I Ranked Every Home Upgrade So You Don't Waste Your Money

Summary

The video ranks popular home upgrades by how much they can change a room. Its main point: a few well-chosen pieces matter more than filling a space with décor.

Major upgrades and practical tips

• Curtains: Hang them close to the ceiling, extend them about a foot beyond each side of the window, and let them just touch the floor. This can make windows look larger and a room feel softer.
• Large rugs: A rug can tie furniture together, add texture, and make a room feel more comfortable. Choose a larger size than you initially expect. Ideally, all furniture legs sit on it, or at least the front legs.
• Coffee tables: They help complete a living room and bring the seating area together.
• TVs designed as art: A wall-mounted, flush-fitting television can make a large black screen less noticeable when it’s off. The speaker presents this as an aesthetic choice rather than a movie-focused one.
• Large statement plants: A tall tree can fill an empty corner, add height, and balance the room.
• Large paintings: Artwork can make a room feel more complete and grand. The speaker recommends buying a larger piece than you think you need, since people often choose artwork that is too small.
• Floor mirrors: These can make a room seem larger, brighter, and more open.
• Lamps: Warm table or floor lamps create a cozier atmosphere. The speaker contrasts them with overhead lighting, which he reserves for cleaning.
• Sofas: Since a sofa can make or break a living room, try it in person. Sit on it for around 10 minutes before buying rather than choosing one based only on its appearance online.
• TV stands: They organize the area and hide clutter. Choose one wider than the TV so it doesn’t look undersized.
• Accent chairs: A chair with a distinctive shape, texture, color, or pattern can add character and break up a room’s larger furniture.

Smaller updates and cautions

• Smart bulbs: These are convenient for controlling lights and choosing a color temperature, such as warm 2700K light. The speaker calls them a useful but nonessential “micro-update.”
• LED strips: They may work in specific places, such as a home theater or under a cabinet, but covering ceilings and corners with them can make a space look cheap.
• Finishing touches: Coffee-table books, ordinary plants, diffusers, candles, glass soap bottles, and home audio systems are presented as smaller additions rather than foundational upgrades. For candles, the speaker recommends non-toxic beeswax.
• Neon signs: The speaker advises against them in most rooms, while allowing that they may suit a garage or “man cave.”

The overall advice is to focus first on pieces that establish a room’s foundation, then add a few distinctive accents and smaller touches while avoiding clutter.

Notable products and speaker

• Products and brands: Philips Hue and Govee smart bulbs; Bose and Sonos audio systems; beeswax candles.
• Plant examples: Olive trees, ficus, and strelitzia.
• Speaker: Brandon Balfour.
• Travel locations: None mentioned.