Can You Identify These Everyday Home Items?

Jennifer Post

Image: PeopleImages/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Trends in home decor and everyday home items change over time just like anything else. But there are some items that have stood the test of time and are still used in most homes today. The tricky thing is, as people forget what things are called, or families call things by different names, it can be hard to decipher what something is actually called. Sometimes it's as simple as things have different names depending on where you're from. But there generally is only one name for most of your common household stuff, and it's fun to see how many you can name.

When you think of home items that you use every day, what comes to mind? Is it more kitchen stuff than anything else? Maybe it's cleaning products. Maybe it's storage containers. Everyone has different things that they use on a daily basis, so it just depends on what you like the most and what you spend the most time doing. These home items can also bring people a lot of joy. Using a garlic press every day can make some people really happy, while pulling fresh towels out of the dryer is as good as gold. Do you think you can identify all of these everyday home items? Take this quiz to find out!

This item can really change the things you see. What is it?

Whether you call it a clicker, channel changer or remote control, this everyday item prevents you from having to get up to change what you're watching on television. Back in the old days, people just referred to their kids as the channel changers.

If you can't live without the nectar of the gods, you most likely use which of the items every single morning?

Coffee makers come in all varieties. You can get a single pod coffee maker, an espresso maker, a drip coffee maker, a French press, a pour over ... the possibilities are almost endless. You'll never be without your morning coffee with so many options.

If you can't get enough baked goods, this hot ticket item is probably your best friend? Can you name it?

Your oven is a godsend for anyone who likes to bake. It can handle low temperature bakes like cheesecake, or higher temperature bakes like cookies and roasting fruit. Of course ovens are perfect for other things, but for bakers it's a must have.

It's tough to get kids to actually use this, but they'll feel minty fresh when they do. What is it?

For some reason, kids have a natural aversion to toothbrushes. Even though they make kid-friendly toothpaste, the minty kind seems to the most effective. It kills germs, makes breath fresh, and should definitely be used every day.

Maybe you like using the banister, but this item was built for hanging your winter cloaks. What's it called?

A coat rack is that item that mostly everyone has, but not everyone actually uses. If you have a coat rack, you'll know that it's designed to hang your coat on when you get home. You can even put hats, purses, kets, etc. on it.

You can't really eat without these items. What's their name?

Silverware is a crucial part of eating, unless of course you are in a place where they use another food item like a pita or naan. Having a big set is nice so that you're not running and emptying the dishwasher constantly.

Which item below hangs on things and sees your hands a lot?

Hand towels are great for show, and some people even use them. A lot of people are grossed out by a communal hand-drying towel, but if you have a few you can keep switching them out while others are being washed. They're great for decor, too.

At the end of a long day, all you want to do is plant yourself on this. Can you name it?

Sofa, couch, chaise, recliner, whatever you call it, it calls your name after a long day. There are literally thousands of choices out there, so choose carefully, as sofas aren't something you change out very frequently.

Put these on your sofa or your bed. Or your floor or the storage bench. Which item below can really go anywhere for added comfort?

Pillows are one of life's best accessories. You can get fun seasonal ones, big ones, small ones, soft ones, firm ones, and on and on. And they can go on your bed, your sofa, or as seat cushions for your kitchen table.

Take a good look at yourself with what everyday item below?

Even if you haven't purchased a mirror for your home, one is usually built in for the bathroom. You really can't avoid looking in the mirror, so you might as well embrace it and get some cute ones for the walls.

Which of the below are you filling up with the other nectar of the gods to forget about the stress of your day and life?

Chances are you've had your wine glasses for years, or you've recently upgraded to fancy stemless or double-walled versions. Either way, you probably use them a lot as life around seems to get more stressful. Plus, it's a fun way to unwind at the end of the week.

Pull this back and reveal the one place you can get true alone time, unless you have kids. What is it?

Shower curtains are the perfect way to add color and design to your bathroom. Especially if you live in an apartment and can't paint or hang a ton of stuff on the walls. Make sure you get a liner so the actual curtain doesn't get wet and moldy.

While you only need these temporarily, they're good to have around for the long haul. What is it?

Permanent markers are one of those things that you don't need, until you do. Things like returning packages, labeling things and leaving notes people can't ignore are things we don't do all the time, but permanent markers are really the only tool for the job.

Flatten your clothes on this in order to flatten them some more. What are we talking about?

An ironing board, again, is one of those things you may not think about until you need it. Since so few clothes actually need to be ironed, it can go forgotten for a long time. But when you need it, there are few viable alternatives.

Life is messy. Clean up the simple stuff with this bristled item. Which is it?

A broom is a household essential. It can be used to, of course, sweep the floor, but it's also good for getting cobwebs out of hard-to-reach corners of the ceiling. It's a bonus that they usually come with their equally important counterparts, the dust pan.

Which item, that has no real defined purpose, usually ends up as storage or a foot rest?

I guess originally coffee tables were used to set your coffee cup down on. But in most households they serve as a place to rest your feet, mail, laptops, and any other small item you have no other place for.

Families can accumulate a lot of these, and it's nice to have a place to put them so you don't dirty the carpet. What is it?

If you're a no-shoe household, having a shoe rack in the foyer, top of the stairs or wherever your entryway is, is a great way to encourage people to take their shoes off before walking through your home. It also keeps them organized.

What item below stores smelly things until they're clean, but keeps other things from getting smelly?

Hampers are a must, unless you want to pile all of your dirty clothes up in the corner of your room. They have regular laundry baskets, but those don't often have lids. Look for one with a lid so that the smell of dirty clothes stays in the hamper.

This crucial item saves your hands from over-drying and getting pruny. What is it?

Not everyone has a dishwasher, but those who do will never go back. It is an everyday item that you take for granted until you have to hand wash all of your dishes for one reason or another.

