Are you guilty of lamenting the lack of time in your day? Wishing you had just a few extra hours to get things done? While we can’t exactly add more hours to the clock, we’ve compiled 17 ingenious life hacks that’ll make your daily routine more efficient and grant you precious moments. From scheduling secrets to food storage tricks and cord management mastery, these clever tips will help you reclaim time and simplify your life.
We’ve put many of these hacks into practice at home, and we can attest to their immense value! For a deeper dive into each hack, check out our accompanying YouTube video or leave a comment below. Our hope is that one (or more!) of these practical solutions will make a tangible difference in your daily life.
Watch: 17 Practical Life Hacks You Need!
Organize Cables and Prevent Tangling
For many of us, there’s a designated area in our homes where all sorts of tech gadgets and wires accumulate. It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of cables and devices that seem to have taken on a life of their own.
I recently dedicated a Saturday to tackling this mess and organizing my cords. The process was surprisingly therapeutic, and I found it satisfying to create a sense of order out of chaos.
By identifying which cables were essential and which could be donated or discarded, I was able to declutter my space and create a more streamlined system.
By separating your necessary but infrequently used cords into a designated box, you’ll never have to search for that one elusive cable again. The benefits of this simple exercise extend beyond mere convenience – it can also help reduce stress and promote a greater sense of control over our surroundings. And who knows?
You might just find yourself enjoying the process of organizing as much as I did!
Plan Your Time with an Editable Excel Planner
Excel spreadsheets provide an effective means of structuring your daily, weekly, or monthly schedules. One of their key advantages is their shareability, making it effortless to collaborate with others and adapt plans as needed. Additionally, spreadsheets are incredibly customizable, allowing you to tailor them to your personal style, the number of people involved, and the specific schedule at hand.
If you’re looking for a head start, you can download our pre-designed template from the website, which is compatible with all devices. For those who prefer a visual explanation, I’ve created a short video that highlights the benefits of using this daily planner.
Use Can Tabs to Create a Double Hanger
When it comes to maximizing storage in small spaces, such as closets or travel gear, a clever trick is to repurpose aluminum can tabs. By collecting these tabs and using them to stack your hangers, you can create extra space for your clothing while also keeping items organized. To do this, simply thread one hanger hook through the first hole in the tab and another on the opposite side.
This staggered approach allows you to fit more items into a smaller area, making it perfect for busy individuals or families who need to make the most of their storage space. Plus, this method offers an added benefit – it’s easy to plan outfits ahead of time by coordinating clothing with the stacked hangers. With this simple hack, you’ll be amazed at how much more efficient your closet (or travel setup) can become.
Keep Textbooks Open with a Pen
The eternal frustration of bookmarks not doing their job is all too familiar: either they’re too small and get lost, or too large and slide out of the book. A simple yet effective solution to avoid the hassle of finding a specific page is to use a pen with a clip. This clever trick has been a game-changer for me, especially when taking notes while reading. It’s a practical idea that can be particularly useful for college students.
To keep your collection of pens organized and within reach, consider crafting a DIY pencil case to store them.
Use Binder Clips to Organize Wires Around Your Desk
Cable chaos can strike at any moment, but there’s a simple solution to keep your workspace tidy. A common culprit is the desk area, where wayward wires can quickly turn into a tangled mess. To tame this beast, try using binder clips to corral those cables. Simply attach the clips to the edge of your desk and leave the legs extending outward. Then, feed the cable through and secure it in place, ensuring everything stays organized and easy to find.
Use Command Hooks to Store Accessories
In the quest for a clutter-free bathroom, every available inch counts. Command hooks are a game-changer in this regard, allowing you to reclaim under-the-sink space that would otherwise be taken up by styling tools and cleaning products. By installing a few of these versatile hooks on the doors beneath your sink, you can efficiently store your essentials while keeping your countertops clear.
The beauty of Command hooks lies in their adaptability – as long as the door closes smoothly, everything from towels to toiletries is fair game for securing onto one of these handy devices.
Use Washi Tape to Organize Chargers
Ditch the tangled mess of wires and inject some color and joy into your daily routine! Simply apply a few strips of washi tape to any cord that’s lost its identity, making it easy to spot amidst the chaos. And if you live with others who are similarly plagued by cable clutter, consider sharing this simple yet effective hack with them. Who knows? They might just find themselves smiling every time they glance at their newly marked cables, thanks to a dash of washi tape and a touch of creativity.
Increase Cell Phone’s Alarm Volume by Putting It In a Glass
It may seem counterintuitive at first, but surprisingly, it’s an effective solution. The glass surface serves as a resonator, amplifying sound waves when audio is played. This clever trick can be particularly useful for individuals who consistently miss their alarms or need to boost the volume of their music when listening through a Bluetooth speaker that’s lost its oomph.
