Congrats, You Just Bought Your First Home — 47 Products To Help You Get Ahead Of The Problems That Will Inevitably Arise

Buzz Feed

22-03-2025

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.
Becoming a homeowner will throw a lot of curveballs your way, but we can try to get ahead of 'em.
1. Luigi's sink and drain plunger — a miniature tool you'll pat yourself on the back for buying when your bathroom sink finally exclaims, "I'VE HAD IT WITH YOU AND YOUR HAIR SHEDDING!" If you tend to wash, dye, brush, or style your hair over the sink, you most certainly need this in your cleaning arsenal.
www.amazon.com
Please note how hard I'm trying not to make a Super Mario Bros. plumbing joke right now.
Promising review:"Y'all, this thing is amazing! My kitchen sink was completely clogged for four days. I've been trying to clear the drain with a different sink plunger that I already had and it didn't do diddly squat. I was about to give up and call a plumber. Then I decided to order this one. It completely cleared the drain in about three minutes. So then I decided to take it to the bathroom sink that had been draining extremely slowly, and within a minute, I had the water running so quickly and smoothly again. I got the small one, and it's the perfect size for kitchen and bathroom sinks." — JNeen
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
2. A Dawn Platinum Powerwash dish spray that would be worthy of taking up one of your three Genie wishes — it comes in various delectable scents and works wonders on caked-on food and grease. All you have to do is spritz, let it sit, then rinse it off! Reviewers are obsessed with it — it has over 89,000 5-star reviews. (WOW!!!)
I use this stuff constantly and can confirm it's fantastic. I use it on my frying pans and the grill pans from my griddler (which is ALWAYS a pain to clean). It loosens all the gunk and makes cleaning burnt bits and pieces much easier. It also really does smell incredible — very fresh and delightful! I recently swapped from the "fresh" scent to the "apple" one, and wow, it smells delicious. It also works great for removing stains on clothes (I've seen it remove coffee from a white tee with my very own eyes).
Promising review:"This makes it so easy to keep my sink clear of dishes. I use it constantly throughout the day. Every time I use a dish, I give it a quick spray, wash it, rinse it, and put it in a dish drainer. It is wonderful. I wish it was a little cheaper as I'm constantly using it; other than that, I love it." — Linda W.
Get a pack of four Amazon for $16.88 (available in four scents).
3. A super absorbent floral dish drying mat to bring pretty vibes into your kitchen and to your least favorite chore. It's a must-buy for new homeowners who haven't quite figured out how they want to set their kitchen up just yet but, nonetheless, need somewhere to dry their cups, bowls, and plates.
www.amazon.com
The top layer is made of absorbent PU leather, so you can easily rinse or wipe it clean! It also has an anti-skid rubber backing to prevent sliding.
Promising review: "I was a little concerned about how things would dry on this mat since it isn't fabric, but everything seems to dry really well – and it is just so pretty a thing to have on my counter! Can't beat the price either." — Nana M.
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three sizes and six colors/styles).
4. A self-adhesive SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher you'll likely want to buy for every single switch in your home (apologies) as you'll be able to use it to transform *any* device into a smart one! Once you set it up, you'll be able to use Google, Alexa, or an app on your phone to control it. Technology, man.
Reviewers love this because it doesn't require you to "smart enable" other parts of your home. I need to get one of these for my husband who drags himself out of bed every morning to turn on his espresso machine.
Promising review:" This little bot has vastly improved my quality of life! I've stickered it to my air conditioner unit in two separate apartments, and it's made controlling the room temp a breeze (no pun intended). Do note, in order to use it with Alexa, you will need a separate component. That said, you can control it within its own app as is. I highly recommend getting it set up with Alexa, though. It automatically paired with Alexa, and it works off of Bluetooth, so it's super easy to detect and set up. It's exactly what I wanted!" — Danny Conner
Get it from Amazon for $29+ (available in white and black).
