Pressed tin ceiling tiles are classics once common in 19th-century homes. They come in copper, bronze, brushed nickel, and pre-finished and unfinished steel, with hundreds of pattern options. A 2-foot-by-2-foot tile runs $5 to $30; install them in a suspended grid, or nail and glue them to the ceiling. This homeowner salvaged these tiles from an old warehouse.

Related: Easy, Budget-Friendly Ceiling Makeovers

Image: Sergey Guryakov and Jenia Ustinova

Turn your staircase from humdrum to handsome by topping off a plain newel post with a cool finial. A pineapple-style finial is a classic, timeless touch that goes with lots of styles. You can find them in unpainted and finished wood, polyurethane, and metal with prices ranging from $25 to $250. For a unique touch, check out salvage yards for one-of-a-kind finials.

Image: Copper and Walnut

Classy arched passageways might look like an extravagant remodeling project, but made-to-order molding kits can be installed in a day. The curved portion is a one-piece system that needs no additional framing behind it — just cut out the drywall to match the curve. The arch is supported by elegant jambs and door casings. Kits cost from $250 to $1,500.

Image: CurveMakers, Inc.

Builder-grade birch cabinets weren’t making the grade with this homeowner, but new cabs weren’t in the budget. Makeover to the rescue! She painted the cabinet a crisp white, then gave it the “Snookie treatment” — bumping up the height with a 1-inch-by-6-inch pine board installed vertically and topped with some decorative crown molding ($1 to $2 per linear foot).

Related: 5 Classy Kitchen Cabinet Updates for Under $100

Image: TheYellowCapeCod.com

Got some decorative plates or maybe Grandma’s antiques? Show off your cool dinnerware on plate rail molding. Plate rail molding is made with a groove on top that secures the edge of each plate. The molding can be installed freestanding or on top of wainscot. It’s a good idea to install plate rails about 6 feet from the floor — the better to show off your collection and prevent accidental bumps. About $3 per linear foot.

Image: Amanda of Our Humble Abode

Tall baseboards (6 inches or more) are impressive but can start to get expensive. Cut costs by making your own. Use paint-grade 1-inch-by-6-inch (or larger) pine boards, and top with a decorative molding. Be sure the lumber you buy is kiln-dried; that way, it won’t shrink and open up unsightly gaps in your handiwork.

Image: Angelique of Where The Piggy Toes Go

Stair bracket molding turns any staircase into a showpiece. You can find premade brackets in wood or lightweight urethane for $10 to $25 each. Measure to make sure the bracket isn’t thicker than the scotia molding — the small piece of trim that goes under the stair tread (in this picture, it’s the same color as the tread).

Image: InvitingHome.com

These tiny toppers come in pewter, bronze, and brass and attach to a door hinge pin with magnets. Lots of designs, including animals, figures, and decorative touches such as hearts. Prices run from $10 to $16.

Image: HingeHeads