5 ways to beautify ugly spaces |
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| NYT Wirecutter |
Instead of trying to hide away every single unsightly, utilitarian thing in your home, it’s sometimes worth just investing in an upgrade that looks beautiful left out on its own.
Take this non-hideous outlet extender — it’s a neutral-looking box that sticks to the wall and teleports a regular outlet from behind a couch or dresser. It makes the outlet easier to access, and it is far, far better looking than the cluttered coils of too-long extension cords or bulky power strips.
Below, four more tools Wirecutter experts swear by that live in the sweet spot between aesthetics and function.
- An actually sleek toilet brush: This Spartan helmet-esque brush — with its stainless steel shaft, sleek caddy, and white pommel handle — is designed to be noticed. It’s also a solid cleaner with a nice brush and a narrow caddy that can fit in tight spots.
- A handsome dust mop that can live outside the closet: This multicolored, shaggy duster is made from loops of dust-attracting wool yarn, and reaches both cobwebs on the ceilings and dust bunnies on the floor with ease.
- The prettiest (yes, really) kitchen trash can: During testing, this modern and cute trash can garnered multiple oohs and aahs in our office for its bright color and smooth, nearly seamless surfaces. Plus, we found it’s extremely good at containing odors when closed.
- A mini beechwood-and-horsehair broom set: Perfect for cleaning small messes, this attractive little dustpan and brush nests neatly together in a semicircle, meaning it stays out of the way — and looks good — between uses.
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Plus: How to hide an ugly Wi-Fi router |
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| Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter |
Even the best-looking Wi-Fi router we recommend is still a bit of an eyesore. But please, don’t tuck it away in a cabinet — you’ll mess with the signal. Our advice? Stash it inside a pretty vessel, like a rustic wicker basket or a lidded bamboo box.
How to conceal your router without blocking its signal→
What’s new from our cleaning experts |
Today’s great deal: These luxe silk pillowcases |
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| Lilysilk |
Sleep expert Caira Blackwell writes that her hair “didn’t know peace” until she received these smooth and weighty pillowcases as a gift. Unlike cotton pillowcases, which rubbed like sandpaper against her curls and coils, these silk ones led to noticeably less frizz, fewer tangles, and drastically reduced bed head.
These (currently on-sale) pillowcases make a great gift→
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Happy cleaning.
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