5. A set of stoneware bowls that are so lovely and will look absolutely fabulous on display in your new open kitchen shelves instead of your old mismatched ones — their depth makes them perfect for everything from salad to cereal *and* they're dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
These bowls are microwave-, freezer-, dishwasher-, and oven safe!
Promising review:"I legit think salads taste better out of this dish. I can't explain it but it's amazing and I'm now eating more salads. Maybe because a bowl holds dressing better than a plate and I'm not worried about running the greens off the side of a plate but can scoop them up with ease with the edges of this dish? Questions that don't really need answering I suppose but illustrates how great this dish is. Buy the set, you won't regret it." — ANH
Get a set of two from Amazon for $26.99+ (also available in a set of four and in four styles).
6. Prismatic window film to add extra privacy from your nosey new neighbors who are just dying to see what you've done with the place. They'll also create a burst of color in any room that'll make you want to croon "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check out one BuzzFeed Shopping editor's writeup on the Rabbitgoo rainbow privacy film for more deets on why it's so popular!
Promising review:"Buy it just for the prisms! I can't tell you how surprised and delighted we were at the rainbow effect this film has. I bought it to make a window overlooking the street more private, and I thought I would appreciate seeing the rainbow colors on the window itself. But then when the light was shining on it at the right angle, it cast these beautiful rainbow colors on the wall. So I bought a second roll to put on one of our master bedroom windows that overlooks our neighbor's patio so I don't have to draw the curtains. In the morning now, the light comes in at just the right angle to pass through the rainbow prism and cast beautiful rainbow colors on the wall...and the bed...and the cat." — J. B.
Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in 11 sizes).
7. An outlet light for anyone who has accidentally walked into a wall one (or two) times too many when getting up in the middle for a glass of water — especially if you're not used to the new layout of your home! This lil' gadget will subtly light your way without the need for a bulkier option.
Amazon
Promising review:"I don't like night-lights because they take up the wall outlet, so this was the perfect solution. I put it in the guest bath, and at night, with the bathroom door open, this provides just enough light to guide a person to the bathroom without blinding them. I ended up putting two on my hallway switches as well. What a great product." — LMK
Get it from Amazon for $22.98+ (available in four colors and three sizes).
8. A Furbo camera that's an absolute must-have for pet parents — you'll be able to check on Fido at any time and will even receive push notifications when your pup is barking so you can talk to them through the app to calm them and even toss them a treat!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It features real-time two-way audio, color night vision, and a 360-degree rotating 1080p camera.
Promising review: "Having cameras inside the house are nice for checking on the dogs. Having a feeder where you can watch your dogs eat is better. Having a camera that can swivel to check where your dogs went and feed them? Perfect. The setup was easy, and I was up and running in no time. I have no regrets making this purchase, and I've gotten my dogs used to the new camera, and they definitely enjoy all the treats being dispensed. It's also nice to be able to talk to the pups and stop them from doing stuff through the mic. Highly recommend for people who aren't at home a lot and worry about their pets and just want to give them some loving while you're busy." — Eugene
Get it from Amazon for $129.99.
9. A robotic vacuum, because you and I both know you don't want to spend a weekend morning trying to conquer all of the pet hair, debris, and other unexplainable messes that have found their way into your home. Kick your feet up, put on a podcast, and let this lil' gadget do its thing.
This robotic vacuum can easily move between hard floors and low- to medium-pile carpets/rugs and can pick up all the accumulated dust, dirt, and hair while you go about your day. It has an infrared sensor to avoid knocking into obstacles (like furniture and walls) and drop-sensing tech so it won't fall down stairs and off ledges. And if it starts to run low on battery, it'll just return to its base for a recharge! Reviewers do recommend keeping stray items like socks and cords off the floor before running this.
Promising review:"This robot vacuum is incredible! I have three dogs and a cat; this vacuum is a time saver. I run it each day, and it has done an incredible job of keeping pet hair, dirt, and debris picked up in my home. Works well on carpet, hardwood, and tile floors. Wish I had purchased it sooner!" — t. hampton
Get it from Amazon for $129.99+ (also available in two other models).
