Uniform Ni microflowers and Co microspheres have been synthesized by a simple one-pot hydrothermal method with high yield. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The synthesis of various shaped nanomaterials was achieved using different alkali metal salts. This is the first report on synthesizing Ni and Co nanostructures using different mineralization to modulate the morphology of the final products. In addition, these synthesized Ni and Co nanocrystals exhibit room-temperature enhanced magnetic properties. Such a facile one-pot approach may also be applied for the synthesis of other metal materials.