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You’ve Got A Nice Home, But Here Are 31 Practical Things You May Want To Add

Listen, your home is great. But what if it were even better?

Posted 9 hours ago

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by Rebecca O'Connell BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff

As a BuzzFeed Shopping editor, my goal is to find all the products actually worth buying.

There are sensible purchases, and then there are downright genius buys. Disposable shower hair catchers, a fruit bowl colander, and a scratch remover stick are among the items that will help take your home to the next level. 

1. Itty-bitty, collapsible storage crates in soothing pastel colors to give your knickknacks the vinyl record treatment. Listen, you don't have to throw away your mountain of pilfered condiment packets, but they'd look a lot nicer in one of these. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These are so cute and very easy to set up. I have my hairclips and scrunchies in them. I love that they are stackable, so they don't take up too much space. They're about the same size as my hand, so they're relatively small. They're good for storing little things like mini hand lotions and hand sanitizer. If you're thinking about getting them, I highly recommend them!" —Dog_Mom

Get a pack of six from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in two other sizes and six colors). 

2. A battery-operated patio umbrella light so your family can actually see each other while dining outside. The battery-powered device has 28 LEDs to properly illuminate a whole picnic table after the sun sets.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The tool-free installation is as simple as opening the unit and clamping it onto the umbrella pole. It requires four AA batteries to run, which are not included. 

Promising review: "This light is great!!! It has three settings to adjust the amount of brightness you need. The lowest level is great for just sitting around your patio table and having a couple of drinks with friends. The brightest setting is PERFECT for playing cards! We play cards a few times a month. There are two 70+-year-olds who did not complain that they couldn’t see. So, works great in my book! 😁" —Mandie Jordan

Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in two light styles).

3. A chenille tufted pillow perfect for when you're trying to enjoy some pillow fort time or just wanna sit on the floor while working from the coffee table (me). It'll come in handy when you have more guests than chairs for movie night. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Cozy vibes. I purchased two of these. I think they’re wonderful. Soft. Comfortable. Perfect floor pillows." —Cortney R.

Get it from Amazon for $39.49+ (available in two sizes, two shapes, and seven colors).

4. A set of low-maintenance, solar-powered lights you can stake along pathways to illuminate your walk to the house. Since they're powered by the sun, you can set them up and let them do their thing for the foreseeable future.

amazon.com

Promising review: "These are great lights. We use them in our front and backyard. They are long-lasting and create a resort-like appearance." —Michele 

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $38.99 (also available in packs of eight in three different styles).

5. A pack of disposable shower hair catchers for people who often forget to clean the drain after a shower and are too squeamish to maintain a device like the TubShroom. You can just close your eyes and throw these away when they're too hair-infested. 

Amazon

Promising review: "For anyone with long hair, drainage clogging in the shower is a pain. So THANKS to whoever thought of such a simple but clever solution. They stick perfectly, and the glue lasts like three weeks. It literally does not let a hair pass, and it's just so easy to place and remove. I wish I had known about this product before! A must-buy." —MER

Get a 25-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two sizes and packs of 50 and 100).

6. A set of waterproof globe lights to instantly improve the ambiance of your backyard. I don't know how string lights do it, but they have a 100% success rate of making me happy. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Reviewers note that you should remove the bulbs before stringing up the strands and then install the bulbs.

Promising review: "These lights were perfect for my patio; I've received plenty of compliments so far. The Edison light bulbs are beautiful and offer the perfect amount of lighting for any occasion...the clips were ideal for my eaves and the overhang of the roof, which made for simple installation...now, I just need to find a dimmer capable of handling the required wattage, and the package will be complete." —Brody Vins

Get a strand from Amazon for $15.79+ (available in three styles and eight lengths).

7. A set of wildly popular "hotel" pillows so you can feel like you're falling asleep at the Ritz. Reviewers rave that these are the perfect balance of fluffy and firm, meaning you can prop yourself up for a good in-bed TV marathon. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "God himself must use these pillows. I have (or had, haha) insomnia, not to mention a bad neck/back *and* hot flashes. The comfort and the cooling are AMAZING (even with a silk pillowcase). Thank you, TikTok, for influencing me!!!!" —Rickie White

Get a set of two from Amazon for $41.97+ (available in three sizes). 