10. A set of faux coffee-table books inspired by the fancy-schmancy Assouline travel series, except they're *a lot* more practical! They open with a magnetic lid to become secret storage compartments so that you can hide the many remotes and cords you've yet to figure out what they do post-move.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "The color of these books is actually more vivid and beautiful in person. I'm thrilled with how it looks on the shelf — plus it's a very good hiding spot. I would 100% recommend these for anyone looking to add color to your home." — elishiva
Get a set of four from Amazon for $27.99.
11. A modern pendant light to upgrade your home's lighting situation while seamlessly blending in with the lovely decor you already have. No more fumbling around in your entryway for your keys — this beauty will light your way *and* look good doing it.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I love these. I hung four of them above my island. They are stunning. Everybody who sees them loves them. They bring in such a great ambiance and vibe that softens the room." — Veronica
Get it from Amazon for $70.99+ (available in three sizes and four styles).
12. Or a conversion kit that'll lend you a hand in transforming your boring old recessed lighting into a modern-day masterpiece. Exciting pendant lights, here you come!
Amazon
It has an about six-step installation process and includes all the parts you'll need. The brace adjusts to any size between 4' and 6' and fits the standard base sockets. They can be used on sloped ceilings up to 45˚, works in damp locations, has a 50-pound maximum load rating, and is paintable with no visible screws or hardware.
Promising review:" This was a pretty easy installation considering the work is on the ceiling. I've been wanting to change out the two can lights over my sink for years, so I started investigating the easiest possible way to do so. Ran across this item, and watched the video on YouTube. What the heck, I thought! Rewatched the video before installation, looked at the directions on both the converter kit and the pendant light, gathered the necessary tools described in all instructions, and set upon my mission. The hardest part (for me) was getting the self-tapping screws started. I'm pretty pleased with the outcome, I must say! By the way, I'm a 55-year-old female who has worked at a bank all of my life. Yes! It was that easy. I would highly recommend it." — Trisch Reeve
Get it from Amazon for $22.61.
13. A stainless-steel rainfall showerhead you can count on to make you feel like you're taking a few minutes to rinse off in the fabulous bathroom of your room at The Ritz-Carlton when, in reality, you're in the very outdated bathroom you haven't had a chance to update just yet.
Promising review:"This is a beautiful showerhead, very thin, but feels quite sturdy and heavy. Installation took no more than five minutes. The shower head has a very smooth, highly polished, mirror-like chrome finish. It gives a satisfying showering experience without wasting too much water. Absolutely no leaks whatsoever. Everybody in our family said they liked it. What else is there to say about a showerhead?" — Sadda Reddy
Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in five sizes and four finishes).
14. A cleverly designed rechargeable electric candle lighter with a flexible neck so you'll never find yourself fighting to ignite a candle wick while the match you just lit burns down faster than you can say "ouch!"
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I cook outside, and lighting a fire during wet and windy weather was a real pain. This lighter was a game-changer! If the material is dry, this lighter will light regularly, consistently, and easily. Plus, it's rechargeable! Love it!" — Sandra
Get it from Amazon for $15.29+ (available in nine colors and as a two-pack).
15. Or a dazzling candle warmer with a lampshade reminiscent of a high-end crystal chandelier you'd likely see in the middle of a ballroom on Bridgerton. More importantly, you won't need to keep a stash of matches on hand *and* your fave candle will last basically forever since it won't actually be burning down when you pair it with this gadget.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I loved this candle warmer! I love that it has different functions, even a timer to set how long you want it on. The lights are super cool, too, and you don't get that smoky smell when you blow out a candle. Definitely obsessed!" — Laura
Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in two styles).
16. A high-tech trash can you'll probably cry tears of joy over if you hate germs, because now you'll never have to physically touch the garbage can again.
Simplehuman also makes custom-fit liners for each of their trash cans, which fit perfectly in the can's back compartment and conveniently dispenses from inside the can. I have this very garbage can and often finding myself awkwardly waving my hand over OTHER ones expecting them to magically open like mine does. Oops.
