43 Impactful-Yet-Quick DIY Upgrades For Your Kitchen
Some matte-steel cabinet pulls for a modern touch to those cabinets that were likely installed when you were in kindergarten. Even if you don't consider yourself a handy person, this is a super easy DIY.
A Cerama Bryte cooktop cleaning kit so you can finally get rid of the gunk that seemed like it would never come off of your stove.
Some stove burner covers to help you catch the mess right away on gas stovetops. Or just cover up some chipped or sorry-looking stovetops. (I live in a rental with a white gas stovetop that def has some unsightly chips on it, so I can relate!)
A magnetic stove shelf that's the perfect amount of room to keep your most-used spices so you don't have to go digging in your cabinet while the oil is literally poppin' on your stove top.
Some wood polish and conditioner that'll revive worn-out wood surfaces like cabinets and floors. Those cabinets may have decades of wear and tear but they don't have to *look* it.
A wood scratch cover to hide all those dings and scrapes on the original trim and doors that've been around longer than you, and have SEEN some things.
A set of wood repair markers can hide smaller scratches. (I used some of these on scratches on my *own* kitchen cabinet doors in my rental apartment, and they totally blended in with the stain.)
A container of touch-up paint that'll help cover up all those chips and marks that seem to follow you around the room like one of those portraits where the eyes look straight forward. This is so so so much easier than doing a full paint job.
A set of fridge organizers because you're spellbound by #FridgeTok videos and yearn for your own appliance to be as blissfully organized as those stars. And these'll prevent all kinds of spills!
A set of under-cabinet lights to bring a modern touch to any outdated cabinets that you wish you could replace. This'll instantly make your kitchen look *so* expensive.
A SnapPower GuideLight will optimize your regular old outlets instead of a night-light that you have to plug into an outlet that you always have to unplug the coffee grinder or do other tasks.
Some cabinet and drawer liners can protect your kitchen essentials from unnecessary wear and tear — even if your kitchen cabinets seem to be older than your grandma. Reviewers especially like that the bottom of the liner is grippy instead of sticky to stay put without leaving behind a mess.
A jar of the The Pink Stuff — a cleaning paste made to handle all kinds of sticky, stuck-on situations like this nasty-looking stovetop. Scrape away and lift any leftover crud by the previous tenants or owners with the help of this jar.
A drill brush cleaning kit that'll attach to your drill/driver for an informercial-like cleaning sesh that'll have you seeking out all the dirty surfaces you've been ignoring. This'll handle all the elbow grease.
A incredibly powerful grout cleaner can erase years of nasty buildup that you've just come to live with over the years.
Plus, a grout pen will fake some squeaky clean, stainless grout for stuff that's been there awhile. Or, like this reviewer did as seen in these pics, let you change the shade of your grout as you'd want!
A slim cutlery organizer here to prove that, yes! You do have room for all your cutlery in your tiny kitchen drawer! Scoot over, forks. (Yeah yeah yeah, your drawers are *hidden* but they still make such a huge different in your kitchen!)
Spice strips for transforming your regular old drawer into a ~custom~ spice drawer. Come on, doesn't it look quite nice?!
A bottle of Goo Gone foaming spray will help you win the good fight against greasy spills and messes. Your oven is about to get a makeover.
A corner sponge organizer because you need 'em within reach... might as well make 'em look a bit tidier! Also, having them *right there* versus stashed in your under-sink cabinet will help motivate you to get to any hand-washing ASAP.
A set of silicone-coated kitchen utensils that are nice-looking but neutral enough to blend in a bit with everything in your kitchen.
A *vinyl* runner that looks like a vintage Persian beaut but'll easily wipe up because spills WILL happen.
An expandable under-sink kit can fit around awkward pipes in the kitchen or bathroom while giving some sturdy ground to those bottles of cleaner and rolls of toilet paper. No more cabinet avalanches!
A tea bag organizer — to hold 100 bags, so you can finally dedicate your tea shelf to other things.
A set of measurement decals you can glance at rather than googling "how many teaspoons in a tablespoon" for the millionth time. (BTW, the answer is three.)
