We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

    Yup, These 38 Things Are Just Plain Useful

    These are just some plain ol' plain ol' products you probably need. Well, and something called "Pit Liquor." Interesting.

    1. A pack of five airtight silicone lids in different sizes to securely store leftovers without wasting a bunch of plastic wrap *or* wasting a bunch of time trying to find a perfectly sized container and lid.

    Gif of lid being attached and vacuuming to bowl, allowing it to be raised by just the lid
    Set of lids in varying sizes
    Food52

    These have saved many a bowl of leftovers in my place. I don't have space for lot of containers, so I was constantly using plastic wrap or plastic bags when I wanted to save food. It was an awful waste. These saved the day! They pack flat and the sizes fit on any container (even if I just leave my leftovers in the bowl I ate dinner in). I'm a sucker for this stuff.

    Promising review: "These are super cute. I love the colors and they work great. The array of sizes they came in is also very handy. In fact, these are so much cuter than the other options available online that my friends decided to get the same set. If you took the time to google other silicone lids your eyes will burn. For my purposes these are perfect. Highly recommend." —DemiChang

    Get them from Food52 for $24 (originally $40, available in two colors).

    2. A plant pillow that'll give your living room some life (without actually needing to keep a fussy plant, you know, alive). 

    succulent pillow on a chair
    mostera leaf on a table
    Amazon

    Promising review: "A bit pricey but adorable!!! I'm usually really good on a sewing machine but this would be a bit difficult for me so it was worth the purchase." —Best

    Get it from Amazon for $39+ (available in 16 styles). 

    3. A wooden egg holder is gonna be a hit with people who know the littlest details (even inside the refrigerator) make a huge difference.

    wooden egg holder with eggs inside
    Amazon

    Promising review: "We love this egg holder. We have seven hens and a wide range of egg sizes — all of them look beautiful in this." —smiely

    Get it from Amazon for $16.90.

    4. A CovoBox that's hollow on the inside, so you can cover your Wi-Fi router with elegant "books" instead of leaving it out on display. What a *novel* idea! 

    before and after showing how what looks like a bunch of gold and tan books actually hides a wifi box and Alexa device
    Amazon Handmade

    Before adding this to your cart, you have the option to customize it, including selecting from 14 lengths and 15 colors (including custom colors). The CovoBox is made from reclaimed books and sustainable wood.

    BTW — Covogoods is a small family-owned business creating home decor in Utah!

    Promising review: "I’m pretty sure I’ve never loved a purchase from Amazon as much as I love this one. This product is EXTREMELY well made and very unique. Plus, it does the job of hiding the ugly routers and cords. And the customer service was great and responsive. I was a little hesitant to spend the money on this but after years of living with the husband’s pile of technology, the money was well spent!" —AmazonEmme

    Get it from Covogoods on Amazon Handmade for $29+ (available in customizable sizes and colors).

    5. An elegant switch plate cover for sprucing up your space if the fixer upper you own needs updates from top to bottom. These inexpensive plate covers were *made* for making bland walls look bold. 

    a before photo of a buzzfeeder's plain white switch plate and then an after of an ornate brass switch plate
    Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "These are absolutely beautiful! If I ever move, I'm taking them with me. You may think they're a little pricey, but they're REALLY heavy and far nicer than the stuff you find at the local hardware store. I bought the switch plate, outlet plates, and even a blank plate to cover an old electrical box left behind by DIRECTV." —Karebow

    Get it from Amazon for $13.18+ (available in seven finishes). 

    6. A flexible spoon with a 1-tablespoon measure that can stir, flip, and add the perfect amount of oil every time you sauté.

    Silicone spatula spoon with tablespoon mark
    Amazon

    It's heat-resistant up to 600 degrees and designed with an ergonomic handle, stiff nylon core, and flexible angled head for easy stirring. You can also get a blender spatula, jar scraper, and assorted sizes of spoons from the same link.