Promising review:"It looks sharp and is so convenient. I love how well the trash bags fit, how the lid keeps the bag hidden, and that the bin stores the spare bags in a handy little compartment. The step lid seems sturdy, closes quietly, and keeps odors contained. The snug bag fit also ensures trash fills the bag well, instead of awkwardly. The 45-liter size is perfect for our two-person home and holds more than I thought it would. We're no longer overfilling our bin and changing the bag is an absolutely breeze since you don't have to totally remove the larger lid — you just flip it up. I'm so happy with this trash can." — Sally Bidwell
Get it from Amazon for $119.99+ (available in three sizes and colors).
17. Plus, a smart sensor wastebasket to plop in the half-bath situation you're still trying to redecorate. This beauty is stylish, practical, and will prevent your pets or toddlers from getting their grubby little paws on yucky bathroom-only trash you'd rather them NOT touch.
Promising review:"Great little trash can. Easy to assemble wooden legs and simple to attach. Fits well in small spaces. The lid opens and closes with a wave of the hand to the sensor located in front. 2AA batteries. Holds a grocery-size bag. Very sturdy, although lightweight, but does not look cheap. Great value for the money." — Anita Gordon
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
18. A pet hair remover with a unique patented brush design that'll let you invite guests to sit down without fear of them being covered head to toe in your dog's smelly hair (especially if they're overdue for a bath...yikes).
ChomChom is a small business.
Promising reviews:"I've had it in my possession for like two hours, and I've cleaned everything. The couch, the blinds, the cat tree pad, the chair; I'm obsessed. I feel like this thing should win an award for being so awesome. It should be in raffle baskets, giveaways, and silent auctions for every event that highlights 'things cat people need.' It's better than those sticky rollers, and it's better than the one-directional velvet wand thing that I always use the wrong way. It's the best." — Meowser
Check out our ChomChom pet hair remover review!
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in four colors).
19. A mason jar cold brew maker if you're a proud member of the Drinking-iced-coffee-all-year Club (here, here!) Plus, it'll be ready and waiting when you roll out of bed. Reviewers absolutely love this version and also use it to brew their favorite iced teas.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
County Line Kitchen is a small business specializing in mason jar–style cold brew makers, pitchers, and accessories.
Promising review: "This has been a hit in my house. Makes the most delicious cold brew and is of great quality. Has saved a ton of money on going out and on pods I used to buy. I try to let it sit for 48 hours so I can dilute it with a little water to get it to last longer, and throw it in my dishwasher in between uses. Perfect!" — Jo
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two sizes and colors).
20. Or a Moccamaster drip coffee machine that'll become your most bragged about gadget thanks to how beautifully it'll match your kitchen decor — it comes in over 23 colors! The brewing basket will stop the flow of coffee the moment you remove the carafe and it has a hot plate to keep coffee hot as long as necessary (aka long enough for you to tackle one home improvement project and come back to it, still warm!).
My husband, a coffee connoisseur, has assured me in the "coffee community" this machine is regarded as one (if not THE) best drip coffee machines on the market. I mean, it does boast the ability to brew between a half or full carafe, a brew basket that automatically stops the flow of coffee when removing the carafe (no mess!), and a hotplate with an independent heating element to keep coffee at the *perfect* temperature. But for me? It's the color options. There are SO many to choose from — there's no doubt in my mind anyone would be able to find an option that would look great in their home. I actually *do* own one in my home (it's fabulous) and it does all that it says it will. It's certainly lived up to our expectations — and we drink a lot of coffee as parents of a baby and a toddler.
Get it from Amazon for $359 (available in 25 colors).
21. A toothbrush holder and dispenser, because trying to put together a to-do list in the morning is hard enough to cope with, so you might as well mount this bad boy and let it dispense your toothpaste for you as *one* less thing to think about. It's the little things!
