Top 5 Buys After an Apartment Makeover
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It’s surprising what a single apartment makeover can inspire. One well-shot before-and-after video can send hundreds of viewers hunting for the pieces and tools that made the transformation possible. If you’ve just watched that same makeover and want to recreate the look or simply adopt a few of the upgrades, this guide gathers the most useful items people actually bought afterward—practical, well-reviewed, and versatile.
Before we dive in, a quick note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. With that said, the picks below are chosen for their real-world usefulness: they solve everyday problems (lighting for makeup, reset systems for clutter, accessible design ideas) and match the kinds of changes viewers usually want to replicate.
What follows is a full buyer’s guide and five product breakdowns: what each item does, who it’s for, realistic use cases, and things to consider before you buy. If you enjoyed the makeover for its improved organization, better light, or approachable decor, these choices will help you get similar results without doing a full renovation.
Buying Guide
How to choose what to buy after watching an apartment makeover
Decide what inspired you most. Viewers usually fall into three camps: those who loved the aesthetics (color, furniture, art), those who valued better systems (storage, routine), and those who noticed small but high-impact upgrades (lighting, multipurpose items). Pinpoint the element you want to replicate, then buy with intention—don’t buy everything at once.
Measure and match. A makeover looks cohesive because pieces relate to the room’s scale: mirror size, lamp height, shelf depth. Measure your space and compare specs before buying. Portable items like a trifold lighted mirror or a compact table lamp are forgiving, but furniture and storage need accurate sizing.
Prioritize multi-functionality. Small apartments benefit from items that serve more than one purpose: a lighted mirror doubles as a travel companion and bedside lamp; books about home systems provide both inspiration and step-by-step plans. If space is limited, favor compact or foldable products.
Material and finish matter. What looks good on camera may not be durable in daily life. Check materials: plastic vs. metal frames, rechargeable batteries vs. plug-in fixtures, paperbacks vs. cloth-bound coffee table books. Read product specs for warranty and care instructions.
Budget vs. longevity. A makeover often mixes splurges and small upgrades. Decide whether you’re making a temporary change (seasonal refresh) or a long-term investment (systems and larger furnishings). For temporary, go for affordable, replaceable items; for long-term, choose well-reviewed, durable products.
Where to place each purchase in your update plan:
– Lighting and mirrors: immediate visual impact and improved daily routine.
– Organizational systems and books: build the habit and plan before buying bulky storage.
– Decor and finishing touches: add once color and layout are settled.
With that framework, jump into the five items people bought after watching a makeover. Each section explains who the product is best for, realistic use cases, and practical pros and cons to help you decide.
Vanity Mirror with Lights, Rechargeable Lighted Makeup Mirror, Smart Touch, 3 Colors Dimmable, Portable Trifold Mirror for Travel, Valentine’s Day
Best For:
Renters, travelers, makeup users, and content creators who need portable, flattering face lighting without permanent installation.
One of the most visible upgrades in many apartment makeovers is improved lighting—especially around the vanity. This rechargeable trifold vanity mirror is a compact answer for anyone who wants clear, adjustable light without rewiring or a bulky fixture. It features a touch-sensitive control, three color temperatures (warm, natural, cool), and dimmable brightness so you can adapt the glow for daytime makeup, evening selfies, or close-up grooming.
A few practical strengths make this mirror popular after makeover videos. First, it’s portable: the trifold design protects the panels during travel and folds flat when stored. For renters who can’t install permanent hardware, a rechargeable mirror provides all the benefits of professional-grade lighting without drilling holes. Second, the three-color modes mimic different lighting environments—use warm for cozy indoor photos, natural for everyday looks, and cool for daylight-accurate color checks. The dimmable feature helps prevent washed-out makeup in brighter rooms.
Typical use cases are straightforward: place it on a dresser or temporary vanity to get instantly better portrait lighting; keep it in a small bathroom where overhead lighting is poor; or pack it for weekend trips where hotel lighting is unreliable. It also works well as a supplemental light for livestreams or TikTok videos when you need an even, flattering source.
Compared to standard tabletop lamps or built-in bathroom lights, this mirror concentrates illumination directly on the face and removes shadows that overhead fixtures often create. It’s not a replacement for a full-length floor mirror or studio kit, but it’s a step-up for everyday routines. Users should note battery life will depend on brightness settings and frequency of use, and the unit’s smaller size means the field of view is best suited to head-and-shoulders framing rather than full-body checks.
Who this is best for: renters, frequent travelers, beauty enthusiasts, content creators, and anyone who wants better face lighting without a permanent installation. Who may not need it: households that already have professionally installed vanity lighting or those who prefer full-length illuminated mirrors.
Pros: Rechargeable and portable; three color temperatures; touch dimmer with easy controls.
