People who stage homes swear by these bougie, cheap things to make your home look way better

Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines, notes that a bed skirt like this “conceals cheap legs” on a bed, and in the bougiest way possible, mind you. It’s made from brushed microfiber that’s soft and smooth with embroidery, ruffles, and lace to finish off the design. It comes in a few neutrals and several lengths in the listing to match your bedroom.

“Toss out any plastic brand packaging,” shares Suzette Conrad, the marketing director for BOLT Builders. She suggests transitioning shampoo, conditioner, and other showering must-haves into decorative bottles like these. The three bottles can each hold up to 17 ounces each, and the bracket to hold them mounts in place on the wall with adhesive, making the whole thing DIY-friendly.

Sticking with Conrad’s concept of transferring everyday products into nicer containers, these amber-colored dispensers are designed for hand soap and hand lotion. Each bottle holds 16 ounces, and the bamboo pumps and base tray add a natural element to your bathroom or kitchen.

Suzette Conrad, the marketing director for BOLT Builders (which builds and remodels high-end homes), stages all of the photos for the company — so safe to say, she has experience in making spaces feel bougier. One simple trick she suggests? Incorporate fresh flowers or greenery, and place them in nice ceramic vases like these. The three vases vary in size and shape for grouping purposes.

This wall molding has a peel-and-stick backing, making it DIY-friendly. Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines, shares that it “creates instant architecture” when installed in symmetrical grids on a wall, fireplace, or other similar area. The molding is precut, lightweight, and textured for a wood-like appearance. It’s ready to paint, too.

Suzette Conrad, the marketing director for BOLT Builders, swears by the concept of switching “out plastic baskets for a woven [basket] or a decorative hamper.” And besides looking better, this particular hamper has the benefit of a low price point. It holds up to 29 gallons of dirty items, and the lid keeps odors contained until wash day.

“Hide any [eyesore] tech like cords, routers, or cables in a decorative show box,” explains Suzette Conrad, the marketing director for BOLT Builders. And this particular wooden box meets that criterion. It mounts on the wall or can be positioned on a surface like a shelf, and there’s enough space for several electronics. Use the various holes and openings to keep everything plugged in for power.

Most cord management solutions aren’t compatible with bulky power strips, but these wooden boxes sure are, allowing you to adhere to Conrad’s guideline for hiding unsightly electronics. The pair of boxes (which includes a large one and a medium-sized option) also has space for power cords and chargers.

Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses in Des Moines, shares that you can “make instant ‘pinch pleat’ drama” out of any curtains by utilizing clip-on pleat hooks and drapery rings, just like you’ll find in this complete set. All of the components in the 120-piece pick are made from solid steel for durability — they’ll be able to hold even thick velvet drapes.

“For old grout or caulk, get a grout pen to go over the area to freshen it up,” says Suzette Conrad, the marketing director for BOLT Builders. This paint marker option features a water-based colorant, and the narrow tip can cover up to 150 feet of thin grout, giving it a fresh white appearance. It’s waterproof for longevity’s sake.

“Create a statement by [...] using expressive, creative peel and stick wallpaper,” shares Andrea Thompson, the interior decorator at Drea Design Services. And this adhesive option fits this with its scene of birds and florals. It sticks in place on flat, dry surfaces, and the roll covers about 15 square feet for under $15.

Another way to add interest to your wall per Thompson? These wall panels have a geometric, three-dimensional design. The set includes 12 panels (covering up to 32 square feet) that are thin and light for straightforward hanging.

Andrea Thompson, the interior decorator at Drea Design Services, suggests this exact floor lamp “for cozy ambient lighting.” This pick is compatible with smart systems (like Alexa, Google Home Assistant, etc.) for control, though it can also be turned on and off using the rotary switch behind the bulb base if that’s more your speed.

For less than $20, this raceway kit can cover up to three electronics cords while allowing them to remain plugged in; the idea comes from Suzette Conrad, the marketing director for BOLT Builders. The plastic pieces can be snapped together for up to 157 inches of total coverage and it can be painted to match your walls.