A bottle of plant-based stainless steel cleaner and polish spray (that comes with a microfiber cloth) for a low-lift transformation. You lucked out with stainless steel-appliances in place — which so happen to be $$$. Their upkeep shouldn't be!
A small compost bin/trash can will hang on a cabinet door for easy hiding and use. The lid lifts up *or* flips over for easily dumping as you food prep. In fact, I bought this for my tiny NYC apartment kitchen as a trash can and adore it.
An accordion-like pots and pan organizer can easily adjust with your growing organizing needs. (Even that griddle pan you just had to buy.)
Some mounted wine racks for a storage solution that'll make getting a post-work pour that much easier. Plus it'll be a super easy way to display any especially decorative glasses.
A set of adjustable mug organizers that'll help you better use your kitchen cabinet space *and* also keep your mugs safer since they fit on top of a mug, creating a setup where you can safely stack a second mug on top instead of googling replacements.
A charming fruit hammock you can screw onto the underside of your kitchen cabinets to clear up some counter space and put your farmers market haul on display.
A cabinet door organizer to help corral your boxes of food wrap and cutting boards.
A plastic bag dispenser that'll bring some order to your kitchen drawers.
A pack of adhesive cord bundlers you can stick on the back of your kitchen appliances to keep power cords orderly instead of tripping up you (and your kitchen countertop setup).
Fridge bin liners will absorb extra moisture in an effort to keep your produce fresher for longer. PLUS, they'll catch the brunt of messy spills and will be so much easier to clean than taking a drawer out of the fridge and awkwardly scrubbing it down in your sink.
A slim, slide-out caddy that's skinny but tall enough to place in the weird little space between your fridge and kitchen cabinets. This is also perfect for the stuff you put in the fridge but you don't really need to stash in the fridge.
Some peel-and-stick backsplash "tile" you can apply on a blank wall for a fraction of the price of *actual* tile installation.
A pair of kitchen sink strainers to catch all those lil' chopped onion bits that always end up in your sink.
An attractive storage rail you can hang up where you need it...even out in the open because it looks *that* nice!
A stackable can rack to help your pantry look like a grocery store of staples.
A conversion kit that'll let you hang some statement pendant light or a gorgeous mini chandelier if you wrinkle your nose at minimalist recessed lighting.
A window film that'll still let in SO much light while giving you a bit of privacy in your kitchen — especially if a neighbor's window looks RIGHT into yours. (Really, that's only cute in sitcoms.)
A broom and mop organizer you can mount on a closet or pantry wall for a tidy "after" so you won't worry about an avalanche when you open that door. You know what I'm talking about.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
9 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
32 Things To Improve The Appearance Of Your Kitchen *Without* A Full Renovation
Some cabinet black matte cabinet pulls to give your cabinetry a visual upgrade without breaking the bank. If your kitchen is looking a little tired, this is a cost-effective way to update it that takes almost no time at all. A Cerama Bryte cooktop cleaning kit for removing all the burnt food and gunk that's residing on your glass stove top. It comes with a soft pad for everyday messes and a hardcore scraper if something doesn't want to budge. Some stove burner covers and gap covers that'll catch all the droplets of sauces, drips of oils, and globs of half-cooked food when you're cooking a meal. This will make cleanup a breeze. (These are also dishwasher safe!) A slim magnetic stove shelf to convert that awkward space on top of your stove into a little ledge. It's perfect for holding everyday cooking items like spices and olive oil, or all those random spices you'll need to make Mom's world-famous lasagna. A bottle of restorative wood polish and conditioner if your wooden cabinets need a mini makeover. Thanks to a mixture of carnauba wax and beeswax, old wood surfaces that have seen better days will have a gorgeous, deep luster after applying a coat or two of this. A bottle of multi-surface touch up paint for touching up wall and door scratches and nicks. The 24 colors available are the most common paint colors you'll find in homes, and you can use the brand's free color matching tool to determine which of the colors best match your walls. A set of fridge organizers because you deserve to open your fridge and know exactly where everything is. The bins can even stack if you're really trying to optimize every square inch of your fridge. Some cabinet and drawer liners that'll protect your cabinetry's interiors from every day wear and tear. These come in a bunch of pretty patterns, too! A tub of the TikTok-famous The Pink Stuff if you want an all-purpose cleaning paste that can pretty much take on any