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Life’s got more surprises waiting for you than you can shake a stick at. We’re talking about the pleasant kind, too, not just the ‘surprise, aliens are building monoliths on Earth and we’ll have a full-scale invasion in the last days of 2020’ kind.

The ‘Didn’t Know I Wanted That’ community on Reddit seems to absolutely adore surprises. That’s why the nearly 768k-strong subreddit is documenting all the cool, strange, and intriguing things that the world has to offer that will make you say, “I didn’t know I wanted that.”

Check out some of their best posts below and, as you’re scrolling down, give the pics you liked the most an upvote. Be sure to let us know which of these things you never knew you wanted and why! And read on for Bored Panda's interview with one of the moderators taking care of the subreddit.

#1

I Want And You Do Too

I Want And You Do Too

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Ceredwyn Ealanta
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Completely real. Produced by Desserto: "The result, Desserto, the Cactus Vegan-Leather, is partially biodegradable and has the technical specifications required by the fashion, leather goods, furniture and even automotive industries." https://desserto.com.mx/

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#2

These Lines Go Up The Wall So You Can Park Perfectly In-Between The Lines

These Lines Go Up The Wall So You Can Park Perfectly In-Between The Lines

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#3

Glowing Nightlight Lamp With Removable Glow Balls For Trips To The Bathroom

Glowing Nightlight Lamp With Removable Glow Balls For Trips To The Bathroom

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Moderator Stuffed02 from r/DidntKnowIWantedThat told Bored Panda all about how their community first got started on Reddit. "DidntKnowIWantedThat got started when someone made a post on a big subreddit and people started commenting quite literally our future name," they said.

They told us that their subreddit is very open, as long as people follow some basic rules. "We allow all kinds of unusual products that you only realize the need for once you see it. Our only main rule issue is people trying to advertise their products. My message for them is: don’t. We always catch it. Other than that, there aren’t any major rule paradigms we have to deal with."

Mod Stuffed02 also opened up about what the year's been like for the subreddit. Surprisingly, it hasn't been as bad as you might think. "2020 has actually been a fun year for a lot of us on our team. Having to spend more time online means we get to see more products and be more dedicated to our users."

Meanwhile, another moderator, Metastasis_d pitched in and told us that the subreddit was started by "a spammer who wanted to use the subreddit to advertise products," however, the community outlasted them.

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#4

Soy Sauce Dishes That "Reveal" A Painting Once You Fill Them Up

Soy Sauce Dishes That "Reveal" A Painting Once You Fill Them Up

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#5

This Remote Has A Headphone Plug In It To Listen To TV Quietly

This Remote Has A Headphone Plug In It To Listen To TV Quietly

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#6

This Skull Shaped Charcoal Takes BBQ To The Next Level

This Skull Shaped Charcoal Takes BBQ To The Next Level

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For the past year and a half, the r/DidntKnowIWantedThat subreddit has been a testament to out-of-the-box thinking and just how creative humankind can get when it really wants to. We’ve had our minds blown since the first time we visited the subreddit and we keep getting surprised each time.

The community is also very inspiring for anyone who needs new ideas for their projects or business ventures. There’s nothing like seeing something weird but wonderful to shake things up when you’re deep inside a creative hole and need a leg-up to climb out.

The subreddit also raises an interesting question: why do we want a particular product (and does it have to have a gimmick to make us want it)? According to the National Association of Sales Professionals, it’s all tied to our emotions.

#7

This TV Show Idea

This TV Show Idea

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The NASP explains that people buy products based on their emotional needs or wants, and then justify their purchase logically later on. In other words, we make our decisions based on how we feel and later sprinkle some logical reasoning on top to make it look rational.

So selling products becomes less about appealing to ‘perfect,’ rationally thinking, economic consumers and more about seeing what their hearts truly want. Which is far tougher and way easier to do all at once, ironically.

#10

Steamer Boat Lid

Steamer Boat Lid

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#11

This Giant Family Tent Has Private Bedroom Compartments And A Full Living Area!

This Giant Family Tent Has Private Bedroom Compartments And A Full Living Area!

