When it comes to selling your home, presentation is everything. Small updates and thoughtful touches can make a significant difference in how buyers perceive your property and how much they are willing to pay. The good news is that you do not have to do a full renovation to make your home shine. With just a few strategic purchases, you can elevate the look and feel of your space, making it more appealing to today’s buyers.

Over the years, we have helped hundreds of homeowners prepare their homes for market, and we have seen which updates consistently deliver a great return. From lighting and hardware to paint and finishing details, here are our 10 favourite things to buy when getting your home ready to sell – and we’ve included all the links to make it even easier for you!!

1. Modern Light Fixtures for Key Rooms

Lighting has a huge impact on how a home feels. Dated or mismatched fixtures can make even the most beautiful space feel tired. Swapping out your dining room chandelier or pendant lights in the kitchen for something clean and contemporary instantly refreshes the space.

Look for matte black, brushed gold, or simple globe-style lights. Amazon has great budget-friendly options for dining rooms, entryways, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Stick to styles that are transitional or modern and opt for warm white or neutral tones that blend with most decor.  Here are a few of our recent favourites from Amazon.

We love this light for an entry way

This is a great option for the dining room

This is a versatile light for bedrooms

This one is a kitchen breakfast area top pick

2. Coordinated Bathroom Vanity Lights

Bathrooms are one of the most scrutinized spaces during showings. Replacing outdated vanity lights with sleek, symmetrical lighting can immediately upgrade the look. Choose fixtures that are either chrome or matte black, with frosted or clear shades for a soft, clean glow.

Amazon offers countless three-light or two-light options that can be easily installed above a mirror. Keep things minimal, and make sure the finish coordinates with your faucet and mirror frame.

This is a classic one for bathroom lighting

3. Matte Black Door Handles and Hinges

One of the most underrated ways to modernize your home is by replacing interior door handles and hinges. Swapping out older brass or silver knobs for matte black lever-style handles creates a consistent and high-end look.

Home Depot carries excellent options in bulk packs that work well throughout the entire house. They are quick to install and make a major visual impact. Updating hinges at the same time creates a polished, cohesive finish. We love this contractor pack from Home Depot – Weiser Halifax Matte Black 4 pack

Or for a more economical choice, amazon offers these ones in a 10 pack and these ones in a six pack

4. Updated Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Your kitchen does not need a full remodel to feel refreshed. New cabinet pulls and knobs are one of the fastest and most affordable updates you can make. Matte black, brushed brass, or even satin nickel handles can modernize cabinetry and add a touch of sophistication.

Home Depot offers a wide range of cabinet hardware that you can mix and match depending on your kitchen’s style. Look for clean lines and avoid anything overly ornate. Just be sure to match the size and screw placement with your current hardware to simplify installation.

These are a crowd pleaser from Home Depot

5. Matching LED Lightbulbs with Consistent Colour

Lighting colour consistency is a small detail that makes a huge difference in how your home photographs and feels in person. Mismatched bulbs—some warm, some cool, some dim—can make spaces feel uneven and uninviting.

Costco carries high-quality LED bulbs in bulk packs, typically in a soft white (2700K) or neutral white (3000K) colour temperature. Choose one tone and replace all the bulbs in your home so everything feels bright, consistent, and welcoming. This is especially important in kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways.

6. Touch-Up Paint in Neutral Colours

If your walls have scuffs, scratches, or bold colour choices that may not appeal to buyers, a fresh coat of paint is one of the best investments you can make. Stick to warm neutrals that reflect light well and make rooms feel spacious and calm.

Some of our favourite Benjamin Moore paint colours for selling include:

• Classic Gray OC-23 – soft and airy with a hint of warmth
• Edgecomb Gray HC-173 – a perfect greige that suits most spaces
• Chantilly Lace OC-65 – a crisp white ideal for trim and ceilings
• Balboa Mist OC-27 – a light greige that adds just enough depth

Focus on main living areas, entryways, and any rooms with strong colours that might distract potential buyers. You do not need to paint everything, just target areas that need freshening up.

7. Simple Indoor Area Rugs

An area rug can define a space and add warmth without the need for major furniture changes. In open-concept homes, they help distinguish living and dining areas, and in bedrooms, they make the space feel cozy and layered.

Amazon has affordable, neutral rugs in large sizes that work well for staging. Look for soft greys, beige, or light patterned options in flatweave or low-pile materials. Avoid bold prints or high-contrast colours that may not suit every buyer’s style.

This one looks great in living rooms, family rooms and even bedrooms and is budget friendly.

8. Neutral Throw Pillows and Blankets

Textiles are an easy way to soften a space and create that “homey” feeling that resonates with buyers. Neutral throw pillows and a well-placed blanket can dress up a sofa, armchair, or bed without overwhelming the room.

Amazon offers a wide selection of pillow covers in light tones like cream, taupe, and soft grey, as well as budget-friendly inserts. This is a great way to layer in some texture and make your home feel move-in ready. Our top pick is this Throw blanket from amazon

9. Decorative Mirrors for Entry or Hallway

Mirrors not only make rooms feel larger, but they also reflect light and add a decorative touch. A well-placed round mirror in an entryway or above a console table can be a strong first impression during a showing.

Amazon and Home Depot both offer stylish mirrors in matte black or brushed metal frames that suit modern and transitional homes. Keep it simple, and let the shape and finish speak for itself. This one is a favourite of ours and a budget friendly option.

10. Fresh Houseplants or Faux Greenery

Greenery adds life and freshness to any space. A few well-placed plants, real or high-quality faux, can make a home feel clean, cared for, and welcoming.

If you have a green thumb, consider low-maintenance indoor plants like snake plants, pothos, or ZZ plants from your local gardening center. If you want zero upkeep, Amazon has great faux options in planters that look surprisingly realistic. Use them in bathrooms, on bookshelves, or by entryways. We especially like large vases with faux branches like these

Preparing your home for sale does not have to be expensive or overwhelming. With a handful of well-chosen updates, many of which you can install yourself, you can dramatically increase your home’s appeal. These ten items are the ones we reach for time and time again because they consistently help homes show their best, both in person and online.  When buyers walk through the door, small touches like updated lighting, fresh paint, and coordinated hardware signal that your home has been well cared for. And that, in the end, goes a long way in creating strong first impressions and solid offers.