55 Genius, cheap hacks you've never heard of that make your home way nicer

Polytree Natural Travertine Tissue Box Cover

Keeping tissues handy does not necessitate looking at a cardboard box slathered in branding. Cover that mess with this natural travertine tissue box cover, and the tissues become an elegant part of your decor. It adds weight to the box, too, making that one-handed tissue grab less irritating. Choose from several looks and sizes.

Window covers stolen from cathedrals

ADD.HERES Stained Glass Window Privacy Film Decals

These stained glass window privacy film decals bring classical beauty to your home in just a few minutes. No window treatment. No big expense. With just a spray of water, a squeegee, and five minutes, you can turn an ordinary window into something spectacular. “Looks very fancy and super easy to apply!” wrote one reviewer.

Pretty stair treads for safety & style

RORA Bullnose Stair Treads for Wooden Steps (Set of 2)

Make your stairs safer while adding color and style with these stair treads with an adhesive backing. They soften the stairs while giving feet and paws purchase, protect the wood, cover imperfections, and look terrific. “They look good, they stay in place, and they make our stairs much safer,” wrote one reviewer.

Appliance covers that stick magnetically

JIPONI Dishwasher Magnetic Cover

If you are hankering for a new dishwasher because yours is ugly or doesn’t match your other appliances, here’s a hack that will save you hundreds of dollars. Cover the front of the dishwasher with a magnetic cover. It takes seconds and turns a wrong-colored appliance into art. There are so many patterns to choose from, you will have no problem finding something that fits your aesthetic.

Shelf dividers that create order

HBlife Clear Shelf Dividers (6-Pack)

Turn a disorganized shelf into custom-sized cubbies by sliding these shelf dividers over the shelf. They keep stacks of clothing from falling over, let you create an easy storage system, and are so easy to deploy. “A game changer,” wrote one reviewer. “Transformed my closet!!!” wrote another. They come in lots of colors.

A stamp for bougie toilet paper

BURU SOLUTIONS Toilet Paper Stamp

Achieve your fancy hotel interior design dreams with this toilet paper stamp that turns the messy end of the roll into a brand worthy of a queen. Choose a letter, load it into the stamper, and press. Done! Your place is as good as a resort. “I’ve received many compliments that now my house is officially bougie,” wrote one reviewer. Choose from all the letters of the alphabet.

A corner rug that can go in the wash

jinchan Zenith Corner Rug

This corner rug is the perfect solution for a work area in your kitchen or an entryway. Sometimes a runner is too big, and a doormat will be in the way. This fills the space, looks good, and catches shoe debris and kitchen spills. And you can throw it in the wash to clean it. It comes in a variety of shapes and patterns to fit every need.

A clever upgrade to your shower setup

iToplin Gold Shower Hooks & Rings (Set of 12)

Pay attention to the details, and your decor efforts will become much more effective. These gold shower hooks, for example, add style to a place that is often utilitarian and cheap-looking. Instead of a row of ugly but functional hooks running along the top of the shower curtain, you get a row of interesting buttons.

A whimsical cover for outlets or power switches

Homie Finds Fairy Door Outlet Cover

Turn an outlet or wall switch into a moment of wonder with this adorable fairy door outlet cover. Mount it over the outlet, and it creates the illusion that a small world exists on the other side of that curtained doorway. “Beautifully crafted and adds a whimsical, magical touch,” wrote one reviewer. “[It]transformed a boring outlet into a delightful little focal point.”

Instant shelving with no drilling

Hershii Closet Tension Shelf

Adding shelves to a closet is so much easier than you imagine. This closet tension shelf takes only seconds to install, and it can put a shelf in a hallway, closet, or inside a cabinet. “I wanted to add an extra shelf to our closet without having to [drill] holes in the walls,” wrote one reviewer. “This worked perfectly.” It’s extendable and comes in lots of sizes.

A stove cover for more workspace

Abalter Stove Top Cover for Electric Stove

Not all meals involve the stovetop. And when it’s not fired up, it can be tapped to become a large, clear workspace. This stovetop cover is the hack that transforms it. The silicone surface protects the cooktop and is the perfect place to set large items to dry, drop a cutting board when prepping a meal, or to use as a baking prep area. It comes in plenty of colors and sizes.

