12+ Times Designers Had A Brighter Future In Mind For Us All

This shopping cart removes that stress with a map of the store right on the handle.

This shopping cart includes a magnifying glass to help decipher some of the trickier labels.

Just don't lose that slip of paper!

Putting one next to an entryway so employees don't have to juggle their coffees while finding their swipe cards, for example, will make many friends.

Mind you, at $4 a bottle, I'm not exactly thrilled by the idea.

It might be some fanciful thinking, but I do hope for it because secret entrances are inherently cool.

This is clearly working, collecting all kinds of debris. All you really have to do is make sure to empty the net regularly so the drain doesn't get backed up.

This is the kind of comfort food snacking innovation that makes America so wonderful.

As long as I don't have to worry about power bills ever again, of course.

So, there's no math at the end of the meal.

And although some will say they want to be able to reward or punish their server with a tip, it's worth remembering that the threat of being fired can still deter bad service.

By putting braille on the squares, the puzzle becomes tactile. By making it all white, it makes those of us without impaired vision want to cry. Serves us right.

Each one is printed with a word of the day, randomly selected. The words are short so that they're easy to read quickly as passengers wave them at the driver.

Sometimes, the bib and wet wipes just aren't enough to save your clothes from sauce splatters. Don't worry, though, because this restaurant smartly provides stain remover pens for their patrons.

Because some days you crave a burrito, and some days you're too hungry to care.

That makes it the perfect spot to rest a coffee while you catch up with a friend without losing full functionality of the bench.

Because why shouldn't your toilet paper storage be a little fun?

While professional truck drivers should know how tall their vehicle is and pay attention to the maximums posted, it's occasional drivers who often get caught by low bridges.

Nothing like renting a U-Haul only to smash it into a bridge, amirite?

Besides being fun for both, this also allows for more careful control of how high and fast the swing goes.

Why aren't they all this way, you ask? Sadly, it's due to costs. To plug it in either way requires double the parts, so companies don't bother.

This bathroom solves that problem by providing a way to pull the door open with your forearm instead of your hand.

Besides being a lovely scale model, it's meant to allow people with visual impairments to enjoy the details of the architecture.

It helps cut down on waste and is also great for small spaces.

However, as a short person, I always wince at the idea of how far I'd have to lean over the toilet bowl to reach.

This tap shows you the exact temperature of your water, so once you know your preference, it's easy to get it right every time.

But I hate trying to remember every single detail I need to list off to the server. This place uses a form instead, which is genius.

Instead of needing electricity to power individual motors for each fan, a single motor can power them all.

To keep prying eyes from watching the pattern of button-presses, this keypad randomizes the order each time.

Well, this place took sprinklers out of the equation by hooking trees up to IVs instead. That might also help keep their water bills down.

Like this elevator with the buttons down by the floor. Instead of touching the buttons with your hands, you can press it with your foot.

It's great for cold and flu season, or simply when you hands are full.

If you want help or don't mind being interrupted, take the orange basket.

If you don't want to make eye contact with strangers and always use the self-checkouts to avoid it, pick the green.

This stick-in ring goes around the handle and glows in the dark to help you find your way to safety.

This bottle solves that problem by having a timer built into the lid. It resets each time the bottle is opened.

Coffee shops go through a lot of cartons of milk, so this one repurposes them to act as carriers for multiple cups.

It may seem silly, but since many municipalities don't recycle the waxed cardboard of milk cartons, it gives it one more use before going to the trash.

And I never would have thought of it.

Looks like it's more supportive for his neck than a pillow, and much easier to carry.

This outdoor market is constructed entirely of shipping containers, and houses restaurants, boutiques, and specialty food shops.

This gizmo will not only alert you to a leak, but it will also automatically shut off the water if a pipe bursts. Plus, the app will alert you to the problem.

You don't have to anymore. These lights are controlled via Bluetooth or voice command, and will illuminate your room in a spectrum of colors.

Cue the dance party.

Because never do I need a hot beverage more than when it's raining.

I also love an accidental discovery that leads to reusing items that would otherwise land in the trash.

I'm always down for a healthy reminder of what not to forget when I'm leaving the house.

These pizza scissors measure each slice exactly, so that there are no more pizza wars around the kitchen table.

Unfortunately, I sometimes strain my fingers in the process. This will help me know that I'm truly getting every last cent out of my toothpaste tube.

This wall outlet shelf is the perfect place to store small bathroom items, and for me, an ideal place to rest precious items that I don't want to lose to plumbing.

This citrus spritzer is a must in every kitchen, near every bar, and frankly, in my bedside table. (Because yeah, sometimes I like to enjoy some chips and guac in bed).