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37 Tacky Mistakes You Don't Realize You're Making Around Your Home

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by Allison Scholtz
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

Look, tacky is a strong word. Even the most organized, clean, and stylish among us make little mistakes around the house that make our dwelling look less amazing than it could. Luckily, these little blunders and missteps have easy fixes — and even though Amazon Prime Day sales are technically over, you’ll still be able to address them with some ongoing discounts listed below. This list has the best solutions for that pet hair that sticks to your couch, the mail that always piles up in the entryway, and photos on the wall that are just a little askew.

The first mistake that I know I’m making is breaking all of my wine glasses. It seems easy to put them in the dishwasher, but I always regret it. That’s why I found a foam brush that’s gentle enough to clean your wine glasses and even those special occasion crystal classes. Plus, the brush is actually dishwasher-safe, so we will still get to use our beloved dishwashers for something.

Or what about those tiny bathroom windows? I never know what to do with them because curtains would look award and blinds have annoying strings. That’s why there’s a pack of budget-friendly blackout shades on the list that you can trim to fit your window. This list even has a foam insert that re-fluffs your couch cushions and a pack of wrinkle-resistant fitted sheets. I mean, sheets that don’t wrinkle are just plain luxurious.

So, start shopping this list because we could all use a few easy home upgrades now and then — or at least a way to avoid constantly breaking wine glasses.

1

Mistake: You Have Holes In Your Walls

Solution: Patching Them With A Swipe From A Quick-Drying Putty Tube

Most of our homes have small holes or cracks in the wall — it happens. This multi-surface putty makes filling those holes easier and way less messy than a jar of spackle. Simply apply it in a circular motion (like applying deodorant) and wipe away any leftover putty with your hand or a cloth. There’s no need to buy a putty knife, since the tube design itself keeps your hands nice and clean. This putty is quick drying, and can be used on plaster, drywall, and wood surfaces.

2

Mistake: Your Electronics Are Overwhelmed With Cords

Solution: Keeping Cords Tucked Away Using A USB Charging Station

This USB charging dock is useful anywhere you have one too many tangled chargers like your entertainment system or office. It includes six charging ports and seven short cables that are compatible with both Android and Apple devices. Amazon shoppers love how organized their space looks after incorporating this charging station into their WFH space.

3

Mistake: You Get Rings On Your Coffee Table

Solution: Placing Mugs & Glasses On These Cotton, Heat-Resistant Coasters

This six-pack of braided coasters prevents unsightly furniture rings. The 100% cotton absorbs condensation from your water glass, keeping it away from your wooden surfaces. It’s also heat-resistant, so go ahead and set your hot coffee or tea on it every morning. These aesthtically pleasing coasters are also easy to clean if you’re not quite awake and spill a little bit of that coffee. Choose from five colors, including an option with fun and colorful stitching.

4

Mistake: Your Dryer Is Overheating Because Of Lint Build-Up

Solution: Removing Lint That’s Been Accumulating For Years With This Cleaning Kit

Easily remove lint build-up from your dryer vent with this handy vacuum hose attachment, which connects to most standard vacuums and is equipped with two suction levels to handle both light and heavy-duty cleaning jobs. "This product is well worth the money, easy to use and will pay for itself in the long run by maintaining the efficiency and drying power of our dryer," one of the thousands of reviewers commented.

5

Mistake: You Put Wet Dishes On Your Countertop

Solution: Using A Silicone Dish Drying Rack That Rolls Up In Between Uses

If you’re tired of wiping puddles of water off your counter, this silicone dish-drying rack is the perfect fix. The material is grippy, food-safe, and shock absorbent (so you don’t have to worry if you accidentally put something down too hard on it). It’s also dishwasher safe, and has a flexible design that makes it easy to roll up and store out of sight between uses.

6

Mistake: Your Old Pillows Have Gone Flat

Solution: Replacing Them With Fade & Strain Resistant Hotel Quality Pillows

It’s time to replace those flat and stained pillows that no longer serve any good. This set of two cooling gel-filled pillows will feel like sleeping in the most luxurious of hotels. They're designed to provide plush yet gently firm support whether you're a back, side or stomach sleeper. And best of all, these pillows won't scrunch or lose their shape as you sleep. With over 100,000 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers, these pillows are best-sellers for good reason.

