No power tools, no problem – here are 6 no-reno design hacks that can instantly transform your home
These ideas will save you time and money without sacrificing style


Home renovations are time-consuming, costly, and not to mention, tiring. Even the projects that seem simple can take weeks, if not months, to finish. But what if I told you there are some easy solutions to achieving the designs you want without all the struggles that come with a traditional renovation? That’s right, no-reno design hacks can give your home that newly remodeled look, with ease.
Renovating a house should be exciting, not dreadful. And while you might have to break out the power tools here and there, you don’t always need to rely on them to give your interiors a new and exciting look. That’s where no-reno design hacks come into play.
From changing light switch covers and door knobs to rearranging art and lighting, these no-reno design hacks are simple, easy, and affordable. Even the smallest DIY project has the potential to transform your interiors. So below, find our favorite no-reno design hacks that’ll effortlessly give your home new life.
1. Swap Light Switch Covers
Light switch covers might be one of the most overlooked features of a room. Because of their usually muted color and prioritization of function over form, we tend to forget that they can, in fact, be a standout design feature. Swapping plain and uninspiring light switch covers for decorative styles is a no-reno design hack that's not only easy, but incredibly transformative.
'This is the quiet luxury trick no one talks about,' designer Rachel Blindauer tells me about changing light switch covers. 'These are the details that whisper refinement.' Light switch covers with ornate detailing, unique colors, or even intriguing textures can make a world of a difference in a room – and all you need is a screwdriver to make it happen.
2. Replace Door and Cabinet Handles
Just like light switch covers can make an impact on a room’s overall appearance, so can door knobs or cabinet pulls. Despite being such a small change, swapping old door knobs or cabinet pulls for new styles can give any room new life and instantly make the space look and feel fresh.
'Cabinet pulls, knobs, plumbing fixtures, accessory hooks, and doorknobs bring bling into your home,' designer Rosa Santiago Zimmerman tells me. 'Swap them out and watch your space sparkle with a modern, polished edge.' If your doors or cabinets have silver hardware, swap for gold, or vice versa. Even a small change like this can make a room sing with style.
New cabinet pulls can instantly change the look of your kitchen. This silver kitchen cabinet hardware is both stylish and elegant – a great no-reno design hack.
3. Incorporate Shelving
Are you unsure about what to do with a blank wall? An easy no-reno design hack would be to add floating shelves. Typically, floating shelves can be mounted in minutes with screws and a screwdriver. Once set up, they add dimension to a room, and after styling, they can transform the look of a space.
Floating shelves can benefit any room of your home, from the kitchen or living room to a bedroom or reading nook. And because of their 'floating' appearance, they won't disrupt the flow of a room by take up floor space. They're easy to install and easy to remove – no tiresome renovation required.
If you can't get enough of the scalloped decor trend, this shelf is for you. It measures three feet wide and six inches deep, making it ideal for holding books, plants, or other decorative objects.
4. Rearrange Your Art
I'd be willing to bet that the art that you have on your walls has been in the same position for quite a while. To refresh your space, and give a room that 'new' feeling, an easy no-reno design hack is to rearrange your art. Try placing art in new positions or new spots around the room. Even reframing your art can make the space feel different. These changes might be small, but they make a big impact.
Another idea – play with scale. 'Big art makes a room feel purposeful,' Rachel Blindauer tells me. 'The shift in proportion instantly adds drama and elevates the perceived height of your ceilings.' Look for larger artworks to make a space feel bigger, or consider reframing existing artworks in larger frames for a dramatic statement.
No one likes crooked wall art. Before rearranging your art, it's best to use a level to measure out where everything should go. This level can mount to the wall and features laser lines for precise markings. Aside from helping with hanging pictures, this is a great tool to keep in your home as it will make any renovation significantly easier.
5. Utilize Peel and Stick
Traditionally, peel and stick panels, flooring, tiles, and wallpapers have served as a way to decorate rental properties because they are simple to install, don’t require an excess of physical labor, and can be removed with ease. Those qualities make peel and stick a pretty useful no-reno design hack, too.
'Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a simple design hack that can add playfulness and visual interest to empty wall space,' designer Jessica Shaw remarks. 'I have personally used peel-and-stick wallpaper in my own home, which I think is amazing for someone doing DIY.'
With lots of colors, designs, and shapes to choose from, peel and stick is an effortlessly stylish way to decorate your home that doesn't involve a complicated renovation.
Peel and stick tiles are an easy kitchen backsplash idea that can totally transform the look of your kitchen. For a dramatic statement, try shimmering green tiles, like this set of 10, that will pick up and reflect light in a beautiful way.
With its repetitive white and beige pattern and textural illusion, this tile (which comes in a set of four) looks like it belongs in a luxury home, despite being peel and stick. Reviewers rave about its beauty as well as its ease of assembly.
6. Change The Lighting
Your lighting ideas can make a huge impact in a room. Whether you're a lover of the controversial big light or prefer table lamps here and there, a room's light scheme can greatly influence its overall design. And since changing the lighting is relatively easy, this is a classic no-reno design hack.
Aside from incorporating more light fixtures in a room, it's a good idea to consider changing the light output. Rather than relying on bright LEDs to light up a space, add bulbs with a softer glow, like incandescent lights. This easy switch can make a room feel much more cozy.
As Rosa Santiago Zimmerman tells me, 'Lighting changes everything.' It really does, and a simple switch in fixtures or bulbs can completely transform a room.
These no-reno design hacks are so easy and can help you bring new life to any corner of your home with little effort involved. You don't need a huge amount of skill, time, or budget to make any of these projects come together.
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Devin Toolen is a New York-based Style Editor for Homes & Gardens. After achieving her Bachelor’s Degree at Villanova University, Devin moved to Paris, France, to obtain her Master’s Degree at Parsons School of Design. Upon returning to the United States, Devin began working in the media industry with Cosmopolitan Magazine, where she wrote trend-driven fashion stories and assisted on set for many photoshoots, and later Livingetc, where she wrote interior design stories and assisted with the magazine’s social media pages. She has an appreciation for every aspect of personal style – from the clothes we wear to the design of our homes. In her spare time, Devin enjoys embroidery and antique shopping in the city.
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