8. And a set of massively popular double-brushed microfiber sheets that are so soft and cuddly, reviewers have likened them to high-end hotel bedding. You'll forget aaaalll about thread count when you slide into these sheets. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

LuxClub is a small business that specializes in soft, durable, luxury-style sheets. 

Promising review: “These sheets are so soft and comfy. I bought a set of sheets from a well-known luxury bedding brand, and they were absolutely awful. These sheets win hands down and are a fraction of the price. Highly recommend!" —MC-SanFran

Get it from Amazon for $27.95+ (available in sizes Twin–California King, with deep pockets, and in 40 styles). 

9. A Capri Blue Volcano-scented multipurpose cleaner — yes, that's right, the signature Anthropologie scent — to make cleaning feel extra rewarding. Now you can clean and leave behind a luxurious scent that'll have guests looking at your home in a new light. Was it always so chic in here? 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This stuff smells SO good! Like a sweet, sugary citrus, but not overpoweringly so; just a light, fresh scent. The smell lasts forever. I used a kitchen towel to wipe my counters down and then hung the towel up and the next day I could still smell it when I walked into the kitchen. For the scent alone, I would purchase this again! As for cleaning ... it is not a disinfectant, it is just a general multipurpose cleaner, so I wouldn't use it to clean toilets or anything like that. It does a WONDERFUL job at cleaning and cutting grime and grease, though. It actually surprised me! It doesn't leave residue or streaks but does leave a clean, shiny surface. The bottle is plenty big. The only con is that the spray mechanism doesn't work the greatest. Sometimes it sticks. I use glass spray bottles, so I just put it in one of those to solve that issue. Overall, definitely recommend!" —Joshua

Get it from Amazon for $16.

10. A solid wood countertop that fits over your washer and dryer in case you're really hurting for space in your cramped laundry room. The water-resistant surface will give you space for your various laundry accouterments, plus room to fold.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "This shelf is really well-made and looks great. I like that they included a hex bit for a drill and an Allen wrench to tighten things up by hand — a thoughtful touch. Plus, they used hex screws instead of cheap Phillips ones, which makes it way easier to put together and feels more solid overall." —wildelmo

"This is the best purchase yet! I no longer lose my socks behind the washer or dryer! Keeps the laundry room looking clean and neat! Easy to put together and just perfect." —Wendy Miller

Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in six colors).

11. A grassy drying rack for parents who have a ton of bottles to clean and don't want their carefully balanced mountain of dishes to come crashing down. The grass keeps bottles, tops, and other small items upright without you needing to constantly rearrange or navigate weirdly placed dividers. It's also just cute! Look at the little nipple tree. 

www.amazon.com

Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Heather Braga has to say about this: "I have this drying rack! We keep it next to our full-sized drying rack, and as my son has gotten older, we've also started using it to dry reusable food pouches (and all the pieces that go along with that) as well as his sippy cup and any teethers we've washed." 

Promising review: "Newborn twins are a mess. They took over our house within moments of coming through the door. For this type A mama, it was a horrifying side effect of the two most precious things in the world. A friend gave us one lawn at our shower, and we promptly hopped on Amazon and bought a second to manage the sheer volume. The lawn and the accessories are a convenient and cute way to keep your bottles and pump parts organized. There is ample space in one for one baby's needs." —Lacey

Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in two colors).

12. A beloved O-Cedar mop and bucket set that'll make mopping way faster and easier, thanks to the hands-free wringing system. The mop head's unique triangular shape allows it to get into corners, making it a favorite amongst neat freaks and professional cleaners. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

All you have to do is press the pedal down with your foot, and it'll spin away excess water.

Promising review: "This mop is fantastic!!! I clean for a living and use professional equipment provided to me... I use THIS mop at home, and I like it even better! Easy to use, great on my vinyl plank flooring, and works great getting into small areas, like around the toilet. I normally use a steam mop or a microfiber mop head on a push mop, and I think this mop does a much better job. Very happy with this purchase...would definitely recommend!" —Kellj23

Get it from Amazon for $34.96+ (also available in sets with a cleaning solution).

