In a scroll-heavy world the place consideration is foreign money, it’s not the smooth, polished merchandise that always go viral — it’s the oddball, colourful, or weirdly particular ones. Quirky, aesthetic gadgets are dominating TikTok feeds, popping up in Instagram Tales, and getting shared in group chats not simply because they’re helpful, however as a result of they’re delightfully completely different.
And it’s working. Based on a 2023 HubSpot client tendencies report, 73% of Gen Z buyers say they’re extra doubtless to purchase a product if it’s “aesthetic or distinctive” — even when they don’t want it instantly. That impulse-driven, visual-first purchasing habits is driving critical traction for manufacturers that perceive the second.
Right here’s a more in-depth take a look at why quirky, aesthetic merchandise are profitable on social — and the way companies can faucet into the pattern.
Visuals Are Every little thing on Social
The algorithm rewards engagement — and engagement begins with a scroll-stopper. Vibrant colours, sudden shapes, and nostalgic references carry out nicely not as a result of they’re new, however as a result of they really feel new in a crowded feed.
What will get consideration:
Uncommon shapes – Assume cloud lamps, blob mirrors, or donut-shaped vases
Shade-coded setups – Complete posts themed in pink, inexperienced, or “Y2K chrome”
Surprising product combos – A cute teapot that doubles as a planter
Playful packaging – Stickers, pouches, or messages contained in the field
Practical decor – Objects that do one thing and look good doing it
For instance, cool bongs — formed like pineapples, aliens, or glittery mushrooms — are having a second. They mix performance with novelty, making them very best for unboxing movies, aesthetic shelfies, and private model expression.
It’s About Self-Expression, Not Simply Utility
In the present day’s shoppers — particularly youthful ones — purchase merchandise that say one thing about who they’re, not simply what they do. A pastel stapler, a lava lamp humidifier, or a croissant-shaped shoulder bag? These are character purchases.
Social media has turned purchasing right into a type of identification constructing. Customers publish:
Their morning espresso in a frog-shaped mug
A bookshelf styled with cartoon candles
Desk setups color-matched to their temper board
Toilet cabinets lined with merchandise that “spark pleasure” even when they’re $5 gimmicks
It’s not about essentially the most environment friendly or minimal selection — it’s about curating an expertise that feels private and post-worthy.
Quirky = Shareable
Merchandise that make folks smile, chortle, or double-tap are inherently extra shareable. That shareability fuels virality — and will get folks speaking.
Issues that assist a product go viral:
Humor – Merchandise that lean into absurdity or irony
Nostalgia – Y2K kinds, ‘90s coloration palettes, or classic fonts
Tiny or outsized variations – Mini something = lovable
ASMR-worthy texture – Delicate, squishy, shiny, or glittery
Constructed-in shock – Packaging that adjustments colours, or hidden options
Quirky merchandise turn out to be social content material. They get shared, duetted, meme-ified — and that’s free advertising.
Influencers Love Aesthetic Props
Content material creators are consistently on the hunt for gadgets that elevate their movies — visually, thematically, or comedically. A novel, aesthetically-pleasing product turns into a prop, a speaking level, or perhaps a signature function of somebody’s model.
Right here’s why that issues:
Creators need to stand out with recent content material
A cute or humorous product provides them an immediate hook
It encourages product demos and UGC (user-generated content material)
Followers begin asking “The place’d you get that?” — and that’s when the hyperlink clicks roll in
Merchandise that do nicely in influencer palms are sometimes those designed to be seen, not simply used.
Closing Thought
Aesthetic isn’t nearly design — it’s a method. Quirky, visually compelling merchandise thrive as a result of they earn consideration in a crowded digital world. They’re enjoyable to share, simple to like, and so they give folks a motive to interact past the product itself.
For manufacturers, the takeaway is obvious: don’t be afraid to lean into playful design, daring visuals, and even weirdness. In case your product sparks curiosity, pleasure, or dialog, it’s already forward of the sport.
As a result of on social media, being helpful is sweet — however being unskippable? That’s what sells.
