In the BuzzFeed shopping article “Ways To Upgrade Your Place Without Doing A Full Renovation,” BuzzFeed highlights smart, renter-friendly home upgrades that dramatically improve how a space looks and feels—without the cost, disruption, or permanence of a full remodel. Written by BuzzFeed contributor Sally Elshorafa, the article focuses on low-effort, high-impact improvements that fit real-life constraints like limited time, budgets, and DIY experience.
Rather than pushing readers toward construction-heavy projects, the article emphasizes maintenance-first and cosmetic upgrades—products that help repair wear, refresh surfaces, and modernize spaces quickly. The core message is that meaningful home upgrades don’t require tearing things out; they require choosing the right tools.
Read the original article here:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/sallyelshorafa1/ways-upgrade-your-place-without-doing-a-full-renovation-an
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 immediate 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 showcases products and ideas that help readers:
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Upgrade their home without construction or contractors
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Fix cosmetic wear such as scuffs, chips, and dated finishes
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Refresh rooms quickly and affordably
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Improve spaces while keeping changes reversible
The featured items are positioned as practical upgrades—tools that work with existing surfaces rather than replacing them.
Core Themes
Upgrades Without Commitment
A central theme is flexibility. The article prioritizes solutions that don’t involve demolition, permits, or permanent changes, making them ideal for rentals and shared living spaces.
Maintenance Is the Fastest Upgrade
Addressing visible wear and tear instantly makes a home feel cleaner, newer, and more intentional—often in just minutes.
Function Over Flash
Instead of trendy decor swaps, the article focuses on improvements that provide lasting value through everyday usability.
Why BuzzFeed Featured These Products
BuzzFeed’s home coverage aims to be realistic and empowering, and this article stands out because the featured products:
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Deliver immediate, noticeable results
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Require little to no DIY experience
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Are affordable and easy to source
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Reduce mess, setup, and cleanup
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Help readers feel proactive instead of overwhelmed
The editorial goal is to show readers that upgrading a home doesn’t require starting over.
Key Takeaways From the Article
Renovations Aren’t Always Necessary
Many homes feel outdated due to small, fixable issues rather than major structural problems.
Small Fixes Create Big Visual Impact
Touching up walls, refreshing finishes, and maintaining surfaces can dramatically improve a space.
Ease Drives Follow-Through
When upgrades are simple and quick, people are far more likely to actually complete 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 remove 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, TODAY, Hip2Save, Passionate Penny Pincher, Family Handyman, Fabulessly Frugal, and CNN Underscored.
Article Citation
Elshorafa, Sally. “Ways To Upgrade Your Place Without Doing A Full Renovation.”
BuzzFeed, BuzzFeed, Inc.,
https://www.buzzfeed.com/sallyelshorafa1/ways-upgrade-your-place-without-doing-a-full-renovation-an
Accessed January 2026.
