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Who says household items have to be ugly? These 13 finds are chic and functional


Who says household items have to be ugly? These 13 finds are chic and functional

When was the last time you got a serotonin boost from your puller? Oh, never? Well, it’s time we changed that. There’s no reason why these mundane, unattractive household items have to be, well, unattractive. In fact, we’d probably prefer using them if they had a little flair.

Take the puller mentioned above – instead of a boring plastic version, how about this snazzy gold one? It’s not just your shower doors that will look good. And that tangle of cables coming out of your wall that makes you cringe every time you look at it? Why not tame it with a Sleek Socket that will make those cables disappear like magic? There’s more – keep scrolling to see what other great And Functional finds we’ve discovered to help you spruce up your home.

Amazon

Every home needs a vacuum cleaner, but even the smaller handheld ones can be bulky and unsightly. Not this one! It comes in pretty pastel colors and classic black and white, and despite its small size (it’s less than 30cm long and weighs just over 500 grams), testers say it’s very powerful.

“Very nice handheld vacuum,” praised one user. “It’s good for small jobs like cleaning artificial flower arrangements and sofa crevices. I plan on buying another one to keep in my car. The suction power is good for such a small vacuum.”

$70 at Amazon

Amazon

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we can probably all agree that dangling cords are objectively an eyesore. With this #1 bestseller, you’ll only see one thin cord per outlet, even when multiple devices are plugged into it. How? It has a small power strip attached so you can plug things into it and save your walls from dangling cords. Simply plug the cover into your outlet – it couldn’t be easier to use. Check out the photo to see the difference!

“This product is great for behind the bed!” shared one reviewer. “It makes the plug look sleek and is low profile so your bed still sits close to the wall. The cables are the perfect length so you don’t have a bunch of them lying around. And the fact that each end has three plugs is perfect! You can plug in your phone, your light, and your smartwatch.”

$24 at Amazon

Amazon

Just because it holds garbage doesn’t mean your trash can has to look like garbage. This popular bin not only adds value to your B-room, but also ensures greater hygiene as it opens automatically when there is movement. The lid also keeps unpleasant odors at bay.

“I love the size and the look,” wrote one shopper. “The motion sensor is the icing on the cake. I had bought it for my bathroom, but it was so cute and chic that I decided to use it in my bedroom. I’m going to buy another one for the bathroom today and maybe later one for my office.”

$35 at Amazon

Amazon

Speaking of trash cans, why not swap out those unsightly supermarket trash bags you’ve been using for these super cute ones? They come in a variety of colors and fun prints to give your bins a new look, and have built-in odor control.

“The little luxury you never knew you needed!” raved one shopper. “Sometimes the simplest thing makes the biggest difference. These trash bags brighten up an otherwise gross part of my bathroom and add a thoughtful little detail that I love. Never again!”

$15 at Amazon

Amazon

Power strips aren’t exactly known for their good looks, but this one might be the most aesthetically pleasing we’ve ever seen. Not only is it attractive, but it’s also smartly designed, as you can mold it into the shape that best suits the needs of your space. Plus, it features both AC outlets and USB charging ports, and comes in shades like light blue, mint green and pink, as well as white.

“This product is not only pretty, but also very practical because you can use any socket!” exclaimed one enthusiast. “Often the larger 3-pin plugs take up two sockets, but since you can rotate this socket to different angles, you can make room for larger plugs.”

$18 at Amazon

Coway

Air purifiers are essential, but sometimes it feels like they get all the attention. And that would not be So bad…if the vast majority of them didn’t look bulky and boring. On the other hand, this beautiful device was designed to complement the room it sits in (plus it covers rooms up to 20 square meters). Its HEPA filter can capture over 99.9% of airborne particles of 0.01 microns to help you breathe a little easier. Now the only question is: do you go for green, pink or white?

“Admittedly, I bought it because it looks so nice,” wrote one fan. “Luckily, it works well too. It’s quiet, lightweight, and seems to really purify the air. We recently adopted a puppy and I was constantly sneezing and coughing. I feel much better with this running.”

$177 at Amazon

Amazon

Yes, even your dustpan should look attractive, and the search for one ends here. Featuring a bamboo handle and minimalist black and white design, you can sweep up small messes in style, and the attached handle loop allows you to hang it on the wall to save cupboard space.

