27-05-2025
31 Overlooked Home Items That Will Change Your Life
A broom and dustpan set that'll finally let you retire your sad old broom with the bent bristles and dustpan that leaves behind a trail of crumbs. This one's got sturdy bristles, a clip-on design for easy storage, and — best of all — built-in teeth on the dustpan so you can clean the gunk of the broom without using your hands.
When I say this is the most used cleaning tool in my house I mean it. We have two small children, and one's a toddler who's still learning how to feed himself. Meals get MESSY. Several times a day we need to clean around our dining table, and this is our go-to tool for sweeping up all the crumbs and other grossness that ends up on the floor. The teeth on the dustpan mean the broom bristles stay super clean, which means even the smallest piece of dirt (a good example is hair) still gets picked up and pushed into the dustpan. I LOVE this set!Get it from Amazon for $22.09 (available in six colors).
A tower fan and heater combo to save you from sweaty afternoons and chilly mornings without taking up more than a sliver of floor space. It cools, it heats, it's whisper-quiet, and it adjusts on the fly (via remote, too!) so your home doesn't feel like a tundra in the morning and a desert by lunch.
Promising review: "I love this versatile fan. It gives you heat or just the air. It's very beautiful and it's easy to work. I love it." —palfatGet it from Amazon for $152.90.
A microfiber sheet set because it's the internet's favorite way to stay cool without cranking the A/C. These sheets have amassed a huge fan base who swear by their breathable, silky feel, especially when summer heat tries to ruin your sleep. They hold up beautifully wash after wash, so you won't find yourself panic-buying new sheets in the middle of August.
Mellanni is a family-owned and operated small business in New Jersey that's been making bedding since sheet set has over 256,000 5-star review: "Feel like expensive high-end hotel sheets. I normally use flannel sheets year-round because it's the only material I like, but these are my new favorites. Very soft and cooling. Fit our bed perfectly. I purchased both for our bed and our spare room and have only gotten compliments from guests. Great sheets without the huge sticker price." —Anna Greenlun Get it from Amazon for $20.98+ (available in 15 sizes and 40 colors).
A set of Beckham Hotel Collection pillows to replace your old pillows. These are big, fluffy, and soft, and everyone says it feels like you're sleeping at a fancy hotel when you use them. Yes, please!
See them in action in TikTok user Aprill Mae's review: "Due to packaging, they are quite flat at first. Laid them flat for a few hours. Shook and fluffed them up and was able to sleep like a baby last night. These pillows are heavenly. I say that because it feels as though you're sleeping on a cloud. I slept with both. One under my head and one to hug. They stayed a comfortable temp all night long. The first morning, I didn't wake up with neck, shoulder, and back pain in over a week and a half. I feel rested and refreshed." —Amazon Customer"These are THE BEST pillows! I'm a side/stomach sleeper, and these provide the perfect amount of support for me. Exactly what I was looking for. I was a bit skeptical, given how inexpensive they are — I'm used to spending a lot on bedding — but I decided to trust the over 200,000 reviews, and I'm so glad I did. Highly, highly recommend." —Irene PopeGet it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in three sizes).
And a set of silk-like pillowcases for dressing up your bedding without needing to spend big bucks. There are 38 colors available, so you're sure to find the right one for your bed's vibe. Folks say pillowcases with this texture can help reduce skin irritation and hair frizz while you sleep.
A six-pack of 100% New Zealand wool dryer balls that silently fight the good fight in your laundry, cutting down drying time, reducing static, and saving you from buying dryer sheets again and again. They're tough, natural, endlessly reusable, and always ready to step up and keep your laundry routine running smoothly.
A TubShroom for collecting the mass of hair that would normally clog your drain. When the water in your shower/tub starts to drain slower than usual, pop this product out, clean out the hair it's collected, and insert it back into the drain.
This thing collects all the icky loose hair neatly around it (at the bottom, so you can't see it when the TubShroom is in place), so all you have to do is wipe it off! It's super simple, yet so genius that some folks are about ready to make it their religion — read for yourself:Promising review: "The TubShroom is a life changer. To market this simply as a revolutionary bathtub strainer is to degrade the perfection of the TubShroom. People often describe their life split into ages, from childhood to college, from marriage to the birth of their children, career growth to retirement. I see my life divided into two distinct periods centered on one singular event: the gloomy, pestilent dark ages before TubShroom, and all the glorious, magnificent days thereafter. No amount of glowing, favorable adjectives will ever do justice to the magnificence of the TubShroom. These are but feeble, limiting words, which by their very nature, cannot capture the richness, splendor, and transcendent power that is the TubShroom. The TubShroom is embodied enlightenment disguised as a humble implement to avoid bathtub clogs." —Zerubba U LeviGet it from Amazon for $12.95+ (available in six colors). If you don't have a sunken-in drain that can fit the Tubshroom, Oxo makes a good universal drain protector you can get from Amazon for $11.95.
