, breaking, or deforming the pattern.

“Nothing says outdated like ‘Hollywood’ style strip lights and builder-grade mirrors,” notes Derek Shewmon, founder of home-selling consulting firm HOMEstretch. Instead of outdated vanity lights, choose this modern fixture with rounded glass shades, brushed brass finish, and clean design. It can be installed with the lights above or below the bar. And it’s resistant to moisture and rust, so you can use it in high-humidity environments like bathrooms.

“We swap [outdated fixtures] for a modern combo of glass vanity lights and simple framed mirrors,” says Derek Shewmon, Founder of HOMEstretch. With a gorgeously simple aluminum alloy frame, this mirror has sleek, curved corners and HD glass to deliver a clear reflection without any distortion. It comes with two Z-bar hangers to easily secure it to the bathroom wall.