Toward that end, parents will delight in the convenience of the family-friendly Transitions double-decker unit which allows both adults and children to use the same toilet without adding or removing a separate child-friendly seat.

Nestled inside the adult seat, the child's seat allows small-fry to sit further forward where they are most comfortable. When an adult needs to use the toilet, simply lift the smaller seat up to the same position as the lid. Available in white, almond and biscuit.

One unit, the Mirage, holds two, yet fits into the standard bath alcove. Another, the Jeu d'Eau, features a seated shower base that doubles as a swirling footbath. Both compact designs are said to be a comfortable choice when space is at a premium. Fifty colors to choose from.

With hidden deck fasteners, wood decks, boat docks and boardwalks can have a clean, uniform appearance without rust or splinters. For use with pre-grooved lumber, fasteners by Tiger Claw of Bristol, Conn., are said to whip all competitors in speed of installation and cost. EBTY of Califon, N.J., makes five different systems for wood as well as composites.

"The garage was invented for a reason," says Michael Dagen of House Wall Garage Systems, an operator of garage organizer franchises based in Weston, Fla. "It doesn't make sense to leave a $60,000 vehicle outside because of a few thousand dollars worth of stuff clutters up the inside."

But House Wall goes beyond wall systems, shelves, hangers and cabinets to also offer the "finishing touch," durable vinyl composite floors in either black or grey to cover up those stained, unsightly concrete pads. The floors are made on interlocking panels and are textured in coin patterns.

The company's Double Hang O-Box makes use of this prime real estate in three different styles -- one drawer, two drawers or shoe cubby. Available in cherry, white and maple.

Taking personalized access control and home security to new levels, SmartScan is activated by swiping a valid fingerprint across an indicator keypad. The system also has a "lock out" feature that allows owners to program specific times of day when it can only be operated by certain users.

SmartScan can be applied to external and internal doors with no hard wiring. Up to 50 user fingerprints can be stored in the system.

H-P Products, maker of the familiar Dirt Devil, has a new "hide-a-hose" retractable system that allows users to pull out the length of the hose they need and then uses suction from the central power unit to draw the hose pack into the hidden PVC tubing when the vacuum is no longer needed.

One model is a four-stage deodorizing seat with a scented fragrance vent. An upscale version also is heated. And then there's "Swash," a heated seat that combines the hygienic benefits of a bidet with endless warm-water washes and a warm dryer.

The deodorizing Breeza seat starts automatically with a built-in, body-activated sensor and is said to "capture odor" through a flow-optimized, in-take channel and ultra-quiet fan. No more sprays, plug-ins or noisy overhead bathroom fans, says Brondell CEO Scott Pinizzotto. "Odor is eliminated at the source."

This is hot stuff! Flush with luxury! But they run on two D-size batteries, so they could result in a shocking experience.

With the push of a button, the oven's glass ceramic base lowers from the oven to the countertop level. Once the food to be cooked is loaded on the base, push the button again and the base rises back into the cooking cavity.

Advantages? Minimal workflow between the food prep area and the oven. Less chance of spills. No need to reach into a hot oven to remove cooked food. And perhaps best of all, the oven is placed in a top cabinet location or on a kitchen wall to maximize limited space.

When they are needed, simply open the cabinet door, open the window, toss out the ladder and climb to safety. PEARL holds up to 1,500 lbs., so it is strong enough to carry several people simultaneously.

The patented D-shaped flange anchoring system allows for a secure placement anywhere, at any angle, and installs in walls that are only 1/8th inch thick.

These stone hearth ovens are available in several sizes, including an outdoor model with three square feet of cooking space. It has swinging glass doors and a programmable timer.

The system pays for itself in two to four years, the company says, and qualifies for federal tax credits under the Tax Relief Act of 2006.