Andrea Thompson, the interior decorator at Drea Design Services, suggests sprinkling golden accents throughout your decor “to add style, dazzle and vivacity to any room.” She likes this pair of hollowed vases in particular because they boast this metal finish. They’re made from kiln-fired ceramic for max durability.

These circular mirrors can “make a room look glamorous and sophisticated,” expresses Andrea Thompson, the interior decorator at Drea Design Services. Group the three mirrors together on a wall for a big statement or sprinkle them out through your home for a golden accent where you want it.

Not only does this full-length mirror incorporate a golden accent to your home, but it “can also be used to cover unsightly areas on a wall,” shares Andrea Thompson, the interior decorator at Drea Design Services. The arched mirror stands about 58 inches tall — use the included bracket for mounting or lean it against the wall.

Andrea Thompson, the interior decorator at Drea Design Services, shares the trick to properly putting up velvet curtains like these (or most curtains, for that matter). “Velvet curtains hung from the just under the ceiling molding (if you have that) all the way to the floor is a great way to elongate a wall and add ambiance and opulence to a room,” she explains. They also provide privacy. Choose from 12 shades in the listing.

Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines, has a trick to elongate your bathroom: Hang a waffle-weave shower curtain like this on the ceiling with a curved rod to bestow “some spa swagger.” The curtain is made from heavyweight polyester with a soft feel and honeycomb-like design for texture. Use the 12 rust-resistant grommets for hanging purposes.

Utilize these black screw covers on any exposed mounting screws around your home to conceal them. “We began using them on white vent covers — suddenly they’re like… invisible in pictures,” adds Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines. They’ll fit on most types of screws with a hinged design to stay shut.

Andrea Thompson, the interior decorator at Drea Design Services, refers to these two faux leather boxes as “bougie pieces [that] are copies of higher-end looks.” In addition to their style, the boxes serve as a versatile storage solution for pretty much anything. The metal clasps on the lids keep everything contained.

Worried about stains on your sofa? Corinne Smith, of Keller Williams Realty, Inc., shares the value of using a blanket cover like this. Universal by design, it covers various sizes and shapes of couches. The fabric is comfy to lounge on as you watch TV, but also easy to wash should you spill your snacks.

Suzette Conrad, the marketing director for BOLT Builders, suggests making the switch from plastic bins to decorative ones like these “for storage areas, shelves, laundry rooms, or mudrooms.” The trio of bins is made from fabric that’s reinforced by boards for a sturdy structure. The trapezoid design allows you to easily peer inside.

Use this hammered metal bowl for the “grouping of keys or other small items that when strewn on a surface makes a space look low-key messy and disorganized,” explains Andrea Thompson, the interior decorator at Drea Design Services. It’s about 9 inches in diameter with a sparkling gold finish and sculpted edges to complete its bougie design.

Jacob Naig, the contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines, recommends swapping for “chunky, contemporary pulls” on cabinetry, and this champagne option is a solid pick at a steal — each knob costs just over $2. Made from zinc, the knobs are durable with breakaway screws included to secure onto cabinets of different thicknesses.

Mark Sanchez, the founder of Gator Rated, shares that he always uses black curtain rods like these in homes he’s staging. “It pulls the eye wider, adds weight to the wall and makes cheap curtains look high-end,” he adds. The rod expands from 30 to 144 inches in length to fit most windows.

In addition to a black curtain rod, Sanchez shares he also goes for “neutral drapes that extend at least 6 inches past the window frame.” These linen-blend curtains come in a range of subtle shades with a textured finish that seems luxe, despite the low price point.

“I never skip putting a decorative tray on kitchen counters or coffee tables,” notes Mark Sanchez, founder of Gator Rated. And he adds that he particularly favors a serving tray like this one that features “a low edge in faux leather or brushed metal.” This option is vegan leather.

Mark Sanchez, the founder of Gator Rated, explains that he relies on puck lighting like this inside a bookcase or underneath cabinetry. “Battery ones with remotes make dark nooks feel styled and updated,” he adds. The set comes with six lights, making each one just a couple of bucks.