stains, smudges, scruffs, and more on any hard surface. This is one of the most popular cleaning products out there — there are over 151,000 5-star reviews on Amazon for a reason. A drill brush cleaning kit perfect for taking on the toughest stains on your kitchen tile, glass, grout, and countertops. You'll save so much time and energy thanks to these attachments and can instead focus on doing what you do best: zoning out on the couch while marathon watching the latest Netflix show. A bottle of grout cleaner that'll instantly remove years of buildup, grime, and dirt that you thought was permanent. Or a mold-resistant grout pen to cover grout stains with a fresh coat of waterproof white paint. Each pen can cover up to 150 feet of grout. A slim cutlery organizer that fits a full 24-piece cutlery set but takes up half the space of a traditional organizer, freeing up a ton of storage in your drawer. Some spice strips in a 10-foot roll if you have a lot of drawers and spices but lack cabinet space. The roll provides enough length to organize 30+ full-size spice bottles. A corner sponge organizer for making the most of your sink's space. Keep your dish soap, sponge, and other dishwashing tools neatly organized instead of strewn around your countertop. There's even a spot for a rag or hand towel. A bottle of Goo Gone foaming spray to remove that thick layer of grease that resides on your kitchen's surfaces. This is a ONE-STEP PRODUCT, yes, I'm yelling. 👏 ONE 👏 STEP 👏 You just spray it on any surface with grease, grime, or baked-on food, and it wipes away no problem. A 33-piece set of silicone-coated kitchen utensils if your current setup (or lack thereof) is a hodgepodge of random, mismatched tools that never get used. This kit includes everything you'd ever need to make any type of meal from start to finish. An expandable under-sink kit so you can utilize all the space in your cabinet. This smartly wraps around the awkward drain pipe, giving you way more space than before. A two-sided tea bag organizer so your cupboard isn't overflowing with near-empty boxes of tea. Better yet, you can leave this on the counter if you really need to free up cabinet space, as it's aesthetically pleasing and doesn't take up much room at all. A bottle of plant-based stainless steel cleaner and polish spray that will finally remove all the grime and fingerprints from the stainless steel stuff in your kitchen. Sinks, fridges, garbage cans, finally be as clean as the first day you moved in. Aaaand it smells like lavender! A compact compost bin/trashcan for when space is tight and a traditional trashcan just won't work. When I lived alone, my regular-size trash can always stayed half empty, so I switched to a smaller compost-sized bin. It freed up space in my kitchen and filled up quickly enough to keep food scraps from getting stinky. An accordion-like pots and pan organizer because lids and pans need a home too. You know the dilemma you face when you wanna stack your pots and pans neatly, but then you have nowhere to put their lids? This product fixes that! Some mounted wine racks that are a triple threat: they allow you to show off your pretty stemware; they're easily accessible when wine o'clock hits, and you'll free up space in your cabinets. A set of adjustable mug organizers for doubling up on vertical mug storage. This simple but genius product lets you safely stack one mug on top of the other, freeing up at least half of the horizontal cabinet space. A charming fruit hammock to store your fruits and veggies in the cutest way possible. Because your produce won't be jammed in a bowl, the likelihood of mold is lessened. A plastic bag dispenser so your drawer of plastic bags is no longer a sea of them and is instead a well organized collection that's easily accessible. A pack of adhesive cord bundlers that'll put an end to that nest of cords that's living behind your row of small appliances that you keep on your counterotp. Fridge bin liners so your fridge bins stay clean and dry, even if you find a mystery piece of produce decomposing in the back of yours. These will soak up the liquid and other nastiness. A slim, slide-out caddy that'll fit into those super narrow spaces between your fridge or stove and your countertop. Waste no space! Some peel-and-stick Subway "tile" to give your kitchen a major makeover without breaking the bank. You literally just peel and stick, and when it's time to move out they peel right off and leave no trace. A pair of kitchen sink strainers that'll catch all the food scraps that end up in your sink. Now they'll be captured in this instead of clogging up your drain. And a kitchen cabinet painting kit to completely transform the way your kitchen cabinetry looks. Each kit provides enough white paint to cover 100 square feet of cabinet surface, which is the typical amount of an average kitchen. The paint is specially formulated for cabinetry made from wood, laminated, or metal — primed or not. It comes with all the tools needed, and you don't need any additional materials to get it done. No stripping, sanding, or priming either! It's really that easy.