7

Mistake: You Let Pet Hair Get Everywhere

Solution: Using A Reusable Lint Roller With A Hair Catching Compartment

This reusable lint roller is designed to remove pet hair from furniture and fabrics around your house, like your favorite throw blanket. The hair collecting brush is completely reusable and doesn’t use adhesive, making it an eco-friendly and budget-friendly option. The best part is — this compact roller is complete with an easy-to-empty compartment to store all of the fur that’s no longer on your couch.

8

Mistake: You Use Paper Towels

Solution: Cleaning With These Reusable, Ultra-Absorbent Dishcloths

Not only do these reusable Swedish dishcloths replace your single-use paper towels, but they also look way more adorable on your countertop. Add these cellulose and cotton cloths to your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere you keep cleaning supplies — they’re safe to use on all kinds of surfaces like wood, glass, stainless steel, tile, porcelain, and more. These ultra-absorbent, colorful cloths are machine washable, which makes them a greener alternative to single-use paper towels.

9

Mistake: Your Patio Is Consumed By Mosquitos

Solution: Getting Rid Of Them With This Highly-Effective Mosquito Repellent

Perfect for patios, decks, and poolside hangs, this repellent shield creates a 15-foot zone of protection from mosquitoes. Without DEET sprays or harsh smells, this repellent is made using an EPA-reviewed formula. Over 26,000 five-star ratings speak to this repellent's effectiveness.

10

Mistake: You Leave Mail In Your Entryway

Solution: Keeping Stuff In A Desktop Organizer That’s Perfect For Mail

Organize the papers on your desk or, in my case, that ever-growing pile of mail in the entryway, with this metal mesh caddy. It has three compartments to sort and easily see all of your papers or letters. The sleek black steel is completely rust-resistant, and the bottom is complete with anti-skid accents, making it suitable to use in any room.

11

Mistake: You Have Piles Of Shoes All Over The House

Solution: Storing Shoes In These Hanging Organizers With Extra Pockets

For those who can’t get enough footwear, make room for it all by hanging this shoe oragnizer over your closet door. Store up to 12 pairs of shoes in the 24 breathable vinyl pockets. You could also stash away small odds and ends like clutches, scarves, belts, and flip-flops as well.

12

Mistake: You Have Too Many Cords & Not Enough Outlets

Solution: Plugging This Convenient Outlet Extender Into The Wall

With nine different charging ports and a small shelf (not to mention a 4.7-star overall rating after more than 2,000 reviews), this wall outlet extender can simultaneously charge multiple devices while keeping floor clutter to a minimum. It also features a built-in LED night light that automatically turns on at dusk and off during the day.

13

Mistake: Your Clothes Fall Off Your Mismatched Hangers

Solution: Hanging Clothes On These 50 Non-Slip Velvet Hangers

This 50-pack of matching velvet hangers will make your closet look super put together, and you don’t have to worry about them shedding. With their notch design and swivel hooks, they’ll keep all of your clothes in place — yes, even silky spaghetti strap dresses will stay put. Plus, these lightweight hangers hold up to 10 pounds, so go ahead and hang up your heavy coats.

14

Mistake: Your Cooking Tools Don’t Match & Clutter Your Drawers

Solution: Getting These Stainless Steel Utensils With A Matching Crock

If you’re missing a few essential utensils, this 10-piece stainless steel utensil set has everything you need to fill in the gaps, including tongs, a potato masher, as well as several spoons and spatulas. Not only will you have coordinated cooking tools, but this set even comes with a utensil holder, which means you won’t have to clutter a kitchen drawer.

15

Mistake: Your Photos Are Crooked On The Wall

Solution: Hanging Things Up Using A Level That Projects Onto Your Wall

Using a level is honestly such a pain, but this laser level makes the entire picture-hanging process so much easier by projecting the perfect straight line onto your wall. It also has three handy laser modes to choose from, including crosshairs, vertical, and horizontal. It’s basically a budget-friendly picture hanging kit because this level comes with a metal ruler, a screwdriver, and a built-in 8-foot measuring tape.

