50 Upgraded Everyday Products That Make Life A Little Easier

Who knew everyday items like brooms and buses could get such brilliant upgrades?

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• November 13, 2024

We use everyday items without thinking twice about them—things like brooms, crayons, or buses. They work just fine, right? So why mess with them? But now and then, someone comes up with a brilliant idea that makes us think, “Wow, I didn’t know it could be this cool!”

From buses with bookshelves to playgrounds with wheelchair-accessible swings, some clever designers are taking everyday products and making them even better. These little upgrades may not be earth-shattering, but they make life much more convenient and fun.

Take the humble broom, for example. For years, it was just a stick with some bristles, and that was that. But now, brooms are getting a makeover. Some come with built-in dustpans, so you don’t have to look for one.

Others have ergonomic handles that make them more accessible for anyone tired of bending down or gripping too hard. Who knew cleaning could get an upgrade?

Public transportation is another area where designers are making things more comfortable. Take buses, for example. Instead of just being a place to sit and stare out the window, some buses now have built-in bookshelves, comfy seating, and even Wi-Fi.

Commuting doesn’t have to be boring anymore—you can relax, read a book, or catch up on emails while you travel. It's like turning the daily grind into a mini vacation (well, almost).

And then there’s the idea of inclusive design, which changes how we think about playgrounds. In the past, playgrounds were primarily made for kids with no special needs.

But now, some playgrounds are being designed with everyone in mind—wheelchair-accessible swings, ramps, and sensory panels mean kids with disabilities can have fun, too. It’s not just about making space for more kids; it’s about ensuring every kid can play and be part of the fun.

Here’s a look at some genuinely clever fixes for everyday challenges that are bound to impress. Scroll on to see innovation at its best!

We all need to make our life easier

"Scotland’s Baby Box. Free Essentials For Every Newborn To Give Them The Best Start"

"This Vending Machine Dispenses A Random Book For $2.00"

"Tail Lights"

"Great Reminder That Little Things Can Make A Big Difference And That It Does Not Take Much To Be Kind"

"The Shape Of This Handrail Is Different"

"This Car Park Has Been Converted Into A Solar Energy Farm Giving Shade And Cover Below"

"This Playground Had A Swing For Wheelchairs"

"There Is A Mini Rijksmuseum In The Amsterdam Airport To View Paintings While You Wait For Your Flight"

"Our Mailman Wears A Solar-Powered Hat With A Fan"

"This Railing On Gazebo In Naples Has Braille Describing The View For Blind People. More Of This Please"

"This Fitted Sheet Has Labels That Tell You What's A Top/Bottom And What's A Side"

"The Capitoline Museums In Rome Have Artworks Carved Out Onto Stone For Visually Impaired People To Feel So That They Can Also Enjoy Paintings"

"Vein Finder We Use In The Hospital To Place IVs In Our “Hard Stick” Patients"

"The Men's Restroom At The Sapporo Airport Has A Place To Put Your Baby While You Do Your Business"

"These Restaurant Kids Meal Crayons With Flat Edges To Prevent Rolling Off The Table"

"My Girlfriend Is A School Teacher For Blind Children. To Help Them Understand And Write Words, She Has LEGO-Like Braille Toys"

"Thankfully, Scotland Supports Young Girls And Women. Public Toilets Don’t Charge You For Toilet Paper And For Period Products"

"Singapore Airport Allows Passengers To Slide Down To The Terminal Gate"

"This Hospital Has An MRI Playset For The Kids. This Is Great For Helping Kids With Anxiety About MRIs Feel Better About Having Them Done"

"These Moving Boxes I Ordered In England That Also Contain 1 Teabag To Help You With The Move"

"Free Sunscreen Dispenser"

"This Nintendo Switch Station That Can Be Wheeled Into A Patient's Room At A Children's Hospital"

"Empanada Place By My Work Stamps Each One With Numbers So You Can Differentiate The Filling"

"My Local Pizza Place Uses A Ball Of Dough Instead Of Those Little Plastic Tables To Prevent The Pizza Box Lid From Touching The Pizza"

"This Woman Attached A Convenient Cup Holder To Her Crutches"

"My Dentist Has A TV On The Ceiling With Calming Videos"

"My Shirt Has A Microfiber Sewn On The Inside To Clean Glasses"

"Putting Rails Under A Bench So You Can Always Be In Shade"

"Elevator At My Job Has Buttons You Can Press With Your Feet If You Have Something In Your Hands"

"In The French Village I Am Staying In, They Have Camouflaged The Garbage Cans To Have Less Visual Impact On The Village"

"Outdoor Store Near Me Has A Rock Ramp For Testing Hiking Shoes Fit And Grip"

"My Crutches Have Crampons On Them So I Can Use Them On The Snow"

"This Sticker In A Hostel Prevents People From Walking Into A Glass Door, Germany"

"These Two-Coin Lockers That Are Easily Accessible In A Wheelchair"

"Stick Attached To Cats Preventing Them From Stepping Out"

"My Pen Lets Me See How Many Pages I Can Write With The Ink I Have"

"The Bandaids At My Work Are Different Colors"

"My New Gym Has A Movie Theater With Cardio Equipment So You Can Watch A Movie While Exercising"

"My School Sells Leftover Food For 2€ A Box"

"Public Tools At My Local Bike Park"

"This Ice Lolly I Bought In Korea Has A Little Tray To Prevent It From Melting All Over Your Hands"

"My Local Community College Has Collapsable Monitors That Can Automatically Go Down So You Can Have More Desk Space"

"Lisbon Consists Of 7 Hills. This Open-Air Escalator Was Installed To Make It Easier For Residents And Tourists To Move Between The Different Neighborhoods"

"My Eye Doctor's Place Has Eye Exams In Different Languages"

"Half A Pint At The Rugby Club Today"

"These "Cars" Showcasing The Number Of Bikes You Can Fit In Two Parking Spots, Whilst Also Protecting The Bikes From Traffic"

"This Special Rack Is For Empty Cans So People Can Collect Them For Deposit Money"

"German Buses Have Book Shelves"

"Lockable Skateboard Parking"

"This Smart Rental Store In My Friend’s Building"

These little changes may seem small, but they add up when considering how many people they help. By creating products and spaces that are more inclusive, designers are showing us that it’s not just about making things work better for one person—it’s about making things work better for everyone. Whether it’s a crayon that doesn’t harm the environment or a playground that’s welcoming to all kids, these innovations are making the world a friendlier, more accessible place.

The best part? These ideas didn’t come from some giant brainstorming session at a fancy design firm. They came from the simple thought, “What if we could make this better?”

So the next time you’re using something simple, like a broom or sitting on a bus, think about how it could be a little cooler. Because sometimes, a little creativity is all it takes to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. And who knows? You might ask, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Damjan