In fact, I’ve found it convenient for personal use – such as during showers or while engaging in other activities where a bit more audio amplification is desired.
Prevent Your Laptop from Overheating with an Egg Carton
When laptops operate without sufficient airflow, they can easily overheat due to the accumulation of heat within their compact confines. To mitigate this issue, consider placing your laptop on a makeshift cooling platform, such as a couple of egg cartons stacked together. This unconventional solution leverages the natural thermal conductivity and breathability of the carton material to provide a temporary solution for dissipating excess heat.
By doing so, you can help prolong the lifespan of your laptop and prevent potential overheating-related issues.
Color Code Your Keys with Nail Polish
Imagine walking up to your door and struggling to find the right key in the darkness. It’s a frustrating experience, made even more challenging when you’re juggling multiple keys of similar appearance. One simple yet effective solution is to add a pop of color to each key, making it easier to identify which one belongs to which lock. By painting each key a unique shade, you’ll save time and reduce the risk of fumbling for the right one in low light conditions.
Just be sure to let the paint dry completely before reattaching your keys to their loop. With this clever hack, you’ll never again find yourself guessing at the correct key in the dead of night. And if you’re looking for an even more stylish way to keep track of your keys, consider upgrading them with DIY resin keychains that offer both form and function.
Keep Your Wrapping Paper Rolled Up
As you deck the halls with festive cheer, it’s easy to let holiday chaos consume your home, especially when it comes to tidying up that cluttered closet. But fear not, for a simple solution is just around the corner. Start by repurposing toilet paper or paper towel rolls as makeshift wrapping paper organizers. Simply slice one side of each roll open and slide them onto any leftover wrapping paper to keep it from getting tangled or crumpled.
As the holiday season progresses, collect these rolls in a designated spot. Once you’ve finished gift-giving, retrieve your collection and use them to bring order to your closet. The best part? These little tubes are essentially free to replace when they eventually wear out after a few seasons, thanks to the abundance of new rolls waiting to be repurposed.
Keep Your Groceries Fresh for Longer
To extend the shelf life of herbs and other produce, place a plastic bag over the top of the item to maintain hydration. This technique is suitable for a wide range of products, including various greens, carrots, celery, and avocado halves. The water helps prevent oxidation from occurring, which can cause spoilage. Before storing your produce, take some time to research the specific type you’re working with.
While many items can be stored in a glass jar, others may require a low, shallow Tupperware to prevent moisture buildup. With this simple trick, you’ll be able to enjoy your fresh groceries for longer.
Use Velcro Strips to Prevent Rugs from Moving
A versatile solution suitable for pets, kids, and adults alike! To ensure your rug remains stationary, attach velcro strips to either end beneath any affected areas of the carpet. When it’s time to give your rug some TLC – whether that means washing, rearranging, or moving on to a new one – opt for removable velcro strips that can be easily detached and repositioned.
Organize Jewellery in Ice Cube Trays
Transforming jewelry collections from cluttered chaos to organized nirvana is possible with a clever hack: using an icecube tray as storage! As your collection grows, it can quickly consume a significant amount of space. By storing smaller pieces in an icecube tray, you’ll not only consolidate the area they occupy but also make it effortless to locate specific items. This genius solution allows for easy retrieval and reorganization of your entire collection with minimal effort.
For larger or statement pieces like earrings, you can utilize cells as needed. Alternatively, consider investing in stackable ice cube trays for even more versatility and a clutter-free existence.
Remove Highlighter Stains
When navigating through pages filled with highlights and notes, it’s not uncommon to encounter an unwanted highlight that needs to be erased. In a surprising twist, a small amount of lemon juice can be used as a highlighter eraser. This unconventional technique has proven effective in removing stubborn marks from paper, leaving the surface looking fresh and clean once again.
Use a Picture Frame to Write Down Reminders
Transforming your note-taking experience into an eco-friendly one is as simple as repurposing a picture frame. Place a light-colored sheet of paper on the background of the frame, and use the glass surface to jot down your thoughts. When you’re done, simply wipe them away – no need for unnecessary sheets of paper or cluttering up your workspace with notes.
This hack allows for personal touches, too, as you can choose frames that reflect your personality or make it special by selecting one that suits a loved one’s style. For added flair, opt for a frame with some visual interest, or keep things minimalist – the choice is yours.
Organize Cords in Toilet Paper Rolls
To kick off our list of hacks, let’s start with a simple yet effective idea: using toilet paper rolls as cable organizers. By setting aside some empty TP rolls, you can neatly store your cords and keep them labeled for easy identification. The natural binding element also allows you to reserve the tape for future projects. To take it a step further, gather a box or container and fill it with your organized cables.
This way, you can access them whenever you need, keeping everything tidy and within reach.