Turn your ceiling fan into an air filter

Barnakl Ceiling Fan Air Purifier Pads (3-Pack)

Turn your ceiling fan into an air purifier by with these air purifier pads. As the blades spin through the room, the filters trap dust, pet dander, smoke, and other irritants so you breathe cleaner air, and you won’t have to dust those fan blades. Replace the filter every few months and enjoy a cleaner home. Best of all? No one will even see them from below.

A peel-&-stick wall decal for instant charm

Fine Decor Leaf Trail Peel and Stick Border

Transform a bland room without painting or remodeling by adding this peel-and-stick border above a counter, near the ceiling, or behind a shelf. It’s easy to install and adds a low-key botanical element. “Adds just the right splash of color above my cabinets,” wrote one reviewer.

A hack to hide ugly outlets & wires

Sleek Socket Power Strip Concealer

That ugly snarl of wires feeding to a badly placed outlet is not doing your interior design any favors, but electricians are expensive. This power strip concealer is a quick and affordable way to move it. Plug the flat wall plate into the outlet and hide the power strip behind a piece of furniture. Plug everything into the power strip instead. It comes with a wire concealer kit, so the result is nearly invisible.

Window film for a stained glass look

GOODKIKY Stained Glass Window Film

Transform a door, window, or even a mirror with this stained glass window film that makes that expanse of glass look like you stole it from an ancient cathedral. It’s easy to apply with water and a squeegee and easy to remove. “So easy to apply and came with everything I needed!” wrote one reviewer. “It creates colorful prisms when the sun is shining!” wrote another.

A toilet brush with style & function

OSCIOSS Toilet Bowl Brush & Holder

Update your toilet cleaning system and tidy up the bathroom all at once with this clever toilet bowl brush. The shape of the brush effectively gets into all those crevices in the bowl, so it’s easy to get it clean. Then it goes into a sleek wall-mounted holder that hides the bristles so no one has to think about where they’ve been. The slick holder pops open, making the whole process easy.

Storage that fits anywhere

Lifelongpal Narrow Slim Bathroom Storage Cabinet with Wheels

Add this storage cabinet to your bathroom, laundry, or closet to create instant, concealed storage that’s easy to access. The swiveling casters mean you can pull it out to load it or find items. The doors keep the contents clean and out of sight. And the pieces are stackable, so you can add to your cabinet when you run out of space. Choose from several colors and configurations.

Baskets for all the mess

Bagnizer Small Plastic Storage Bins with Bamboo Lids (Set of 6)

These plastic storage bins with bamboo lids are such an affordable and functional way to organize a large collection of small items. Use them in a cupboard to keep track of snacks. Or use them in the bathroom to store personal care items. They stack, or you can leave the lids off for open storage. They come with labels.

A quick fix for dirty grout

Rainbow Chalk Markers Ltd Grout Marker

These chalk markers are the affordable bathroom remodel you need. “After going through all of the YouTube hacks for cleaning grout, all to no avail, I tried this,” wrote one reviewer. “Wow — did it work! My entire shower grout is clean and stark white! It looks just about brand new.” Just color over the stained grout with the marker.

A cute couch cover that’ll protect your investment

TGODGPY Pet Couch Cover

This pet couch cover is a huge improvement over the towels and spare blankets you have been using to keep your couch safe from pet hazards. It is a couch upgrade. The soft texture, gorgeous colors, and custom-fit improve your couch while protecting it. The grippy underside clings to the couch, the texture is dreamy to sit on, it’s a durable barrier, and you can toss it in the wash to clean it. Choose from several colors and sizes.

Motion-sensitive closet lighting that’s easy to install

EZVALO Motion Sensor Closet Lights (2-Pack)

A dark closet is difficult to use. Fortunately, these motion sensor closet lights fix that without a call to an electrician. Peel and stick the mount to the ceiling or the underside of a shelf. Then stick the light to the metal and aim the motion sensor. It will illuminate the closet when you are looking for something and turn off when you aren’t. You can pull the light off to recharge it or change the color of the light.

