Life is full of little struggles in the most unexpected random places. But everyone's homes are full of little items that can make life easier, and all you need to do is know where to look for them. Read on to find out about some of the most ingenious tips and tricks to make your life go a little bit more smoothly, and we can assure you, you won't know how you ever lived without them!
Power Up
Nowadays, everyone has a smartphone, and running out of battery is a serious no-no for those on the go.
One way to make sure you always have a power source ready to plug into is to carry a portable battery charger. These are small and can be kept in a purse or backpack for when you need them.
Never Forget The Important Items
Leaving the house only to realize that a phone, keys, or even glasses have been forgotten can be seriously annoying.
One way to always remember the important items is to have a doormat with them listed on it or a sticky note next to the door. Useful AND nice to look at!
The Sand Skeleton
Building sandcastles is one of the highlights of going to the beach for most children, and some creative adults too.
Gone are the days of using a simple bucket though. Many household items can be used to create molds for skeletons and other neat shapes. Cookie cutters are cake molds are excellent for this!
Cats Be Gone
Cats are curious little critters that love to come and sit on keyboards when their owners are busy working away.
One way to have your cat around your workstation, while actually being able to work, is to use a plexiglass shelf over your workstation. Now your cat can hang out on what it thinks is the keyboard, and you can type without the fur baby getting in the way.
Goodbye Burnt Fingers
As soon as summer rolls around, it is time to enjoy some delicious corn on the cob. Anyone who has enjoyed this summer treat knows how messy it can be.
Butter gets everywhere, and sometimes the cob itself is too hot to eat. Why not fashion a pair of cob holders from skewers for easy eating, and you'll be good to go, mess-free!
Attached Chopsticks
In many parts of the world, chopsticks are the go-to utensil for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They can be a bit difficult to learn how to use, but that's where this nifty trick comes in.
Remove the wire part that holds a clothes peg together, and insert the chopsticks into the remaining holes. This holds the chopsticks together and makes eating easy.
The Grab And Go Night Light
As soon as darkness falls, and everyone goes to bed for the night, houses can become pretty spooky places. That's why it is always good to have a night light in the hallway, or next to your bed.
You never know when you are going to need to grab a light and make your way to the kitchen for a midnight snack. Grab-and-go night lights that are battery-powered are a must.
A Different Kind Of Beware Sign
We have all seen the 'Beware of Dog' signs that people post, but have you ever heard of a 'Beware of Knocking' sign? Signs can be made for anything, and that includes keeping solicitors away.
If your door gets a lot of knocks from salespeople, and other folks peddling different materials then it might be a good idea to paint a sign letting them know what to expect if they knock.
Hands Out
There are a lot of different ways to keep track of keys, smartphones, and wallets. Some people like to leave a bowl by their front door, but the bowl can often be forgotten.
Grab a plastic mold, and simply make your hand into a cup shape. Then hang your creation on the wall, and voila, you always have a hand to place your valuables in.
A High-Tech Face Mask
Over the last year and a half, everyone has gotten used to wearing face masks. At night, it can be pretty hard to see though, as many masks blend into the darkness.
Light up the night by wearing a face mask with LED lights. One way to make this yourself is to grab a flashing running light used for biking at night.
Clean Glasses For Life
Eyeglass wearers know that glasses tend to get very smudged over the course of a day. You rub your eyes as your stare at a computer screen or take them off when it is time to give your eyes a rest.
Finding a scrap of soft material to clean them can be difficult, especially if the glasses case has been left at home. To avoid this, simply sew a sneaky piece of soft fabric into your jacket or sweater that you wear most days.
Dial Back In Time
There are many people from older generations who still remember a time before smartphones. Those were simpler times and making a phone call actually involved pressing physical buttons.
If you miss the era of landlines, then consider using an old phone that also doubles as a smartphone charger. It is literally the best of both worlds.
The Pullout Fridge
Refrigerators come in all different shapes and sizes. Some are simple bar fridges, others are gigantic industrial ones found in restaurants. For most of the world, a simple stand-up fridge is what is found in the kitchen.
For those that live in apartments though, it might be wise to start thinking about what kind of fridge you need for your space. Fridges that look like drawers are now an excellent fit for small spaces.
Fishy Tea
Afternoon tea may not be the norm in all countries, but having a warm cup of your favorite relaxing blend is a great way to unwind after a long day.
Teabags don't need to be boring though. If you have some time on your hands, get creative and turn a teabag into a tea creature like this adorable goldfish.
Declutter With A Built-In Extension Cord
Built-in vacuum cleaners are pretty exciting, but a built-in extension cord might just take the cake. Wall sockets can easily be turned into extension cord storage pockets.
All it takes is an electrician who ensures the wiring is up to code, and an extension cord can be placed in the wall for easy usage.
The Mop Sock
The Swiffer has to be one of the greatest inventions of all time when it comes to keeping floors squeaky clean. But a towel and a bathmat can do the job just as well.
Cut up a towel, and a bathmat that is no longer in use and sew them into mop socks. Now, whenever you don't have the time to clean, you can slip these on and clean as you walk.