13. Or a flat mopwith a wringing bucket offering a space-saving option for small living spaces where storage is more valuable than gold. The compact bucket has a handle and inner scraper to remove dirt from the washable microfiber mop pads, making it a hit with over 12,000 5-star reviewers. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I mean, really, Joymoop? Just the name made me think this can't be a serious cleaning tool. Then, it did something amazing. I have ceilings in my 75-year-old home that are plaster. Over the years, they have become grungy-looking. OK, they were filthy. I dreaded the thought of cleaning them. I bought this setup, and WOW. I filled up the chamber, added a small amount of Murphy's Oil Soap, and started to tackle the ceiling. First of all, no ladders. I can stand on the floor and work. NO DRIPS. NONE. Didn't have to cover my wood floors, nor my furniture. This thing literally SUCKED the dirt out of my ceiling. Within about two hours, I had finished a 24-foot ceiling. My wife is happy. I'm happy. I'm going to do all the ceilings in my house. It's amazing. Buy it. You'll thank me." —KStearns

Get it from Amazon for $31.97+ (available in three sizes, two colors, and five pad options). 

14. A rotating spice rack that not only provides you with all the spices you need to start your culinary journey, but also comes with FIVE YEARS of free spice refills; that means you can sprinkle your sea salt with reckless abandon.

amazon.com

The next time you want to make a mushroom gravy, you'll have herbes de Provence right there! And chicken is going to taste so much better with a dash of rosemary. This tower comes with 20 jars of spices. I personally have this rack and can confirm it's legit. The construction is obviously a little flimsy, but it spins nicely and doesn't wobble. All the spices are fresh and quite nice!

Promising review: "I LOVE THIS! It looks great on my counter, and all the new choices I have to cook with are just exciting!! Plus, the five years of refills is just icing on top." —Imani

Get a rack with 20 spices from Amazon for $59.99.

15. A bright and cheery fruit bowlwith a secret — there's a hidden colander! The sneaky bowl lets you rinse your fruit and then display it on the counter while it dries. 

Amazon

Promising review: "I LOVE the look of this fruit bowl. I also love that its pedestal minimizes the space it takes up on the counter. I wasn't sure about whether I would like that it is plastic, but now I consider it a big plus. It keeps the bowl lightweight (but it is still sturdy) and makes it easy to clean. I highly recommend this fruit bowl. I couldn't be more pleased with mine." —Opinion o'Jen

Get it from Amazon for $19.98 (available in four colors). 

16. A set of Shoe Slotz that lets you stack shoes on top of each other, meaning you can DOUBLE your storage space. In the words of Kelly, let's get some shoes.

Sally Elshorafa / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Sally Elshorafa has a lot of good things to say about these: "This product SAVED MY SHOES! I have an awkward set of built-in shelves in my closet, and it was the only place I wanted to put my shoes. As you can see from the before pic (above), it was a big mess; my shoes were piled on top of each other and getting really dirty. Traditional shoe caddies or boxes didn't really work because there's not much horizontal space, so I tried the Shoe Slotz. It fixed the problem perfectly! Because the design smartly stacks one shoe on top of the other, you save 50% of the space you'd normally use to store your shoes." 

Promising review: "Confession time. I am a bit of a shoe fiend. These little shoe slots have allowed me to fit way more shoes in my closet shelving (yay!) AND having them organized like this keeps my shoes much nicer — since they aren't all scraping against each other. It also helps me remember which shoes I have — since they are all visible. :) The little heel stoppers pop out every so often when I am getting shoes, which is sort of annoying, but still a 5-star purchase." —MoniqueRamsey

Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in a pack of 20 and 40).

17. A set of Command spray bottle hangers to stick to the inside of a cabinet door for easy storage, so you can grab the multi-cleaner *the second* you hear food hit the floor. 

www.amazon.com

Check out aTikTok of the Command spray bottle hangers in action. 

Promising review: "Love these! They have helped organize all my products underneath my kitchen sink. The Command hooks are strong, and nothing has budged, even with the weight of the spray bottles! Highly recommend." —Talayfor87

Get a set of two from Amazon for $6.99.

