11 Simple Car Interior Improvement Ideas

Benefits
May 12, 2025
By the Shevron Team

Quality seat covers, heavy-duty floor mats, and cutting-edge audio upgrades are some of the best interior improvements for your car.

In this guide, we’ll explore these car interior improvement ideas and more to help you upgrade your ride. Our list includes easy interior upgrades, budget-friendly options, and commonly forgotten upgrades that make a big impact.

11 Simple Car Interior Improvement Ideas and Upgrades

Upgrade to a High-End Audio System
Add High-Quality Custom Seat Covers
Upgrade the Lighting
Add Some Aromatherapy
Go High-Tech with Electronic Upgrades
Add a Steering Wheel Cover
Add Premium Floor Mats
Integrate Convenient Storage Solutions
Refresh Your Car’s Interior Trim with New Paint
Upgrade Your Rearview Mirror
Attach a Middle Console Cover

1. Upgrade to a High-End Audio System

If you spend a lot of time in your car, you probably rely on podcasts, music, or phone calls to get you through the drive. Transform these experiences by enhancing your car’s audio systems.

Here are some popular audio upgrades to consider for your car:

Swapping out the factory speakers for quality high-performance speakers
Adding an amplifier
Adding an aftermarket unit in place of the factory head unit
Opt for speakers that feature Bluetooth pairing capabilities

2. Adding High-Quality Custom Seat Covers

Quality custom seat covers can enhance the comfort and aesthetics of your vehicle’s interior. Seat covers are one of the most affordable car upgrades that offer the most noticeable benefits.

Benefits of seat covers include:

Instantly make an old car feel new again
Protect your vehicle’s upholstery against damage from spills, pets, and kids
Increase comfort
Provide lumbar support
Easy installation
Add personal style to your car’s interior

Learn more about our favourite benefits of seat covers here: 6 Benefits of Car Seat Covers for Your Vehicle.

3. Upgrade the Lighting

Lighting plays a big role in the overall feel of your car’s interior. Opt for a lighting upgrade with LED interior lights for brighter illumination. LED lights also offer the added bonus of increased energy efficiency.

LED light strips are versatile and easy to work with, enabling a quick transformation for your car’s interior. Opt for flexible LED strips and multiple colours for the ultimate versatility.

Consider placing LED light strips:

Under the dashboard
Under the seats
In the footwells
Along the doors

*Note: Make sure the illumination does not interfere with your driving.

4. Add Some Aromatherapy

Forget those cheap tree-shaped car air fresheners and install a car diffuser instead. Choose soothing scents such as lavender for busy morning traffic or a citrus scent for a zesty pick-me-up on long commutes.

Make sure to give your vents a thorough cleaning to keep your car smelling fresh and clean.

5. Go High-Tech with Electronic Upgrades

There are a wide range of tech upgrades that add convenience, enhance function, and can even serve important safety purposes. For instance, a dash cam can provide invaluable footage in the event of an insurance claim or accident.

Our favourite tech upgrades for car interiors include:

A head-up display (HUD)
Touchscreen displays
Overhead or headrest displays for long road trips
A rear-view camera
A dash cam
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Hands-free calling options
A phone mount
An advanced navigation system
Driver assistance tools, such as adaptive cruise control or automatic emergency braking

6. Add a Steering Wheel Cover

A steering wheel cover is an easy interior car upgrade that adds style and function. Quality steering wheel covers offer a variety of benefits, including:

Improved Grip: A steering wheel cover can enhance grip, especially in humid conditions or high temperatures where hands can get sweaty.
Protection Against Temperature Extremes: Certain steering wheel cover materials will stay cooler to the touch even in extreme temperatures.
Enhanced Comfort: One of the biggest benefits of steering wheel covers is the enhanced cushioning they provide.
Reduced Hand Fatigue: The cushioned comfort of a plush steering wheel cover can reduce hand fatigue while driving.
Wide Range of Materials: Choose leather for a sophisticated, sleek look that is easy to clean and durable. Or, opt for a suede steering wheel cover for superior grip and luxurious comfort.
Protection for the Steering Wheel: A quality steering wheel cover can protect your original steering wheel against discolouration, damage, and scratches.
Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal: Steering wheel covers can add personality and character to your car or add a luxurious style.

7. Add Premium Floor Mats

Upgrading to premium floor mats for your car can add visual appeal and enhanced protection. Heavy-duty floor mats shield your vehicle’s floor against stains from mud and dirt.

Choose carpet mats for plush comfort and a more luxurious, welcoming feel or rubber mats for the ultimate durability.

8. Integrate Convenient Storage Solutions

The right storage solutions can make it easier to maximise the space in your car and keep it organised. When everything has a space, it takes minimal effort to keep a car clean and tidy.

We like these storage solutions for a clean car:

Seat covers with built-in storage
Foldable tables
Boot organisers
Underseat bins
Multifunctional cupholders

You May Also Like: 10 Easy Tips to Keep Your Car Clean

9. Refresh Your Car’s Interior Trim with New Paint

Fading paint on the dashboard or control panel can instantly age a vehicle. A quick paint refresh can instantly add a pop of colour and restore a modern look to the interior. With some patience and good quality car trim paint, you can refresh your car’s interior in a matter of hours.

10. Upgrade Your Rearview Mirror

This simple car interior upgrade is often overlooked, but it can go a long way in improving the function of your vehicle. Many stock rearview mirrors offer low visibility and range of views.

A new rearview mirror can help modernise an outdated interior while adding safety by reducing the risk of blind spots.

11. Attach a Middle Console Cover

Our last idea for an easy car interior upgrade is another commonly forgotten area: the middle console. Without adequate cushioning, it can be surprisingly uncomfortable to rest your arm on the middle console. Add comfort and a bit of style with a quality middle console cover.

Need Personalised Product Advice to Upgrade Your Vehicle’s Interior?

We hope these simple car interior improvement ideas give you some inspiration. If you’d like personalised product advice, get in touch with our team.

We’ve been helping car owners add style, function, and comfort to their vehicles since 1988. We carry a range of the best car upgrades dedicated to affordable comfort. Contact us today and let’s get your car comfortable, functional, and stylish!