Buzz Feed
13 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
43 Things That'll Help You Realize The Handyman Has Been Living In Your House All Along (Psst, It's *You*)
Cordless no-drill Roman shades that'll be a breeze to install (reviewers say it took less than 10 minutes)! Renters and homeowners alike love them because you don't have to drill into the wall for installation. NoNo Brackets, aka curtain rod brackets that fit onto your existing blinds so that you don't have to fool with drilling any holes and having to spackle them later or (!!!) get charged when you move out of your rental. Now you can finally put up the curtains you've been eyeing for a minimal amount of work. A special brush can keep your dryer's lint trap clear of debris and make drying cycles/the appliance more effective for longer. If you aren't already cleaning out the lint trap with every cycle, grab this before calling out a repair person. Some dishwasher-cleaning tablets can get rid of residue that ends up creating odor and buildup on your dishes. You were lucky to score an apartment with a dishwasher but if it's not super effective, what's the use?! These are honestly so cheap that you'll wanna *add to cart* rather than texting your super to come by for a look. A sturdy Pikk-It tool with sharp metal teeth that'll un-ensnare tangled hair from your vacuum cleaners, hairbrushes, and even your beloved round brush dryer. Raise your hand if you've ever broken a seam ripper cleaning a vacuum cleaner. (Meee.) An oil stain remover capable of annihilating that grease stain that you thought made your garage or driveway a goner. No need for a professional assessment! A foaming garbage disposal cleaner to throw in your sink (the whole packet!), turn on the water, and watch fizz up as it does the tough work below on all the gunk that OTHER PEOPLE have let build up in your disposal. A jetted tub cleaner you simply run through in a bath cycle and just watch the filth (from previous tenants) EMERGE from the pipes. Then you simply wipe it away! It'll be equally horrifying and satisfying. Worth it. A SnapPower GuideLight will optimize your regular old outlets instead of a night-light that you have to plug into an outlet that you always have to unplug the coffee grinder or do other tasks. No need to call in an electritian about adding lights! A set of Snug Plugs if your hair dryer plug keeps falling out of the bathroom outlet and you're starting to wonder if you need to get a pro involved. These little contraptions make a snug fit between outlets and plugs to keep 'em where you want. Washing machine-descaling tablets can work on both top- and front-loading machines to erase any lingering mildew smells — whether you've had this machine for ages and want to keep it running 'til the day you die. Or you got a steal on a used machine and now you know WHY. Or if you prefer a liquid solution, a citrus-y Oh Yuk washing machine cleaner that'll work on all washers. Say buh-bye to random debris and nasty smells emanating from your machine. The Pink Stuff Spray in case you're extremely into the OG cleaning paste and have wondered out loud, "Hm, I wonder what else they make." Well, THIS! Now you can sort out your icky oven situation before calling up a pro (and waiting around for the appointment). A bottle of dog-spot repair if your puppy has a favorite pee spot and it shows... This stuff will get new grass growin' in no time so you can get back to hosting BBQs. An under-$50 12-inch showerhead here for a little daily luxury. And if you've been blasted by a rainfall shower in a hotel before, no worries. This has an adjustable flow that'll give you that or some gentle precipitation. And yes, you can handle installation! A carpet cleaning solution with results so impressive (just cast your eyes below this text!) that you may have to bleep out your own reaction. Get ready to break up with your carpet cleaner rental spot. Remember when your carpet was beige instead of greige? Stain-lifting pads will tackle the icky pet stains on your wall-to-wall beige carpeting from when your poor dog didn't want to go use the bathroom outside when it was storming. A standing weeder (without the chemicals!) to help improve your view of your yard. You're not the only one who has trouble enjoying weed-filled scenery. If you normally recruit someone to weed for you because you can't comfortably (or simply don't enjoy) bending down to do it, you'll ADORE this tool. And a crack weeder tool that'll go where the larger weeder (and your hands!) can't if you're not opposed to getting down on the ground to weed, as long as the weeding is far more efficient! Some interlocking teak tiles to cover up a hard surface that, tbh, is beyond visual help. They're great for rental properties because you can take them apart and take them with you when you move! Luigi's Sink and Drain Plunger — a mini plunger can find a spot under sinks around your home for when your roomie's meal-prepping routine wreaks havoc on your kitchen sink. Grab this and use it in the same amount of time it takes you to google a plumber. And Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver that'll do a far better