18. A silverware sorter that takes up very little space in your drawer but can fit up to 24 pieces of cutlery. With the extra space, the possibilities are endless. Maybe it's time for a novelty monstera slotted spoon? 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I have a tiny kitchen with only three drawers, so space is at a premium. My silverware organizer took up almost all of one drawer, so this organizer is a godsend. You can fit quite a few spoons, etc., in each slot. My beater attachments fit perfectly into the top two hollows. I will say I have to flip my forks over face down in order to be able to shut and open my drawer, but then the drawer itself is kind of shallow. You NEED this if you have a small kitchen with few drawers!" —mialro

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in a larger size).

PS: You can get the knife organizer (also pictured above) for $13.99.

19. Plastic sliding storage bins reviewers have been using to bring order to any room you can think of, from bedroom closets to home offices. Thanks to their waterproof material, they can even go in your bathroom or garage. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Great to store towels or extra bedsheets when you’re low on space or don’t have a linen closet. I also like that it’s easy to unstack when you need to move it (that way, you’re not having to carry a huge stack at a time or disassemble before moving). I’d recommend." —Kindle Customer Smith

Get four bins from Amazon for $29.99+ (also available in a five-pack). 

20. A crack weeder tool if your home looks like it's trying out to star in the next season of The Last of Us. The L-shaped head can sneak into tight spaces and tear out the weeds, moss, and stubborn roots that have rudely taken up residence in your sidewalk. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I've been searching for something to remove the weeds for a while and came across this amazing tool. Since I refuse to use chemicals in my yard, I've been left with scraped knuckles every time I attempt to remove weeds. The weeds have grown so tightly in the concrete cracks that I pretty much gave up; even weed-whacking it didn't help much. Yes, you do have to use a little bit of effort but the end result was so worth it!" —Shelley Arakaki

Get it from Amazon for $19.95.

21. A jalapeño corer so you can get rid of unwanted seeds in seconds and minimize the risk of you slicing your hand open. Best to get this step done ASAP so you can enjoy some jalapeño poppers in record time.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "Not sure why I didn’t know about this nifty gadget before! I’m obsessed!! I make jalapeño poppers AT LEAST once a week, and it has always been a little time-consuming! This gadget has cut my prep time by more than half!!! Such great quality and love that it’s dishwasher safe! You don’t have to work hard to get stems and seeds out. Only takes about 10–15 seconds per pepper, and it’s completely cleaned out! Would definitely recommend to everyone!!!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

22. Clear, hardshell pouches perfect for cosmetics, toys, and craft supplies. You can stack them or throw 'em in a bag for easy traveling. They're basically go-bags but for colored pencils and makeup.  

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I love these aesthetically pleasing boxes so much! I use them to organize my seeds, manicure supplies, and travel beauty items. They are fun and good quality." —Kelly Marie

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in three sizes and in packs of six).

23. ATibet Almond scratch remover stickthat you can apply like ChapStick for your furniture. The colorless balm can help hide light scratches, watermarks, and water stains from wood, bamboo, glass, and more. Just open the can, remove the wrapper, and start rubbing the stick on unsightly marks. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Tibet Almond Stick is a small business based in Illinois.

Promising review: "I recently got these Tibetan floor wax sticks, and they're like magic wands for your floors and furniture! Got a scratch? No problem. Just wave one of these sticks over it, and voilà — scratch be gone! It's like having a tiny wizard in your cleaning arsenal. These wax sticks fill in scratches on the floor and furniture like a charm. My floors and furniture look brand new, and I didn't even have to cast a spell. Highly recommend!" —b4komer

Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (also available in a pack of two).

24. White caulk tape if you've noticed (and proceeded to ignore) some cracks in your previous caulk job. Use the waterproof sealing tape to fill in gaps before they get any worse, and unwanted guests see the bug equivalent of a vacancy sign. Reviewers say this is easier and cleaner looking than liquid caulk, so there's no excuse to keep putting this off!  

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I recently used this toilet sealing tape to give my bathroom a cleaner, more polished look, and I couldn’t be happier with the results! The tape adheres perfectly to the base of the toilet, creating a seamless and professional finish. It’s durable, water-resistant, and keeps dirt and moisture from accumulating in hard-to-clean areas. Installation was simple and hassle-free, with no mess or fuss. The bright white color complements the flooring beautifully, enhancing the overall aesthetic of my bathroom. This tape is a game changer for anyone looking to add a neat and protective barrier around their toilet. Highly recommended!" —Bethany Scott

Get a roll from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two colors and three lengths).

