9 Must-Have Cool, AND Cute Products We Spotted in Real Homes This Year

Apartment Therapy house tours are full of inspiration — from wall paint colors to layout ideas and more. But they can also be used to source cool products, too! Sure they’re great for find big pieces of furniture, like sofas, bedframes, and more, but house tours can also be used as a great resource for cute and cool small products that can be purchased as gifts for loved ones (or gifts for yourself!). Here are nine must-have items from this year’s tours. But be careful — you’re going to want to add all of them your online shopping cart immediately.

This large pond mirror from Ferm Living, which is a mirror with wavy edges similar to — you guessed it, a pond — doubles as a work of art in this 350-square-foot Brooklyn apartment. Mirrors can also create the illusion of space in a small room, and the natural light in this room in particular multiplies through the positioning of the reflective surface. 

Sure, a retro throwback kitchen appliance looks cool, but there are lots of problems with repurposing the one stashed away in a basement. For starters, it’s probably the least efficient product in existence. Thankfully, a retro-style toaster, like the SMEG spotted in this charming Texas cottage will do the trick. It’s available in many colors but pictured here in cream. 

What are your lampshades made from? If you don’t know, it might be time to upgrade to some meaningful and artistic ones, like those found in this adorable English stone cottage. These silk shades are hand-crafted from vintage silk saris sourced from India. They are created by Samarkand Design — check out the Kimono collection as well.

Home organizers know there are always tricks to maximize space, even if your child’s nursery is in a closet. (Don’t judge, it’s super dreamy!) There are tons of brilliant hidden storage ideas in this 750-square-foot New Jersey rental, including three fabric bins. They hold much more than they appear to, and even if they stick out, their cuteness makes it okay.

Small countertop details are the perfect place to infuse personality into your home on a budget with little long term commitment. A cat pitcher from Anthropologie, spotted in this cozy and stylish Brooklyn apartment, aligns perfectly with hangry vibes while you cook thanks to the grumpy kitten painted on the front. Oh, and it’s a nice little upgrade from your typical ceramic utensil jar.

If you’re using a cup, an old jar, or just the bathroom counter to house your toothbrush, it’s probably time for an upgrade. This Buoy toothbrush holder from Virginia Sin adds to the decor rather than detracting from it, adding a little touch of form and function to this Brooklyn artist’s apartment.

The owners of this fully renovated 62-square-foot vintage camper say their favorite product is a USB diffuser. “It’s nice to have good smells and you can’t really safely light a candle in here,” said homeowner Conan in the tour. You can find this handy little gadget by Weljoy on Amazon.

If you are someone who notoriously forgets to water your plants, do what artist Keighty Alexander did and find a clever solution! Urban Outfitters’ self-watering planter utilizes a rounded ceramic vessel that sits on a glass watering bin, so you don’t have to just cross your fingers and hope your plant survives. Pictured here in green, it also comes in clear.

This stunning Norwegian apartment screams Scandinavian style right down to every detail, including the sleek key holder in the entryway. “The key holder made of oak is minimalistic but functional, which is built by Buene Studio in Norway using the leftover wood from building other furniture,” explains homeowner Kathy Hao-Hsuan Chang. It’s a simple but striking way to add some Scandinavian vibes to your home.