You’ve bought a new 3D printer, and you’re ready to start your first DIY project, but what should you make first? After doing a few sample models to get to know how your 3D printer works, you can move on to more functional 3D models that are customizable and practical.
The simplest 3D models are often the best ones to make, from cable organizers and phone stands to key holders and door stops. Whether you’re a newbie to 3D printing or a long-term hobbyist, we’re spotlighting 50 of our favorite things to create with a 3D printer.
Looking for more ideas for your next 3D printing project? Visit Creality Cloud to explore over 1 million 3D models and join a community of over 4 million 3D printer hobbyists.
Cool Things to 3D Print for Your Desk and Workspace
Your desk and workspace are the perfect spaces for adding 3D models that are dual-purpose. These beginner-friendly projects are functional but can also double as décor to help personalize your space.
Here are some of the most popular 3D models for your desk:
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Custom Desk Organizer: Keep your desk tidy and optimize your workspace with an organizer created with modular compartments. You can customize the sizing to fit your preferred space and add dedicated spaces for tech and stationery storage.
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Headphone Stand: Keep your headphones organized with a desktop-friendly stand, which can be personalized witha logo and incorporate cable management.
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Phone Stand: One of the best beginner-friendly 3D models and easy to personalize to hold your phone while it’s charging.
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Cable Management Clips: Use your leftover filament for a quick 3D print that is one of the most useful projects for your workspace.
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Monitor or Laptop Accessories: Make your workspace work better for you by 3D printing headphone hooks, controller stands, desk shelves, and webcam mounts.
The “Home Appliances” section of Creality Cloud is packed with thousands of ready-to-print 3D models to upgrade your desk and maximize the space in your workstation.
3D Printer Projects for Gamers
Some of the most popular 3D printer models are designed for gamers. A custom controller or console stand can personalize your gaming area as a functional project that you can personalize with your favorite game franchise or character.
Here are some 3D projects to make if you’re a gamer:
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Controller Stands: Keep your Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch controllers organized with a dedicated controller stand.
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Headset Holder: Choose a desk-mounted or wall-mounted holder to protect your gaming headset when you’re not using it.
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Game Storage Organizers: Organize your game cases, SD cards, and cartridges in a way that works for your gaming style with dedicated storage. A must-do 3D project for regular gamers.
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Dice Towers and Board Game Accessories: If you prefer physical games, you can print 3D models to organize your TCG cards, dice, and boards.
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Custom Gaming Setup Accessories: Upgrade your gaming setup with 3D models, including VR accessory holders, headphone stands, and cable clips.
Things to 3D Print for Your Home or Apartment
Some of the coolest 3D models are practical things that you can add to your home, especially if you’re tight on space or want to customize the tools you use day-to-day.
Here are cool 3D projects to do for your home:
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Plant Pots and Self-Watering Planters: If you have a green thumb, you can stream the care for your plants with custom plant pots, created for easy drainage with decorative designs.
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Key Holder: Always losing your keys? A wall-mounted key holder is a great beginner 3D printer project and is easy to personalize for your house, car, and work keys.
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Doorstop: A doorstop is a quick and easy 3D model that you can print when testing the calibration of your 3D printer.
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Drawer Organizer: A modular system can help you organize any space in your home, from your junk drawer to under your bathroom sink.
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Cable and Charger Organizer: Declutter your bedside cabinet or desk with a two-in-one cable and charger organizer.
3D Printer Projects to Add to Your Kitchen
Your kitchen might seem like an unlikely place for 3D models, but it’s a space that you can easily organize and customize with beginner-friendly 3D prints. The household category on Creality Cloud has thousands of smart home designs to give you more ideas for your next 3D printer project.
Here are cool 3D models for your kitchen:
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Bag Clips: Stop your food from going stale by 3D printing bag clips, perfect for using at home or taking on the go.
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Measuring Spoon Organizer: Keep your measuring spoons tidy with a custom-sized organizer for easy storage in a drawer or on your countertop.
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Spice Rack Accessories: A modular organizer can free up counterspace by mounting your spice rack to a wall or even the side of your fridge.
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Kitchen Drawer Dividers: Organize your utensils and cooking supplies with customized dividers, sized to fit even the smallest spaces in your kitchen drawers.
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Custom Bottle Holders: Display your favorite bottle of wine with a quirky bottle holder that’s guaranteed to be a conversation starter.
It’s important to remember that not all 3D printed material is appropriate for direct food contact. These 3D models are a great alternative and don’t require direct food contact, making them stress-free.
Cool 3D Printing Projects for Kids and Families
You can get your family or young kids involved in the hobby of 3D printing with models that are easy to design and customize. These cool 3D printing projects are a great way to develop their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills and encourage creativity.
Here are kid-friendly 3D printing projects:
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Marble Runs: A 3D printer marble run is a hands-on STEM lesson for your kids with hundreds of different layouts and customization options to choose from.
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Fidget Toys: Fidget toys have become one of the most popular 3D models for kids, including infinity cubes, gyro fidgets, fidget spinners, and flexi-animals.
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Custom Board Game Pieces: Upgrade your favorite board game with custom pieces, whether it’s Monopoly, an RPG, or chess.
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Educational Models: Teach your kids about science by printing educational 3D models, from solar systems to simple machines and mechanical gears.
FAQs About Cool Things to Print with a 3D Printer
What is the coolest thing you can 3D print?
Some of the coolest things that you can 3D print include custom desk accessories, jewelry, gaming tools, and cosplay props.
What are useful things to 3D print?
You can 3D print practical models to use around your home, including bag clips, spice rack accessories, drawer organizers, key holders, and plant pots.
What is the easiest thing to 3D print?
A cable clip is one of the easiest things to 3D print and is a great way to check the calibration of your new printer.
Where can I find free 3D printing models?
You can find free ready-to-print 3D models at Creality Cloud, a community of over 4 million 3D printer hobbyists and professionals.
Become Part of Creality Cloud’s Community and Find Your Next 3D Model
The best 3D printer models are ones that are functional but still look cool. By starting small, you can improve your skills with 3D printing and start to experiment as your skills develop, from customizing existing designs to creating some of your own from scratch.
Ready to find your next project? Explore Creality’s 3d printers and filaments or join Creality Cloud’s growing community of hobbyists to find ready-to-print designs.