    Promising review: "I use this for EVERYTHING! Not just for scraping jars, but getting every last bit out of the protein powder, for scraping down the sides of batter bowls, for mixing soups and stews while cooking, even as a spoon for testing. I now have three of these (in different colors) so I'll always have one at the ready." —Paul J DeSimone

    Get it from Amazon for $9 (available in four colors).

    7. A cervical neck "pillow" that'll provide ergonomic support, align your spine, and give you a much-needed vertebrae massage simply by lying down.

    graphic of the pillow improving a person's posture with use
    reviewer laying on the neck pillow

    After ages of looking at this thing and wondering if it was the real deal, I finally buckled and bought it. My husband and I both carry stress in our neck, and we're on our computers all day for work, so we needed some serious help. This is surprisingly comfortable to lay on. I use it 10 minutes a day and have noticed serious pain relief, and believe it is a great tool as I work on improving my posture.

    If you have any neck or back issues, talk to your doctor before use.

    Promising review: "I was very surprised at the quality of this neck and shoulder relaxer especially at this price. It has a nice structure to it, but is also soft enough to cradle your neck in comfort. Just taking a few minutes to use this helps to improve my neck and shoulder pain greatly. This especially helps when you have slept on your neck wrong and have a Crick in your neck. Very happy with my purchase and would definitely recommend it." —Cindy

    Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in six colors). 

    8. A cheese keeper to keep your favorite cheeses, both hard and soft, alive longer by allowing them to breathe. In the words of her highness, Veruca Salt, "Give it to me NOW!"

    A yellow rectangular box that looks like cheese with two blocks of cheese in it
    Amazon

    Cheese is MY bar of chocolate.

    Promising review: "Oh wow! I followed the directions and put that moist paper towel in with my cheese, on the bottom and put some unwrapped and cut Jarlsberg wedge in it. I left for vacation and two weeks later came back, and it was still fresh and moist and not moldy! Huzzah! I'm MIGHTY impressed with this simple gadget. I hate food waste and this is super helpful!" —Awesome Taste

    Get it from Amazon for $12.

    9. A high-voltage bug zapper that's gonna zap insects within 1,500-square-foot area. All those creepy crawlies who try and ~bug~ you whenever you step outside are doomed! This works so well you're not gonna believe how fast your yard turns into a horsefly cemetery.

    reviewer holding the bug zapper from its handle
    reviewer photo of the bug zapper tray full of dead bugs

    Promising review: "You will not be disappointed. I just moved out to the country and have been working out in the garage late at night. With the weather getting warmer, I've had the garage doors opened and mosquitos, gnats, and everything else have been finding there way into my garage, so I had to do something about it. I bought this and hung it next to my garage door opener because there's an outlet there and it is way better than expected. I have dead bees, stink bugs, gnats, mosquitoes, and other bugs that I do not know what they are. My 8-year-old son keeps asking me to remove the bottom tray so he can see all of the dead bugs that got zapped. Again, you will not be disappointed, I'm extremely happy I bought this!" —Chris & Jenny

    Get it from Amazon for $22.99.

    10. A double layer ice cube tray you can snag if having an ice maker is your dream, but owning a mini freezer is your reality. 

    two silicone ice cube trays inside stainless steel box
    Hubee

    I just recently got this and it has been a game changer in my home! Both my husband and I are awful at refilling traditional ice cube trays, but this makes it easy! There's always plenty of ice in the box, plus the silicone trays make adding more easy as can be. I love it. You should own it. 

    Promising review: "This container is very useful to hold many ice cubes. It works great for my compact freezer." —Richard Q.

    Get it from Hubee for $28.25 (available in five styles). 

    11. A bottle of Jot coffee concentrate sure to be a fun addition to any coffee fan's growing bean-and-brew collection. Take it from me, this stuff tastes amazing. It's sure to feel like a luxurious gift to your gullet.

    Glass of coffee beside bottle of product and serving spoon
    Gif of product being pored into a spoon
    Jot

    I am rather certain that there is more Jot than blood in me by this point. After discovering how delicious this stuff is I totally dropped my expensive café habits and have stuck to this for my daily cup of coffee. It has a rich taste, is wildly easy to make (just pour a tablespoon into 8 ounces of your favorite base), and the snazzy bottle even makes the inside of my fridge look nice.