A pack of motion-activated, rechargeable, wireless LED lights to perfectly illuminate your bathroom at night. My bathroom's light switch automatically turns on my obnoxiously loud ceiling fan, which at night can wake up the whole house. Now, whenever I need to use the restroom at night these automatically turn on when I open the door.
The light is soft, and provides just enough illumination that I can see where I'm going but not be hit with bright light. A single charge will power the light for about two weeks, and I use this USB charging station to charge all the lights at once (I have a total of six spread throughout my home). Each pack comes with the self-adhesive stickers you'll need to install them. Promising review: "We originally bought two to put in our poorly lit kitchen over the counters to help us see better. They were definitely bright enough for our purposes, and now we plan to buy more for other places in the house as well. The installation is super convenient as the magnet pad is stuck to a surface using self-adhesive, and the light sticks to the magnet, making removing it for charging super easy." —LaurenGet it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two lengths and either warm or white light).
A pet hair remover roller if your pet's hair always ends up on your upholstered furniture. While we love our furry friends and want to cuddle with them always, finding fur and dander all over your stuff is less than ideal. Sofas, blankets, even roller will make sure it all gets removed, and without the need for pesky single-use sticky sheets.
A set of blackout curtains because natural light is nice and all, but something you want to sleep in (in total darkness). These aren't just for blocking out sunlight (though they do that) — they also help muffle outside noise so that you can sleep through your neighbor's early morning lawn mowing or your kids' inexplicable 5 a.m. wake-up call.
A compact utensil organizer that smartly stacks cutlery instead of placing it side-by-side. If your kitchen feels cramped or has very little drawer space, use this to store all your silverware without taking up much real estate.
A sock and underwear organizer because you deserve to open a drawer and actually see what your options are. Gone will be the days of going to grab some socks, bras, or undies, only to find a giant pile of indiscernible fabrics.
Promising review: "I LOVE LOVE LOVE these organizers!! I almost did not purchase them due to the reviews saying that larger than a C-cup would not fit into the bra organizer. At just $15 for four organizers, I took my chances and ordered two sets of four. I figured, worst-case scenario, I would have to cut the dividers out of the bra organizers. I wear a 32DD, and the bras fit beautifully in the organizers. I am so glad I took the chance and did not listen to the reviews. I would have missed out on the best, cheapest organizers I have ever found. I ordered another set for tank tops and other extras I did not think of before. I will also order my boyfriend the brown ones for his drawers. Great product for a great price!" —Elizabeth L. BlackwellGet a four-pack from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in seven colors).
A toothpaste squeezer that doubles as a stand so you never waste toothpaste or countertop space again. I'm a person who likes an uncluttered bathroom countertop, and having this hold my toothpaste straight up as opposed to just laying it down frees up space and keeps it looking tidy. It also ensures no toothpaste ever goes to waste; I've noticed since using it that I go way longer between needing a new tube.
I just really hate wasting product, but so many bottles and tubes make it impossible to get the last couple of tablespoons of stuff out. I can't stand this! With this squeezer, I literally get ALL the toothpaste out before I need a new tube, and it's soooo satisfying. Promising review: "No instructions come with it, but it is fairly obvious how it works. Bottom of the tube through the body slot into the turnkey slot, and turn the key enough to clamp the tube in place. Stands upright, making a very small footprint. Wind too tight, and you might pop the cap with toothpaste under pressure. Gonna try it with other tubed products, like tomato paste and bacitracin." —Stephanie a pack of two from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in a pack of red and white or navy and white).
A nonslip, quick-dry stone bath mat if you're tired of soggy bath mats that take forever to dry. This is made out of diatomaceous earth (fancy, right?), which dries faster than you can say "bye-bye mildew."
Dorai is a small business in Salt Lake City that makes everyday items for the home. Promising review: "The last bathroom mat you will ever need! This product has been a game-changer for us. We liked it so much, we gifted it to a few of our friends, and they all loved it, too! The standout feature is how it almost instantly dries your feet with a unique suction effect—once you experience this, there's no going back to regular bathmats. It's versatile, performing well in both hot and cold weather, and the included slip-resistant rubber mat is a thoughtful addition." —Joshua it from Amazon for $69+ (available in two colors and two styles).
