THINGS I DIDN’T REGRET PUTTING ON MY WEDDING REGISTRY

Not only do I want to share what I didn’t regret putting on my wedding registry, but I also want to mention bigger items that weren’t on a wedding registry but I am so glad we purchased.  In addition, there were some things I wished I would have bought as a newlywed.

Deep breath, here we go … in order of priority.

 KITCHEN BASICS

I already shared a Young Woman’s Guide to Her First Kitchen.  For sure, everything on that would be on my wedding registry.  But the biggest thing is that I didn’t regret buying BASICS that weren’t in a fancy set.  I have found that sets just give you extra items that you don’t need that take up space but “justify” a higher price tag.  Don’t get the knife block, the fancy dishes, the pot / pan / baking dish sets.  They cost thousands of dollars when you could get everything you need for you kitchen for about $900ish (at the time of writing this).

USED FURNITURE

I am so glad we were able to buy used furniture.  In fact, Facebook Marketplace or the like is where we still go to buy things like beds, couches, dining room tables, night stands and lamps.  We have bought new furniture before, but the price tag isn’t worth what you get in return.  Buy used and focus on quality wood and cushions with covers that can be removed and washed. 

SIDENOTE: A used king size bed frame is worth it.  Once you sleep in one there is no going back.  So, just get one first.  Don’t waste the money and then have to upgrade.

PRETTY BEDDING, PILLOW COVERS, THROW PILLOWS & A CHUNKY BLANKET

To this day, I make my bed and put those decorative pillows in their place each morning.  Then when I walk in my room throughout the day I feel happy and calm.  It is done.  It is complete.  It is tidy.  It was easy to accomplish.  I didn’t need a fancy furniture set.  In fact, my room is a collection of pieces I have gotten over the years that were inexpensive but felt right.  Still, it is my bedding that defines how my room comes together. 

The same is true for the couch.  A nice neutral couch with washable covers can last for a decade, but 20″ throw pillow  / lumbar pillow inserts & covers and a chunky blanket are what keep it fresh and up to date.  (Pro tip:  Buy pillows inserts (or thrifted pillows you wash) that are one size bigger than your pillow cover or sham.)  

LARGE, THICK TOWELS WITH A COLLECTED LOOK

One thing I have learned over the years is that towels are the statement piece of your bathroom.  They are always in open view.  Yet, something that takes it up a notch is if you stop looking at sets.  Don’t buy six of one color.  Look at them as a decoration and buy three to six different yet coordinated towel and wash cloth colors / patterns.  Then get some pretty hand towels that coordinate but are more decorative (Not your grandma’s flowery towels that no one is allowed to use.)  I’ll show you some pictures so that you can see the difference it makes.

GOOD LOOKING “UGLY THINGS” FOR THE BATHROOM

I saw a series once with this exact title, but it is true that having a nice soap dispenser makes the bathroom feel tidy.  In fact, I don’t keep anything out in my bathroom except my good looking ugly things.  It will probably cost $100ish up front but they will last. 

Get a nice

• • toothbrush holder,
  • cotton swab container,
  • hand mirror,
  • soap dispenser,
  • lidded trash can (nobody wants to see inside their trash) and a
  • plunger / toilet brush holder  

Here are some of my favorites.

THINGS I WISHED I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT

GIFT WRAPPING ORGANIZATION & GIVING SUPPLIES

I just didn’t realize how important being a giver was when I first started out in life.  I am embarrassed by how unknowingly self-centered we were.  It is probably a right of passage where we transition from being children to being “on our own” and wanting to be free from the grips of our parents, their way of doing things and their desire for our time.

These days I call my parents every week as a way of letting them know they are loved.  I try to send out birthday cards to my parents, siblings and their families.  While I am not good at thinking up gifts, I at least try to get out a card and check to newlyweds.  Then there are baby showers, birthdays and Christmas gift exchanges.  Some I can plan for and some seem to come out of nowhere and it helps to have a place to have some nice wrapping paper, ribbons, gift tags, gift bags and tissue paper.