25. An oil-stain remover doing the impossible — removing grease spots and refreshing your walkway, driveway, and more. You may have thought you had to live with The Stain until you moved, but no! A magic cleaning potion is here to banish that foe! Apply the formula, let it dry, then brush it away to reveal a stain-free surface. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Changed the oil on my girlfriend's car and some oil spilled on my NEW driveway...which I didn't notice 'til four days later. Four spots, all about the size of a dollar bill, baking in the Arizona sun for four days. Put the stuff on (sits on the stain like pancake batter — don't be afraid to pour liberally) and let it sit from 6 p.m. 'til about 9 a.m. the next day. It dried, and the instructions said to just sweep the stuff up. It broke apart with the broom, and the stains were gone, just swept up the powder pieces — took about a minute. I WAS SHOCKED! Something that actually works on oil, and it's easy. Absolutely NO sign of anything that was there. My driveway is smooth concrete, so I can't vouch for what would happen with a rougher surface, but whoever makes this stuff is a genius. If they tried to take on World Peace, Earth would be a better place." —AmazonBob

Get it from Amazon for $17.97 (also available in a larger size).

26. An expandable, cabinet-lining, two-tier shelf that will make every bottle you own visible and easily accessible. You'll never have to settle for paprika when you want smoked paprika ever again. 

Amazon

Promising review: "Where has this been all my life? This is the best invention ever. Very easy to assemble and fit my cabinet easily. Buy this, you won't regret it!" —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $27.99.

27. Reed fencing offering a little privacy when you don't have the space or money to plant trees or bamboo. It'll obscure the view of your patio, balcony, or yard while still letting in some light so you don't make the space feel walled in.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "I am very happy with this reed fencing. The lovely brown color and tight weave with the string is so much better than ones I've had in the past that were woven with wire that look shabby and horrible. These are a wonderful quality for the price, making putting up large sections of fencing more affordable. They are not completely private, as people have mentioned, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted to be able to see through a little bit, but they work great to give some sense of separation and privacy." —Lauren S.

Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available in 11 sizes/styles).

28. An outdoor Wi-Fi extender you can place in a weatherproof enclosure (like a screened-in patio) to extend your network range to your porch or backyard. The applications are endless, from outdoor movie nights to actually getting your teenager outside for some fresh air. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I must say, I was a bit skeptical when I first purchased this, but after setting it up, I was absolutely amazed. I hooked it up just outside the back door at our main house, and I have incredible service in the garage apartment. Can run all computers, TV. It really is a wonderful device and definitely worth the money!" —Texas 

Get it from Amazon for $39.99. 

29. A pair of fan light pull cords so you can finally know which turns on the fan and which turns on the light. What an ~illuminating~ product!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I’m pleased with the length and how easy it was to adjust and install. The pieces feel solid and not easily broken." —AHMH

Get them from Amazon for $5.68+ (available in two lengths and three finishes).

30. An expanding file folder you can fill with up to 200 pieces of paper and free up sooo much desk space. As an accordion folder follower, I have to say these things are top-notch for organizing everything from restaurant menus to ticket stubs. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I am going through some legal things, and this folder has been perfect for keeping all my paperwork together! And boy, can it hold a lot! The snap closure is very sturdy, and the color is spot on!! An amazing value and great quality!" —MomOf2

Get it from Amazon for $5.98+ (available in eight colors).

31. A rust-resistant sink organizerto keep your dish soap, sponges, and brushes in one place where they can properly dry between uses. Your sponge has no excuse for languishing in a puddle in the sink now. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "So far I really love this! It looks organized and nice on my countertop. It holds all my brushes/sponges easily and seems like really good quality. It didn't require any assembly other than just adjusting the compartments to my liking. The drain is really convenient, and I haven't noticed any leaking." —Emma

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 22 colors). 

Want even more home upgrade inspiration? We're here to help:

* Clever Ways To Conceal The Parts Of Your Home You'd...Rather Not Look At

* Products That’ll Instantly Upgrade Your Backyard

* If Your Bedroom Is In Need Of A Makeover, These 31 Items Have Got You Covered

Plus, finds from Wayfair.

Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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