A bath mat that keeps the room dry

Summer&Kiss Foldable Stone Bath Mat

This stone bath mat is an elegant, minimalist solution for the bathroom. Step out of the shower onto it, and it quickly absorbs the water that drips onto it, which will evaporate in seconds. It keeps the floor dry and offers a safe place to step since the underside rests on a grippy mat. It comes in several sizes and colors.

Stairway & curtain lights for an instant mood upgrade

Eueasy Stair & Curtain Lights

Create warm, interesting lighting in your home with these curtain lights that hang from stairs or railings. Drape them on a banister, from a balcony railing, or integrate them into a patio or garden. Choose from multiple lighting effects, and set up timers so they turn on and off automatically. “The ambiance this gave my patio was better than expected!!” wrote one reviewer.

Clever cable ties that stop the mess

Abni Hook-And-Loop Cable Ties (50 Pieces)

Instead of letting the cords from your electronics, fan, kitchen appliance, or lamps clutter up the floor, desk, or counter, wrap them up and tuck them on the back of the machine or the underside of the desk with these hook-and-loop cable ties. They are easy to use, and this is a pack of 50. “A game changer for setting up an office,” wrote one reviewer.

A stone sink mat that absorbs water

Eormoe Faucet Mat

The wet mess around your kitchen faucet has met its match. This faucet mat absorbs water quickly, and then it evaporates it in seconds. That means you don’t have to spend so much time wiping it up. It looks elegant, too, framing your faucet and offering a landing place for sponges, brushes, and soap. It comes in several colors.

Spa-like shower lighting

YJHAOTOU Waterproof Shower Lamp

Bathroom lighting is often so harsh that the room fails to serve one of its main purposes: relaxation. This waterproof shower lamp is an easy fix for that. Instead of turning on the overhead, tap it to create a wash of soft, colored light in any of 16 ocean wave effects. “Looks beautiful at night and creates a relaxing spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom,” wrote one reviewer. Choose from several colors.

A window planter that hangs from a rail

Holensen Balcony & Railing Planters (Set of 3)

These railing planters let you add flowers anywhere you have a fence, railing, or balcony. Hook them over the rail and plant away. “Perfect on my apartment balcony!” wrote one reviewer. “My balcony is full of beautiful blooms.” This is a set of three, and they come in several colors.

A patio rug that brings the lighting

Capybland Solar Powered Outdoor Rug

This solar-powered outdoor rug brings everything your garden space needs to become a gathering place. Set it down, and it covers the ground or deck while lighting the space. All you need are a few chairs. Take it camping or use it at home. “I love this rug. So easy to clean, and it looks great at night,” wrote one reviewer.

Remote control storage that’s tidy

Poeland Remote Control Holder

Bring order to the coffee table by giving all the remotes a place to live. This remote control holder saves space by standing them all on end and turning them into a display, which makes it easy to return each remote to its home and keep your space tidy. It’s a great organizer on a vanity or desk, too.

Crystals to turn sunbeams to rainbows

HDCRYSTALGIFTS Crystal Suncatchers (7 Pieces)

Hang these crystal suncatchers in a window and transform the entire room into a magical light show of rainbows. Each one of the seven pieces is pretty and unique, even on a cloudy day. But when they catch the sun, they turn it to color. “I love the rainbow effect on my cupboards, floor, and walls,” wrote one reviewer.

Caulk trim to fix the details

InstaTrim Peel-and-Stick Caulk Trim

That ugly connection between the toilet and the floor, the missing piece of quarter round in the living room, the place where the backsplash doesn’t quite meet the counter? These messy joints and corners are easily solved with this peel-and-stick caulk trim. It’s flexible, cuttable, and already has adhesive on the back. It comes in lots of colors and sizes and is as easy as applying tape, but it looks like you called a contractor.

Driveway lights that are durable & versatile

AGPTEK Solar Driveway Lights (4-Pack)

These solar driveway lights are the perfect outdoor lighting solution for the driveway, stairs, deck, or pathways. Use them to create parking guides, to illuminate stairs, or whatever else you can think of. They soak up the sun, turn on automatically at dusk, and you can select the light color. You can even drive right over them without hurting them. This is a pack of four.

