I’ve moved a lot. Recently, talking with a new friend, I recounted that I’ve lived in 19 different places in my life. It took some trial and error, but over time, I started to gather what was necessary to have in my space to optimize any living situation I found myself in. As I evolved from these experiences, I also started to think about what was important to me in terms of not just what I had in my home, but how I chose those items in the first place. A major influence has been the sustainability movement. It’s changed the way I do things such as putting food away; rather than use plastic wrap, I opt now for reusable beeswax food wrap. And instead of disposable napkins, I’ve switched to cloth ones. These and other amazing items can be found in the list below. I hope you find something that you don’t currently have in your home but totally should, and that it, of course, brings you joy.
We hope you find these products as awesome as we do. Just an FYI: We are a participant in the Amazon affiliate program, and may receive a share of sales from links on this page. Prices on Amazon fluctuate so anything mentioned below might change as soon as we publish it!
We hope you find these products as awesome as we do. Just an FYI: We are a participant in the Amazon affiliate program, and Brainjolt may receive a share of sales from links on this page. Prices on Amazon fluctuate so anything mentioned below might change as soon we publish it!
This 4-pc Hardware Set to Tie Together Your Bathroom’s Aesthetic
I purchased this set of 4 premium-grade stainless steel set to give my bathroom an elegant makeover. My bathroom is pretty plain, and didn’t have any towel hooks ether. This set not only tied together the entire space with its modern, concealed screws design, but also adds functionality.
This Sleek Bamboo Drawer Organizer to Give Your Utensils a Cozy Home
I’ve recently moved and, having shared a lot of houseware with my former roommate, found myself in need of a home for my utensils. This expandable bamboo drawer organizer was a great find; it fits into almost any sized drawer, while the bamboo’s natural antibacterial properties prevent mould and mildew buildup. It even comes with two removable knife blocks!
This Adorable Elephant Set to Keep Your Salt and Pepper
If I could only bring two seasonings with me to a deserted island, they would, without a doubt, be salt and pepper. They’re such an integral part of my daily meals that it felt wrong not to give them a place of their own that brings me joy to both use and look at. I picked up these elephant shakers, and they’ve added such a cute vibe to my kitchen!
This Bamboo Tray is the Perfect Breakfast-in-Bed Delivery System
I love this bamboo tray for various purposes, not the least favourite being breakfast in bed! Sometimes you wake up on the weekend and your stomach grumbles and you really want to stay in bed but you also want Cinnamon Toast Crunch. This tray with its foldable legs was a welcome addition to my lazy days paraphernalia.
This Accessories Set Gives Your Bathroom a Touch of Elegance
I like to buy eco-friendly hand soap in bulk, and I needed a container for it. This beautiful Parisian set offers functionality without sacrificing sophistication. Another perk is that the classy black and white design made it easy to match this set to the rest of my décor.
This Bath Pillow is the Perfect Relaxation Companion
I love baths, with or without bubbles. As comfortable as they are, though, something that always put a damper on my home spa time was the inability to completely sink into the relaxation when all I had to prop me up was the cold porcelain of the tub. Thus, one of the best purchases of my life was this bath pillow that contours to your neck and shoulders. And, after your bath, you can hang it up or throw it into the wash with the rest of your laundry.
This Sleek Bidet is an Easy Way to Transform Your Toilet
Listen, don’t knock the bidet until you try it. This one has dual nozzles for rear and frontal wash (great for that time of month, ladies) and is self-cleaning (great for … all times of the month, everybody). The dials on the side are also really convenient.
This Super Cute Bread Box Will Save Your Bread and Your Counter Space
Like every single other person in the entire world, I have attempted many sourdough bread recipes. Too many. I did need something to keep it in, though, because shoving freshly baked bread into the fridge is just too heinous a thought (if only because one spent way too long just on trying to keep the starter alive). This one is a vertical design to save counter space, large enough to store two loaves at a time, and the bamboo lid doubles as a cutting board.
This Bamboo Bread Cutter for Perfectly Slicing Your Homemade Sourdough
Speaking of bread, I also bought one of these home slicers made of -say it with me- bamboo. Heck yeah. Don’t worry about your steamy bread depositing moisture and turning your slicer into a breeding ground for mold or mildew. It comes with a bread knife and has grooves to guide you, as well as choose between 3 thicknesses.
This Absolutely Adorable Bulldog Ladle Rest to Keep You Company While Cooking
French bulldogs have become a staple in the world of modish aesthetics. I got this ceramic ladle rest to add a dash of cuteness to dinner-making time. It’s sturdy and dishwasher safe, and looks fantastic on the counter when not in use.
