From pink KitchenAid blenders to colorful tissue boxes and Toy Story Band-Aids, customizing consumer products is nothing new. However, even in light of the economic challenges, consumers are still willing to pay a bit more for commodity products that bring a touch of personalization to their world.

Two recent products that caught my attention are “designer” garbage bags and toilet paper covers. Two products you never know you needed until you see how fun they can be.

Dress the Mess: Sick of looking at the ugly black or white garage bag hanging out of your wastebasket. DesignerLiners offers various patterns of garbage bags from blue leopard to pink polka dots (and they are biodegradable). Plus you can even customize them with your company logo or family crest. Now throwing out the trash never has to be boring again.

Respect the Roll: Cottonelle has lunched toilet paper roll covers in various designs. Too bad my grandmother did see this market coming. She could have made a killing with her crocheted TP covers. Conttonelle is currently using the Roll Covers as a promo. You can get yours free with the purchase of a 12 pack (or larger) of Cottonelle Clean Care Toilet Paper.

Plus Conttonelle is having a little fun with their “Respect the Roll” campaign. Check out “Where the Sun Don’t Shine Tribune”, which has been absorbing news since 1996.