Amazon
Promising review:"I love this item! I saw it originally on TikTok and thought it would be perfect for our bathroom! We have one bathroom upstairs and five people who use it. This cleared up so much counter space for us! There are ventilation holes where the cups go to help make sure they dry properly. The toothpaste dispenser has really been working to get every last drop out of the tube. Would definitely recommend for a family or kids bathroom. There is also a little storage compartment behind the toothpaste that is great for extra brushes, cotton swabs, or flossers." — Sariyah J
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in four colors).
22. A cup rinser that'll make cleaning bottles, glasses, and mugs as easy as 1, 2, 3, which means you'll have more time to do more important things like pick out a trendy wallpaper for your new bathroom or argue with your partner about different shades of white paint for your entryway.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the cup washer in action. To install, you can use the instructions and materials provided to easily hook it up to the hot water line. Note that this won't install on sinks without a flat edge!
Promising review:"Never knew I needed one until I saw it on TikTok, and with water bottles and toddler cups it is essential to my household!" — Gayla Brink
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
23. A wireless endoscope gadget you'll absolutely want in your toolbox if you're a homeowner — it has a teeny tiny camera on the end you can send behind walls or into drains to see what's going on before calling in a professional. Mr. Fix-It WISHES they had one of these bad boys. 😉
My husband found this online and was absolutely blown away by the technology. This tool connects to an app on your phone, allowing you to problem solve without having to spend an exorbitant amount of money. He used it many times throughout our first year as homeowners to look into heat ducts, down drains, inside walls, etc.
Promising review:" This camera works so well it's almost a joke. An overhead light in my boat's cabin had severed wire. The hole to access the wire is not even 1/2' in diameter, and the gap in the ceiling is only 2' tall. Adjusted the semi rigid cable, located the severed wire, went back in with the hook attached, and voila!" — the family cook
Get it from Amazon for $25.49.
24. A dryer vent cleaner attachment that'll pull all of the hard-to-reach pieces of lint out of your dryer — it'll revive the new dryer you just inherited with the house and get it in (fingers crossed) tip-top shape before you use it on your clothes. Trust me, from experience, you're going to want to clean that out, STAT.
This adapter is compatible with most vacuum cleaner pipes, so all you have to do is attach it to your vacuum and guide it around your dryer to suck up excess and hard-to-reach lint. Too much lint buildup not only slows down the drying process, it's also a fire hazard, so this handy device can actually be considered a safety tool! When my husband and I first moved into our house we were left the previous owner's washer and dryer — which was great! Except, they had a dog that apparently shed A LOT and their hair was embedded deeply in the dryer. There was tons to clean out so that the hair didn't get all over our clothes. This definitely would've done the trick!
Promising review:"Yes, we had a sock in our dryer vent!! This past summer, the lint trap broke on our dryer. Our kids ran the dryer regardless! What a disaster. Received my vacuum kit today, and now my clothes are dry! I sucked up the sock, as well as a piece of lint roller tape. Great product!" — Laurel Enoch
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors).
25. And a box of washing machine cleaning tablets to easily remove any odor-causing residue from inside your machine — you don't want your clothes to smell, do ya?
www.amazon.com
You can use this product on both front-load and top-load washing machines. I ran it through the old washing machine that was left in my new house (beggars can't be choosers!) and it came out nice and clean.
Promising review:"Works great. My washer started smelling like sour clothes. In turn, my clothes were smelling sour as well. I plopped an Affresh Tab in the washer and let it do its magic. After it was done I opened the washer and to my surprise there was no smell at all. This is a six-pack so buy one box for half a year or two boxes, and only have to order once per year. Definitely recommend." — jcski
Get a box of five from Amazon for $9.79 (also available in a six-pack).
26. Plus a pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets you can toss into your dishwasher and easily get rid of that yucky smell before your family arrives for a visit — it'll banish lime and mineral buildup and leave your dishes nice 'n' clean.
Just pop them into the tray where you'd normally put detergent (or on the bottom of your dishwasher if you're washing dishes at the same time), and run as usual!
