Now that 3D printing has been around for a while, people are starting to realize that it's not just a passing fad or gimmick. In more ways than you might think, 3D printing is the future.

If you're still skeptical then check out these amazing 3D-printed objects, some of which verge on "revolutionary for society" territory. Soon 3D-printed electronic circuits may become reality, and who knows what the far future holds? Maybe even 3D-printed humans.

But there are practical, everyday applications too. Once you've purchased an affordable home-use 3D printer, you can transform your workstation with these simple-but-useful 3D blueprints.

Wall Outlet Shelf

Charging smartphones and tablets can be a pain if you don't have a good setup. Until recently, my devices were plugged into an outlet near my bed while the devices themselves just rested on the floor. Not only does it look bad, but there's always the risk of someone stepping on them.

But if you can 3D print one of these wall outlet shelves, you'll kill two birds with one stone.

The shelf fits around most standard outlet charger adapters. Once fitted, you just plug it into the outlet and place your device on top. If the device is too big to lay flat, just prop it up using the groove. Very clever design with a big practical benefit.

Universal Phone & Tablet Stand

Smartphones and tablets can take up a lot of desktop space, especially if you have multiples of each. You can clear up a lot of clutter simply by turning those devices from "flat" to "standing", but you'll need a stand for that. Hence, this blueprint.

The stand itself might seem a little small at first, but it's designed well enough to work just fine with all kinds of smartphones and tablets, even if they're somewhat on the larger side. It also works great for hands-free reading of files and viewing of videos.

Headphones Hanger

Another item that takes up a lot of desktop space is the headphone set. They're big and bulky, which isn't a problem when you're actually wearing them, but they just get in the way the rest of the time.

Plus, if you aren't careful, they're liable to get knocked off and clatter to the ground. Headphones are expensive enough that you should take good care of them.

So print yourself one of these hangers. Despite their tiny size, they're quite effective. You'll need a wall on which to hang them, but fortunately they come in five sizes: 15mm (0.59in), 20mm (0.78in), 32mm (1.25in), 40mm (1.57in), and 48mm (1.88in). The sizes indicate wall thickness.

Desktop Cable Holder

Another major source of desktop clutter is stray cables. Headphone jacks, external hard drives, mobile devices -- when they aren't plugged in, it's hard to keep them organized and away from accidental damage.

This cable holder is extremely simple and straightforward, but wildly effective. It keeps your cables off the desktop, yet allows you to see them at a glance so you never waste time looking for that one cable that you need.

Cable Organizer Clip

The desktop cable holder is nice, but what about when you need to pack your cables away for travel or long-term storage? It's easier said than done to keep them compact and undamaged without unraveling into a tangled mess -- that is, until you print out one of these 1-inch beauties.

All you have to do is wind up the cord and insert it between the hooks. Works well for cables that are between one and two meters long (or longer if the cable itself is pretty thin), and works best for charging cables.

Desktop Organizer

For general organization of miscellaneous items (e.g. pens, paper clips, thumb drives, etc.), consider printing out of these desktop organizers. It's adaptable in lots of ways and doesn't look half bad.

It's a little bigger than most of the 3D printables we've mentioned up to this point, so make sure your printer is big enough to handle it before forging ahead.

Business Card Case

Whether you're in need of an organized way to carry your business cards for distribution or simply fed up with juggling all the business cards you collected while networking, this printable case may be perfect for you.

Magnet Case for Raspberry Pi 2

Though there are some limitations to the Raspberry Pi 2, it's still a great device for tinkering and there are lots of neat Raspberry Pi projects that you can take on. But first you'll need a case, and it doesn't get much simpler than this one.

The concept for this case uses magnets -- rather than screws or clasps -- to keep it shut. Easy to open, easy to close, and easy on the eyes. It may not be the most beautiful Raspberry Pi case, but it certainly gets the job done.

Simple Arduino Case

If you're more of an Arduino person than a Raspberry Pi person, you still need a good case to keep it secure. This one isn't particularly pretty, but it's simple to assemble and works well enough -- perfect if your project is using a standard Uno board (building your own Arduino is also an option though).

Every office workspace can benefit from an Arduino, as evidenced by these beginner Arduino projects. If you work from home, these home automation Arduino ideas may also come in handy.

What Else Can You Print?

Sites like 3DShare, Thingiverse, and Yeggi are great for finding and sharing 3D printer blueprints and concepts. Have a browse yourself and see if you can stumble across some other awesome ideas for sprucing up your office.

Are you going to print any of these? If you find something awesome that wasn't included here, please share with us in the comments below! We'd love to hear from you.