TOP 5: Everyday assistants – the most inspiring new products of the month

Good design doesn’t settle for looking beautiful – it also makes daily tasks easier. We've gathered five newcomers for January that not only please the eye but also smooth out everyday life, finding their place in surprisingly many situations.

Text: Susa Pääkkönen

The many forms of versatility

Fatboy’s portable Oloha table lamp is a versatile companion you can take almost anywhere. This distinctive cordless light works as an atmospheric table lamp, a wall light, a decorative object, and even a storage piece, both indoors and out – Oloha truly surprises with its adaptability! Inside the metal lamp, you can tuck away small everyday essentials, all while it lights up the darkest January evenings.

• Fatboy’s Oloha table lamp >
• All Fatboy products >

Bursting with shades

Avolt’s extension cords and power strips with new special-edition shades are guaranteed to brighten even the gloomiest of days. The hues of the Avolt x Bauhaus-Archiv collection draw inspiration from Bauhaus color theory, where bold, boundary-pushing expression meets disciplined simplicity. Curated in collaboration with the Bauhaus Archive in Berlin, each color is produced in a limited edition only.

But don’t let the good looks fool you – these beauties are practical, too. The Square 1 extension cord features three power outlets, two USB-C ports, and a flexible 1.8-metre cable, making it easy to bring power to even the furthest corner. A built-in magnet on the side lets you attach the extension cord neatly to a metal wall or shelf.

• Avolt’s Square 1 extension cord >
• All products by Avolt >

Standing in color

When versatility meets color, the result is Muoto Collection’s three-legged Lulu stool. Designed by Kirsi Pasanen and Mikko Kenta, the birch plywood stool charms with its playful character in both homes and public spaces alike. The lightweight stool works just as well as an extra seat, a small side table, or a piece for the children’s room.

The stackable Lulu stools are easy to store even in compact spaces, and their different colors blend beautifully together – so why not collect them all?

• Muoto Collection’s Lulu stool >
• All products by Muoto Collection >

Service, refined

The serving trolley takes everyday practicality to a whole new level. Beyond food and drink service, it transitions effortlessly into a bedside table, a side table, or a functional storage piece in about anywhere – the hallway, kitchen, or office.

Designed by Danish studio Norm Architects for the Japanese design brand Karimoku Case, the N-T01 serving trolley was originally created for the Swedish restaurant ÄNG. It’s no surprise, then, that the trolley brings a touch of Michelin-level atmosphere into the home. With its clear-lined design and honest materials, the wooden trolley lets the lively grain of oak take centre stage.

• Karimoku Case’s N-T01 trolley >
• All products by Karimoku Case >

Sharp thinking

With Michelin-star dreams in mind, it’s only natural to turn your attention to your own kitchen tools – after all, when was the last time you sharpened your knives? We feel your pain. It’s hardly anyone’s favorite chore, and certainly not something you want to do too often.

Now this everyday task has been made a little bit easier with Eva Solo’s knife sharpener that ensures your kitchen knives never lose their edge again. Made from oak, the sharpener features two clearly marked functions: a coarse metal wheel restores the shape of a dull blade, while a ceramic fine-sharpening wheel finishes the edge to a sharp, even result. Separate versions are available for Japanese and European knives, each designed with the optimal sharpening angle for its blade type.

• Eva Solo’s Eastern knife sharpener  >
• All products by Eva Solo >

See also:

• What's new at Finnish Design Shop >

Images: Manufacturers

Featured designs may not be available worldwide.

Published on 28 Jan, 2026