    Get it from Jot for $19.50+.

    12. A portable instant photo printer is gonna be the *picture* perfect gadget if you want your photos on display in an instant. 

    the printer printing a photo
    the printed photo next to the photo on a persons iphone

    Promising review: "I originally purchased this product for my 11-year-old granddaughter who's always taking pictures. This is the absolute best gift I could have ever given her. It is compact, easy to use, and takes great quality reproductions of pictures in sticker form — how fun. I would recommend this product to anyone who wishes to give an out-of-the-ordinary gift." —Bianca Trevino

    Get it from Amazon for $65.50.

    13. A cutting board prep station so you can slice, dice, and store your meal prepped masterpieces all at once. 

    a person chopping watermelon on the board
    sliced fruits in the containers

    Promising review: "I purchased this product because I do a lot of food prep and have challenges placing prepared cuttings into containers. This unique cutting board allows me to cut various foods and slide them through an opening directly into a sealable plastic container. the time savings and organization allows for faster prep time. The bamboo board works well for this purpose." —N Hara

    Get it from Amazon for $69.98.

    14. A squalane oil that'll lock in your skin's natural moisture without feeling heavy on your face. This one wild ingredient will make your skin feel softer and smoother while helping redness and irritation fade away.

    Promising review: "I love this oil!. It's amazing for my skin hydration and helps balance too much of my own body oil production (I have dry spots and overly-oily spots my body likes to make)." —Biossance Customer

    Get it from Biossance for $32 (also available in a travel size). 

    15. A bottle of ultra-fancy olive oil with smooth tasting notes of nut, green tomato, and green pear that's sure to make your tastebuds say "OMG olive you."

    Olive oil bottle on kitchen counter
    Bespoke Post

    This Indian American-owned business aims to make superb olive oil. The fancy elixir comes from hand-picked Coratina and Frantoio olives and is made in-house by a certified organic mill. The bottle is even UV-coated to protect the oil from damaging light. Grab this and give their tastebuds something to talk about.

    Get it from Bespoke Post for $37.

    16. A shower phone holder so you can binge-watch Yellowjackets without pesky hygiene getting in the way.

    Promising review: "This product is the answer to my search for a way to have music or Netflix playing while in the shower! The adhesion quality is great and it's very easy to use. It fits my iPhone XS Max very well and is very sturdy. I would recommend this to anyone!" —Jackie Donovan

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four colors).

    17. A Baroque mirror sure to shock your friends when you tell them you found it on Amazon. That is, IF you tell them.

    arched mirror with gilded detail on the top displayed on an entryway table
    closeup of the same mirror

    Promising review: "All I can say is woooow! This mirror is not only affordable, but the quality is amazing. It’s heavy and not cheap looking. The gold color is not so tacky, and it’s done just right. My main concern was receiving a broken mirror but the packaging was great and arrived in one piece. Don’t hesitate buying this gem, you need it!" —Celeste C

    Get it from Amazon for $117+ (available in three sizes and four colors).

    18. A 3-in-1 wireless charger can help you rid your side table of pesky charging cords. Charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at the same time, and all in the same place! No tangled-up collection of cords needed. 

    Promising review: "I love this charging station! I‘m one of those people who has all the Apple things, so being able to charge my phone, watch, and AirPod Pros at the same time is a total game changer for me. I can’t even guess how many times I’ve misplaced my AirPods because I didn’t have a dedicated place for them. Now there’s no question where they are every morning. Not only that, but the charger is pretty fast (especially for the watch and earbuds) and the station itself is easy to set up and use." —Anonymous

    Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (get this price when you clip the $8 off coupon on the product page, available in five colors).

    19. A rose ice cube tray for making at-home cocktails feel extra fancy.

    two ice cubes shaped like roses on a tray next to a glass of whiskey
    Amazon

    Promising review: "This is a great product. The mold is easy to use and seals well. It comes with a funnel which helps with filling. The ice looks beautiful and melts slowly.." —Belle Montalvo

    Get it from Amazon for $11.69.

