Accent walls are one of the quickest, most economical, and easy ways to inject your own personality into a space. Accent walls remain a smart way to add fresh color to a room.
 
1. Quick and easy.

A can of paint, a free afternoon and some reasonable DIY skills are all it takes to dramatically transform a space. Consider placing an accent wall in a bedroom on the headboard wall to help anchor the bed in the room. In a pinch, if space is too tight for a headboard, the paint can stand in as a two-dimensional version of one.

There are upgrades you can easily forego, and there are those you should hold on to for dear life.
 
For example, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, both considered pricey upgrades for years, are now standard in most new homes. However, going with the most common (or lowest) denominator is not always the best way to save — or spend — your dollars. For maximum functionality and a healthy return on investment, consider the following upgrades for your new home: