Q: Hey guys! I often look to you for DIY tips, but even more for life advice. I’d love to hear what items in or around your house you’re glad you own because they make day-to-day life easier. I enjoyed reading how you saved money with Clara (what you skipped and what you ended up buying) and how you saved money on your wedding. I’m getting married next June and it would be super helpful to hear what my fiancé and I should register for — and what we shouldn’t. You two are my favorites! – Tyne
A: Great question — and congratulations! We dug back into our registry memories from 2007 and pooled what we still love, what we regretted, what we skipped, and what we wish we’d added. The best registry advice boils down to one principle: register for what reflects how you actually live, not an imagined version of yourselves. If you don’t bake, a KitchenAid will probably gather dust. If you’re casual, don’t picture endless formal dinners just because “grown-ups” are supposed to.
Think about how you entertain now and how you expect to live in the years ahead. Choose timeless basics where possible so your core pieces remain useful even if your style changes. You can always add personality later with inexpensive, swap-out items like patterned napkins or seasonal decor. Also favor items that are attractive enough to be left out — a stainless toaster or a sleek blender stays convenient and looks intentional on the counter.
Below is a condensed, practical list of what we registered for, what we still love, what we regret, what we skipped, and what we later bought. We hope this helps you prioritize items that will actually get used.
Kitchen items we registered for and still use:
- Classic flatware (we chose a simple, durable pattern)
- White cloth napkins — they’re easy to dress up or down
- Basic white dishes — timeless, forgiving if a piece breaks
- Good serving bowls and platters (we use three of each for parties)
- Stainless blender and toaster — durable and visually unobtrusive
- A cheerful strainer (ours is bright yellow) and chunky wooden cutting boards we leave out because they look good
- Compact manual can opener and clear salt/pepper grinders that actually work
- Basic glass pitcher and versatile stemless wine glasses
House items we registered for and still love:
- Comfortable lounge chairs (we still use ours in the guest room)
- Simple glass-based lamps that fit multiple rooms
- Organic white sheet set plus four quality pillows and pillowcases
- Large leather photo album for wedding prints
- Fluffy white towels for guest and main baths
- A daybed and a parson’s desk — both were thoughtful larger gifts that get daily use
Items we regretted or replaced:
- Cheap HEPA vacuum — we upgraded later to something far more durable
- Inexpensive knife block set — replaced with a better quality set
- Small white mugs — scale mattered; we replaced them with larger mugs
- Cordless hand vac that failed quickly — replaced after research
- Entry-level pots and pans — scratched quickly; we eventually moved to higher-quality, non-toxic cookware
Things we passed on (because we wouldn’t use them):
- Coffee maker and espresso machine — we’re a tea household
- KitchenAid mixer — tempting but likely to collect dust
- Monogrammed towels and robes — unnecessary for us
- Specialty gadgets: ice cream maker, rice cooker, panini press, waffle maker, martini glasses, George Foreman — we opted to skip single-use appliances
- Toaster oven — we stuck with a good toaster and the oven and have been fine
Items we later bought and wish we’d registered for:
- Matched set of wooden spoons and spatulas in a caddy — looks better and is easier to use
- Immersion blender — more useful than we expected
- Nice soap/lotion set for counters — adds charm
- Cereal and flour canisters for the counter and a durable clam-shell fruit bowl
- Sonicare toothbrushes — a surprisingly appreciated upgrade
We also asked friends and family what their top registry items were and the answers reinforced one clear point: people tend to love practical, everyday pieces. Many recommendations repeated: white dishes, good towels, solid flatware, reliable cookware, and small reliable appliances. A few friends admitted some trendy or specialty items were replaced later.
Final tip: prioritize durable basics you’ll use often, add a few pretty things you won’t mind leaving out, and skip single-purpose appliances unless you know you’ll use them regularly. Your registry should reflect your lifestyle, not an idealized version of it. Hindsight is 20/20 — use it to make smart choices now, and enjoy the fun of building a home together.