Homebodies Swear by These Cheap Things That Make Your Home So Much Better

“My hands get cold reading in the winter,” wrote Inverse shopping editor Lauren Beach. This remote-control page-turner is a “little extra but lets me keep my hands under my blanket while I read.” The receiver clips onto most devices and works alongside touchscreens (including phones for taking distance selfies), while the remote is rechargeable and has a mute button to prevent accidental page-turning.

• Available styles: 4

According to Beach, these flameless candles “are so pretty and there aren't batteries to deal with — one cord charges all three at once.” Since they’re made with real wax in glass vessels and the LED lights flicker, reviewers raved that they “look so real” that “you can't tell they are flameless.” The included remote control also lets you adjust the brightness and set automatic timers.

• Available styles: 11

Made from cushioned material with soft upholstery, this pillow tablet stand is “lightweight and lets you choose literally any angle for maximum comfort,” wrote Beach. You can adjust the tilt and use it for hands-free viewing alongside tablets, e-readers, phones, books, and magazines. Plus, it has a built-in storage compartment and lays flat for compact storage.

• Available styles: 4

“I love sparkling wine and these stoppers make it possible to pop a bottle, have a glass, and save the rest for another night,” wrote editor Anna Anderson. They’re made from stainless steel with silicone plugs that create airtight, leak-proof seals when you engage the clips. You can also get them in black, pink, white, or rose gold finishes.

• Available styles: 5

Editor Jen Fiegel recommends this retractable wall charger because it ensures you “always have a charger cord handy, but it isn’t cluttering up your space.” When extended, the cord is almost 3 feet long but automatically rolls up into the reel when not in use. The brick also has an additional USB-A port to charge a second device. Choose between a Lightning cable or a USB-C cable in three colors each.

• Available styles: 6

Reviewers called The Ultimate Brain Health Puzzle Book for adults “fun” and “entertaining,” but it’s also designed to keep your mind sharp. It’s filled with a variety of puzzles including crosswords, deductive reasoning tests, and Sudoku, plus it has four different levels that you can progress through as you improve.

Yes, it’s great for travel, picnics, and parties, but this snackle box is just as functional for homebodies. Fill its eight removable compartments with your favorite fruit, veggies, nuts, candy, and other snacks, so you can graze on the sofa or in bed. It also has an airtight, spill-resistant lid with built-in handles for portability.

• Available sizes: 1 Pack — 2 Pack

These bowl huggers are made from thick, durable microfiber, so you can take your food out of the microwave and comfortably hold it without burning yourself. They come in a set of four in your choice of seven colors, and they’re machine-washable and double as trivets when cooking.

• Available styles: 7

No bathtub? No problem. These shower steamers are like bath bombs you can use while standing up. Place them right outside the stream of water and they’ll slowly dissolve into the steam, giving off soothing aromatherapy benefits. The pack of 18 includes three essential oil-based scents: grapefruit, cocoa and orange, and ginger and orange designed to give you an energy boost.

• Available styles: 3

“This is heaven,” BDG editor Cassandra Seale wrote about this heated eye massager. “The warming feature feels especially nice after staring at the computer all day.” Rechargeable for cord-free use, it has four modes (heat, massage, compression, and acupressure) to minimize headaches, boost relaxation, and soothe tired eyes — and it doubles as a set of Bluetooth headphones.

• Available styles: 2

BDG editor Allison Scholtz loves these wine charcuterie toppers “for at-home charcuterie/dinner parties.” Made from curved bamboo, they’re designed to fit most wine glasses with tops larger than 2.16 inches, so you (or your guests) can hold your snacks and your drink with one hand.

• Available sizes: 4 — 10

Scholtz also recommends this sunlight lamp, which uses 10,000 lux of brightness to mimic the full-spectrum light from the midday sun. Touch-activated with four built-in timer settings and five brightness levels, you can use it to help you wake up in the morning or to counteract the winter blues when the days are short and dark.

• Available styles: 4

Puzzles are a relaxing, screen-free activity to pass the time at home, but they take up a ton of space. This highly-rated puzzle mat comes with a felt cloth, an inflatable tube, elastic bands, and a storage bag — so when you’ve reached a stopping point, you can roll up your creation to reclaim your coffee table or dining area without losing your progress.

Reviewers have tried name-brand options that cost twice as much, but this adjustable pillow feels “the exact same.” It has shredded memory foam that you can add or remove to customize your ideal loft and support level. It’s also covered in cooling bamboo and the whole thing is machine-washable.