    20. A customizable set of plastic storage cubes that'll snap together and create a perfect storage system, no matter where you place them.

    Promising review: "I used to have a two-tier metal rack that was nowhere near enough storage space and there were always shoes all over the floor. I put this together in a rather short while and now my closet is clean! Totally love this because it is so spacious and you can build it in any shape you want." —Mama D

    Get a 16-cube set from Amazon for $47.60+ (available in two colors). 

    21. A seashell pillow so darn good lookin' people are gonna think you ~shelled~ out a pretty penny when you brought it home.

    pink shell pillow on a green velvet couch
    the purple version of the seashell pillow

    Promising review: "Wow. This pillow is so beautiful. I seriously can't stop looking at it; the color is so vibrant." —Jackie

    Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and in 13 colors).

    22. An ultra soft faux fur rug sure to feel luxurious every time you get out of bed and have this fancy fuzz between your toes instead of the cold wood floors beneath your feet.

    faux fur rug beside a bed
    Amazon

    Promising review: "My parents went to Europe and sat outside on furs like these and now they do the same at home. They live in the mountains in Utah. They put these on their metal patio chairs and then cover themselves with a blanket outside in the winter. The furs keep your backside insulated and then topped with the blanket they are able to have cocktail hour(s) on the deck all year long! It’s honestly pretty sweet and the dog gets her own to lie on when she’s outside too." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $15.19+ (available in three sizes and six colors). 

    23. A suspiciously chic flat water bottle you can fit into any bag or backpack and thus, hydrate throughout the day. 

    reviewer image of the clear, flat water bottle in front of a regular water bottle
    review image of the water bottle flat against a book

    Promising review: "This doesn’t leak at all! It fits in my backpack. Because my backpack has no pockets on the side, this was really useful." —Rand Alhachami

    Get it from Amazon for $18.99.

    24. A coffee table from BloomingTables you'll simply ~plant~ in front of your sofa and then let the compliments roll in. I own this and I have never, in all my years, had a piece of furniture receive so much attention. People go wild over this thing!

    coffee table with plants underneath glass top
    person smiling beside the table

    I have a coffee table from this San Diego-based small biz and I LOVE it. I am an unapologetic maximalist — my apartment is chock-full of eye-catching decor that's all fighting to be the statement-making centerpiece of my home, but this coffee table is officially the winner. The table is completely leak free, and the draining valve keeps me from overwatering my furniture (a thing that is possible with this table, because the future is now). Be sure to check out the site's Instagram for inspiration!

    Get it from BloomingTables for $489 (available in two colors). 

    25. A magnetic bobby pin tray that'll hold tight to your hair pins, getting you out of any ~hairy~ situations when your 'do doesn't quite stay in place.

    Promising review: "I love this product. My bathroom drawer looks so organized now that my bobby pins aren’t all over the place. I loved that it came with bobby pins which I had no idea would be included! It's nice to also have some new bobby pins!" —Monica

    Get it from Amazon for $16.49.

    26. A Pretty Litter subscription — this litter is gonna change colors when your cat is sick, alerting you with plenty of time to get your kitto to the vet. Nothing will put your mind at ease better than knowing your stoic cat's health is ~crystal~ clear.

    Litter box with one spot green and one spot blue
    Gif of cat playing with dropping litter

    Each bag has enough litter to cover you for a month and the subscription includes free shipping.

    For more information, check out this review from my co-worker, Kat Angus: This Kitty Litter Knew My Cat Was Sick Before My Veterinarian Did.

    Start a Pretty Litter subscription for $24/month (available for one, two, and multi-cat households).

    27. A decorative cork canister that'll make your kitchen look clean, cool, and magazine-ready. Picture a shelf of these vs. a shelf of cereal boxes. These are a game changer!

