At Home

You know you've got one (or five)—the half-empty can of paint that's been stashed in the corner of the garage for so long that it's practically part of the architecture. The paint's probably gone bad by now, or the room you were saving it to touch up has since been painted another color. You couldn't get the lid off if you tried. The time has come to lose the paint can. If the contents are still good, pour them into a Rubbermaid Paint Buddy. It's both an airtight storage device and a touch-up tool, and it definitely takes up less space than a gallon can, making it easier to keep it near where you'd need it, rather than at the back of a cluttered supply shelf behind the motor oil and surplus bags of kitty litter. Bonus: the clear body of the bottle lets you see exactly which shade you're reaching for. Oh, and should you find that your paint is so old it's unrecognizable (or you just don't need it anymore), dispose of it the earth-friendly (and, frankly, legal) way with these tips from Earth911.org. [via Apartment Therapy]

More problem solvers on Shine:
Tablecloth weights keep alfresco dinner parties in place
The Dry-Erase refrigerator
6-in-1 container opener
Biodegradable trash bags
A space-saving step ladder/ironing board combo