5 Registry Tips for the Cohabitating Couple
Already live together? Kick the “we have everything” block and find wedding gifts you’ll love and use.
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For couples who already live together, a registry isn’t about building a foundation for your first home—you’ve been there, done that. Rather, think of your wedding gifts as a way to complement and enhance the life you’ve built in any and all ways.
The beauty of the modern wedding registry is that you’re now armed with unprecedented breadth and customization, so don’t get stuck in a traditional mindset! Look beyond the typical (but don’t overlook them, either) and find gifts you'll love with our top registry tips for cohabiting couples.
Tip! The benefit of life experience is on your side, so take full advantage. Walk around your home together and consider what you love, what you’re dying to trash, and what's missing.
1. Refresh & Refine Your Style
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Let’s be honest: Homes rarely start out as beautifully curated. For most of us, it’s more like an eclectic mélange defined by opportunity and necessity. But tucked within the hand-me-downs and last-decade leftovers are surely a few pieces you love, and signals to your ideal look.
Part of the registry spirit is to build toward a future—and honing your home style embodies that at the highest level. Collaborate on what the be-all-end-all look is for your home, then scout out the biggest style culprits in your space and register to replace them. These can be big elements or small touches, from dining tables and bookshelves to curtains and even the rods holding them up.
As you think about the style you want, separate the timeless from the trends. A few of-the-moment elements will freshen up your home, but the core should be composed of pieces that will stand the test of time. Heavily favor the timeless takes on your style for the majority of your picks, then weave in fun touches with smaller décor that’s easy to change up in the future (think tabletop accents, pillows, and accent pieces).
2. Upgrade for Quality
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While this goes hand-in-hand with honing your style, it also so much more than that. Your registry is a rare opportunity to prioritize quality and craftsmanship—features your guests will appreciate, as they want to give a gift that will endure.
Quality matters most in a few key areas: furniture staples (sofa, dining table), kitchen essentials (knives!), and bedding are our big three for registries. While not everything needs to be top notch, it’s worth taking a close look at what you already have in these categories and reassessing each with a scrutinizing eye. Just because something isn’t broken doesn’t mean it should stay.
3. Be True to Your Lifestyle
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Immediately quash the notion of “we should” when it comes to your registry. This is great advice for all couples, but even more important for those who already live together, because you’ve likely covered some of more traditional elements—or shared a home long enough to know you’d never use others.
The flip side of this is to also not write off or discredit something you want (or one of you wants) because it doesn’t fit into the expected bucket. These types of gifts will likely to spring to mind as you walk through your house, or during a normal evening spent together. Listen to these real-life moments!
If you work from home, why not register for a beautiful desk or lamp. Love to read? Scout out a cozy reading chair and snuggly blanket—or a large bookshelf that’s both practical and striking. And if you’re happiest out in your backyard, add on a prime grill or a chaise lounge fit for two.
4. Share the Love with Your House
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The word registry may evoke KitchenAid mixers and champagne flutes, but it may also have you looking at the countertop it sits on or the cabinet it’s stored in. One of the benefits of already being settled together is that you’re likely aware (perhaps painfully so) of changes you’d like to make to your space.
A gift that lets you update your space can rival the joy of receiving more traditional registry gifts. If you own your home, upgrading fixtures and finishes can make for excellent gifts, from new backsplash tile and cabinet hardware to a double vanity and faucets. Larger appliances, like a washer and dryer, dishwasher, or fridge, are perfect for group gifting—and something your guests know you’ll get ample use out of.
Even if you rent, you can still make small improvements to your home. Focus on semi-permanent updates that you can take with you on moving day, like lighting fixtures, a spa-inspired shower head, or window treatments.
5. Think Ahead Too
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You may think your families come to visit plenty already, but making it official somehow always results in more house guests. As you build your registry, remember that it won’t always just be the two of you each night—so stock up on essentials for hosting overnight guests. (For them, it’s a gift that gives back!)
One of the easiest basics to overlook is towels: Find the ones you like best, then add on two to four extra depending on how many visitors you anticipate at one time. It also never hurts to have a spare set of matching sheets around (alleviating the need for last-minute laundry loads). And there’s ample opportunity to round out special touches, like a bedside water carafe or tray, basket to stash towels in, or if your family lives afar, a sleek luggage rack.
