Home is where the heart is … or so said someone more articulate than me once upon a time. For me, home is where the projects are, a never-ending assortment of maintenance tasks and improvement projects that make our days indoors more enjoyable. They don’t always have to be tasks to be avoided or jobs to be dreaded; even the simplest things can turn your home from “meh” to “amazing.”
The products in this list are all about making upgrades: To your bedroom, your bath, and even your kitchen. You might even find some gear to step up your backyard (No. 18) or your television-watching experience (No. 20). Most of all, what you should take away from this list is how easily you can spice up your house with just a few clicks on America’s favorite online retailer. Home improvement store be darned; you can tackle all your upgrade projects with Prime shipping right to your front door.
Sweet Sheets
Manners may make the man, but good quality bedsheets make the bed. This 1,800-thread count sheet set is like sleeping on a cloud, but not those bumpy ones you go through on an airplane — the fluffy, soft ones that showed up on cartoons in the 80s. These are breathable, fade-resistant, and super-soft and include both flat and fitted sheets and four pillowcases.
Make It Easy-Open
You can free up drawer space and make recipes simpler to complete with this under-cabinet jar opener, which is a great asset to older folks and others who struggle with sore hands. This will grab hold of any lid whether it’s factory sealed, childproof, tamper-proof, or just stuck from what’s inside the jar. The best part is that once installed under a cabinet, you’ll hardly know it’s there.
Lighten Up
Throw away the dollar store cigarette lighters (especially if you don’t smoke) and upgrade to this USB rechargeable electric lighter, which can tackle all of your candles, BBQs, fire pits, fireworks, and more with ease. The extra-long arm protects fingers while the “three clicks to activate” function was designed with safety in mind. Windproof, flameless, and odorless, this lighter will be with you for the long haul.
Skirt The Question
Nothing changes the look of a bed like a classic tailored bed skirt. This one, with a 14-inch drop, is also wrinkle- and fade-resistant and comes in a ton of creative colors ranging from ice blue to eggplant and sizes up to California king. Try a matching color for a tonal look or go with a coordinating color to add depth to your decor.
Sleeping Bathing Beauty
Regardless of the type of bathtub you have, you can transform your bathing experience from “basic” to “barely want to get out” with something as simple as a bathtub pillow. Six suction cups hold the pillow securely in place while an included hook for drying and storage is perfect for when it’s not in use. The pillow itself is made from 3D fabric for added breathability.
The Spice Girls
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but it’s time to stop using the generic paper salt and pepper shakers you buy at the grocery store. Upgrade them with this salt and pepper grinder set that’s glass, refillable, and just looks more grown-up. The grinders themselves are designed to be adjustable so you can set the thickness of your spices from fine to coarse.
Chalk It Up
Here’s an upgrade that won’t take much time and your kids will enjoy: Transform a wall of your home with this stick-on chalkboard paper they can write or draw on time and time again. This paper arrives in a roll with grid marks on the back so you can get the perfect cut. The purchase even includes free chalk so they can start creating ASAP.
Punch Up Your Pot Holders
If you’re using hand-me-down potholders, consider this your sign to upgrade to a silicone set. This four-piece set includes two mitts and two trivet mats in a matching color that makes you immediately look like a full-fledged grownup. These have advanced heat resistance and a non-slip textured grip so you’ll always fully have your hands on whatever dish you’re pulling out.
Pillow Perfection
Your sleep is about to become a whole lot more restful with these kool-flow bamboo bed pillows stuffed with shredded memory foam. Perfect for side sleepers, these come in sizes from standard to king with plenty of breathability to make sweaty nights a thing of the past. These are made in the USA and reviewers cite how supportive yet soft they are.
Cuts Like A Knife
Knife blocks are a gimmick, do you hear me? They take up a lot of room and add nothing to your kitchen decor. This in-drawer knife block organizer keeps your knives organized (with blades down!) in a streamlined design that won’t consume an entire kitchen drawer. Made from bamboo, this organizer will hold up to 15 knives, from steak to bread knives, with ease.
You Can Ring My Bell
Only have a regular doorbell? How do you live like that? This wireless doorbell has outperformed all of my expectations since installing it (which literally required only plugging in the receiver and adhering the bell to the door frame with the included tape). It’s not a Ring doorbell, but it’s also significantly cheaper at less than $20. It’s waterproof and comes in both black and white.