This Organizer Rack Keeps Your Bakeware Sitting Pretty
I hate having a drawer full of cluttered cutting boards. It’s a layer of chaos I’d rather avoid having in my life. That’s why I bought one of these compartment racks so everything has a place. Its rubber feet protect the surface it sits on and it’s compact enough to fit under most cabinets.
This Set of Copper Mule Mugs to Have Cocktails in Style
I just had to pick up this gorgeous set of copper Moscow mule mugs that are ideal for icy drinks and cocktails. The handles actually make the mugs comfortable to hold, while the material keeps beverages nice and cold. And when not in use, they look so great sitting out.
This Cutting Board Set is Perfect for Every Food Prep
Essential to any kitchen, these cutting boards were an upgrade from my old plastic ones. Durable and made with natural wood, I like that you can use either side of each board, and that you can use different ones for different foods to avoid cross-contamination. If so inclined, you can also take use them to serve cheeses, breads, and other charcuterie-esque foods.
This 2-Tier Dishrack Organizes Your Dishes While They Dry
Pretty much every house needs a dishrack, regardless of the existence of a dishwasher. I chose this one for its two-tiered design, so that it stays more organized while my dishes dry.
This Stylish Set to Make Sure You Never Mix Up Your Coffee and Your Tea
I love mint everything, so when I was shopping for a storage option for my coffee beans and various teas, this sweet ceramic canister set was a clear choice. They have bamboo lids with silicone seals to lock in freshness, and it will ensure you never mix up your coffee from your tea.
These Storage Canisters Keep Your Food Fresh Without Hiding What’s Inside
As a cereal-eater and dog owner, I find myself with a consistent supply of loose foods. I found this classic set of 4 food canisters to store their food and my breakfast. The peak-through clear windows let u see contents at a glance, as well as give you an indicator of how much is left before you need to do a refill.
This Super Cute Jar to Keep Your Garlic Fresh and Your Pantry Clean
Okay, so I never really considered a house for my garlic “essential”, I’ll be honest with you. But, it did always drive me crazy to have little garlic skin pieces floating around, the cloves knocking about the pantry, unable to mind their own business. Since that time, I’ve started using this little engraved pot, with holes in the bottom to promote airflow and keep my garlicky friends cool, dry, and fresh.
This Porcelain Entertainment Serveware Perfect for Netflix Nights
This microwave- and dishwasher-safe ceramic serving ware is great for chips and dip, veggies and dip, or if you’re so included, dips and dips (please don’t do that). My personal favourite is wings, and having the option to use the smaller bowl for dipping sauce or the bones.
This Stylish Mirror to Visually Expand Any Space
Every bathroom needs a mirror, and sometimes the smaller half-baths don’t have one built in. This was a great option for mine, and super easy to put up with the included D-rings.
These Trendy Double-Walled Mugs for Your Morning Lattes
Morning lattes, afternoon lattes, evening … Are there really any rules? Follow your heart, I say, and let it lead you to aesthetically pleasing coffee ware. There’s something very pleasing about seeing the layers in your latte, and even makes it taste better. This set of 4 are double-walled to keep your steamed bevvies extra hot.
This Cute Mug Rack Puts Your Favourite Mugs on Display
Some mugs are not meant to be hidden away and out of sight when not in use. Those beauties get to bask in the sunlight, outside of a cupboard, on this nice mug rack that fits right in next to my espresso machine.
These Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps Save Leftovers and the Environment
Sustainable living has become a big part of my life as of late, and I’m always looking for ways to cut waste. An essential part of every home is ways to keep leftover ingredients and meals fresh. I hated using cling film, so I was really grateful when I found these reusable food wraps made of beeswax. They’re self-adhesive and air resistant, as well as naturally antibacterial and antifungal.
These Stylish Cloth Napkins Add a Touch of Elegance to Your Dining Table
Tiffany blue is my favourite colour, because I’m about as basic as they get. I was thrilled to get my hands on a set of these cloth napkins in the hue. They’re stain- and wrinkle-resistant, as well as machine washable. I’m a messy eater, but I still feel elegant when I violently dab the spaghetti sauce off my face with one of these.
These Giant Porcelain Mugs are Perfect for Tea Lovers and Cocoa Fanatics
Another day, another mug. Is anyone else like me, where you have to have your mug match your drink? I wouldn’t want to have a hot cocoa in a dainty, clear, glass mug. Rather, a giant, absolute unit of a beverage holder is what’s needed, if not just for the cozy factor. These lovely jumbo porcelain mugs are perfectly up to the task, with their delightfully simple design and big size.