Cons: Smaller field of view than full-length mirrors; battery life varies with brightness.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Pros
- Rechargeable and travel-friendly design
- Three color modes and dimmable brightness
- Smart touch controls for easy adjustments
Cons
- Smaller viewing area—best for head-and-shoulders
- Battery life depends on brightness and frequency of use
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure
Best For:
Anyone wanting a structured, repeatable method to declutter and organize their home—especially renters and busy households.
If the makeover you watched included a visible overhaul of clutter and functionality, a planning and mindset reset can be the most helpful follow-up purchase. Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure is a book-length companion that walks readers through decluttering, prioritizing, and designing spaces that reflect daily life—not just a photoshoot. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all decor advice, this guide lays out practical steps that make maintaining a refreshed space achievable.
What makes this title stand out in the aftermath of a makeover is its process-oriented approach. Instead of focusing solely on trendy products, the book emphasizes changes to habits and routines—how to assess what’s working, what must go, and how to arrange items so the home supports your day-to-day. For viewers inspired by a tidy, curated apartment, this book helps translate that “after” look into repeatable systems.
Real-life scenarios where this book pays off: you’ve seen an influencer reduce countertop clutter in minutes and want the same for your kitchen; you want a weekend plan to clear out the bedroom closet and create an approachable capsule wardrobe; you need a step-by-step checklist to organize the living room before guests arrive. The book offers checklists, room-specific tips, and guidance on how to shop thoughtfully so you don’t replace chaos with new clutter.
Compared with general design books that focus on aesthetics, Apartment Therapy zeroes in on how to live with your choices. That practical bent makes it a better buy for someone who wants actionable guidance rather than aspirational spreads. If you already enjoy deep-dive course-based organizing programs, this book complements those by giving home-specific examples and quick wins.
Who this is best for: renters and homeowners who want sustainable change, people overwhelmed by clutter, and those who seek a realistic, habit-based approach to home improvement. Who may not need it: readers already committed to a professional organizer or those looking purely for aesthetic coffee-table reads.
Pros: Actionable eight-step system; room-by-room guidance; practical checklists.
Cons: Not a design-photo heavy coffee-table book; requires commitment to follow-through.
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Pros
- Actionable eight-step system
- Room-specific checklists and tips
- Focuses on habits, not just aesthetics
Cons
- Less visual inspiration than design coffee-table books
- Requires commitment to apply the steps
Check the latest price on Amazon.
The Home Reset: Easy Systems and Habits to Organize Every Room
Best For:
Busy households, professionals, and anyone who prefers systems and habits over one-off organizing projects.
Another popular immediate follow-up to makeover content is a how-to manual that translates visual improvements into daily systems. The Home Reset focuses on actionable systems and small habit changes to transform how a home runs—tasks like creating simple weekly routines, designing intuitive drop zones, and setting up low-effort storage strategies that actually get used.
The value of a book like this is its emphasis on systems rather than one-off projects. Where a makeover video might show a neat pantry or a styled coffee table, The Home Reset explains how to set up the pantry so it stays organized, or how to build a daily five-minute reset that maintains the styled look. Expect room-specific strategies, suggested product categories to solve common problems, and realistic timelines for tackling projects without feeling overwhelmed.
Practical use cases: establish an easy morning and evening reset routine to keep surfaces clear; set up an entryway drop zone that streamlines coming and going; design a laundry flow that prevents piles from overtaking living areas. The book’s advice is useful for busy households and those who prefer small, incremental changes over “one weekend marathon” cleanouts.
Compared to general organizing books, The Home Reset is particularly useful if you’re looking for systems that fit into a busy schedule. It won’t recommend expensive built-ins; instead it leans toward affordable, repeatable solutions that roommates and family members can follow. For shoppers, that means you can buy a couple of inexpensive bins, a few labels, and adopt a routine that does most of the heavy lifting.
Who this is best for: busy professionals, families, roommates, or anyone who wants a low-friction path to an organized apartment. Who may not need it: readers seeking purely aesthetic inspiration or those who already use a detailed bullet-journal home management system.
Pros: Practical, low-effort systems; room-by-room strategies; focuses on long-term maintenance.
Cons: Less emphasis on design styling; requires habit change to be effective.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Pros
- Focus on sustainable systems and habits
- Room-specific, practical strategies
- Affordable, low-friction solutions
Cons
- Not a styling-focused title
- Effectiveness depends on following routines
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Hack Your Home: The debut book from the Queen of Hacks! Easy and Essential Tips and Inspiration for Cleaning, Organising and Improving Your Space
Best For:
Budget-conscious decorators, renters, students, and anyone who loves quick, practical hacks to improve a space.