16

Mistake: The Lighting In Your Kitchen Is Too Dim

Solution: Installing Some Under-Cabinet Lighting

These under-cabinet lights are so easy to install, yet they make such a big impact. The kit includes everything you need (save for a screwdriver), and the LED lights can be operated with a handy remote control. The lights come in sets of three, five, or six bars so you can choose exactly how many you need.

17

Mistake: You Toss Your Jackets & Hats Anywhere

Solution: Keeping Things On An Adjustable, Wooden Coat Rack

No matter what aesthetic you have going on in your entryway, this simple wooden coat rack will fit right in. It’s complete with eight hooks, and you can add as many sections as you need, in case you love a good full-length trench. This durable pinewood rack comes in three lacquered colors: dark walnut, white, or black, and doesn’t require any tools for assembly.

18

Mistake: You Have A Cluttered Sink Area

Solution: Using These Silicone Sponge Holders That Hang On Your Faucet

These silicone sponge holders have drainage holes on the bottom to keep your sponges mildew-free, but they have a hard outer shell to help it keep maintain their shape. This little organizer has an adjustable strap easily clips onto your faucet yet is sturdy enough to stand on its own if you prefer that look. Choose from blue or white and say goodbye to half-dry sponges.

19

Mistake: You Have A Cluttered Bathroom Counter

Solution: Installing A Toothbrush Holder With Tons Of Extra Storage

Keep your toothbrush germ-free in its own designated spot and add a bunch of extra storage to a crowded bathroom with this wall-mounted bathroom organizer. The four toothbrush slots keep your brushes dry and bacteria-free, while the magnetic rinsing cups and the toothpaste dispenser help you complete your oral hygeine routine. Beyond tooth stuff, this organizer has a handy shelf to store lotions, razors, and other bathroom essentials as well as a roomy storage tray.

20

Mistake: Your Duvet Insert Keeps Bunching Up

Solution: Securing It In Place With Low-Profile, Magnetic Duvet Clips

Clip these clear duvet pins onto the bottom of your duvet to stop your insert from falling out or bunching into a corner in the middle of the night. Once you attach the back, these low-profile pins aren’t going anywhere. When it’s time to wash your duvet, easily pop the clips off with the included magnetic key.

21

Mistake: You Store Leftovers In Plastic Food Containers

Solution: Using A Set Of Matching Glass Food Storage Containers

It’s inevitable that those plastic food containers will start smelling like your leftovers — it happens to all of us. These air-tight glass containers are an easy swap to prevent those odors. It comes with different shapes and sizes but don’t worry, they’re still stackable. The borosilicate glass is also safe to use in almost any situation. So go ahead and stick them in the freezer, microwave, dishwasher, and even the oven.

22

Mistake: Your Fitted Sheets Come Off Your Mattress

Solution: Applying Clips That Keep Your Sheets Secure & Prevent Creases

No need to buy new sheets if your fitted sheet is a little loose or keeps coming up over the side of your mattress — just grab this pack of bed sheet straps. The nickel-plated metal clips prevent uncomfortable wrinkles and creases while you sleep and keep your sheets in place. They come in white or gray, and they even stretch to fit California-king-sized sheets.

23

Mistake: You Track Dirt On The Floors

Solution: Putting Out A Minimalist, Durable Shoe Mat

This shoe mat won’t take up a lot of space at your front door because it’s just big enough to fit both of your shoes. Even though it’s a minimalist shoe scraper, it’s still super durable. The steel frame with natural coconut fibers means this mat holds up in extreme temperatures and is completely weather-resistant, all while scrubbing every last bit of dirt and mud off your kicks.

24

Mistake: Your Fridge Shelves Are Stained

Solution: Installing Some Spill-Proof Shelf Liners That Are Washable

Instead of constantly cleaning your refrigerator shelves, install these these waterproof and trimmable shelf liners. They’re way easier to clean, since they’re both wipeable and removable. Each one is made of food-grade material, so it’s totally OK to store produce on them. Plus, if your freshly washed vegetables are still a little wet, the raised bubble design helps them dry.