    Person holding small glass canister with round cork lid
    Larger canisters on wicker pantry shelf

    Promising review: "I absolutely love the look of these storage containers (pictured above, right)! They are so unique and modern. The quality is great, the glass is pretty thick, and they seem very durable. The reason I'm docking one star is because some containers don’t quite seal air tight correctly like the rest. Not sure if it’s the glass container or the cork but I did come across that one issue with some of the jars. Overall though, I would recommend these containers." —Mig and Les

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two sizes). 

    28. A rainy summer window bookmark — a bookmark this beautiful is sure to make you feel like you live in the criminally cozy cottage you're currently reading about.

    window scene bookmark with trees in the summer rain
    bookmark with autumnal trees through a window in the rain
    Rustic Pages Co. / Etsy

    Rustic Pages Co. is owned by artist Kat and located in Bakersville, North Carolina. The shop has bookmarks, art prints, and lightroom presets.

    Get the summer one from Rustic Pages Co. on Etsy for $4.95 (also available in autumn and spring scenes).

    29. Linen napkins that are naturally stain-resistant. If you're gonna really make your napkins work to earn their keep – this chic set has your name on it! 

    Folded napkin beside a bowl of tomatoes
    Hand holding up one of the linen napkins
    Amazon

    Promising review: "These are beautiful napkins. They are a fine weight for everyday use and hold up to the washing machine. Being linen we didn't expect them to be wrinkle-free but they are amazingly stain resistant. We are totally in love with them. We got a set of each color. They are big enough we can use one color napkin as a placemat and then an alternate color as the napkin to mix and match with the placemats. The coral color is our favorite." —Deanna O'Shaughnessy

    Get a four-pack from Amazon for $31.99 (available in eight colors).

    30. A wireless library light with both warm and cool settings, so you can highlight favorite books or pieces of art in your home. 

    a reviewer using two of the gold library lights over built-in bookshelves
    a reviewer using the light over a portrait

    This uses three AAA batteries and includes a remote that lets you set the light to different brightnesses and schedule a timer for 15, 30, 60, or 120 minutes.

    Promising review: "For the price you can’t beat it. Super easy to install and lightweight. The gold had a slight orange tint to it, so be mindful of that. I actually just taped over the light and spray-painted ours with gold spray paint I had left over and then they were absolutely perfect." —Paris Seder

    Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available in three colors).

    31. An Echo Show that'll display the weather, play videos, set alarms, and even make video calls. Once you get this in your life, you'll be shocked you lived life without this thing — trust me. 

    Promising review: "I love the size of it. It’s the perfect size to fit on our mantle, but still big enough to allow us to watch movies and shows on it. We currently have it in our playroom and the kids love being able to watch stuff on it. I love being able to display my pictures on it, which saves me from having to get a digital picture frame. The volume on it is very good and it picks up my voice very easily. Highly recommend this." —Laura

    Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in two colors and various bundles).

    32. A set of gold cable organizers is sure to make your desk look impeccable while keeping your charging cords neat and tidy. 

    A set of two gold finished round cable organizers installed on a desk with a charger wire running through them
    Brighttia/Etsy

    Brighttia is a New York-based Etsy shop established in 2018 that specializes in industrial and modern interior lighting and decor.

    Promising review: "These brass cable organizers are beautiful and high quality. I’m using two of them to keep a plug-in sconce cord attached to the wall and to direct the cord to the electrical outlet. These little gold pieces add a touch of functionality and glamour to the sconces. Exactly what I was looking for." —Amy Margolis

    Get a set of two from Brighttia on Etsy for $12.98+ (available in eight colors).

    33. A genius tofu press so you can efficiently drain tofu and get the perfect texture and taste, mess not included.

    Tofu being pressed inside plastic container
    TofuBud

    BTW, locals, TofuBud is based in San Fransisco!

    Promising review: "I was resistant to getting a tofu press. Another kitchen gadget! But this little guy does not disappoint. It saves time and is clean, fast, and easy. I thought I would want something made of wood or metal — but really this is just the thing. It’s cute, rinses out lickety-split, and gets the job done without messing up towels or having to boil off extra water. My countertop stays clean. I’ve been a vegetarian all my life and this little gadget is already indispensable." —Maria Lewis

    Get it on sale from TofuBud for $25.14.