job of clearing your bathroom or kitchen drains than the super well-known brand you usually grab. Because clogs never happen at convenient moments. And sometimes your landlord or super can't stop by to help out when you need it. Solar lights you can stake along a walkway or pond right where you need 'em. Lighting is key for getting more use out of your outdoor space. Oh, and they look nice in the daylight too! A roll of perma-mulch to use around your garden beds and *keep* there because this stuff (made of recycled tires) imitates wood mulch but won't need replacing. If you have trouble sitting still while there's yard work that needs doing, you'll especially appreciate this. Some bleach-free outdoor cleaner to spiff up your walkways and other surfaces you can likely tackle before you break out the pressure washer. Its foamy formula is totally safe around your precious plants. And if cleaner alone won't work, some concrete paint for a refreshed look that'll make a HUGE difference. A six-outlet wall charger can comfortably fit all the chargers you require. Plus! it has two USB fast-charging ports *and* a night-light. So this could be a solid solution for realizing that you don't have enough outlets on the days you and your partner both work from home. An expandable under-sink kit will fit around awkward pipes in the kitchen while giving some sturdy ground to those bottles of cleaner. No more cabinet avalanches! Also, permanent cabinet changes can be quite pricey. A carpet cleaner to transform all sorts of soft surfaces in your home BESIDES your carpet (though it'll do amazing work there too). Turns out, you don't need to buy a new couch after that huge accident. OR rent out a pro carpet-cleaning machine for about half the cost of this beaut. (You'll def use it more than twice and get your money's worth.) Some magnetic garage handles and faux windows that'll bring some serious curb appeal to your home for an EXTREMELY small fraction of the price of getting some carriage-style doors. They're pricey as heck. These magnets are not. A rechargeable, stick-on LED wall light will move with you when you want, even if you've just changed your mind within the same apartment or got a rude surprise at a lease renewal. It has three color temperatures, is dimmable, has a sleep timer, and is controlled from an app. A renter-friendly Tulip shade that'll easily pop over your boob light (or other similarly sized ceiling-flush light you detest). You simply mount a ring on the ceiling with double-sided tape and put on the magnetic shade. An Angry Orange pet odor eliminator for erasing all the visual (and smelly) evidence of pet accidents on flooring and furniture. You don't need a new chair. You just need this. A "stained glass" decal to position on front-door windows, transoms, possibilities are nearly endless! It'll obscure the view into your home a bit without going whole hog like a blurred window cling that obscures the view on both sides. Also, it just looks really nice! A magnetic dishwasher cover can help you transform that magical appliance as a design focal point if no matter HOW much you clean your washer, it just doesn't shine like you want. A roll of wood grain tape to slap on as a "frame" on your bathroom or wall mirror to make your space feel a bit more intentionally designed — even if you inherited a bunch of someone else's design choices. Some pre-made wall panels that'll attach with a nail gun and glue (or Command strips). What's next? Your cover story for Arch Digest. A USB-powered, stick-on LED light strip can help improve your TV-watching experience by bringing in a bit of ambient light to your personal theater. You've already got your TV and shelves just where they work, so no need to try and rearrange everything so your movie nights are more enjoyable. Reviewers say this makes quite the impact! A wireless library light to put a spotlight on any new wall art, or to just really jazz up your existing gallery wall that needs a little something else. A pack of cabinet pulls with some nice detailing that'll make them seem like you ordered them from RH for $30+ a pop instead of adding them to cart along with some toilet paper and mascara. Kitchen cabinets take up a WHOLE lot of visual space and cost a bunch of money to replace. Swapping out your pulls can make a big difference! Some vinyl picnic table and bench covers will help your OG picnic table in your yard look more presentable while protecting you from splinters. No need to think about a swap or hiring someone to sand down the bench and paint the table. A Scumbug to help keep your pool from getting too gross too quickly after you've done the FULL clean (or paid someone to do said full clean) and opened it up for the season. It soaks up sunscreen, oils, and other gross stuff enjoying your backyard retreat. When it gets discolored, simply wring it out, rinse it, and then put it back in its watery home. And a grout pen you can use to work some *cheap magic* over a sweeping amount of visual space on floors and backsplashes with a huge impact for just a bit of your time. I should know. I've done it to my bathroom floor and find it lasts about a year!
