27 clever designs that solved problems we didn’t even know we had

Designers are great at solving all sorts of problems. But truly creative people manage to address issues we didn’t even know we had.

We can always use new ways to make our lives easier, so we collected some ingenious creations that are not only cool-looking – they’re also completely unique in how they work.

Here are 27 genius designs that deserve recognition for their cleverness:

1. Shower cut-out

Here’s a first-world problem: having to switch on the shower while trying to avoid the stream of cold water that comes out before it heats up. This hotel has a hole in the shower screen so you can switch the shower on without getting your body wet. That way, you can wait for it to warm up before climbing in.

2. Parking guidance

It’s the simpler things in life that are the most useful, as proven here. The yellow lines on the floor of this parking lot extend up the wall to show people where they need to park. No more struggling to get out of your car because somebody’s blocked you in with their dodgy parking!

3. Touch-free handles

When you come out of the restroom, you probably cringe when you have to touch the door handle on the way out. You just don’t know how hygienic other people are, and picking up their germs is a nightmarish thought. These handles are touch-free, saving you from having to take that risk.

4. Cake stand or dip bowl

This two-in-one cake stand and dip bowl is genius! Neither of these features is the sort of things you’ll need on a regular basis, so it’s useful to combine them together in one. Which one would you use more?

5. Handle for the pizza box

This pizza box in Japan has a simple but genius feature: handles. How many times have you had to carry pizza across town with it awkwardly in your outstretched arms in front of you? Handles make everything easier.

6. Breathalyzer in a bar

This bar helps you to stay safe and prevent accidents with an in-bar breathalyzer. Just blow into the machine and it’ll tell you in real-time whether you’re okay to drive. If not, you’ll have to find another way to get home.

7. Umbrella lock

When you come into this store with a wet umbrella, you don’t have to carry it around with you inside. Instead, you can lock your umbrella in place by the door and take the key. When you’re done shopping, just unlock it with your key to release your umbrella.

8. Metal bar strip

The worst thing about drinking at a bar is when you forget about your drink for so long that it goes warm. This bar has solved that problem with a metal strip that you can place your drinks on to keep them cool. Why don’t all bars have this feature?

9. Randomized number keypad

You never quite know who might be watching you when you put your pin into the ATM, but this machine has got you covered. After every person who uses the machine, it randomizes the numbers to put them in different locations. That way, people watching from afar can’t be sure what you’re pressing.

10. Spatula stand

We all know the stress of having 15 things going on in the kitchen at once. You stop to stir your food, then put the spatula down on the side to check on the oven. Next thing you know, your side is stained with whatever sauce you’re cooking. Unless you have one of these bad boys…

11. Map on a building

You’d never find yourself lost in this city if you came across the building here. It has a giant map along the side of it, plus a lit-up mark to show exactly where you are. If only all cities had buildings like this!

12. Fun elevator

Nobody wants to be stuck in hospital, especially not children. This children’s hospital found a way to bring playtime to its sick children with a fun elevator. Now you’d actually enjoy pressing these buttons, even as an adult.

13. Stool wall slots

Fast-food restaurants have their peak hours and quiet hours. When this restaurant starts to fill up, people can take out some extra stools from the walls and use them to sit on. Then, when they’re done, they can put them back in the wall to free up space.

14. Lazy Susan fridge

This entire fridge has lazy Susan style shelving. You’ll never risk having old food forgotten about at the back of the fridge because you can swivel your shelves around to see exactly what you have. I wonder why all fridges don’t have this as standard!

15. Weather warning elevator

When you’re traveling to a different part of the world, even forward-planning and checking the weather in advance doesn’t guarantee you’ll get it right. This hotel has a mirror that tells you the weather before you leave, so you can run back and grab your umbrella if you need to.

16. The cone of silence

Getting the occasional call on your cell phone is unavoidable, especially if you’re working away from the office. But we all know the library is a no-go zone for talking on your phone. This library has installed a sound-proof cone of silence so people can take phone calls without disturbing others.

17. Fish food golf

If you’re so bad at crazy golf that your ball is guaranteed to end up in even the smallest body of water in the vicinity, you’ll be all over this idea. At the end of your golf game, you send your ball into the ocean. It’s not littering because the balls are actually made out of fish food! Genius, right?

18. Laminated forms

Paper waste is still a huge issue today, and even the smallest of acts can help to reduce it. This dentist has the right idea – they give out laminated forms that can be rubbed clean after a patient’s information is entered into their online database. Laminated paper is easy to sanitize between uses, too.

19. Shipping container apartments

These old shipping containers have been given a new lease of life when they were turned into an apartment block. This is a really great environmentally friendly move, not to mention that they make for seriously cool viewing. You wouldn’t see an apartment building like this anywhere else.

20. Garbage disposal safety cover

It’s oh so easy to flick your garbage disposal switch when you’ve got a lot going on in your kitchen. This safety cover stops items on your countertops from being able to flick the switch by mistake. Bet it’s stopped so many accidents already.

21. Understanding the ingredients

And finally, ever looked on the ingredients list of a product and think, “What is this and why do I need it?” If you have, you’ll love that on this product, every ingredient has a “where it comes from” and “what it does” explainer. Now that’s insightful.

22. Statue police officer

Now this is a statue that would make you think twice about doing anything you shouldn’t! One look and you’d be convinced this was a real police officer. From afar, you’d be completely convinced.

23. Pastry stamper

As soon as you’ve stuffed your empanada and sealed it up, a stranger wouldn’t be able to tell on the outside what was in there. The contents of this empanada are labeled on the outside of the crust with this useful pastry stamper. Where can we buy one of these for ourselves?

24. Dog parking

If you take your dog with you on trips out, you probably know the frustration of having to find a nearby lamppost or bike stand to attach their lead to while you pop in a shop. This store is about as dog-friendly as it gets, even if you can’t take your dogs inside with you! Check out the designated dog parking spaces they’ve set up.

25. Locating tough topics

Inquiring about where to find information on an awkward or tough topic in the library is so off-putting that you probably wouldn’t do it. This library makes it easy to find the books you need without asking for them. You can just check out the tough topics directory.

26. Cell charging station

Old phone booths don’t get much use anymore. But instead of getting rid of theirs entirely, this town converted a former phone booth into a cell phone charging station. Pretty cool that its use is still phone-related, too.

27. Days of the week hotel

Just like the hotel that gives you the weather, this hotel has days of the week rugs that get changed every day. Pretty useful for when you’re on vacation and you lose track of what day it is! Imagine the confusion if someone put out the wrong rug one day, though.

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Article Sources:

Reddit – r/mildlyinteresting

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