• Available sizes: Queen — King

At first glance, these fuzzy house slippers look almost like sneakers thanks to their closed back and rubber sole — but their faux-fur uppers make them soft, warm, and cozy. The backs are also flexible for wear as slip-ons and the EVA bottoms are non-slip and suitable for light outdoor use. Get them in tons of colors and patterns.

• Available sizes: 5-6 — 13.5-14.5
• Available styles: 44

This double-layer snack bowl has a brilliant design. The detachable upper bowl holds your fruit or nuts, while the bottom gives you a spot to toss your shells and peels. You can also use it for washing and draining produce, or you can fill the bottom with ice to keep food fresh and chilled. It even has a built-in mount for your phone.

I have the Nodpod sleep mask, and it’s unlike any other sleep mask I’ve ever tried. For one, it’s gently weighted with microbead pods all the way around to relieve pressure and stress. For another, you can secure it in the back using the built-in slit, or you can simply drape it across your face for comfortable side- and back-sleeping. Finally, it’s freezer-safe to offer chilly relief from headaches.

• Available styles: 6

This high-pressure showerhead has an average of 4.6-star rating from over 13,000 reviewers because it’s “an absolute breeze to install” and it delivers “incredible high-pressure performance” that makes you feel like you’re “in a resort shower.” Available in five finishes, it has a 6-inch head with 90 self-cleaning jets and a rotating arm.

• Available styles: 5

Any room in your home can be cozier and more functional, including your bathroom. This toilet paper holder has a built-in shelf that you can use for extra rolls, a candle, or your phone. Made from aluminum with a matte-black finish, it’s easy to install wherever you need it with the included screws and drywall anchors.

• Available sizes:
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Fiegel calls this personalized book embosser “The perfect finishing touch to any home library.” Choose between a round or square shape, pick one of the 11 designs, and customize the text with your name or monogram. The steel press creates an elegant raised impression on the page, so you can make a one-of-a-kind mark on your book collection.

• Available sizes: Small — Large
• Available styles: 11

Seale called this weighted blanket “cozy AF.” Even though it’s filled with hypoallergenic glass beads that feel like a soothing hug, it’s still breathable thanks to its microfiber cover. It comes in tons of colors, various sizes, and several weight options to suit any home and any homebody.

• Available sizes: 60"×80"-20lbs — 88"×104"-30lbs
• Available styles: 17

According to Seale, this Anecdote Homebody candle is “maybe a little too on the nose, but who cares?” It “smells like invited and not going” — which translates to bergamot, lemon, jasmine petals, and black tea leaves. With up to 50 hours of burn time, it’s hand-poured in Brooklyn, New York, using coconut-soy wax and a cotton wick.

Seale also recommends this candle-making kit, which comes with everything you need to pour your own. The set includes a pound of soy wax, a steel melting and pouring pitcher, wicks, wick centering sticks, glue dots, tins, and gift boxes. You can also opt for the larger kit, which includes scents, dyes, and a thermometer.

• Available sizes: Small — Large

Especially when you and your furbabies are in peak hibernation mode, you may not notice the pet odors in your space. This Febreze Pet Odor Fighter spray removes unwanted smells instead of masking them using an odor-neutralizing molecule derived from corn. It also has a fresh scent that “smells amazing” without “being overly strong,” according to reviewers.

Add character to your favorite chilled beverages with this ice cube mold, which makes four slow-melting 3-D cats at once. It’s made from food-grade, BPA-free silicone for easy release and comes with a lid that prevents leaking in the freezer. You can also opt for corgis, French bulldogs, labradors, or golf balls.

• Available styles: 4

According to reviewers, this tabletop bowling set is a “fun toy to practice your bowling skills” and a great fidget tool to “pass the time.” Its mini size fits on your work desk or coffee table, and it comes with a wooden alley, 10 pins, a self-returning metal ball, and a movable ramp.

• Available sizes: Set of 1 — Set of 2

Use this orthopedic seat pillow while you’re gaming, working, eating, driving, or watching TV. Its special donut shape has a cut-out for your tailbone and it’s filled with high-density memory foam to relieve pressure on your spine. “This cushion has made a huge difference,” wrote one reviewer who said it “saved [their] back and tailbone!”