It is with that in mind, that I wished I would have known that there are some great places to store all this stuff that don’t require an entire closet or wall.  In fact, they can go under your bed.  Here are my favorite giving supplies and organization.

COORDINATED CLOSETS  & UNDER COUNTER ORGANIZATION

So, I have covered the kitchen, the main furniture, your bedroom and bathroom and then lastly are the places you put your things.  Your bedroom closet, your linens, cleaning supplies, medicines & misc. supplies and under the counter cabinets.  These areas aren’t thought of too much until you are living in a home wishing it was more tidy and organized. 

I prefer function over beauty, but if you can have both .. do it.  Ladies save your money and invest here.  Get things that are good looking, classic, sturdy and that will last.

BINS AND LABELS

You can spend a lot of money on baskets and labels.  I have never had a ton of money so I have to be careful.  I have found that buying less bins but better quality options have worked well and lasted.  But remember that the most important part of organization and frugality is to have less stuff.  You need less bins that way. 🙂

1.  Plastic containers (no lids)

   • I love the BINO brand baskets because you can’t see through them, they are very sturdy and can be wiped out if your cleaning supplies leak in them.  These big ones are great for under counter storage because they are deep, but also if you need to turn them sideways they also fit in upper cabinets. They come in different sizes so that you can use them in your pantry as well.  Target always has inexpensive plastic containers if you want to buy local.

2. Plastic containers (stackable with lids)

   • I have 20 of these.  It is crazy how many things we have need to corral and organize.  The ones at the Dollar Tree work but aren’t as sturdy as these ones from Walmart.   They are similar in price range.  (About $1.25 each)

3. Labeling

   • If I had a Cricut Joy I would probably label a ton more things.  In the meantime I wanted a less expensive option to label my bins.  I used standard labels that I could print on my laser jet.  Then I created a shareable template in Canva of the labels in my picture.  Here are the bins and labels I use.

YOUR BEDROOM CLOSET

When it comes to your bedroom closet, there are a few items that make a high impact without a fancy wardrobe system.

1.  Matching hangers with clips

   • You want to have sturdy hangers that can handle the weight of heavy jeans and suits.  (Plastic hangers break regularly.) Clips are great for hanging your skirts.  Then you can get a few specialized hangers for ties, belts and your suits / coat closet.  But a cohesive look truly is gathered by this first step.

2. Three shoe racks that have at least four adjustable tiers.

   • Design usually keeps things in odd numbers, but I have found that three shoe racks work for my husband and I.  THE KEY TO A PRETTY AESTHETIC with your shoe racks is that the top adjustable racks need to all be at the same level.  This will make it feel like one extended shelf and it keeps a balanced look.  Adjust the lower racks to fit your taller boots or shorter flip flops.

3. Decorative baskets for specific purposes. 

   • I have found that in a standard bedroom closet, there is usually room for about four 15″ baskets on the top shelf.  Even though there are a lot of pretty basket options, usually the most functional ones are at least 15″ wide and at least 10″ tall.  This size can hold full size towels, sweaters, purses and even be used as laundry baskets. 
   • For visual diversity, I recommend getting two styles of similar neutral color tones / textures and stagger them. 

Here are the items that I would choose for my closet.

A VIDANGEL, CLEARPLAY AND COVENANT EYES SUBSCRIPTION

This isn’t really what you think of when you think of “Things To Buy For Marriage,” but it actually would be the #1 priority of what I would get.  It grieves me how Satan seems to trap Christians in the area of entertainment and viewing pleasures.  I certainly wasn’t an exception.  It seemed that suddenly because no one was watching me, I started allowing myself to watch content and listen to words that God says are evil, and it took some discipline to change this habit in life.  This verse has been my guide for a long time now, and I blush when I think of what I watched and heard.

ALL IMAGES EXCEPT AFFILIATE LINKS ARE: Property of Melissa Schworer