25

Mistake: Your Mugs Are Piled In A Cabinet

Solution: Using These Seriously Genius Stackable Mug Organizers

Adjust the feet of these mug organizers to fit your coffee mugs, and stack another right on top, making use of your cabinets vertical space in an organized manner. Once all of your cups are stacked (and your cabinets have way more storage space), press the sides of these organizers to tighten them. This genius mug stacking solution comes in a six-pack, which is enough to work for 12 mugs.

26

Mistake: You Have Smudges On Your Stainless Steel

Solution: Erasing Smudges With A Plant-Based, Lavender Scented Cleaner

Spritz this stainless steel cleaner on your appliances to clean off smudges, prevent streaks, and leave them looking polished. The star of this plant-based polisher is definitely the coconut oil that also works to protect your stainless steel when you’re done cleaning. The formula is also pH neutral and complete with calming lavender essential oil.

27

Mistake: You Let In Chilly Drafts

Solution: Installing A Door Draft Stopper That Also Keeps Out Smells

Not only will this 2-inch memory foam door stopper keep out chilly drafts, but it also blocks smoke, smells, light, dust, and even sounds from your super loud neighbors, which is especially useful if you live in an apartment building. This trimmable stopper is also machine-washable to keep it dirt- and dust-free. You also won’t need to put any screws or holes in your front door because it simply slides on.

28

Mistake: You Clutter Your Bedside Table With Chargers

Solution: Powering 3 Devices With 1 Cord Using This Charging Station

This three-in-one charger is built for your smartwatch, earbuds, and phone, keeping your electronic accessories organized while they power up. In addition to quickly cleaning up your bedside table, this device means you’ll have one visible cord instead of three because the unique design hides away your smartwatch charger. It also props up your phone and watch screen at the perfect angle, just in case you get a text.

29

Mistake: You Have A Cluttered Pantry Full Of Open Boxes

Solution: Keeping Dry Goods In These Airtight Containers With Labels

Stop keeping oddly shaped, open boxes in your pantry, which invites pests and clutter. Instead, use these airtight food storage containers that come in four easy-to-stack sizes that easily fit on your shelves. With this BPA-free variety pack, you’re bound to find a size that works for your favorite pantry items. You also get a bonus set of measuring spoons, adhesive labels, and a chalkboard marker.

30

Mistake: You Have A Bunch Of Plastic Grocery Bags

Solution: Carrying Your Food In These Sturdy, Reusable Grocery Bags

These reusable grocery bags look so nice you’ll want to use them for grabbing groceries, picnics, or even extra storage in your closet or car. Each one is reinforced with recycled plastic to hold over 40 pounds, which is much more than your average tote. These bags are also machine-washable if you get home and find that your favorite cold brew spilled. Grab them in black, navy blue, or gray.

31

Mistake: You Have Walls That Don’t Match Your Aesthetic

Solution: Redecorating With Easy-To-Apply Peel & Stick Wallpaper

Whether your wall is a little scuffed or it’s a color that isn’t your style, grab this peel-and-stick wallpaper. The grid-lined backing makes this wallpaper way less daunting than most because it’s super easy to cut and trim, and you can get a refreshing new color without worrying about splattered or uneven paint. This adhesive wallpaper comes in six colors and five sizes to finally re-do any size room that doesn’t fit your vibe.

32

Mistake: You Have Wrinkled Fitted Sheets On Your Bed

Solution: Making The Bed With Some Soft Sheets That Won’t Wrinkle

Tidying your bedroom doesn’t mean you have to spend a bunch of time ironing your fitted sheet. Instead, grab this microfiber fitted sheet set that comes with two deep-pocket fitted sheets that are totally wrinkle-resistant. These super soft, worry-free sheets is also stain-resistant and fade-resistant, making them an easy investment.