• Available styles: 3

Whether you’re curled up in the recliner or hunched over a project, being a homebody can take its toll on your back. According to reviewers, this back stretcher board helps “release a lot of pressure” and provides “much-needed relief.” It uses an adjustable arch to decompress your spine and 102 massaging points to boost circulation and ease tension.

• Available styles: 4

Use this mug warmer to keep your coffee, tea, or cocoa hot for hours while you sip your drink at your own pace — or use it as a wax melter to enjoy the scent of your candles without any of the risks. It has three temperature settings and it automatically turns off after four hours for safety. It’s also touch-activated and fits mugs of most sizes.

• Available styles: 6

Whether you’re playing solitaire by yourself or poker with friends, a deck of playing cards is a classic homebody staple — but these Kikkerland playing cards are unlike any other deck. Each of the 52 cards has a three-dimensional cat design that moves when you tilt it, plus two jokers with dogs on them. They also come in a dog-themed version.

• Available styles: 5

Designed to hug your neck, shoulders, and upper back, this microwavable heating pad aims to release tension and melt away your stress — without cords or batteries. It’s filled with clay beads that retain temperature and lavender for calming aromatherapy, plus you can store it in the refrigerator for cold therapy, too.

• Available styles: 4

This soothing light projects moving ocean-floor patterns onto your ceiling using LED technology to create a relaxing atmosphere. It also has a built-in speaker you can hook up to a device for sound. “Very cool and calming!” wrote one reviewer who loves that “you can bring it on an overnight” and “have the option of using batteries.”

With its sleek gooseneck and sustainable cork handle, this electric kettle brings your tea-making routine to the next level. Aside from its elegant design that looks lovely on your countertop, it’s also just plain convenient: It boils up to 27 ounces of water quickly and safely without the need for a stove, its thin spout allows for precise pouring, and it automatically shuts off when it runs dry. It’s backed by a 4.6-star overall rating after more than 11,000 reviews.

• Available styles: 2

This foaming bubble bath has a soothing lavender and chamomile scent that “smells like heaven” and makes for a “relaxing bath experience,” according to reviewers. It’s also infused with milk protein, shea butter, aloe, and vitamin E to make your skin silky smooth. This set includes two 28-ounce bottles with handles for easy pouring.

Measuring 1 by 2 feet, this extra-large heating pad can cover most of your back (or front) at once. It has three moist heat settings to relieve tension, it’s covered in a soft, plush material, and it automatically shuts off after two hours for safety. No wonder it’s earned almost 60,000 reviews on Amazon including more than 40,000 perfect five-star ratings.

• Available sizes: XL — 3X Large
• Available styles: 12

With a retractable net that clips onto most tables and stretches up to 6 feet long, this portable ping pong set is easy to set up just about anywhere. It also comes with four balls and two wooden paddles that have slip-resistant handles and a rubber surface. “Easy setup, good quality, [and] lots of fun,” wrote one of over 4,200 five-star reviewers.

• Available styles: 3

Since they’re battery-operated with remote controls, these 33-foot fairy lights are easy to hang anywhere — over your bed frame, in your windows, along your shelves, or above your reading nook. They’re also waterproof for outdoor use. Choose between eight lighting modes, change the brightness, and set two automatic timers to save power.

• Available sizes: 2-Pack — 4-Pack
• Available styles: 4

Tons of reviewers used the Stretch Out strap at physical therapy, but thanks to Amazon, now they can “do [their] stretching at home and feel good about it.” Made from durable nylon with 10 loops, it helps you achieve a deep stretch to relieve tension, boost flexibility, and improve posture — wherever you happen to be.

Build your own at-home workout using this deck of 50 fitness cards with options including bodyweight, Pilates, yoga, and more. Each one has a different exercise outlined with easy-to-follow instructions and clear illustrations. They’re also portable, covered in a sweat-resistant finish, and easy to mix and match depending on your goals and preferred intensity.

• Available styles: 14

Looking for an easy way to get your heart rate up at home? This weighted jump rope comes in 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-pound options. It has foam handles with a rubber rope that rotates on a ball swivel to relieve strain on your wrists. According to reviewers, it’s an “excellent rope” that gives you a “serious workout.”

• Available sizes: 1 Lb — 4 Lb
• Available styles: 4

“Seriously, these are the best markers for coloring!” one reviewer raved about these dual-tip markers, and judging by their overall 4.6-star rating from over 12,000 reviewers, others agree. They have a thick, flexible brush tip on one end and a precise fine tip on the other, plus the ink is water-based, vivid, and quick-drying.

