In the BuzzFeed shopping article “Ways To Upgrade Your Place Without Doing A Full Renovation,” BuzzFeed spotlights practical, renter-friendly home upgrades that dramatically improve how a space looks and feels—without the cost, disruption, or commitment of a full remodel. Written by BuzzFeed contributor Sally Elshorafa, the article focuses on low-effort, high-impact solutions designed for real life: busy schedules, limited budgets, and homes that need refreshes rather than rebuilds.
Instead of encouraging readers to tear things out or start from scratch, the article emphasizes smart maintenance and cosmetic improvements—products that help repair wear, modernize appearances, and elevate everyday spaces with minimal time and skill required.
Read the original article here:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/sallyelshorafa1/ways-to-upgrade-your-place-without-doing-a-full-renovation
At a Glance
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Publication: BuzzFeed
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Article: “Ways To Upgrade Your Place Without Doing A Full Renovation”
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Author: Sally Elshorafa
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Category: Home / Shopping / DIY
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Editorial Focus: Non-renovation upgrades with big visual payoff
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Retailer Focus: Amazon
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Audience: Renters, homeowners, apartment dwellers, DIY beginners
What the Article Covers
This BuzzFeed article highlights products and ideas that help readers:
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Improve the look of their home without construction
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Fix cosmetic wear like scuffs, chips, and dated finishes
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Refresh rooms quickly and affordably
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Avoid the stress, cost, and permanence of renovations
The featured items are framed as maintenance-first upgrades—tools and products that help people work with what they already have instead of replacing it.
Core Themes
Upgrades Without Commitment
A major theme is reversibility. The article prioritizes solutions that don’t require demolition, permits, or permanent changes—making them ideal for rentals and shared spaces.
Maintenance Is the Fastest Upgrade
By addressing visible wear and tear, homes instantly feel cleaner, newer, and more intentional—often with just a few minutes of effort.
Function Over Flash
Rather than trendy decor swaps, the article focuses on practical improvements that deliver lasting value and everyday usability.
Why BuzzFeed Featured These Products
BuzzFeed consistently publishes home content that feels realistic and empowering, and this article stands out because the featured products:
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Deliver immediate visual improvement
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Require little to no DIY experience
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Are affordable and widely accessible
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Reduce friction, mess, and cleanup
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Help readers feel proactive instead of overwhelmed
The editorial goal is to show that meaningful upgrades don’t require starting over.
Key Takeaways From the Article
Renovations Aren’t the Only Path Forward
Many homes feel outdated or neglected due to small issues, not major structural problems.
Small Fixes Have Outsized Impact
Touching up walls, refreshing finishes, and maintaining surfaces can dramatically change how a space feels.
Ease Drives Follow-Through
When upgrades are quick and simple, people are far more likely to actually do them.
Where to Purchase
The home upgrade products featured in the BuzzFeed article are available through:
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Amazon – Primary retailer for all featured items
Product pricing and availability may vary, but all items were selected for accessibility and ease of use.
About Slobproof
Slobproof™ is a U.S.-based, woman-owned small business founded by award-winning interior designer Debbie Wiener. The brand was created to eliminate the mess, waste, and stress traditionally associated with home maintenance and paint touch-ups.
Its flagship product, the Slobproof™ Refillable Touch-Up Paint Pen, allows users to store their existing paint in a sealed, reusable pen that stays fresh for years. Designed for precision and convenience, it enables fast touch-ups on walls, trim, doors, cabinets, and furniture—making it an ideal solution for upgrading a home without doing a full renovation.
Slobproof products have been featured by BuzzFeed, Apartment Therapy, Elite Daily, Inverse, Bored Panda, INKL, Hip2Save, Passionate Penny Pincher, Family Handyman, Fabulessly Frugal, CNN Underscored, and the TODAY Show.
Article Citation
Elshorafa, Sally. “Ways To Upgrade Your Place Without Doing A Full Renovation.”
BuzzFeed, BuzzFeed, Inc.,
https://www.buzzfeed.com/sallyelshorafa1/ways-to-upgrade-your-place-without-doing-a-full-renovation
Accessed January 2026.
