Stripy table linens and stylish Greek pepper mills abound.

Published Jul 27, 2023 6:15 PM

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Save paper towels and toothpaste, finding what you really want on Amazon is an involved operation. Since searching the site is common practice for our team, we have a good handle on what worthwhile gems are hiding in its nooks and crannies. Aside from unusual gifts and the best furniture, we’ve also mined a compelling bounty of design-forward kitchenware. The mix is cheap-and-cheerful meets surprisingly stylish gadgets and decor—think: items that spark joy and elevate countertops. Celery green salad servers, Greek pepper mills crafted from solid brass, marbled enamelware mixing bowls, French glass pitchers, and stripy table linens abound. Below, shop our roster of all the unique Amazon kitchen finds we’ve encountered (thus far).

Grind peppercorns like the fanciest grandma you know with this 8-inch replica of a coffee mill used by Greek soldiers in the early 20th century. Covered head to toe in solid brass, it’ll add a luxurious statement to your countertop or dinner table. “This should last a lifetime,” one reviewer raves.

Place your prized farmers’ market finds in this fluted glass pedestal. (Not sure about you, but we could also see it as a tiramisu or trifle vessel.) Available in a smoke or mint green hue, it has earned rave reviews from shoppers for looking just as good, if not better, as any piece you’d pick up at West Elm or Crate & Barrel—but for a fraction of the price.

Designed by a Massachusetts-based maker, these servers are crafted from recycled sand-cast aluminum; the eye-catching duo has been described as “heavy,” “beautiful,” and “l(fā)ong proportioned.” Numerous reviews reveal that they make an ideal gift for hosts or newlyweds, and at least one notes that they are large enough for sizable salad bowls.

Our chief creative officer, Kate Berry, owns this Redecker set, and we rank it as the chicest handle in our best brooms guide. Made in Germany from smooth beechwood, horsehair, and stainless steel, the good-looking sweeper is designed to be easy to maneuver and store. “Fits in my short cupboard because we don’t have a proper tall broom closet. It works really well, and the dustpan has a very sharp edge so that you can really sweep up all the little bits. It’s attractive, too, made of wood and steel…it’s made gloriously well,” one reviewer attests. Or take it from another shopper: The “prettiest thing I have ever seen.”

This small flower-shaped dish—an ideal size for housing garlic cloves, salt, or other spices—could easily be mistaken for a boutique objet instead of a $13 Amazon score. It’s artfully crafted from dishwasher- and food-safe stoneware in a chic matte black sheen.

For a speckled statement in the kitchen, this enamelware crock with a stainless steel rim is a surefire way to elevate your most utilitarian utensils. It comes in eight different colors, and reviewers call it durable and easy to clean; we think it would also serve you well as a vase or even a small planter.

Striped linens can dress up a tabletop, counters, or even an oven handle. We’re partial to this four-pack of tomato girl summer–leaning napkins, but there are 33 other color combos to choose from if red isn’t your thing. Here’s why we like ’em: They’re 20-by-20 inches in size, machine washable (aka ready for spills), and crafted from 100% European flax linen.

This powder-coated steel colander comes in 12 different colors (from cool matte black to zesty bright orange) and three sizes (3, 5.5, and 7 quarts). “The material is hearty and made of a beautiful metal that looks fabulous. I like to keep it on the top of my cabinets so I can always see it in my kitchen,” one shopper writes. Plus the bamboo handles are a nice touch.

We’re fans of a fish motif, especially when it comes to kitchenware. And if you’ve yet to encounter Swedish dishcloths, say hello to our favorite sustainable cleaning pal. This cute two-pack—made from a blend of 70% cellulose and 30% cotton—is 100% compostable, safe to toss in the washer, and can be reused up to 200 times.

From the same French glassware stalwart that brought us chic martini glasses and bodega cups, our style editor, Julia Stevens (and 4,000-plus reviews), can also vouch for Luminarc’s stylish jug. Stevens loves its satisfying, columnlike shape, which holds 37 ounces of whatever you’re craving. She’s used her fluted friend for a rooftop party, and it’s usually always next to her laptop while she’s working.

Get a trash bin that can do both. In narrow apartments and kitchens, Joseph & Joseph’s tiered receptacle—our multifunctional pick for best kitchen trash cans—takes advantage of vertical space with separate waste and recycling bins hidden in a supercool, stone-finish exterior.

How many entertainers can say their placemats are renewable? The outer layer of cork trees from Portugal yields wood chip–like mats that are naturally water- and thermal resistant. “These placemats are a perfect size, beautiful and organic in their appearance, perfect for protecting the table, and clean up so much better than you’d think,” writes one shopper. “We’ve used them for weeks and nothing sticks to them; just wipe them with a cloth. This is one of my favorite Amazon purchases.” They also make great gifts for moms, if you’re looking for one.

Stylish sponges and scrubbers do exist. Take this traditional tawashi brush from Japan, for example. The doughnut-shaped cleaner is made with sisal hemp, so it’s strong enough to get the gunk off your dishes but still soft enough that it won’t chap your skin. It’ll look pretty cute near the sink or hanging from a hook close by.

These stout servers have a lot going for them—and the crackled-finished celery green color (sunny yellow, cherry red, and jewel-like turquoise are also available) is just the start. Add durable melamine that looks like porcelain, dishwasher-safe construction, and a light weight to the mix? Yes, please.

If you’re already thinking about stocking up for the holidays: Have you ever seen a better Secret Santa gift or stocking stuffer? This cheeky bear (made of BPA-free plastic) encases a stainless steel grater; his shape is ergonomic to hold and ideal for teaching kids a new skill in the kitchen. Reviewers point out a stealthy advantage of this tool over traditional box graters—the interior part comes out so it’s much easier to clean.

We like Golden Rabbit’s enamelware so much, it made the list twice. This trio of enamel bowls is available in 13 different swirl styles, and they are oven-, dishwasher-, and stovetop-safe (just remove those lids beforehand!). Ideal for chopped veggies, leftovers, salad dressings, and anything else that might fit in their on-the-smaller-side sizes.

Not gonna lie, this one stopped us in our tracks. A Bialetti Mini Express, complete with Lichtenstein-esque illustrations? And it comes in Kandinsky or Magritte versions as well? The gift potential is a little outrageous. Not to mention that it makes pretty good coffee, too.

If you’re looking for a tiny grater that has tabletop appeal, consider this version from the 100-plus-year-old brand Boska. Three grating surfaces offer versatility, and the oak-wood handle is just the right touch to level it up.

A fresh cup of coffee poured out of this French press, inspired by the brilliant designer Eileen Gray, is exactly how we want to wake up. The decorative stainless steel exterior shields a borosilicate glass beaker that holds eight cups of joe—reviewers call it “elegant” and “worth every penny.”

As we are eternally on the lookout for deals on Alessi, we were thrilled to find this graphic banana holder at nearly 50% off. Designed by John True and made with chrome-plated zamak, the Dear Charlie holder does what it says: Reviewers remark that it holds large bunches of bananas and adds a little glam to the kitchen.