Promising review: "This was simple to use, smelled good, and I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the dishwasher after the recommended cleaning cycle. This product actually did what it advertises that it will do! Great results, fairly economical — and by the way — it works!" — Old Southern Charm
Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $8.99.
27. A garbage-disposal foaming cleaner to scrub away the stinky grime that builds up on the blades and in the pipes. Definitely add this to your cart if you've never lived with one of these babies before and are likely to get overexcited and dump EVERYTHING and ANYTHING down there.
Amazon
Promising review:"Saw on TikTok (don't judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you're left with a clean sink! I use with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend for weekly maintenance." — Jessica Hamilton
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $3.78+ (also available in larger packs).
28. A wet/dry vacuum, aka the new love of your homeowning-life — it's probably what Kelly Clarkson was inspired by when she sang "My Life Would Suck Without You." It'll suck up anything from nails and water to bits of wood and leaves. You name it, it can be cleaned up with this vac.
My husband and I bought our first home in 2021 and it has been quite the learning experience. Luckily, my father-in-law has a plethora of tools, such as this vacuum, that made most of our DIYs a breeze. After ripping up a carpet and removing all the staples that had been holding it down, I was amazed we were able to use this machine to clean all the debris up in one swipe.
Promising review:"I had a 40-year-old Craftsman shop vacuum that finally broke, I was not expecting a modern one to perform as well as the old one however this new one is better in every way. The hose holds its shape under the vacuum, the wheels turn easily allowing it to move freely. It's so much quieter than the old model, I like the cart especially as it gives a handle to allow you to move the vacuum around without bending down which for someone with low back pain, this is a great relief" — Silver
Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in two sizes and four different accessories).
29. Shelf liner that'll provide a nonslip padding inside your cabinets, closets, and drawers so your belongings can be safely stowed away — you'll feel like a true adult bragging about this lil' home improvement project.
Amazon
You can cut these for a perfect fit, so no worries about the exact sizing. It's also machine washable, so any crumbs or stains can be easily removed.
Promising review:"I have recently moved into an apartment with some pretty gross cupboards, drawers, and kitchen shelves that I can do almost nothing about. I didn't want to put down adhesive shelf liner and traditional mesh type cushioning shelf liner doesn't really protect my dishes from touching the ancient stained wood. This stuff is a great solution for me. It's a nice thick padding that's textured on the bottom so it doesn't slide around. The top is slick and smooth and easy to clean. I don't really bother to trim this stuff, instead I place it in the cupboard and let the excess bend up around the edges creating a little bumper around the edge of the cabinet. Makes me feel so much better about my kitchen and the bright white look says 'clean' in a place that desperately needs something to say 'clean.' I've used a couple of different types of this style of liner in this kitchen and this brand is by far my favorite. Go ahead and buy the larger rolls. Ten feet seems like a lot of material until you're filling cupboards and drawers you'll use more than you think." — Taylor Whitney
Get it from Amazon for $7.89+ (available in three sizes).
31. And/or peel-and-stick floor tiles for anyone who has a deep-rooted hatred for the bathroom floor that came with their house — these are water-resistant (important!) and are so gorgeous once you apply them you'll likely find yourself redecorating your entire room around 'em.
www.amazon.com
Each box has 10 12" x 12" tiles.
Promising review: "Best purchase ever, love that it brightened and give my bathroom a new fresh look. Easy to put together and only took about two hours." — Billy
Get it from Amazon for $13.90.
32. And glue-on foam ceiling tiles with the ability to transform any run-of-the-mill room into a Roman retreat. No one would ever guess that your over-the-top ceiling is actually made from the same material as the styrofoam cups you used to take a bite out of as a kid. (No? Just me?)
