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To create a solution, you first have to spot the problem. But what if the problem keeps getting overlooked?

Most of us go through the day without really noticing the small things that could be better. Some of them don’t affect us directly, so we don’t give them much thought. Others we’ve just accepted as normal, even if they’re inconvenient.

Thankfully, there are people who pay more attention. People who care enough to notice and smart enough to come up with clever ways to make things easier. Below are some of their best ideas, guaranteed to make you say, “How did no one think of this sooner?”

#1 This Park Has A Swing For Kids In A Wheelchair

There’s a rope in front of the swing, blocking the swing from being pushed too fast. I moved it around to see, it’s pretty limited how far/high it can be pushed. Either way, kids can figure out a way to injure themselves on anything I suppose.

Image credits: Tormenca

#2 South Korea Puts Traffic Lights On The Ground So That People Who’re Looking At Their Phones Can Still See The Light

Image credits: YuptheGup

#3 This Chair In An Office Cafeteria Has A Notch To Hang Bags

Image credits: tanaysoley

A lot of problems go unsolved simply because the people in charge of solving them don’t experience them at all. Think about how many public spaces we use, transports we take, or devices we rely on—yet so many of them aren’t designed with everyone in mind.

Once you start paying attention to how people with disabilities, learning difficulties, or even different cultural backgrounds navigate the world, it’s hard not to notice how many environments just aren’t built for them.

#4 My Grocery Installed An Indoor Farm For Veggies

It actually wasn’t more expensive which was wild.

Image credits: Zayka10000

#5 This Restaurant I Went To Has Solar-Powered Phone Chargers Built Into The Umbrellas

Image credits: liberianprince

#6 My Shirt Has A Cloth For Cleaning Glasses Sewn Into It

Image credits: Motomotobutonacid

For me, what really changed my perspective on design was watching videos from wheelchair users showing what their daily routines actually look like.

Suddenly, I couldn’t unsee it—the ramps that are too steep, the doorways with high thresholds most of us step over without a thought, but that require real effort and navigation if you’re using a wheelchair.

#7 I Love How This Supermarket Prints Out Instructions On How To Make Your Food Last Longer

Image credits: queenbee-30s

#8 Snack Serving Robot In China Upset With Me Because I Didn’t Take Any Snacks

Image credits: sealion7

#9 These Band-Aids Designed To Match Different Skin Colors

Image credits: alhart89

And here’s the thing: modern inclusive design doesn’t just revolve around accommodating disabilities.

It’s a broader approach. It recognizes the full range of human diversity, including physical ability, age, gender, culture, and language.

The goal isn’t to fix one specific problem, but to create environments, products, and services that work better for everyone.

#10 This Mall In Oakville, Ontario Has Two Active Bee Hives On The Roof

Image credits: RebornNihilist

#11 Menorca Airport Has Holding Pens For Toddlers At The Luggage Belt

Image credits: onkelpiepan

#12 In Japan, Baggage Scales Are Flat On The Ground, So You Don’t Have To Lift Your Heavy Suitcases

Image credits: ibrahim_a

So, what does this look like in practice?

Let’s return to our wheelchair example. Ramps and elevators obviously help people with mobility challenges, but they’re also great for parents with strollers, delivery workers, travelers with luggage, or anyone who just doesn’t want to take the stairs.

That’s the beauty of thoughtful design, it solves more than one problem at once.

#13 Tea Shipment Used The Scraps From Tea Bags As Box Filler

Image credits: BasilTomatoLeaf

#14 For Pre-Approved Protests, South Korea Police’s Sanitary Div. Deploys Portable Toilets For Protesters To Use

Also to clarify, it’s also for the police force there but anyone can use it freely. Was air-conditioned and clean 8/10.
For clarification, “pre-approved” means you’ll get the police’s assistance when doing protests. In this case, it was a worker’s union protest. They got toilets, road blockades and traffic control for parading, light towers, portable cell tower, and noise monitoring not to bother the neighbors. They won’t arrest you for not getting approved as long as you don’t break the law or be a nuisance.

Image credits: blending-tea

#15 The Bedsheets In Government Hospitals (Of Kerala) Have The Day Printed On Them To Ensure They Are Changed Daily

Image credits: aham90spoets

Another example? Closed captions and transcripts. Essential for those with hearing loss, sure, but also a lifesaver if you’re learning a new language, watching something in a noisy space, or just multitasking.

Personally, I can’t watch anything without subtitles anymore, not because I need them, but because dialogue is often hard to catch, or I get distracted, or I’m eating chips too loudly. Captions help.

#16 This Toilet Paper Roll Contains A Mini Paper Roll To Carry With You, Instead Of An Hollow Carbord Roll

Image credits: Dearisneth

#17 These Sheets I Just Bought Are A Game Changer

Image credits: T1m3f0x

#18 Things Like That Should Be In More Places

Image credits: x.com

#19 Barrier-Free Access To The Sea For Wheelchair Users In Zadar, Croatia

Image credits: pelle41

#20 The Shower At My Hotel Has A Flow Meter To Know How Much Water You Use

Bonus: ice cap is melting and polar bear disappears if you use too much.

Image credits: nashtor

#21 This Titanium Coated Butter Knife With Internal Copper Alloy Heat Tubes. It’s Made To Heat Up When Held In Your Hand, So That It Is Easier To Spread Butter

Image credits: RampChurch

#22 My Milk Carton Has A Level Indicator

Image credits: Emily89

#23 The Construction Guy Near My House As A Solar Powered Fan Helmet To Stay Cool

Image credits: Kevtron

#24 This Crosswalk Lights Up When You Cross To Improve Visibility For The Drivers

Image credits: TheTrueRK

#25 Cat Tree Came In A Box With Instructions To Make A Cat House

Image credits: clyft

#26 This Bag Designed For Pizza

Image credits: iiTaurusii

#27 In My City There Are Milk Machines Where You Can Buy Milk In Your Own Container

Image credits: th2736627298464

#28 Supermarket Avocado Ripeness Detector

Image credits: unhappylittletrees1

#29 A Plant Was Put Under The Hand Dryer In A Public Restroom To Catch The Drips

Image credits: poolleee

#30 This Graveyard Has Wheelbarrows You Can Borrow By Inserting A Coin, Like Carts At The Supermarket

Image credits: SuperSecretSunshine

#31 Trams In Gold Coast, Australia Have Surfboard Parking

Image credits: excitingmage

#32 Pick ‘N’ Mix For Pets, At The Supermarket

Image credits: getyerhandoffit

#33 Our Local Supermarket Offers Free Fruits For Children To Snack While Shopping

Image credits: Sea-Shop1219

#34 This Wealthy City In Oregon Offers Free Sparkling Water Filling Stations On Their Sidewalks

Image credits: reddit.com

#35 How They Move Stuff In Amsterdam

Image credits: maz-o

#36 These Squeaky Kids Shoes Have A Switch To Turn Off The Squeaking

The six year old they belong to LOVES the squeaking. Having them on when she wants and it isn’t bothering anyone is great for her. Having them turn off when she wants or its bothering us is great for us.