A food scooper that easily scoops foodstuff from any smooth surface, like countertops and cutting boards. There is no kitchen tool I use more than this — egg shells and chopped fruit in the mornings, diced and minced veggies throughout the day, and even food scraps when I'm cleaning as I cook.
The side walls mean you can scoop large portions of stuff without it falling off the sides, which is great when you're cooking a big meal. I also use this for clean-up, which has dramatically cut down on the time it takes to finish the job. ALSO, I've had this for maybe three years, and it looks as good and works as great as the very first time I used it. Promising review: "If you prepare food on a daily basis, then this tool for scraping food off a wood block or food prep surface is golden. Easy to clean, easy to use, and much better than those scrapers without side walls." —K. Jorgensen Get it from Amazon for $14.39.
A multi-plug outlet with six electric outlets, two USB ports, and a built-in night-light. The night-light has three levels of brightness and can turn on automatically when it senses the area getting dark.
A U-shaped modular sectional with ample storage that reconfigures into a full-size mattress. This piece ships in seven packages that you assemble on-site, which is perfect for those of us who need a big sectional but have a home with small doors, narrow hallways, and tight corners.
Promising review: "So happy that we got this. You could split this up into two couches, one being a chair or loveseat. My favorite is to convert this to a bed and do movie nights! This has been great for extra sleeping space for guests, which we have used a few times already. Coming in clutch! Also, all the storage is perfect for extra blankets, games, or snacks. Live it up! Easy to move the squares around, once you do it the first time, you'll be a pro. Cannot stop recommending this to family and friends." —TayTayGet it from Amazon for $999.99+ (available in two colors and four sizes/configurations).
A dishwasher magnet to let you know if the dishes are clean or dirty. With just one swipe you never have to worry about unloading dishes that haven't actually been washed.
A "Cup Cozy Pillow" that'll make balancing drinks on the couch feel like less of a high-stakes operation. It keeps your cups, mugs, and bottles upright and within reach — no more tragic coffee spills or fumbling for your water in the dark.
A set of glass meal-prep containers with three compartments that'll make you feel like the kind of person who has their life together. These sturdy, microwave-safe containers keep your meals fresh without staining, warping, or absorbing that mysterious fridge smell. Plus, the locking lids mean you can actually trust them not to leak all over your bag.
This set comes with to-go sauce cups, too!Promising review: "Amazing! Best bento-style lunch container I have found so far! Easy to clean, and lunch can be reheated in the oven (or microwave)! The glass is nice and thick, and if you are clumsy, no worries, it hasn't broken yet even though I drop it all the time! Nice deep sections allow for a LOT of food!" —DanielleGet them from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in a variety of quantities and styles)
A roll-up drying rack so you can let dishes and produce dry without taking up valuable countertop space. And because it goes over the sink, no need to worry about water dripping all over the place.
A tiny but mighty Levoit air purifier that'll have you breathing cleaner, fresher air without overcomplicating things. It quietly zaps dust, pet dander, and mystery particles floating around your home, so you're not just marinating in allergens all day.
Promising reviews: "This air purifier is the best we have found. We have four different kinds of air purifiers in our home, as my spouse has immense allergy problems. None of the others work as good as this one. The first week, we tried this in our living space. It pulled so much dust out of the air; there was a dust sheet on the filter. We cleaned it off and moved it to our bedroom. His sleep improved immensely! We purchased a second air filter for our den, where he spends most of his time. As the other purifiers break, we will replace them with this one." —TrishaGet it from Amazon for $99.99+ (also available in black).
A set of fridge organizers because you deserve to open your fridge and know exactly where everything is. The bins even stack if you're really trying to get the most out of your fridge space.
A CovoBox that provides hidden storage for unsightly things like routers and bulky cords. Each box is made right here in the US with real wood and reclaimed books.
A garlic chopper to mince or chop garlic for you. You literally just put up to five regular-size cloves in it and then use your hand to roll this thing on any smooth surface, and it chops it all up in a matter of seconds. If you want to mince it, you keep rolling for maybe 10 more seconds. I have one of these, and sticky hands and knives are now a thing of the past.
Promising review: "Love! Love! Love the GarlicZoom! Mincing garlic has never been easier or fun. It makes mince work out of garlic, onion, chilies, and herbs. I'm not sure what I love most about this little gadget. Not smelling stinky garlic fingers all night? No burning fingers or eyes from chopping a super hot chile? Or mincing fresh herbs in a blink of an eye. I have a problem wrist from an injury and an arm and hand that suffers from nerve damage. I can still manage to zoom this. When people ask if they can help in the kitchen, this is the chore that I give them, and everyone loves it. They think it's the neatest little thing." —Kennedy CollinsGet it from Amazon for $16.25.