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"If you're even considering doing it, JUST DO IT!! I can't even begin to tell you how easy this was, and the end result is mind-blowing! When people come over (we're remodeling our newly purchased home built in 1865), their jaws drop. We put this in the sunroom/eat-in kitchen area. We love it so much we'll be doing it in the bar area of the dining room. When you actually get them on the ceiling and look at your finished product, you'd never guess it's styrofoam. Caulking between the tiles was crucial to giving its overall look. That was the most difficult part. My advice (from watching hours of YouTube videos and doing research) find the center of the ceiling and work your way out. It took us two hours to do a fairly large space. We definitely overestimated how many it would take but I'm glad we had extra on hand in the case we messed one up. Also — make sure your blade is SHARP!" — Steven
Get it from Amazon for $22.96+ (available in packs of 8, 48, 96, 144 and eight colors).
33. Felt pads to ensure you don't immediately scratch the wood floors you just paid a ton of money to have stained and refinished. You'll be seriously impressed how your furniture can glide across the floor like a world-class figure skater once you pop these pads onto the bottom of 'em.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Just got a new house with all new wood floors. Every piece of furniture needed felt 'feet.' I found this package on Amazon and hoped it would do the trick for all of my furniture. When I received it (quickly no less) I thought it was too small of a package to get the job done, but once I started with the dining room table and six chairs I realized there was plenty in the package to add a dot to every bit of furniture I needed to 'shoe.' It was easy to adhere and now everything scoots like a dream." — Robyn Restel
Get a box of 181 pads from Amazon for $13.91.
34. A bamboo burner cover that'll make you feel like you've waved a magic wand and, POOF! added extra counter space to your kitchen. If you've just invested in a fixer-upper that doesn't have your dream cooking space just yet, this will fill the void until your renovation.
www.amazon.com
BambooMN is a small business!
BuzzFeeder Jennifer Tonti credits this burner cover for helping her cook with ease:
"OK so I bought this for my own tiny apartment and OMG you guys. Life = changed. Food = chopped. Counter space = doubled. I mean the math is all there."
Promising review:"This is so perfect for extra space. It covers the top of my apartment-sized stove so I can then use my stove space for my Instant Pot and food prep. The best space-saving and cosmetic thing I have ever gotten for this tiny apartment." — Talyn Amber Skye
Get it from Amazon for $25.75+ (available in 11 styles).
35. A classic handheld Oxo can opener because anyone with a house should have this staple item literally on hand — you'll be happy you bought it when all you want after a long day of DIY projects in your new home is a classic can of tomato soup and a grilled cheese. It'll also work when the power is out (unlike the fancier electric versions) so you'll never be stranded without canned food options.
Amazon
I have this can opener and bought it for my parents when their old electric one died. It may not seem like the most essential purchase but when you've watched your dad try to open a can of tuna with a butcher knife, you'll realize it's best to have one on hand.
Promising review:"This is a top-notch can opener. Gone through several other cheap brands that have broken and left me nearly cutting a finger off trying to finish opening the half mutilated can, but this guy knows how to get the job done and the handle is much more ergonomic in my opinion. Do yourself a favor and buy five, one for yourself and four for people in your life because this guy will change their life." — AK
Get it from Amazon for $13.94.
36. Motorized custom shades that'll help you make even the sunniest of days into cozy ones fit for movie marathons — all you'll have to do is click your remote or ask Alexa or Google to lower them for you! After all the hard work you've been putting into your home you deserve some downtime.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "While a bit spendy, these blinds are great! The customer service is impeccable, and they are very responsive and were able to work with my poor measuring skills to get me sorted with a new set that only required a motor swap! After doing it twice because I put the reset button the wrong way, I'm back installed, and they work great!!!! Thank you!!" — Johnny X.
Get them from Amazon for $153.99+ (available in 22 colors; all orders are custom sized).
37. A pack of oven liners to protect the bottom of the oven you just worked up a sweat scrubbing clean — no need to worry about ooey gooey overflowing cheese or saucy splatters ruining the progress you've just made!
Amazon
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Promising review:"These liners are life changing! I never thought I needed them until a friend raved about them. Cleanup is so simple, no more melted cheese or sauces burnt to the bottom of my ovens. I love that I can cut them down to size to fit my toaster oven. My husband enjoys grilling with the liners now, he doesn't have to line the grill with aluminum foil which he found so annoying, deterring him to grill. This product really has simplified my life in the kitchen and I love it." — Kindle Custommer
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $12.99.