Portion Control
Cooking up a storm in the kitchen takes a bit of time, but it is well worth it once delicious smells start emanating from the pan or pot.
For the cook that doesn't have time to grab a measuring cup or spoon, just draw on a handy measurement chart on the cutting board itself.
Goodnight World
Black-out curtains come in all different shapes, sizes, and shades. Some of them even come with intricate cutouts of city skylines.
At first glance, these might look hard to recreate but they can be done with black bristol board, and a carefully stenciled and cut-out design.
A Morbid Barbecue
Summer is the time for barbecues, but that doesn't mean just any old charcoal should be used. Over the years, different types of charcoal have been molded to look like something else.
These aren't the lumps of coal that Santa leaves if you have been naughty, this charcoal is made to look like parts of a skeleton that will make any barbecue spooky. Charcoal can be hand-carved to look like this.
A Teeny Tiny Bookshelf
There is nothing quite like cracking open a new book or breathing in the smell of old books in a used bookstore.
Book worms know that presentation is everything, and creating a little book haven amongst your favorite tomes is one of the best ways to show them off.
What's Old Is New
Grand pianos are one of those things that seem like they should be smack dab in the middle of a grand foyer, but sometimes they can be repurposed into something even better.
Grand pianos make excellent bookshelves, as they are wide enough to hold quite a few shelves, and they have a very interesting shape which makes them a real talking point.
Bed Time Pockets
The struggle of putting a fitted sheet on a bed is very real, especially when it comes to figuring out which is the side that should be facing down.
Spending some quiet moments on smartphones or tablets before bed is a nice way to destress, but if there are no bedside tables those devices can end up on the floor. This can be avoided by sewing pockets onto the side of fitted sheets, for devices to be placed in.
Egg Time
Hard-boiled eggs might smell a little funky when they are peeled, but they are an excellent source of protein. On top of that, they are incredibly easy to make.
There are lots of little doodads on the market to cook eggs in, but ultimately, any item that can grab onto an egg like a spaghetti utensil gets the job done.
DIY Sink Plugs
Most sinks and bathtubs come with built-in metal plugs or rubber ones that stop water from flowing in and out. But not all plugs have to be beige.
Plugs come in all different colors, so the next time you need a new plug from the grocery store, mix it up and choose a colorful one.
Hand Painted Disposable Cups
Parties call for disposable plates, cutlery, and of course cups! Red solo cups are always popular, but why not create something slightly more personal?
Animal noses and mustaches are pretty adorable, and they are very easy to paint or stencil onto cups which are great for a kid's birthday party.
Don't Forget Your Medicine
Pillboxes are a thing of the past. There is all sorts of cool little tech that make taking medicine easier than ever, or at least remembering to take it.
It can be difficult to remember when to take a pill or when you last took one. One way to deal with this is to set a recurring alarm on your phone with the name of the medicine, another way is to use a digital pill lid.
Chicken Legs
Working out is all about consistency. Go to the gym four to five times a week, and focus on different groups of muscles to get optimal results.
Skipping leg day is not something any gym-goer should do, and one way to remember to work out those quads is with festive socks. Say goodbye to chicken legs, and hello muscles.
Say Happy Birthday With Money
Selecting the perfect gift for someone on their birthday or another special holiday can be tough. Luckily, there is one gift that everyone loves - money.
Money shouldn't just be handed over though, some thought should go into how it is presented. A handmade card is a great way to do this, and it can be personalized to suit the receiver's sense of humor.
Et Tu Brutus?
Julius Caesar and Brutus are two of the most well-known historical figures, especially because of how Caesar met his end.
It might seem to be in poor taste, but a bust of Caesar makes the perfect pencil holder, and it is a good way to show off how he met his end in ancient Rome.
Hidden Artwork
It's easy to get creative at home, especially if you have some old dishes lying around or are into making pottery. All it takes are some nicely carved lines, and a magical picture can appear.
For the pottery aficionados, next time you make a plate, carefully carve in a diagram of your favorite building or shape. That way, when you pour in some soy sauce, for example, the picture will appear.
Soggy Lettuce
Many parts of the world experience a rainy season, or a winter that tends to be more wet than snowy. That means an umbrella must always be at the ready.
Making an umbrella from items at home isn't the easiest, which is why it might be necessary to peruse your favorite shops. That's how this soggy lettuce umbrella was found.
Let There Be Light
After a long day at work, lighting some candles, putting on some music, and just relaxing is the way to go. Candles need to be lit though.
Most lighters come in standard shades of blue, red, and white. With a bit of paint, and a well-placed sticker that lighter can be turned into a mini-fire extinguisher which is pretty ironic.
The Sword In The Door
There is a common misconception that keys need to come in the standard key blank shape. Locksmiths and key cutters actually have a plethora of designs to choose from.
The legend of Excalibur is still one of the most popular tales in fantasy novels, and for the readers out there a sword-shaped key is a must-have.