Better Bedding
While you’re investing in new sheets, you might as well upgrade to this alternative down comforter. Filled with synthetic fibers that provide elevated plushness, you’ll get all-season comfort that’ll keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Choose from 10 color combinations thanks to its reversible design, including brown/cream, burgundy/black, and navy/sky blue in both full/queen and king/California king sizes.
Curtain Companion
The simplest upgrades are often the most useful. This shower curtain organizer puts your lotions, creams, and body wash right at arm’s reach inside the shower so you’re not having to hop in and out for the things you forgot. It has nine durable deep mesh pockets and hangs right on your existing shower curtain rod. Best yet? It costs less than $7.
Step To It
You need an anti-fatigue mat for your kitchen … and maybe your laundry room … and definitely your bathroom. Why? Because we spend a large amount of time standing in our homes, probably more than you realize. These mats offer 3/4-inch comfort with a non-slip bottom and an anti-curl edge. I especially love the green ombré, which has me rethinking my kitchen decor entirely.
Top It Off
Some household upgrades add to your life but are enhancements you don’t regularly see. This mattress protector is hypoallergenic and repels liquids, protecting your mattress investment. It also features an ultra-thin, breathable soft cotton terry surface that’s machine washable and durable. One reviewer said, “The mattress protector is thin, comfortable, and makes virtually no sound when my little one squirms around in bed.”
Pitch The Plastic
If there’s only one upgrade you make in your house in 2022, make it be this 24-piece glass food storage set. And, please, for the love of all things holy, toss out the mismatched plastic containers you have. This set includes 12 containers of varying sizes and coordinating lids that offer a pop of color, from mint green to red.
Set Things In Motion
It costs a lot less than you think to install a motion detector alarm system in your home and by “a lot less” I mean $34. Easy to configure and expand as you want, this initial purchase includes one wireless plugin receiver and one remote mini-motion sensor. Easily add on 20 or more receivers, transmitter buttons, motion sensors, and door sensors as your needs grow (and your wallet allows).
String It Along
I love string lights year-round and not just at the holidays, which makes something like these string light poles a necessity for achieving your perfect look. This pack of light poles for outside string lights includes two nine-foot poles, three metal brackets, and six screws that, ultimately, will add ambiance to your balcony, porch, pool area, or backyard oasis.
A Cowhide Rug You’ll Want To Show Off
Looking for something to complete your cozy living room aesthetic? You found it! This Hillyard Premium Natural Cowhide Rug is sourced from the best tanneries in Argentina and comes in three strong colors that won’t fade in direct sunlight. No two prints are alike, so you can be sure your neighbor won’t have the same one. The cowhide rugs are 7.5 x 6.5 ft and fit for any surface! Treat yourself to the good life, my friend. You won’t regret it.
Iron Things Out
At the start of 2021, I made the decision to move entirely to cast iron cookware and I’ve never looked back. This pre-seasoned cast iron skillet is a great starter piece if you’re just heading down the cast iron road (or you’d simply like to have one at your disposal whenever). Oven- and stovetop-safe, cast iron pans never wear out and when properly taken care of, will be around for your grandkids.
Put It In Lights
The picture alone for this one is confusing, I get it. But, when you understand what this luminoodle backlight does, you’ll be rushing to add it to your cart. This USB-powered strip improves contrast on your television and helps relieve eye strain and headaches from your self-imposed Netflix binges. These mount directly on the back of your television and can be controlled with the included remote.
Let’s Hang
You don’t know true luxury until you’ve upgraded all of your existing plastic hangers to these high-grade wooden suit hangers. This 20-pack features a solid wood design, smooth finish, 360-degree swivel hook, and precisely-cut notches so camisoles, shirts, dresses, and more stay put where they belong. You can also buy these in a 30-pack and you have your choice of wood finishes.
Diffuse The Situation
What level exists beyond candles? It’s diffusers, isn’t it? This reed diffuser set includes eight rattan sticks, all-natural essential oil, and an elegant amber glass vase. A reed diffuser offers a safe and non-toxic fragrance alternative without the tip-over risk candles present. Choose from jasmine and lily, oud wood or orange blossom, and lotus to keep your space smelling fresh.
I’ve Got Your Number
How many times have you been looking for someone’s house number while driving at a crawl and craning your neck as hard as you can? This reflective address sign is double-sided and can be mounted vertically or horizontally on either your mailbox or your home itself. It comes with self-adhesive numbers and templates for either horizontal or vertical placement to help you out.