38. A garbage guard that'll work just as hard (if not harder) than the King's Guard, except instead of protecting a royal family member, its sole purpose is to stand between pesky bugs and your trash can.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. Placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor, just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc.)" — Michael E. Bradley
Get it from Amazon for $9.84.
39. A Clorox ToiletWand you can rely on to efficiently clean your porcelain throne but then also happily toss away — no grime-filled old school toilet brush to take up residence in the corner of your bathroom!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
I own and cherish this product. It's a dream knowing the "brush" is fresh and hasn't been intimate with the inside of my toilet prior to my picking it up again. This set comes with the wand and 16 refills.
Promising review:"The primary reason I decided to purchase the Clorox Toilet Wand was so I could clean under my toilet rims, which I noticed was definitely getting neglected via using the standard toilet brushes to clean. Initially, I was looking for a toilet brush that had the shape needed to actually GET under the rim, and that's how I found out about it. Now that I've used it... I can say without a doubt that'll I'll never go back to a regular brush. I like the cleanliness of the disposable brushes as opposed to a regular toilet brush. And I especially like that I don't have to purchase a second brush with a shape capable of cleaning under the rim, which not only takes up more space, but also would take more time given I'd have to switch back and forth and apply product. With this, I can just clean the entire pot in less than five minutes with the same tool." — Brittney Nelson
Get it from Amazon for $20.86.
40. A utility sink that'll come in handy when you come home after exploring the neighborhood with your dog but get a bit lost and end up with mud-caked shoes (and paws!). Rinse off before you destroy that lovely lil' rug you just put down!
Amazon
My parents have one specifically for my mom to dye her hair (sorry for, uh, publicizing that, Mom) in so she doesn't stain their nice, new sinks. I'm planning to get one for my laundry room to soak stained clothing and whatnot before tossing it into the washing machine.
Promising review:"I purchased this as a replacement for an old but nearly exact sink that is the only sink in my garage/auto shop. This is plenty sturdy for filling pails and cleaning heavy parts. As noted by others, the faucet is especially nice. Along with the faucet, this unit would be ideal for washing dogs up to a medium size. An excellent piece for not much money. As is usual with Amazon, it was delivered in just two days." — D OC
Get it from Amazon for $209.99+ (available in two styles).
41. A solar-powered, motion sensor-activated lights to make you feel like you've just made your Broadway debut anytime you step into your backyard. Or, you know, alert you when a stray cat is passing through.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I purchased these to cover the side of my house. Installation was easy and I left them outside for two days to charge. The light coverage was about what I expected from them and do the job well. The motion sensitivity covers all the side and lights turn on. It has rained about three times and still work great and hoping they last for a long time." — J. Argueta
Get a set of four from Amazon for $29.99.
42. Rubbermaid's power scrubbing brush, for when you want to give your grout an all-inclusive spa treatment and bring it back to its squeaky-clean glory.
Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This Rubbermaid scrubber is fantastic. It cleans around the kitchen sink easily, scrubs those pot scrapes off porcelain sinks with ease. It also cleans in the bathroom, scrubs the tile in the shower, cleans walls at the sink area and so much more. I don't know how I cleaned without it. It is wonderful! Don't hesitate, buy it!" — lindae
Get it from Amazon for $17.38.
To learn why my BuzzFeed Shopping colleague loves this, check out our full Rubbermaid Power Scrubber review.
43. And a grout pen to help you restore your tile floor and bathroom walls and leave 'em looking like they were just installed. Feel free to enthusiastically yell "YOU COULD EAT OFF OF THESE FLOORS!" after the job is done.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"These things are awesome! I cleaned my bathroom tile grout first because the lady that lived there before me really let it go. A few places stayed stained and I was worried it wouldn't cover them, but all grout areas are bright white and look new now!" — Donna K Cook
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in narrow and wide tips).