Jacob Naig, a real estate investor, licensed agent, and contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines, suggests adding cabinet dampers like these to “quiet the slam” for a custom-cabinetry feel. It has a single-screw design for straightforward installation, and you can adjust the placement to achieve your desired closing speed.

A simple way to hide electronic wires, per Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines? Cord runways that get them out of sight and out of the way. This cable management tray adheres under a desk, table, or other surface to hold cords or a power strip — no screws required.

And continuing with Naig’s concept of being strategic with the placement of electronic cords and chargers, this cable sleeve mounts on pretty much any surface — including walls, furniture, tile, and more — and it features Velcro to open and close, allowing you to change out the cables inside. Hang it horizontally or vertically.

Use a repair kit like this — which includes wax crayons and wood filler in a range of shades, plus application tools — to “zip over those dings in the trim” and in furniture pieces around your home, explains Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines. For under $20, it’s more economical than replacing the whole thing.

“I love to use plants to add more life to spaces,” shares Corinne Smith, of Keller Williams Realty, Inc.. This hanging plant is a low-cost way to go about this — it’s under $20 for a faux plant, a macramé holder, a plastic pot, and a hanging hook. The plant looks surprisingly realistic, a good choice for those lacking in the green thumb department.

In one specific project, Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines, hung LED light strips like these on a bookshelf, then wrapped book spines in craft paper. The results? A true “library moment” that took only 30 minutes to pull off. You could easily replicate this idea in your home, or use these light strips in other spots that would benefit from some brightening; three 3-foot battery-powered strips come in the set.

Corinne Smith, of Keller Williams Realty, Inc., indicates that she favors hanging a decor piece — such as a wall clock like this — over imperfections on a wall, rather than doing a costly and time-consuming patch job. This pick features large 3D numbers that are easy to read from a distance. It comes in four diameters and lots of colors in the listing.

Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines, explains that a bougie magnetic knife bar like this gives off “serious cooking happens here” vibes, even if you’re defaulting to ordering takeout. It’s 10 inches long to hold cutlery or other magnetic tools (like scissors), and it’s created from stainless steel with a satin finish.

Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines, stresses the importance of using furniture leg covers — particularly on items that often move, like chairs. They’ll protect the items themselves but also the floor below from scratches, gouges, or other damage. The soft felt bottoms slide with ease and 32 pieces come in the pack.

“Tiny tube, big magic,” is how Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines, describes this Rub ‘n Buff wax that provides a lustrous golden finish on furniture, photo frames, decor pieces, and more. Included are 10 application tools in five different sizes and shapes for various projects.

Utilizing velvet hangers like these in your closet, along with other bougie storage solutions, gives the area “instant order and lifestyle in a single glance,” shares Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines. Each of the 50 hangers is naturally nonslip with notched shoulders as an extra layer of security. They can support up to 10 pounds, including extra-heavy winter coats or a full suit.

And sticking with Naig’s concept of maintaining an orderly closet, these wall-mounted holders serve as a home for jewelry pieces and other accessories — there are 12 hooks on each one (two come with). They stick in place with adhesive, and various colors are up for grabs in the listing.

For one project, Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines, placed a washable rug, wall hanging hook, and oversize mirror near each other, and the feedback is that the combination felt quite welcoming. To do this in your home, this particular machine-washable rug is a soft and stylish option that costs $30.

And sticking with Naig’s concept from above, this wall-mounted rack is made from aluminum with a matte white finish that’s both rustproof and waterproof — a must, particularly for hanging up wet items like an umbrella as you walk through the door. The rack has six double hooks to accommodate a lot.

Stick this museum putty onto vases, artwork, tchotchkes, and other decor pieces around your home to ensure they don’t budge. It “saves you from the ‘crashed in the night’ text,” jokes Jacob Naig, a contractor at We Buy Houses In Des Moines. The putty comes off clean and damage-free, rendering it renter-friendly.

“Thick, plush throws add comfort and depth to a bed or sofa and, if not scream, quietly shout elegance,” remarks Andrea Thompson, the interior decorator at Drea Design Services. She calls out this throw blanket as a great option. It features a faux rabbit fur design that gives an ideal amount of warmth.