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lindavanderpal avatar
Linda van der Pal
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in the Netherlands we have entire showrooms full of tents like this...

17crimpa avatar
Amelie C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a normal large family tent isn't it? The camping shop near us has some of these. Also, private bedrooms and a living area is normal for a larger tent. Can't see how this is special? (I mean, i love camping and the tent we use has 2 bedrooms and a living area- this is just a large tent)

ljamie04 avatar
Hollysmom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the states, have never seen anything like this. Only one room tents. Some with extra screened area

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Celeste Grant
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is really common in the U.K. and has been for decades. Strange that something so normal for me would be on this list, I guess it shows cultural differences between wherever this person was based and the U.K.

izzymcare avatar
Isabel Care
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have an inflatable version with one door that can be set up to open like a normal door and stays closed with velcro. I have mobility problems do unzipping the "hinged" door once a day is a great help

jenniferhoeting avatar
Jennifer Hoeting
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a tent similar to this back in the 70's. We had a bedroom and a "living room" in our tent when i was a very small child.

pauleedee avatar
Paul Z.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not so unique... in The Netherlands we have loads of these tents. Some even are inflatable

esther_hermans_90 avatar
Esther Hermans-Spijker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha in The Netherlands that's perfectly normal, every other familiy has one.

selighon avatar
Susan Lighon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have absolutely no use for this as there is only the two of us. But I WANT one soooooo bad!

helendouglas avatar
Helen Douglas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're two different tents. The bottom one has standard tent poles. I have a similar tent. No they're not expensive, they get quite warm in summer, and their packed size is the size of a large holdall. Nothing unusual about this tent at all. The top tent is an air tent. It doesn't have standard tent poles, you pump it up instead. These have been around for a few years now and are more expensive

marlenericker avatar
Marlene Ricker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My tenting days are long gone but I think this would have been really cool to have a tent like this.

cccarter69 avatar
Cheryl Carter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can you imagine how heavy this would be to get it to where you wanted to camp??

odiasuda565 avatar
Scratch
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's really roughing it. Might as well stay home.

lynnnoyes avatar
elfin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If this is camping out then you might as well stay home.

boredpanda_128 avatar
Mike
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Getting back to nature, one tiny step at a time. :)

patricia_rix_3 avatar
Patricia Rix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK if you're camping in a field, as shown. I've never seen a wooded campsite where you could get this much flat space.

iva_kazalova avatar
Iva Kazalova
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine being in this awesome tent while the summer rain is pouring outside and you listen to it plop, that is probably awesome

johanna_zamora avatar
Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Private bedrooms...lol...a few micrometers of nylon or polyester between you. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

waterlynn58 avatar
Lynn Marie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder how long it takes to set up, take down, and how much space is needed to store it.

s-p-a-d-e-r avatar
Siggy Sig
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Private? Try whispering "can you give me the candy" while the children are in their "rooms" ...

stacy avatar
Fixin'Ta
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it had a full bathroom with sit-down toilet and shower I'd consider camping in it.

tygrys2 avatar
Miłka Chromińska
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My family used to have one of these 😁 - we have a big family so it was a must!

mcroon avatar
Miriam Christina Roonacker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh...you See these types of tents all over Europe. We even have one #canadianinBelgium

alchristensen avatar
Al Christensen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it only takes your entire holiday to set up and take down. :D

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sweetangelce04 avatar
CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And all I can think about is how long it would take to put up that up

wianjama avatar
Rissie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really not that long. It's 5 fiber poles, and the cabin parts zip in easily. It's not something to take with you when you switch campsites every few days.

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mollyloveswayne avatar
Molly Block
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of those 'bedrooms' could stand in as a private place for your camping porta-potty.

anne-karina avatar
Anne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah these are nice (I think they are only a novelty in the US maybe? They are all over Europe..) but they weigh a metric ton.. so not very easy to take along.

wianjama avatar
Rissie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah, the nylon ones are not that heavy if you travel by car. I have a cotton one, with an awesome tipi like design. Now that sucker weighs a lot.

