No matter how big or small, keeping a home neat and tidy is an everyday chore. That's why we always appreciate affordable little helpers that make life a bit easier. Each of these items, from the adorable Scoopy the Cat to the ingenious Pivot Power, may be under $25, but they could be priceless in your everyday life.
1. Fold Key Hook from CB2 — Keep your mail and keys right by the door for quick and easy access. $7.99
2. Pivot Power Mini from Quirky A perfectly stylish way to create extra space in a crowded electrical outlet. $24.99
3. Shopping Organizer from G.U.S. Receipts, coupons and gift cards all held together in one place. $17.99
4. Aladdin Tiffin Lunch Set from ModuleR Whether packing a lunch to go or boxing up leftovers, this little set will look stylish on the countertop or in the refrigerator. $24.99
5. Peel and Stick Hook from Um! Brands Easy little hooks that can be re-positioned over and over again. $7.49
6. Rustic Bottle Opener from Areaware When beer o'clock rolls around, don't be stuck without a bottle opener. $14
7. Scoopy the Cat from Orchard Supply Hardware An adorable way to keep the litter box scooper tidily contained. $12.99
8. BJÄRNUM Wall Hook from Ikea Great for small spaces, these hooks fold when not in use. $9.99/3 pack
9. Handyman In Your Pocket from Best Made Company The next best thing to having a handyman at your beck and call is having a manual to help you DIY. $12
10. Flings Bins Pop Up Garbage and Containers from Amazon Garbage bags that stand on their own, no can required. Starting at $3.99
(Images: as credited above)
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I have #8 at the entry of my 850 sq foot home and love them. My purse and coats /sweaters get placed when I come in the door instead of on the table or chair.
That handy man in your pocket will surely come in handy. #2 (outlet) and #4 (lunch box) look like keerps too.
While I love the look of metal lunch tins, they're impractical for me. My lunch almost always has to be heated, and metal + microwave = NO. And I don't need something to put my tupperware in, it's just another item to buy and clean and own.
The rest of this is kinda...eh. I don't need it.
@Texanmarmot I'm pretty sure that tiffin set is microwaveable plastic, not metal (so it says if you click through). I have the same issue with metal tiffins, so I was kind of psyched to see this one!
I have number 8 from Ikea. I use them in the bathroom and at the front door for the kids backpacks. They have been installed now for 2 years and work perfectly, look nice (because when upright they don't look like a hook at all) and if I needed more hooks I would buy more of these. The rest of the list....not for me. But those hooks are fantastic.
A garbage bag that costs $3.99? At a bag a day that's $120/month to throw out your trash! No thank you!! As a cat owner who hates having the pooper-scooper visible in the bathroom, however, I might invest in the OSH "Scoopy" thing if it's made well.It's kinda cute
Texanmarmot - if you read the product description, it says the tiffin is microwave safe :)
I rather like the idea of the Ikea hooks. The rest looks like overpriced junk to me.
I dunno, it looks like they're putting recycling in the trash bag (#10). Do you really take your trash out every day? I don't . Perhaps you are producing too much. And my apartments pick up outside the door 5 days weekly. I rarely feel the need to make a trip to the dumpster, not that I couldn't use the exercise.
I have the IKEA hooks too and they work great.
Those cat scoop holders are way too cutesy, definitely not for my house (unless my granddaughter sees them first). You can hold up regular garbage bags with a folding metal frame or collapsible plastic ones that can be used until you break or lose them. Handy for large gatherings to collect recyclables or whatever. These popup ones could be handy for taking stuff to the recycling center, not sure how many times they can be used before they fall apart. Dollar stores have a lot of options for handy coupon and whatnot holders. Love the folding hooks. I have some that fold out of the way sideways like the old teatowel hooks. You can even get a version in Victorian style cast iron.
@ KathieC: click the link. These are not one-time-use. Although, reviews indicate their lifespan is 3-4 months. Still not the best choice for long term use, imho. Might be good for special occasions where a few are needed. Otherwise, I think I'll pass..
Why do people need hooks that fold up? Hooks are great. I love me some hooks. (Shaker pegs are the bomb!)
But what's the big deal w/ the fold up hook?
@j-dawg - Fold up hooks are helpful for a lot of reasons. They're a little more unobtrustive. I find them useful on the back of a narrow closet where there isn't much space. When you close the closet doors, there's no risk of the hook snagging clothing or a hangar.
The charger (2) had terrible reviews-- most people complained it did not work at all. . .
I'm thinking those garbage/recycling bins aren't for everyday use. At least, that's not my interpretation. I think they're brilliant for outdoor parties and such. Can you put your own liner in there, and just use it as you would a can? If so, even more brilliant! And I agree with KKKKaren - when I was growing up, our family of 4 didn't fill one whole garbage bag a day - methinks perhaps too much waste is happening! :(
I love the idea of #1, actually. I have a key rack from IKEA near my door, which I love, because I'm the type to set my keys pretty much anywhere, then spend 15 minutes looking for them. Hanging them by the door is the best time-saver ever! There are times, though, when I'm sending off mail, and wish I had somewhere to put it to remind me as I'm walking out the door. I end up putting it on a table near the door, but a designated spot for the mail would require less reminding myself of where to look before heading out the door (which is usually in a hurry, as I'm always late!).