This Plastic Chip-and-Dip System Is Perfect for Kids and Clumsy Adults
Some households have little kids running around, threatening to knock over the glass bowls holding their favorite snacks. Other households have me, but doing the same thing. These are the ones that would benefit from this plastic chip-and-dip holder, that’s microwave and dishwasher safe, and it’s made nachos-in-front-of-Netflix time much less stressful.
This Office Chair Cushion to Support Your Back and Your Career at the Same Time
Co-Vid or no Co-Vid, I spend a lot of time in my office chair and the support on it is not great. Even if it was, I would probably want to be using this memory foam chair cushion to help my posture and take care of my body. Its ergonomic U-shape and curved design alleviate pressure on the hips, lower back, waist, and thighs. I’ve ended my days much more comfortable than before I started using it.
These Cotton Sheets to Elevate Your Bedroom Design
Of course, every home will have bedsheets, for the most part. The difference that I was missing was the quality. I’ve always loved cotton sheets over microfibre for their sweat-wicking, temperature-balancing properties. I especially find that they tend to keep you warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. So, I was really happy to come across this 400T cotton set, that have held up really well, even after being thrown into the machine.
This Reusable Silicone Baking Sheet to Keep Your Worktop Clean Over the Years
As a hobby baker, I went through a lot of parchment paper. Even if you aren’t into breadmaking and the lake, you probably still make the occasional batch of cookies. In the name of sustainability, I picked up a couple of these silicone baking mats. They’re heat-proof and dishwasher-safe, and even better, you can use it as a preparation surface.
This Slideout Pantry Organizer Allows Easy Access to Your Cabinet’s Contents
I have a particular talent to take any organized pantry and somehow turn it into a chaotic void where you can never find anything you need when you need it. I knew I couldn’t keep living this way, so I invested in a few of these slide-out cabinet organizers. It uses a ball-bearing system that lets it roll out smoothly, and is also great for organizing my bathroom.
This Contemporary Tiered Rack to Organize Everything from Spices to Soaps
The common denominator between spices and soap is that most homes have many of both. That’s definitely the case with me, anyway. I picked up two of these standing rack organizers to keep my countertops clear, as well as for the beautiful, rustic look.
These Stackable Bins with Lids are a Chic Storage Solution
Every home needs storage, both hidden and exposed, and mine is no exception. I love these stackable bins for their elegant functionality. The grey linen lends a modern touch to the space, while keeping things such as magazines, dog toys, and other household knickknacks out of the way.
This Tasteful Cast-Iron Trivet to Protect Your Tabletops
I needed something to keep my counters and tabletops from scorching, and I was happy to find this delightful alternative to cloth pot holders or towels. Those always dirtied and stained so quickly, whereas this one is made from cast iron and also adds a cheery quality to the dining experience.
This Rotating Utensils Caddy to Make the Cooking Process More Convenient
I have so many utensils and cookware that they were starting to collectively tip over the jar that was holding them. I picked up this utensils caddy that has the ability to rotate and has a weighted base. It provides easier access to whichever piece of cutlery I need at the time, without having to reach and rummage around and knock everything over.
This Weighted Blanket to Keep Calm and Carry On During Your Netflix Movie Nights
I am a huge proponent for the underrated weighted blanket. Even if we weren’t in the midst of a global pandemic, just the stresses of daily life is enough to make you want a long, comforting hug to get you through the anxious moments. This one is machine washable and the perfect reading companion (other than dogs, of course).
This Rustic Tank Topper to Keep Your Bathroom Sink Clean and Clear (from Clutter)
I have some bathroom space, but not a great deal. And, as always, I’ll find myself with slightly too many items than places to put them. So, I picked up one of these woven baskets to put on top of the toilet tank. It’s great for holding hand towels or an excess roll of toilet paper. I found that it tied together the space in an elegant way, and made my bathroom look way fancier than it is.
These Homespun Serving Trays to Decorate Your Coffee Table
There’s something so comforting about being brought breakfast and coffee on a homespun, quaint, wooden tray (even if you brought it over for yourself). It adds a touch of coziness and warmth, and has so many potential uses. I also love that this set of 3 are eco-friendly and have a nesting design, ensuring they would fit into any cupboard space.
This Bamboo Bathtub Caddy for the Perfect Self-Care Time
Have I mentioned how much I love baths? I really, really love baths. However, I also get bored really, really quickly. As baths use a lot of water at a time, I hate to waste it just because I get tired of staring at the wall. After some consideration, I bought myself this bamboo bath caddy that has dedicated spots for your phone and tablet, and ample space for anything else. It’s also expandable, so it should fit most tubs, and has silicone grips to keep the tray from creating an expensive-gadgets avalanche right into the water.