These Mugs Are Clear As A Bell
You know all those mismatched coffee mugs you have that you’ve collected from far-flung locations and accidentally brought home from the office never to return? Yeah, it’s time to toss those babies in lieu of this six-pack of clear glass coffee mugs. These work for both hot and cold beverages and hold almost 11 full ounces of your favorite beverage.
Serial Storage
Until cereal manufacturers learn to team up with the folks at Ziploc, we’re forever going to be stuck with cereal bags that never close quite right once opened. This cereal container storage set offers airtight storage so you can get rid of those unsightly cereal boxes and put everything in easier-to-open (and close) containers. Of course, you can use these for other food items, too.
Share A Chair
Some people seem to prefer sitting on the floor. I don’t know who these people are or where they came from, but they’ve been in my house and I can attest, they pull up a square of flooring and are perfectly content. These floor chairs upgrade your floor-sitting experience whether you’re gaming, meditating, or practicing yoga. They have a padded seat area and an adjustable back.
Spice Things Up
Get your seasonings in order — and I don’t mean lining up the jars of nutmeg and lemon pepper that you’ve had sitting around since the last century. This 12-jar revolving spice rack is a great solution for keeping the spices you use most right at your fingertips. It has a small footprint, too, so you can easily keep it right out on your countertop.
The Scratch Stopper
You could instantly update your furnishings by getting rid of all of your pets, but there’s not likely to happen nor should it. In place of that crazy idea, you could buy these anti-scratch pads that prevent your feline friends from sharpening their claws on your pricey furniture. You’ll get a six-pack in this purchase, which is usually enough to cover an entire couch.
Score One For The Laundry
Can’t get your kids to move their laundry from the bathroom to a hamper? Make a game out of it with this over-the-door mesh laundry hamper that makes putting dirty laundry in its place fun. Available in soccer, racing, football, and cheerleading varieties, these do all sorts of cool things like lighting up when they “score” and, for you, encouraging them to clean up after themselves.
Basket Case
There’s nothing I love more than a good decorative basket for storing everything from my wax melts to bulky blankets. This one measures 12 inches across and seven inches deep and can be used for everything from dog toys to Halloween candy to housing a potted plant. One reviewer said, “Baskets have structure -not floppy and are a gorgeous blend of color.”
Hoops Highlights
Take their game to the next level with a lighting kit that transforms an ordinary basketball hoop into a dazzling display. Play basketball at night like never before with this kit that works on any existing hoop and rim, adhering easily with the included clear tape. Add extra fun by purchasing this light-up basketball separately; you’ll be the brightest star in their sky.
Wine Down
What’s your most common complaint about wine glasses? How easily broken they are? How they always seem to be empty? You can at least solve the first problem with this set of unbreakable wine glasses that are stemless and made of stainless steel. Grab a set of four 18-ounce glasses in a variety of patterns including marble, ombre, and brushed stainless steel.
Stash Your Gear
Get your outdoor gear out of your cramped garage and into its own storage shed with this YardStash storage tent. Designed to accommodate bikes, yard tools, pool toys, beach gear, and more, this storage solution goes up in a flash and protects your stuff from rain, wind, and snow. Consider this a less fussy version of outdoor storage than your traditional wooden and metal sheds.
Pillow Protectors
Did you ever stop to think about who’s protecting your pillows? Huh? Did you? That’s what I thought. These pillow protectors do the job for you, with soft, cooling microfiber on the outside and a zippered opening to keep them safe. Pillow protectors are purported to help reduce respiratory issues while providing a sleeping surface that keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Cue The Caddy
It’s time to get your cooking and baking utensils out of your cluttered kitchen drawers and give them the front and center placement they deserve. These extra-large utensil caddies are both functional and pleasing to look at in subdued colors like white or stainless steel or more eye-catching ones like red and turquoise. This caddy rotates a full 360 degrees with just the touch of a finger.
Must-Have Mats
I love memory foam mats, especially when they come in highly-saturated colors and coordinating pieces that tie a room together. These non-slip mats come in almost two dozen colors and various sizes sure to fit any weirdly-sized space in your bathroom. (I have plenty of those.) Wash and dry them at home easily and be prepared to want more for your laundry room, kitchen, garage, and more.
The Board Chef
Food prep will never be simpler and more fun than when you snag this three-pack of bamboo cutting boards. Bamboo is renowned for its strength, density, durability, and eco-friendly nature, transforming these boards into something else entirely. You can use them for slicing and dicing or transition them to serving pieces that look as good as they feel. Scratch-resistant and non-slip make these a no-brainer.