“I have a tiny bathroom, so fitting a vacuum in there to clean the floor is a challenge,” one user shared. “I bought this little dustpan so I can easily sweep up dust and hair without having to get the vacuum out. This little set is sturdy and looks really pretty. The soft bristles catch dust and hair really well and leave the floor very clean.”

$13 on Amazon

Our place

Nonstick pans aren’t usually as flashy as fancy stainless steel pans, but Our Place decided to jazz up the homey frying pan a bit. Its thoughtful design has attracted celebs like Selena Gomez and Oprah, and the ceramic coating is smooth and PFAS-free, while the handle doubles as a spoon rest. Speaking of utensils, it comes with a wooden spatula and a metal steamer basket that can be used as a strainer, and it’s oven safe up to 450°F for added versatility.

I actually own this pan and love that you can move it from the stove to the oven. (It’s oven safe up to 450F.) My favorite features include the two spouts that make pouring and straining easy, and the lid, which has a small opening on one side in case you need to let steam escape. It’s clear that they really thought about the smaller details when designing this pan, which I really appreciate.

For more information, check out my full review of Our Place Always Pan.

$150 at Amazon

Amazon

How much more fun would cleaning your shower doors be if you had a gold squeegee to do it for you?! Willy Wonka himself would probably go crazy for this eye-catcher that’s as functional as it is eye-catching. Oh, and there are even matching gold adhesive hooks for hanging it up – because you’ll want to see this baby 24/7.

“I love the color,” raved one shopper. “The hook hooks onto the shower wall so nicely. It looks so pretty! Plus, it’s super easy to use. Our shower doors look great!”

$18 at Amazon

Amazon

When it comes to hand soap, you either spend money on the fancy stuff for the pretty bottle or you buy the cheaper stuff that doesn’t look as nice. This fancy dispenser lets you buy and decant any soap you want, making your counter look so stylish all the time. Plus, it lets you buy soap in bulk, which can save you plastic over time.

“Bought for aesthetic reasons,” said one shopper, “but I can definitely see it being perfect for someone with joint/muscle issues. So easy to pump out soap…no mess at all, just remove the lid to refill. 10/10!”

$17 at Amazon

Amazon

“My toilet tamper is the prettiest thing in my house,” said no one ever. And while that may never be the case, you can still swap out your dingy one for a discreet model that comes with a sleek storage case to hide the icky thing. It opens when you lift the tamper to use it, and closes when it’s time to put it back in.

“This plunger removes clogs and back-ups that my (previous) cheap toilet plungers couldn’t prevent,” shared one relieved reviewer. “This plunger has prevented overflows that used to cost me time, energy, hassle and money. I wish I had bought it sooner! And the sleek white housing is so stylish and easy to use!”

$28 at Amazon

Amazon

Why do cleaning sprays come in the most unattractive bottles ever? Throw those away and fill this reusable glass and bamboo beauty with your cleaning solution—it might even motivate you to clean more. And like the soap dispenser, one of these sprays lets you buy cleaning products in bulk, eliminating unnecessary waste.

“This is a nice looking, functional spray bottle,” wrote one fan. “Too many spray bottles have a terrible spray mechanism. Either the handle gets stuck or the spray is weak and leaks. This one has a mist, stream and lock. Works great and is easy to clean. Plus the rubber piece on the bottom is nice to keep it secure and you don’t have to worry about putting it down too hard.”

$14 at Amazon

Amazon

Last but not least, the popular Squatty Potty seems to have been revamped and is now available in aesthetically pleasing bamboo. It even folds up in case you need to store it away while you clean. More comfortable bowel movements, nicer toilet… what’s not to like?

“I was always a little skeptical about the Squatty Potty… could it really help you poop?” asked one convert. “But then I stayed at a friend’s house and used it… and now I’m convinced! It really makes a difference! The bamboo looks really sleek and the fact that it’s foldable is handy if you want to put it out of the way or take up less space in the bathroom.”

(Psst: One Yahoo writer swears by the original version – read her review of Squatty Potty for more information.)

$40 on Amazon

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The reviews cited above reflect the most current versions at the time of publication.

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