13 Ways $20 Can Make a Big Impact in Your Home

Every morning, you dart out the door on the way to work. Before you leave, you do your last-minute check: phone, keys, lunch. Hang a cute mirror next to your door, and you can add hair, makeup, and teeth to that list — and start your day with confidence.

While hanging your new mirror, find a spot next to it for a decorative hook, or maybe a whole bunch. A bit of unused wall real estate can become the new home for your bag, keys, or sunglasses.

Let's face it, most of us are slaves to our schedule. Avoid stress (and the need to keep your phone in your back pocket) by placing an inexpensive but easy-to-read clock within sight of key spots in your home: bathroom mirror, kitchen counter, dining room table, and bed.

The goal with remotes is to store them out of sight, while still keeping them within arm's reach. A pretty box like this would do the trick — and make a fine addition to any coffee table.

Everyone loves a vase of cut flowers, but the cost of keeping a home stocked with fresh flowers is too steep for most. A houseplant or a potted orchid costs about the same but lasts a lot longer (even if you're not a green thumb!).

Sometimes things break, which normally is a sad thing. But once you are the proud owner of this ingenious tool, you'll be looking for things you can fix, just so you can experience the fun that is this nesting six-in-one tool. (You can even use it to fix your sunglasses!)

Baskets corral little bits of this and that better than anything. Perfection is not required — just group like with like. The makeup you use every day? Put it in a basket. Your hair dryer and its ridiculously long cord? Put it in a basket. Your dog's toys? Your kid's toys? OK, you're going to need a lot of baskets.

(Tip: check out your local Goodwill for a plentiful selection of baskets at dirt-cheap prices — especially for the baskets that are bound for the closet or pantry.)

Loose cords are hazardous and an eyesore. If only we could do as the catalog stylists to and just chop them off with a pair of scissors! Obviously this is not an option, but the good news is a small investment of time and money can get your cords under control. While your individual situation will determine the best products for you, start your search with this leg cord manager, these cable twisters, this cable management box, or these cable clips.

Waste not, want not — especially when it comes to wine. Save yourself the heartache that is a half-drunk bottle turned to vinegar and buy a wine saver. If you’re a lover of sparkling, make sure you also get one specially made for bubbly.

The kitchen sink is the workhorse of your home. But that doesn't mean it's not worthy of a little love. Pour your dish soap into an upgraded soap dispenser, and your sink gets an instant makeover. Remember to buy clear dish soap!

Speaking of the kitchen sink, ever had to scrape off cooked-on scrambled egg with your fingernails? Ick. Never again with this bamboo pot scraper to save the day — so simple, we all wish we'd thought of it, and it looks great, too.

Cleaning might not be fun, but you can at least make it easy. Stash handy tools near the dirt, so you can tidy up before the mess gets out of hand. Place a container of wipes beneath the bathroom sink, a stain pretreater by the hamper, and this handy table brush for crumb cleanup in the dining room.

You know that great piece of street art you bought while traveling five years ago? The one that's rolled up and shoved in the back of your closet? Stop waiting until you get around to framing it.

Use these easy-to-use-and-remove strips to mount it somewhere unexpected, like on the back of a door, or if it's small enough, the inside of a bookcase shelf. Then get a package of heavy-duty strips, and finally hang the framed art you have propped up on the floor in your hallway (I'm looking at three of my own right now!).