If the makeover you watched showcased clever shortcuts, budget-friendly fixes, or quick styling tricks, a book of hacks is a natural next step. Hack Your Home compiles dozens of clever, accessible tips for cleaning, organizing, and making small improvements that yield big visual returns. The tone is practical and upbeat—perfect for someone who wants immediate improvement without a big investment.
What sets this book apart is its focus on inexpensive, time-saving techniques. Expect suggestions for repurposing everyday items, small DIY touches that elevate a shelf or wall, and cleaning hacks that save effort while producing noticeable results. It’s a particularly good fit for renters and students who need to make spaces feel more polished without permanent changes.
Real-life examples: use a simple label-and-basket system to tame open shelving; employ quick cleaning hacks to get a living room ready for guests in under 30 minutes; refresh soft furnishings with inexpensive swap-outs and layering techniques. The book also includes inspiration for sourcing affordable decor and making thrifted finds look intentional.
Compared with high-end design books, Hack Your Home is less about glossy spreads and more about utility. If you’re looking for aspirational photos, this isn’t the primary pick, but if you want a toolkit of repeatable tricks to mimic a makeover’s camera-ready polish, it’s a strong companion.
Who this is best for: renters, students, thrifty decorators, and anyone who appreciates practical hacks over big-budget solutions. Who may not need it: readers seeking professional design theory or large-scale renovation advice.
Pros: Budget-friendly, practical hacks; quick wins for visual impact; renter-friendly solutions.
Cons: Fewer in-depth design concepts; some hacks may be situational.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Pros
- Practical, inexpensive hacks for immediate impact
- Tailored to renters and small-space living
- Actionable tips you can implement quickly
Cons
- Less focus on deep design theory
- Some tips may not apply to every layout
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Your Space, Made Simple: Interior Design That’s Approachable, Affordable, and Sustainable
Best For:
Readers who want approachable, sustainable design advice that balances style with real-life durability.
When a makeover’s most compelling element is its approachable style and layered, livable look, a design guide that balances aesthetics with budget and sustainability can be a godsend. Your Space, Made Simple presents practical design principles aimed at real-life living: how to combine pieces, choose sustainable fabrics and finishes, and create a cohesive palette that feels personal rather than staged.
This book is a good bridge between aspirational makeovers and practical implementation. It walks you through easy-to-follow design decisions—how to arrange furniture in a small living room, scale art to wall size, and edit decorative objects so a space reads as curated rather than cluttered. Importantly, it discusses material choices and lower-impact options for shoppers who want better design without contributing to wasteful consumerism.
Use cases: plan a living room refresh using a simplified color story; pick durable textiles that survive pets and frequent use; learn how to mix secondhand finds with new purchases for a layered, personal look. The book’s sustainable bent is especially useful if the makeover you watched emphasized ethics as well as aesthetics.
Compared to glossy interior design classics, this title is more grounded and actionable. It’s less about unattainable high-budget rooms and more about attainable choices that scale from a single shelf to an entire apartment. If you’re someone who likes inspired visuals paired with practical shopping advice and material considerations, this book fits well.
Who this is best for: eco-conscious decorators, renters who want a stylish but durable home, and anyone seeking a balanced, approachable design framework. Who may not need it: readers looking purely for bargain hacks or those wanting deep architectural guidance.
Pros: Focus on affordability and sustainability; practical design frameworks; user-friendly layout.
Pros
- Practical, approachable design principles
- Emphasis on sustainable and durable choices
- Helps mix secondhand and new items for a curated look
Cons
- Not an exhaustive industry-level design textbook
- Less focused on quick, budget-only hacks
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Final Verdict
Watching a single apartment makeover can be the spark that changes how you live—and the five items above represent the easiest, most practical purchases people make next. From the immediate, tangible upgrade of a rechargeable lighted vanity mirror to the longer-term benefits of books that teach systems, hacks, and sustainable design choices, these picks translate camera-ready visuals into everyday life.
If you’re renovating your daily routine, start with systems and books (Apartment Therapy; The Home Reset) to avoid replacing old clutter with new purchases. If you’re after visual impact, the vanity mirror is an instant upgrade for lighting and confidence. For inexpensive, renter-friendly improvements that show up well on camera, Hack Your Home offers clever shortcuts, while Your Space, Made Simple helps you build a cohesive, durable look without overspending.
Each of these items addresses a different piece of what makes a makeover feel complete: better light, better habits, quick hacks, and thoughtful design. Choose based on the change you most want—lighting and function now, or strategy and sustainability for the long haul.
Happy decorating, and if one of these items seems like the next logical buy after that makeover, go ahead and explore it further. Check the latest price on Amazon.
Conclusion
These Things people bought after watching one apartment makeover picks are trending now and offer great value and variety. Check the links above for latest prices and reviews.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tags:
apartment makeover products, small space upgrades, lighted makeup mirror, home organization books, budget home hacks, sustainable interior design