    34. An LED flat plate is gonna help you read far into the night without disturbing the morning person snoozin' beside you.

    Promising review: "LOVE! This book light is perfect for nighttime reading. I opted for this particular brand over others I saw for less as it has a dimmer. I really like this one as the glow is soft and not harsh on my eyes. The dimmer has a wide range when I turn the knob. You can use this book light horizontally or vertically. It’s not large enough to cover the whole page of most books, but it does completely light up an entire page so you don’t have to move it up and down while reading." —Flora

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

    35. A rechargeable BlendJet 2 so you can make yourself a full breakfast without leaving any dishes around. Cleaning a blender is such a chore, but leaving it in the sink to "soak" is even worse.

    GIF showing Blendjet blending strawberry smoothie
    GIF showing how to plug in Blendjet to charge
    Blendjet

    This nifty gadget has measuring markings on the cup, a water-resistant USB-C port, a built-in carrying strap, and a food processor setting. It's also self-cleaning; just drop in some soap and water, blend, and it's ready to go!

    Promising review: "This little portable blender is amazing!!! So many uses and you can use it anywhere! We use it daily for smoothies but love to use it by the pool or even in the boat to easily mix up frozen cocktails or mocktails for the kids. I am purchasing three more today for graduation gifts...it will be perfect for a dorm room or college apartment."—Tami W.

    Get it on sale from BlendJet for $49.95 (originally $99.95; available in 25 colors).

    36. A pack of four anti-snoring clips that'll help you (and your family) if your snoring is preventing everyone from falling asleep.

    packaging with four clear u-shaped nose clips, with magnetized ends and a carrying case
    closeup of my face with the nose clip inserted. it looks like a clear septum ring.
    Amazon, Mallory Mower / BuzzFeed

    I love this product so much I am willing to share a photo of it shoved up my nose just to show one off! I tried so many snoring solutions (I'm an actual monster, you do NOT want to hear me sleep) with no luck. I couldn't fall asleep with mouth guards and the different sprays I tried just seemed like snake oil. I used nose strips for a while, but they would fall off at night and didn't do much. These clips WORK! The magnets keep it secure in my nose and it's a cinch to fall asleep, the clips are that comfortable. Plus it looks less dweebie than basically any other physical product I've tried. And snoring? That's a thing of the past.

    Get it from Amazon for $9.88.

    37. A pocket shower curtain for ~clearly~ keeping your shower organized. 

    Promising review: "I LOVE this shower curtain. If you have a shower that doesn’t have a lot of ledge room for all your stuff, this shower curtain will be your best friend. You can fit so many things inside the pockets! You can also use this as a liner and have another, more decorative, shower curtain on the outside but I personally use it as a shower curtain. This is the best shower curtain/liner money can buy!" —DAtkins

    Get it from Amazon for $26.41 (also available in grey).

    38. And finally, a trio of Pit Liquor deodorant that'll be a hit with anyone who wants a deodorant with earth-friendly packaging, sensational smells, and a formula that actually works. Oh yeah, these do all that and more! Go ahead and drink that in.

    I use Pit Liquor! I *love* using different aromas but my husband hates the smell of perfume, so I find more mellow options to get some good scent on my skin. I'm a sweaty person and these aren't antiperspirants, so I use another deodorant at night, but I stick with this stuff because I LOVE how I smell when it's on! The coconut rum with lime is...maybe too delicious. I'm a big fan. 

    Promising review: "I’m new to Pit Liquor and I got this bundle to try out a few different scents. I have to say, I’m really impressed. I love that there’s no residue and it works really well (even after a workout). My favorite so far is the whiskey lavender and I like to apply it right before bed (after a shower). It even doubles as a little bit of sleep aromatherapy!" —Felicia

    Get it from Pit Liquor for $43+ (originally $48+, available in two pack sizes). 

    Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity. 

    Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!

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