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lennet avatar
Museo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not? For a big family it's much cheaper than a hotel.

jamieagl avatar
Thenatural
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can literally get these anywhere....this isn't even considered a 'big' tent.

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On the one hand, getting to grips with emotional reasons for why people buy something is far more slippery and less concrete. On the other hand, we’re all people and we have full access to our own emotions and how we react to products.

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As cheesy as it sounds, in order to sell your product, you first have to get to know yourself, the problems you need fixed, and how this relates to your inner emotional world. That’s how you create something that others didn’t know they wanted until they saw it and everything just clicked into place.

#14

This Window

This Window

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Ekate
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel old. All I can think about is how to clean in that corner.

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#15

A Self-Standing Over-Sink Dishes Rack

A Self-Standing Over-Sink Dishes Rack

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nanashi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if you breathed in a little bit deeper than usual after seeing this and thinking "I need this", you might be over 30yo lol

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#18

A Rocking Chair For You And Your Kids

A Rocking Chair For You And Your Kids

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't sit in a rocking chair. I'm such a klutz. It's a good idea for those who can.

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#19

Bunk Bed With Stairs

Bunk Bed With Stairs

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#20

This Key

This Key

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Brett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gives +500 confidence for the start of your day knowing you are worthy

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#21

Giant Crocheted Snorlax

Giant Crocheted Snorlax

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#23

F**k Em Sand Castles, I Want To Make Sand Skeletons

F**k Em Sand Castles, I Want To Make Sand Skeletons

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brettarnoldussen avatar
Brett
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sand castles are for wusses sand skeletons is where it’s at

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#24

A Built-In Watering Hole For Your Pets

A Built-In Watering Hole For Your Pets

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#25

An Atlas Of Every Color Imaginable

An Atlas Of Every Color Imaginable

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brettarnoldussen avatar
Brett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My color blind friend trying to figure out why there are so many shades of grey

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#26

This Sub Was My First Thought When As I Saw This

This Sub Was My First Thought When As I Saw This

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#28

These Knee Pads With Wheels

These Knee Pads With Wheels

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brettarnoldussen avatar
Brett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would just be rolling around saying “neeeooooomm I’m lightning McQueen!”

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#29

So Badly

So Badly

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#30

Maybe A Friend Of Mine Need Them

Maybe A Friend Of Mine Need Them

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Vic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We needed this for 2020 New Year party, but we didn't know then..

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#31

How To Keep All The Cookies To Yourself

How To Keep All The Cookies To Yourself

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lsoo avatar
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutley brilliant, even though it looks like a fat crescent moon cookie cutter.

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#32

Didn’t Know I Wanted That Stone!

Didn’t Know I Wanted That Stone!

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#33

Clothing Rack For All Your Clothing Needs

Clothing Rack For All Your Clothing Needs

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Alex Alessi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want it! Let me check the price... about 2000 euro... after all I don't need it...

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#34

Very Cool Design For Siblings Sharing A Room

Very Cool Design For Siblings Sharing A Room

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#35

I Added A Cat Walk To My Living Room For My 3 Floofs

I Added A Cat Walk To My Living Room For My 3 Floofs

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#37

Shark Socks

Shark Socks

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#41

This 30” Wood-Burning Death Star Fire Pit

This 30” Wood-Burning Death Star Fire Pit

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#42

I Need This

I Need This

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#43

Not Just A Doormat I Want, A Doormat I Need

Not Just A Doormat I Want, A Doormat I Need

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#44

I Don't Even Like Nightlights, But I'd Love To Have This

I Don't Even Like Nightlights, But I'd Love To Have This

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#46

Moss Garden Coffee Table

Moss Garden Coffee Table

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hermionegranger_2 avatar
Hermione Granger
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if you could put isopods and millipedes to make one of those living enclosed ecosystems because if so that would be super awesome!

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#50

Does Anyone Know Where I Can Buy This?

Does Anyone Know Where I Can Buy This?

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Hermione Granger
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a woman I would also like this soap. Can we stop pointlessly gendering random things like colors and soap already?

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Note: this post originally had 107 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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