Cedar hangers that protect your clothes

HOUSE DAY Cedar Hangers (10-Pack)

Hang your garments on these cedar hangers, and you won’t have to worry that moths will make a meal of your cashmere. They smell like cedar, which will make your closet smell woodsy and delightful. But moths hate that smell, so they will find somewhere else to eat. “I appreciate how they keep everything smelling fresh without using any sprays or chemicals,” wrote one reviewer.

Cleaning tools that speed chores

wlich Baseboard Cleaner Tool Kit

Add this tool to your cleaning arsenal to streamline the process and cut down on how much you have to bend and reach. The telescoping handle connects to a clever baseboard cleaner tool or a broom, so you can whip through your chores using one tool. The baseboard tool comes with a variety of dusting and mopping cloths and is great for getting under furniture and into corners as well as for fitting along baseboards.

Drawers you can put anywhere

FRETONBA Self-Adhesive Slide Out Drawer

When clutter takes over your desk, coffee table, closet shelf, or vanity, this slide-out drawer is a great way to corral it all while keeping it handy. It peels and sticks to the underside of a table or shelf and slides out so you can access its contents. It comes in several sizes.

A cute sign that remembers the Wi-Fi credentials

Yulejo WiFi Pattern Password Sign

Stop looking up the Wi-Fi details for your guests. Write them down once and point them to this clever password sign. It looks cute in your space and remembers the network and password for you. Set it in the guest room, and you won’t have to think about it again. “Guests love it,” wrote one reviewer. “It also doubles as decor.”

Graceful planters for indoors or out

Kante Tall Rectangular Concrete Planter

Your entryway will become a grand welcome with this rectangular concrete planter standing at the gates. Or bring a majestic tree indoors to turn your interior into a garden scape. It is tall, has a drainage system so your plants will thrive, and isn’t as heavy as it looks. Choose from several colors and sizes.

Cable management boxes that look like books

TastePick Decorative Cable Management Box

Turn a mess of cords, plugs, and charger bricks into a simple stack of books with this cable management box that looks like your latest haul from the art book store. The books open so you can access the plugs and ports in the back of the box let wires go where they need to. It’s an elegant, classic solution to a common, modern mess.

Classical wallpaper for a dramatic style boost

Erfoni Vintage Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

Dial up the glam in your den or bedroom with this dramatic peel-and-stick wallpaper. It’s the perfect dark academia treatment for a focal point, one wall, or to transform a space into a salon out of a past century. “The beautiful black and gold pattern is gorgeous, and the metallic gold pops against the matte background, giving it a chic and luxurious look,” wrote one reviewer. It comes in several sizes and colors.

Faux brick walls that peel and stick

Cohoo Home Faux Brick Peel-And-Stick Wallpaper

If you wish you lived in a loft with exposed brick walls, that dream is attainable. You don’t even have to move. This faux brick peel-and-stick wallpaper transforms the walls you have into the ones you’re dreaming of. The whitewash is rubbed away just enough to give old-building vibes, and the installation is easy. “It has a realistic 3D brick look and was easy to apply without any mess,” wrote one reviewer.

An end table and lap tray

XNSDXV C-Shaped End Table with Wheels

The clever design of this C-shaped end table makes it the perfect couch-side assistant. Set a cup of coffee on it or pull it right over your lap — the bottom portion slides right under the furniture — and work on a laptop or craft. The height is adjustable, and the tabletop pivots, making it versatile and movable. It comes in several colors.

Lighting that hides in the light switch

SnapPower SwitchLight

Add a layer of lighting to your home without adding clutter by switching to this SwitchLight light switch plate. It has a downward-facing light built in, which not only makes it easy to locate the light switch but also adds a subtle ambient lighting element to your decor. It takes seconds to install, and the light is dimmable.

Decorative curtain rods with whimsical birds

KVEEO Bronze Curtain Rod with Bird Finials

Your curtain rod can be a purely utilitarian method of holding up the curtains, or it can become part of the mood. This curtain rod with bird finials is an elegant way to shift it to the latter. The cute bronze birds complement many styles, including farmhouse, vintage, classical, and more. There are several bird styles and rod sizes.

Motion-sensing lighting for under the bed

Vansky Under Bed Light

Lighting is a powerful element of home decor, and once you start hacking it, you will tap into the final piece that makes your space work. This under-bed light is both stylish and practical. It turns on when it senses movement, which is great for the middle-of-the-night bathroom run. But it’s also a subtle, automated lighting element at any time of day.

