The most useful things to 3D print at home are small fixes and organizers: detergent drip trays, toothpaste squeezers, bag clips, kick-down door stops and replacement washer knobs, which Reddit users in r/3Dprinting and r/functionalprint listed among their most-used prints.
After five years of testing, organizational prints are his favorite category, according to The Next Layer, a YouTube channel that reviews useful prints. FromSergio, a YouTube channel about practical 3D printing, said his first instinct for a small household problem is now to print a fix instead of ordering a part.
For a general overview of what printers can make, see What Can You Make With a 3D Printer at Home?. This guide goes room by room.
Useful Things to 3D Print, Room by Room
Bathroom
- Soap dish with a drain that empties into the sink
- Toothpaste squeezer and toothbrush holder
- A small counter cup for floss picks and cotton swabs
- Under-sink and drawer organizers
Laundry room
- Detergent cup drip tray that drains back into the bottle
- Exact-dose detergent scoops
- Replacement washer or dryer knobs
Living room
- Remote and controller holders
- Cable clips, winders and cord organizers
- Tissue box covers and coasters
- Kick-down door stops
Home office and desk
- Headphone stand, phone and tablet stand
- Monitor riser feet and laptop stand legs
- Pen cups and Gridfinity bins
Around the house
- Bag clips (print a bowlful)
- Wall hooks and shelf brackets
- Custom light switch plates
- Door strike plates and hinge shims
Which Filament for Household Prints?
Prices checked on Amazon Oct 16, 2026. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
| Where it goes | Suggested filament | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dry indoor spaces | PLA | Easy, cheap, good detail |
| Bathroom, near water or heat | PETG | Better heat and moisture resistance |
| Parts under constant load | PETG, ABS or ASA | PLA can creep over time |
| Grippy or flexible parts | TPU | Rubber-like |
One Reddit user said a door strike plate printed in ABS held up for months of slammed doors. They advised against PLA (too brittle) and PETG (too flexible) for that part. That is one user’s experience.
Best Printers for Household Prints
| Printer | Price (Amazon, Oct 16, 2026) | Why it fits | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu Lab A1 | $299.99 | Great for PLA and PETG household prints | Check price |
| Bambu Lab P1S Combo | $549.00 | Enclosed for ABS and ASA parts | Check price |
| Elegoo Centauri 2 Combo | $328.99 | Enclosed with 4-color at a lower price | Check price |
What YouTube Creators Found About Useful 3D Prints
These are findings from popular YouTube videos, paraphrased from their transcripts and credited. They are the creators’ experiences and claims, not my test results.
- The Next Layer (The Next Layer: “The 20 MOST Useful 3D Prints I Can’t Live Without”) said that after five years of testing he considers organizational prints his favorite category. His list included knurled screw-top containers, the Multiboard wall system by designer Jonathan Kobylanski, cable winders by DFV Tech and his own tissue box designs. He warned against PLA for parts under constant load because it creeps over time.
- FromSergio (FromSergio: “Every USEFUL 3D Print I Actually Use”) described his habit change: when a small problem comes up, his first thought is now to print a fix, often in a couple of hours, instead of ordering a part online. He called Gridfinity one of the best uses for a printer.
- On Reddit, users in r/3Dprinting and r/functionalprint listed detergent drip trays, toothpaste squeezers, bag clips, kick-down door stops and replacement washer knobs as their most-used prints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most useful thing to 3D print?
Owners often name organizers, cable clips and replacement parts. Things made to fit your exact space or fix something broken tend to get the most use.
Is PLA strong enough for household items?
For most indoor items, yes. Use PETG near heat or water and for parts under constant load.
Do I need to know CAD?
No. Most useful prints are free downloads. Learning a little Tinkercad helps for custom-fit parts.
Where can I find useful prints?
MakerWorld, Printables and Thingiverse. Sort by popular or search for “functional”.
Sources
- The Next Layer: “The 20 MOST Useful 3D Prints I Can’t Live Without”
- FromSergio: “Every USEFUL 3D Print I Actually Use”
- r/3Dprinting: What are the most useful household prints you’ve found?
- r/functionalprint: Super Tough Door Strike Plate
- Amazon product listings for the printers linked above, October 16, 2026
Related: What Can You Make With a 3D Printer at Home? | Best 3D Printer for Home Use | PLA vs PETG for Beginners
Notes and disclosure
Note: Printer prices come from Amazon listings on October 16, 2026 and change often. The ideas below come from popular YouTube creators and Reddit threads, credited where used. My own hands-on results will be added after my planned test prints.
Affiliate Disclosure: If you purchase an item through the links on this page, I may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel.