When I started thinking about what kind of holiday gifts people actually want to receive after this crazy year, one word came to mind: practical. Okay, well, a few more words also popped into my brain, including helpful, time-saving, stress-reducing, and space-saving. And that's how I ended up making this list of all the various home items that fall into these categories.
One of the items I included is actually my newest purchase: a robot vacuum. (Yes, I passed up the Net-a-Porter sale in favor of a home sale—does that mean I'm officially an adult?) It's the kind of purchase that saves you precious time and checks something off your to-do list with little to no effort. Now that's my kind of buy. Scroll down to shop some of my favorite practical home items.
(Image credit: @aimeesong)
Yamazaki
Hair Accessory Organizer
This little organizer for your blow dryer, flat iron, and brush is genius.
Bino
Marble Storage Organizer
For years I used a random mug to hold my toothbrush and toothpaste, but I'm very glad I upgraded to a much more stylish organizer.
(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)
Haven
Teak Wood Bathroom Caddy
Yes, a simple wooden tray can turn your bath into a spa.
Urban Outfitters
Boob Hook
I use these cheeky hooks to hang my face masks.
Balmuda
Electric Pour Over Kettle
Would you make fun of me if I told you I have no patience for stovetop kettles? This electric one is chic and easier for lazy people like me.
W&P Design
Everyday Ice Cube Tray
Proof that even ice cube trays can be cute.
Urban Outfitters
Tike Wire Rolling Hamper
Once you get a hamper on wheels, you'll never go back to canvas bags.
Kyvol
Cybovac E20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum saves me so much time picking up dog hair and everything else.
Yamazaki
Modern Magnetic Kitchen Storage Rack
This helps me make use of a very underutilized space: the side of my fridge.
(Image credit: @aimeesong)
Kaishane
Japanese Matcha Whisk Set Matcha Tea Ceremony Set of 4
Instead of ordering out, I use this whisk to make my own matcha lattes nice and frothy.
Yamazaki
6-Tier Shoe Rack
I converted an alcove in my bedroom into an extra closet space by putting a shoe rack on the bottom and mounting a clothes rack on top.
Dyson
Pure Cool Air Purifier & Fan Tower
Living in Los Angeles where I can see pollution with my own eyes, I've always been a big believer in air purifiers. It particularly helps with my allergies every spring.
Urban Outfitters
Lydia Woven Basket
I use oversized baskets to store my pillows and blankets.
(Image credit: @aimeesong)
Five Two by Food52
Fivetwo Over the Sink Drying Rack
This is a supremely functional drying rack that can be easily folded up and stored away in small kitchens like mine.
Rabbit
Champagne Preserver
Yes, I know it's a trivial problem, but I am always hesitant to open a champagne bottle because I usually don't finish the whole thing and then the bubbles go flat. This preserver solves the issue.
(Image credit: @aemiliafay)
UO
Over-The Door Tiered Storage Rack
Over-the-door storage is such a lifesaver, especially in my small bathroom. This is how to utilize every square inch!
Urban Outfitters
Trigem Tabletop Jewelry Stand
Jewelry stands save me from a mess of tangled necklaces.
(Image credit: @madelynnfurlong)
Yamazaki
Metal Kitchen Shelf
This shelf is such a simple yet amazing way to save precious counter space.
Click & Grow
Smart Garden 3 Self Watering Indoor Garden
I don't have a green thumb, to say the least, but I don't want to always settle for fake flowers and plants. This cute self-watering garden solves that quandry.
Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern in 2011—back when the site only published a single story per day. (We have since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC and lives in Los Angeles. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2015, where she is now the Associate Director of Fashion News. From the Oscars to the Met Gala, she leads the site's entire red carpet coverage strategy. She specializes in celebrity and fashion news but also enjoys writing travel features and runway reports. She frequently contributes to WWW's social accounts and has a sizable following on her personal TikTok.