• Available styles: 4

Studies show that coloring promotes mindfulness and eases anxiety, and this color-by-number book lets you see the world without ever leaving home. It has 46 scenes of picturesque cities and landmarks, all with a number-coded system that tells you which color to use. According to reviewers, the pages are thick and perforated while the images are “stunning” and “so detailed.”

Filled with shredded memory foam with a plush corduroy cover you can remove and wash, this upright adjustable pillow supports your back and arms while you’re sitting up in bed. It also has a side pocket for your phone and an interior zipper so you can add or remove stuffing as needed. “I am using it for reading and watching TV in bed. I love the color and it is so comfortable!” one reviewer wrote.

• Available styles: 5

With knitted yarn on the outside, warm fleece on the inside, and non-slip silicone grips on the bottom, these slipper socks boost coziness while you’re hanging out at home. According to reviewers, the design is “vibrant” and “beautiful” while the texture is “so warm and toasty.”

Rather than lugging out a giant appliance every time you need to blend something, this portable blender makes quick work of smoothies, protein shakes, and icy drinks. Its 14-ounce blending jar also doubles as a to-go cup with a sip lid, so you can drink from the same container to boost convenience and minimize dishes.

• Available styles: 7

“One of the best sweatshirts ever. AND it has pockets!” one reviewer raved about this crewneck pullover. It’s oversized and has a soft fleece lining that keeps you extra cozy while relaxing at home — but if you do need to go run an errand, its dropped shoulders, split hem, and sleek exterior ensure that you look put together.

• Available sizes: Small — XX-Large
• Available styles: 18

Clip this gooseneck light to your bed, side table, desk, or virtually anything else. Its three color modes, five brightness levels, and flexible design let you customize your illumination and point it in any direction for reading or crafting. It’s USB-powered with a 7.5-foot cord and a padded, slip-resistant clamp.

These backlit night lights create visibility in the dark (without turning on the harsh overheads) and give off a warm, relaxing glow for ambiance. The LEDs plug straight into open outlets while leaving the second one free, and you can adjust the brightness and opt for motion-sensing or dusk-to-dawn settings.

Make coffee-shop-quality beverages without stepping foot out of the house. This handheld frother uses a battery-operated motor and a stainless steel whisk to whip milk into an airy foam for matcha, lattes, cappuccinos, and hot chocolate. It has a 4.5-star average rating from over 19,000 reviewers.

• Available styles: 14

Can’t get enough of true-crime podcasts and documentaries? This Criminal Mind puzzle book turns you into the lead detective as you collect the clues, test alibis, and find witnesses. The book contains more than 120 challenges that involve deciphering codes, unscrambling anagrams, and examining fingerprints, so you can crack the case.

Plenty of buyers gift this gummy bear night light to kids — but it’s so satisfyingly squishy and soothing, adults are “obsessed,” too: “I bought this for myself and I LOVE it. I think it’s such a cute accent and I love that it lights up by squeezing it.” Its rechargeable battery lasts for up to 15 hours for portable, cord-free use, and it has a 60-minute sleep timer.

• Available styles: 6

Dip one of these wand filters into a glass of red or white wine, give it a stir, and let it soak for three minutes. They’re designed to remove the histamines and sulfates to minimize sensitivities and enhance taste. According to reviewers, they do make “wines taste better.”

• Available sizes: 3 — 72

Cooking, woodworking, gardening, crafting — whatever you’re doing at home, these cut-resistant gloves keep your hands protected and your fingers safe. They’re made from ultra-durable, food-grade fibers that are four times stronger than leather to offer level-five cut resistance, and they’re machine-washable in case they get dirty.

• Available sizes: Small — X-Large
• Available styles: 3

When you’re spending a lot of time at home, you’ll probably notice all of the small things that need fixing. This universal socket set helps you tackle most of them with a single tool. It comes with a T-handle rachet that creates over 125 pounds of torque, 10 interchangeable bits, an extension bit, and a universal socket with spring-loaded pins that adapt to fit fasteners of most shapes and sizes.

• Available styles: 2

This donut pet bed comes in six sizes and five eye-catching designs. While it’s a stylish addition to your space, it’s also designed to soothe and pamper your pet with its raised edges, plush fabric, and supportive foam-polyfill stuffing. The cover is also removable and washable.

• Available sizes: XS — XXL
• Available styles: 5