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Buzz Feed
20 Things That Self-Professed Clean Freaks Use
Bioclean, a hard water stain remover if you're tired at looking at all the streaks and soap scum on your shower doors, fixtures, grout, and basically everywhere else in your bathroom. One reviewer swears that you should "Buy a lifetime supply immediately." An instant stain and mildew remover to revamp all sorts of outdoor surfaces like siding, patio furniture, and boats BUT it'll also come in handy inside on surfaces like shower surrounds that seem like they're too far gone. Affresh washing machine tablets that'll help clean the giant appliance you rely on to freshen up your stinky workout clothes and all the baby clothes that are just constantly covered in [redacted]. A jar of the The Pink Stuff — a cleaning paste made to handle all kinds of gross, stuck-on situations like that bathroom floor grout you came to terms with being dirty gray forever and even the crayon art gallery on your wall. A set of reusable microfiber mop pads (that work with the Swiffer you already own) because WOW those disposable ones seem to disappear like magic in your home. No more running out in your time of need. A bottle of nontoxic Folex Carpet Spot Remover can make all sorts of horrific stains disappear quickly. *And* there's no rinsing or vacuuming involved. A no-scrub weekly shower cleaner you'll simply just spray on after you shower, wait 8–12 hours while it tackles mold and mildew stains, soap scum, and just about any gross grime without YOU having to scrub. Talk about practical to the max. An ~intense~ grout cleaner — it'll bring blackened grout back from the disgusting brink because you shouldn't want to wear shoes in the bathroom. A bottle of leather conditioner to revive your leather goods *even* as large as a leather chair! Welcome to your next project while you catch up on the latest ep of your fave true-crime podcast! A plant-based stainless steel cleaner + a microfiber cleaning cloth will finally help you get rid of all the little paw and fingerprints that seem to magically appear out of thin air on your kitchen appliances. An Angry Orange pet odor eliminator can erase all the visual (and smelly) evidence of pet accidents on flooring and furniture. You don't need a new chair. You just need this. A jetted tub cleaner you simply run through in a bath cycle and just watch the filth (from previous tenants) EMERGE from the pipes. Then you simply wipe it away! It'll be equally horrifying and satisfying. Worth it. A holy grail soft cleanser will help you *easily* erase all those gray and rusty stains on household surfaces you came to terms with years ago. They aren't paying rent, so give 'em the boot! An upholstery cleaner to undo whatever it is your kids are doing to your backseat AND bring your formerly gorgeous steering wheel back to life. A makeup brush cleanser because you and I both know you're not washing your beauty tools as frequently as you should. (Same.) Better Life Natural All-Purpose Cleaner (you could spray in your mouth if you wanted?!) that'll be safe to use around kids and pets or anyone who's super sensitive to smells. A pumice stone can scrub away hard water marks and you should most definitely label as "TOILET" so people don't use it on their feet(!!!!). And in case the situation is a bit more dire, a toilet wand cleaning system with removable heads so you'll stop regretting your decision to potty train your cats. A drill brush cleaning kit you can attach to your drill/driver for an informercial-like cleaning sesh that'll have you seeking out all the dirty surfaces you've been ignoring. This'll handle all the elbow grease. Detail brushes that, when paired with some powerful cleaners, you'll use to bring your grout BACK to its original state. You forget it was white, didn't you?!