A wreath hanger system that does no damage

Zip 'n Hang Wreath Hanger for Front Door

Hanging a wreath on your door is a great way to make your entry welcoming and festive. This wreath hanger makes it easy to do, even if your door is metal or glass, or you don’t want to damage it. Invisible wires loop over the door corners, securing your wreath in the center, effortlessly and without drilling or adhesives. “This thing is genius!” wrote more than one reviewer.

Backsplash tiles that install so easily

Art3d 10-Pack Heavy-Duty Peel and Stick Backsplash

You might imagine that adding a backsplash to your kitchen or bath is an expensive, messy proposition. But this peel and stick backsplash is fast, cheap, and easy to install. People will think you endured a contractor event when all you did was a quick craft project. The 12-inch square tiles come in lots of colors.

Planter borders that are so chic

Beuta Landscape Edging (4 Feet)

Creating flower beds and herb gardens doesn’t have to involve construction and hard labor. Drop this landscape edging, fill the space it creates with soil, and plant. It looks like cobblestones but is one light piece that curves easily and protects your garden from the mower and garden whacker.

Backlighting that turns the TV room into a theater

Maylit TV LED Backlight

Transform your TV from dead space to a beautiful lighting element with this LED backlight. Peel and stick it to the back of the screen and let that big unit create ambient light in the color you choose. It takes power right from the TV, so the install is easy. It improves your viewing experience, too. “Makes watching experience so much better without even realizing it,” wrote one reviewer.

A power scrubber for fast & easy cleaning

Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber

Armed with this power scrubber, you will be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to eliminating dirt and crud in the bathroom and kitchen. The oscillating scrubber head fits into crevices and blasts away dirt with little effort from you. It’s battery-powered and water-resistant, so you can take it anywhere.

Motion-activated lights for inside the mailbox

sooogd Motion Sensor Mailbox Light (Set of 2)

Is there a word for the fear of putting your hand into a dark mailbox? If so, you won’t need to learn it once you install this motion sensor mailbox light. It illuminates the interior of that dark crevice so you can see what critters might be lurking before you insert your own precious digits. This is a pack of two, so you can spare a neighbor that terror, too.

Molding that installs in seconds

FONUNO Baseboard Molding Trim

Don’t let that poorly executed flooring situation mar the appearance of your interior. It’s so easy to fix with this baseboard molding trim that cuts with scissors and peels and sticks to the wall. Get creative with it and create molding where there was none, or use it to fix what someone else failed to finish.

Garden lanterns that glow like candles

GUANFU Solar Outdoor Lantern

Create a witchy mood in your garden by hanging this solar outdoor lantern from a shepherd's hook or tree branch. It throws warm, candle-like lighting that makes your space feel as if it were torn from the pages of history. It has three candles inside and is weatherproofed to last through all the seasons. It needs only sunlight for power.

TP storage that’s so clever

Lonbet - Toilet Paper Basket - Toilet Paper Storage - The Ultimate Bathroom Organizer - Bamboo Storage Basket, Toilet Paper Holder Basket, Bathroom Accessories Organizer

Store the TP right where you will need it in this toilet paper basket that is sized to fit in a small space and hold lots of rolls. It’s stylish, too, with a bamboo lid that doubles as a surface to set your phone on. “Such a pretty way to keep toilet paper hidden but handy,” wrote one reviewer. “I love the bamboo lid.”

Sheet storage that makes finding things so much easier

SpaceAid Bed Sheet Organizers (4-Pack)

These bed sheet organizers will completely transform the way you store sheets. Instead of struggling to fold them neatly, the box shape becomes the order you were trying to achieve. These line up neatly on a shelf, display the pattern of the sheets within, and sport a label that tells you what size they are. “Genius,” wrote more than one reviewer.

Shelf bins that are like drawers

SNSLXH Stackable Closet Storage Baskets (5-Pack)

When you want drawers but love the capacity and clarity of shelves, these stackable closet storage baskets are the hybrid solution. They stack onto those shelves, letting you sort and categorize your wardrobe, linens, or pantry items. And each one is like a drawer, pulling out so you can access what’s stored in it without removing it from the shelf. This is a set of five.