Which item below is like a hamper that you don't take things back out of?

Trash cans are a staple in kitchens, especially for those without a garbage disposal. The only downside is that someone has to take the trash from the cans to a bigger dumpster or to the curb. But that's what kids are for.

Coming in all shapes, sizes and designs, which sticky item below should be part of your first aid kit?

Band aids are one of the most important things to have on hand. Kids love them when they have their favorite character on them that they can show off to their friends, and adults also secretly love when they have their favorite character on them.

Sometimes you don't have the energy to power yourself, but one of the items below has the energy to power most things. What is it?

It's always good to stock up on batteries of all kinds. You never know when you'll need to replace the batteries in your smoke alarm, remote control or your kid's favorite toy. Although maybe you would want to forget batteries for that one.

Hanging things can be difficult, but which tool below makes it a lot easier?

There are a few tools that are key to have in your toolbox, and a level is one. This will ensure that anything you are trying to hang is level itself, but also level with other things hanging around it, or something like a door or window frame.

Which item below is essential to any kind of cooking that requires smaller pieces of something?

You can't really get around having knives in the kitchen unless you never plan on cooking anything ever. There are so many varieties, and each one basically has its own purpose, but there are general kitchen knives that are multi-purpose.

If you ever want homemade cookies, having one tool from the options below will make that possible.

Baking sheets, while perfect for cookies, also can be used to roast vegetables or make one-pan dinners. They make them in different sizes, too, so you can find one that suits your needs, or have a whole collection.

For those pesky things that can't be put in the machine, this item is crucial. Can you name it?

For those without a dishwasher, or for those items that aren't dishwasher safe, having a supply of dish soap on hand is important. Depending on your needs, you can get a disinfecting one, one that combats oil or an overall cleaner.

Wrapping up leftovers is made easy peasy with this item. But don't let it cut you. Which item is it?

Aluminum foil can not only be used to wrap up leftovers, but it can be used as a pan liner for certain things. This is in order to prevent dirtying a pan and adding one more thing to the list of things that need to be washed.

Coming in hundreds of varieties, which item below keeps the rings on your finger, and not on your table?

Coasters are a fun way to show your personality in your decor, and they also serve a purpose. Put your glass on one so when the condensation runs off, it doesn't ruin your coffee or end tables.

If you're not into e-books and prefer the old school paper kind, you'll need one of these. Which item is it?

Bookshelves house books in a special way. You can display all the books you have whether they're cookbooks, educational books or books you read for fun. You can also mix it up with some decor elements, as well.

It has storage, decorative elements, and a place for a glass of water before bed. What is it?

Not everyone thinks nightstands are a necessity, but once you have one, you'll understand why people say they are. You can put all the normal things inside like tissues, sleeping masks and hand lotion, and keep a glass of water and a book on top for convenience.

Which item below not only protects your knives, but also your countertops when preparing your favorite dinner?

Cutting boards are an essential. It's also a good idea to have separate ones that you only cut meat on, and then other ones for vegetables so that you don't chance cross-contaminating the two. Most of them are even dishwasher-safe.

When the Beatles sing "Here Comes the Sun," utilize which item below to make it a little less harsh?

Curtains can be found almost anywhere and come in varieties like sheer, blackout, valence and floor length. They also come in every color you can think of, and patterns too. They not only block out the sun, but really complete the look of a room.

Having a use in almost every room of your home, which item below is mostly used in bathrooms and laundry rooms?

Bleach can be used to brighten up your dingiest white clothes, or the grout of your tiled shower walls. However, this is strong stuff and should be used with caution. Get it on dark clothes, and they'll look like tie-dye.

Keep your wardrobe smelling fresh as a daisy, or fresh with no scent at all, with this key item. What is it?

Laundry detergent is a necessity for anyone who wears clothes, which is everyone. Down the detergent aisle you will find so many options to choose from, and you pretty much have free rein unless you're limited by the type of washing machine you have.

This everyday home item below makes spring cleaning that much more satisfying. Can you name it?

You can get the little Dirt Devils, steam cleaners, high-end vacuums or regular old vacuums that will get the job done. Make sure to get one with all the attachments so you can get in corners, stairs and even furniture.

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest times if one only remembers to turn on the light." Or, you can switch on this item. What is it?

Flashlights are of course useful when the power goes out, but they are also handy to have around if you have crawl spaces or deep corners of your cabinets that normal light can't reach. Small ones are even good for checking for things like strep throat.

Which item below can clear up odd odors, and add lift to your favorite baked goods?

Open a package of baking soda and stick it in your fridge or pantry to get rid of odors from all the different kinds of foods you store. Or, add it to quick breads, cookies and cakes for that pillowy lift you just can't get from anything else.

In the words of Joey Gladstone, "cut, it, out." what home item was he miming when he said this on "Full House?"

Did you know there's a special kind of scissors just for kitchen use? While you don't for sure need those, regular household scissors will give you plenty of mileage for cutting open food packages, regular packages and of course, that sweet glide of cutting wrapping paper.

Speaking of wrapping paper, this item below will keep your tightly wrapped gifts safe and secure from snoopers. What is it?

Clear tape has so many uses beyond wrapped gifts. It can keep chip bags closed to ultimate freshness, it can help you stick recipes to the wall so you can look at them without getting them all messy, and in a pinch it can be used to get lint off clothes.

Fill this up with the best flavorings the world has to offer. Really, the world! Which item below fits right on your counter or in your cabinet?

Since there are so many spices available, they can really add up and clog up space in your kitchen. Keep them organized with a spice rack, whether it's a spinning one or a ladder type that you can set the spices up in stadium seating for prime viewing.

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Explore More Quizzes