33

Mistake: You Keep Your Favorite Plants On The Floor

Solution: Putting Them In A Bamboo Plant Stand With Super Easy Assembly

This 100% bamboo plant stand is the elevated spot your favorite plant baby deserves. You only need a screwdriver and a single screw to set it up. It comes in 8-, 10-, and 12-inch options, so it’s easy to find the right size for your plant. This easy-to-setup stand is also sturdy enough to hold your tall plants, like that trendy fiddle leaf.

34

Mistake: You Burn Popcorn

Solution: Using This Microwavable Popcorn Popper To Make A Snack

Grab a bulk package of kernels and this microwave popcorn popper, and you’ll have to worry about the awful smell of scorched popcorn ruining movie night again. This dishwasher-safe, silicone popper has handles that make it easy to carry this from the kitchen to the living room for and has a collapsable design for when the movie is over.

35

Mistake: You Forget To Dust Your Blinds

Solution: Cleaning With A Set Of Seriously Clever Handheld Blind & Vent Dusters

In this pack, you get two handheld blind dusters. Unlike other blind dusters, each easy gripping tool has seven dusting wands to make cleaning blinds or your air vents a super quick process. If your brushes start getting a little too dusty, you can remove them and wash them. This pack also comes with an extra-long bonus duster, which is great for smaller vents and blinds.

36

Mistake: Your Area Rugs Slide Around

Solution: Using This Non-Slip Area Rug Pad With Extra-Grip

Add this non-slip area rug pad under that oversized rug that’s always sliding around, causing you to trip and your floors to look messy. It has extra-grip technology, yet it’s so thin it won’t add too much extra height. The trimmable grid design makes your rug extra-grippy but also lets it breathe. Plus, there’s no need to worry about this thing getting grimy — you can always handwash it if there’s ever a spill.

37

Mistake: You Break Your Wine & Champagne Glasses In The Dishwasher

Solution: Cleaning Them With A Slim Brush That’s Even Safe For Crystal

This slim brush has extra-gentle foam bristles for wine or Champagne glasses and helps to scrub away stubborn red wine stains without scratching or breaking your drinkware like the dishwasher can. The hydrophobic foam won’t absorb water or lose its shape which helps the brush stay super fluffy while you wash. Plus, this brush is dishwasher-safe, so you can clean your cleaning items.

38

Mistake: You Let Your Couch Cushions Sag

Solution: Fluffing Them Up With Cushion Inserts

If you still love your couch but the cushions are a little worn, this 1/2-inch thick cushion insert will fluff everything back up. This rectangle of military-grade foam is totally trimmable to fit the unique shape of your cushions. Tuck it inside your cushion cover, right next to the foam that’s already in there. Plus, this sofa reviving kit comes with a slim posture cushion if you want a little more support.

39

Mistake: You Have A Dusty TV

Solution: Cleaning Your Screens With These Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

These microfiber cleaning cloths are lint-free, so you’ll never have to worry about leaving white fuzz all over your screen. This tweleve-pack removes the nasty germs and bacteria on all of your screens without scratching them or leaving smudges, making them ideal for tablets, smartphones, TVs, and other electronics. They also clean off fingerprints, dust, smudges, and accidental spills, of course.

40

Mistake: There Are Desk Supplies Scattered Around Your Home

Solution: Sorting Them In A Bamboo Desk Organizer You Can Carry Around

This 100% bamboo desk caddy organizes all of your desk essentials, and it has a handle in the back so you can carry them around — because we all move to our couch mid-workday, am I right? It’s complete with nine easy-to-organize compartments; the largest slot fits files or small notebooks but there are plenty of spots for pens, of course, as well as smaller spaces for paperclips, thumbtacks, and other small items. This organizer also comes pre-assembled, which is always a win.

41

Mistake: You Have Tangled Curtain Cords

Solution: Hanging Up These Blackout Shades That Are Totally Wireless

This six-pack of blackout shades are budget-friendly because of their pleated paper material, which also helps them to be easy to trim to fit your unique window. Their stringless design still lets you raise and lower them but looks way more polished than blinds withy messy, tangled cords. Plus, they stick to your window frame with the built-in 3M adhesive, so you don’t have to worry about curtain rods.

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