A dual under-the-cabinet trash system so your trash and recycling don't have to be on display for anyone who walks into your kitchen. Instead, have it tucked away in its own cabinet, out of sight and out of mind until it's time to use it.
A magnetic stove shelf to turn that unused space on the top of your stove into a fully functional shelf, no installation required. It also has a small back lip, so you needn't worry about stuff slipping off behind the stove, never to be seen again.
StoveShelf is a US-based small business that specializes in stove shelves for various sizes of stoves. Promising review: "This is amazing and I have no idea why I didn't buy one of these years ago!!! My new stove wouldn't get close enough to the wall to allow me to rest anything on top without it falling behind. This was absolutely PERFECT. I am very happy that the magnets provided were able to be moved. This allowed me to place them perfectly for maximum hold because my top was slightly curved." —JStillGet it from StoveShelf on Amazon for $39.99 (available in size colors and three sizes from 24" to 30").
A windproof rechargeable lighter for all your candles and fireplace needs. The flexible neck makes it easy to light hard-to-reach wicks, and it'll spark 400 times before recharging.
Some under-bed storage containers to keep bulky clothing, shoes, and extra bedding out of sight and out of mind (but still accessible)!
You can use these for so much more than clothing! Think craft supplies, extra toiletries, whatever you have too much of. Promising review: "These storage bags are fantastic. I live in a small apartment where storage space is at a premium. I use these to store my Costco toilet paper and paper towels, so I don't need to make as many trips to the store. It keeps them in pristine condition and out of sight. The handles make them easy to pull in and out, and they fold up nicely when not in use. I'm thinking about getting two more since four will fit under my queen bed." —Kimberly DornGet it from Amazon for $11.87+ (available in seven styles).
A pack of six furniture markers for covering up small nicks and cuts in your wood furniture and floors. Each kit comes with the most common wood colors (cherry, mahogany, walnut, black, maple, and oak) and matching crayons for easy filling when the damaged area is a little deep.
Promising review: "I am thoroughly impressed! We have a 115-plus-year-old house, and we only have hardwood in our downstairs hall and den. We didn't want to spend tons of money because we are probably going to be replacing the flooring in a few years. I'm actually still working on this as I'm writing this, but I am so impressed that I just had to write a review right away. The only 'negative' I have is that the colors are darker than the caps show, but it's not a big deal. For the money, you can't go wrong." —BorgGet them from Amazon for $8.99.
A colorful Great Jones x Fellow electric gooseneck kettle that's a triple threat. The extra long and angled spout gives you more precision when you're making your morning pour-over coffee, its gorgeous color and sleek design will look amazing on your countertop, and it heats water up super fast.
I live in a multigenerational household and several of the adults are really specific about how to create their morning cup of coffee, especially my husband and my mom. We got this kettle, and it has made making a cup of coffee (which, if I'm being honest, happens several times a day) such a better experience. The gooseneck means we have precise control over water flow and pouring speed, which ensures even extraction and a balanced, flavorful cup of coffee. And because it's so aesthetically pleasing, I don't mind having it out on the countertop all the time (which, unfortunately, I can't say for a few of the other small appliances I use daily). It also heats up water super fast! Promising review: "Fantastic kettle - temp control is fantastic, the controls super user friendly, and heats up quick. The color is also absolutely stunning! 10/10 would recommend." —Makinna Get it from Great Jones for $195 (there's also a blue version available).
And a pack of refillable multi-surface touch up paint pens to effortlessly fix scratches and nicks on walls and doors. Just fill up a pen with paint of your choice and brush the problem area.
Slobproof is a small business that makes paint touch-up review: "I keep these in my kitchen drawer and it's SO convenient for my painted cabinets! I moved into a house with older wood cabinets, and because it's such a small kitchen I knew that painting the cabinets white (actually went with cream!) would make it feel so much larger! I LOVE the way they look, but inevitably (even though I sanded and prepped), I'll get little chips in the paint. These touch up pens stay in my junk drawer full of paint at all times. The cap makes it so it never dries out and stays super clean. But I'm able to grab them any time and just touch things up so my cabinets ALWAYS look fresh." —Claire FloresGet it from Slobproof on Amazon for $14.99+ (available in packs of two or five).