Permanent Hug
Walking around with your significant other hugging you 24/7 isn't an option for most of us. There are also some times where that would be pretty inconvenient.
Wearing a ring that creates a permanent hug is a great way to feel connected to someone for that little bit of added security. Many rings can be bent into this shape.
The Cuddliest Of Pillows
Some people have never slept with a body pillow before, and it shows. Anybody who has some extra fabric lying around their home, and some stuffing can make a giant one.
These pillows conform to the body, and make it feel as if you are sleeping on a cloud which leads to a great night's sleep.
A New Way To Tell Time
Most people are used to two types of clocks: digital and analog. However, there is a new type of clock that is a real game-changer for lovers of typography.
Take a metal sheet, or even a thick piece of cardboard and carefully carve out the time in letters. If you are good with electrics, or know someone that is, you can program it to light up the time as a word.
A Drippy Goodnight
Outdoor faucets are one of those items that don't show up indoors on very many occasions, but maybe they should.
With the attachment of a small light bulb and a plug, a faucet can be turned into the most adorable of night lights. Kids and adults alike will love this unique night light.
Understanding Measurements
Life is full of teachable moments, and for visual learners understanding what different measurements look like is very important.
Standard measuring cups are usually round in shape, which makes it hard to understand what one-quarter looks like. Revamp your measuring cups by using ones that actually show what a measurement looks like.
The Power Of The Sun
Clean technologies like solar panels have quickly risen in popularity, and many smaller solar panels are now available for all sorts of devices.
Phones will always need to be charged, but with a tiny solar panel in your pocket, you can now literally charge your phone wherever there is sunlight.
Spooky Earbuds
Adding some flair to earbuds is a great way to spice them up, and get people to notice them. Some people opt for stickers, while others knit little wire scarves.
For an even spookier option, you could carefully mold a sword hilt and knifepoint to your earbuds to really give people a fright as you wander around town.
Hidden USB Ports
While many smartphone innovators are moving away from USB charging ports and more towards wireless charging stations, USB ports are still very much needed.
These ports can be a bit unappealing which is why creative people have been developing nifty ways to disguise them. You could try creating a little toaster USB hub with plasticine, or something else equally as cute.
The Side Pillow
When it comes to sleeping, sleeping on your back is the best way to avoid getting any wrinkles. However, sleeping on your side does tend to be more comfortable.
Some people fall asleep with an arm under their pillow, which can lead to numbness and tingly fingers. A side pillow is what's needed here, and sewing on to smaller pillows to a bigger one creates the perfect hole for an arm to rest in.
The Pot Stopper
Most modern pots come with lids that have a tiny hole in them. This hole allows steam to escape through the top of the pot, and keep the contents from boiling over in a foamy mess.
For older pots that don't have a built-in vent, it's necessary to add a pot stopper made of a material like silicon. A small piece of silicon can be placed under the lid, and to prevent any future messes.
A Magnificent Chess Board
Netflix's The Queen's Gambit made chess cool again, which means most households need a good chessboard.
Chess boards can be the standard black and white affair, or they can feature fantastical characters, buildings, and anything else under the sun. For anyone who is good at whittling, or building figurines you can design your own pieces and create a specialized board.
Silent Listening
Watching television late at night is a good way to unwind, but if all of the other people in the house have gone to bed, it can be hard to be quiet.
Smart televisions and some remote controllers now have Bluetooth capabilities which allow wireless headphones to connect. There are also some that have jacks for wired headphones. This allows for a silent listening experience that keeps everyone happy.
Uniquely Shaped Ice Cubes
Ice cube trays are notorious for making cubes, after all, that is what they were designed for. However, candy molds made from silicone can make great ice trays.
These molds can double as ice makers, which means ice cubes can come in the shape of hearts, stars, and even states if you have them in your kitchen cabinets.
Into The Woods
With so many cool light fixtures in the world, it can be hard to select the one that really calls to you. That's why DIY light features are great.
This person created a magical forest with different shapes and sizes of wires, which can be replicated by anyone who wants a challenge.
Gold Stars
Sometimes just getting through the day deserves a reward. Maybe a task was completed, or maybe it was half completed and that is good enough!
Crafting little gold pins that say, "Well done" or "I tried" are a nice way to give yourself or someone else a pat on the back. Everyone deserves a bit of positivity on a daily basis, and all it takes is a pin, a bit of paint, and a nice message.
The Toilet Roll Sheep
Sheep are one of those animals that tend to be associated with rolling hills and farms, not with bathrooms. Yet, the shape of their wool coats does lend itself to one item that is found in all bathrooms.
Toilet paper is an absolute necessity, and not just one roll but many in a bathroom. Grab some googly eyes, a black circle of metal, and a small step stool. These can be melded together with some wire framing to create the perfect sheep toilet paper holder.
Corn Bread
Family dinners are always a ton of fun, a big meal is made, and bread rolls tend to be passed around so everyone can break bread together.
For the bakers who love making cornbread, why not make actual cornbread in the shape of corn? There are molds for everything, and bread can be baked into all sorts of fun shapes.