Practical Dinnerware

Cool idea in housewares we wanted to pass along. While shopping for new dinnerware we decided to go with something uber-practical: Glass Pyrex Pie Plates. The shape lends itself to many different types of fare, from salad to stew to pasta to ice cream to anything. These are essentially a bowl and plate in one. We got them at approx $2.00 a piece at a discount store, although we have seen them for quite a bit more in higher end retailers. The clear glass coordinates with any decor (colors and patterns are available if you wish) and they stack just as ordinary dishes do. They are super durable and can be used in the oven, microwave, fridge or freezer. This plate style is also great for kids as the sloped sides make for easier transport without spills from kitchen to table and easier for eating with a higher lip to push against. Plus their nearly unbreakable nature makes these indispensable for everyday use.

Quick and Dirty Closet Light

If you hate dark closets and want to light them automatically when opened, this is a less than ten dollar solution, assuming you have a source of power available. Even if not, the nine foot cord gives a fair amount of flexibility about where to add an outlet if batteries just won't do. Of course a single bulb may not provide perfect lighting depending on your setup, but as one reviewer noted, you can use an outlet to plug adapter to allow for more options (he used a light rope) while retaining the switch functionality. All in all, while it's not pretty, it's cheap, quick, highly rated, and removable if you're renting.

DIY Parts: Cord Switches That Don't Suck

Many low cost electric appliances save money by not including a power switch. It's one of those little annoyances that tends to grate over time. The cord switches you typically find at hardware stores are made for lights and generally can't handle much load, but online you can get some that go as high as 16 amps. This means they can control a 110 volt appliance that draws 1,760 watts and a 220 volt one that draws 3,500 watts. Best of all, they tend to be inexpensive and easy to install. I've retrofitted a rice cooker, an electric grill, and a battery charger.

Toilet Tank Sink

The water used to fill a toilet's tank doesn't need to be as clean as that you drink, which is the idea behind reusing the water from washing your hands to later flush. The most direct way to apply this concept is the toilet tank mounted sink. You can get retrofit kits and there are even some purpose built toilets that integrate a sink. Alternatively, it makes for a fairly straightforward DIY project. Not only is this idea more frugal with water, it serves as a reminder to wash your hands, which can be especially useful for young children. It also allows the possibility, for new construction, of a truly compact half bathroom. Of course, there's no reason one couldn't have a separate sink that drains into the toilet's tank, and there's also no need for it to be hooked to the toilet's fill valve either (this approach would allow for warm water washing, albeit in a less efficient manner).

As it is a common misconception, I should address the fact that water from your toilet valve is perfectly clean: it comes from the same water supply as the rest of your house. As to the reasonable concern that the water will be cold, I would observe that for bathrooms that have any significant length of pipe to the hot water supply, it will take a fair amount of time for the room temperature water resting in the pipe to be expelled anyway, so if water efficiency is your aim it's difficult to avoid. There are ways to get around this, yielding instant warm water, but the energy required to keep it at that temperature, as well as the additional equipment needed, should be considered.

Magnetic Blind Holder

One of the clear brackets a cord free cellular shade used to hold firmly down snapped off after a while, so I improvised this alternative. Riveted the magnets from a cabinet latch to the inside of each end cap, and nibbled away the plastic on the bottom so that they just protrude. Then I attached the plates that came with them to the sill give it something to grab ahold of. It works very well now and is easy to position even in the dark. A further refinement would be to fully recess the plates or possibly switch to stronger magnets that could hold through the plastic itself.

Posh Kitty "Post"

I came across this alternative to the ugly cardboard cat scratch pads or bulky carpet scratching posts that take up room. This look like a fairly easy DIY project, requiring just a few small pieces of plywood, a carpet sample or scrap and some hardware or glue. One could simply glue the carpet onto the plywood backing, but if I were to build this I would put bolts through each of the four corners from the rear to secure the rug, then use washers and acorn nuts. This would enable the carpet squares to be replaced easily as they wore out. The plywood backing needs to either be attached directly to a stud (preferred) or use several heavy duty wall anchors. Optionally a front frame of nicer material could be added to give a more finished edge, or for those owning a router, a recess for the carpet could be added in a piece of thicker stock.

Different colors, lengths, and textures of carpet can be used to coordinate with room decor and the frame could be stained or painted to match as well. Be aware that felines may enjoy some types of carpet more than others: I had a cat that specifically preferred coir carpeting to any other material.

A Little Mystery: Hidden Switch

This idea falls under the "simply cool" part of this blog's raison d'etre. It's basically an electrical switch with some flair. The universal switch is sold as a kit that can be hooked up to any electrical gadget. It works just as a secret bookcase passageway switch you see in the movies: The book is tilted to turn the corresponding electrical object off or on. While not practical or frugal, it is a great way to have a little fun in your decor and is much less expensive than a real hidden passageway to your secret lair. You DIYers out there could probably whip one up with parts from the local hardware store.