Creating your dream registry is a necessary part of the wedding planning process, but if you thought that selecting your new housewares involves mindlessly scanning just the basics, you're in for a pleasant surprise. While your wedding registry should include traditional items you'll need for your new home like dinnerware, linens, small appliances, and glassware, you don't have to pick the staid styles.
Since so many couples are cohabiting before the big day, odds are you already have many of the everyday essentials. If that's the case, consider your registry an opportunity to upgrade to picks that represent your style or unify the items you have at home. To help you build a wedding registry that is a combination of cool and functional, we found fresh takes on 10 major must-have items.
From your new go-to knife and some seriously amazing fine china to art-inspired linens and pretty-yet-practical glassware, each and every one of these housewares are anything but basic.
You'll likely still want to pick out a few more classic options (white everyday china and silver flatware will always be in style), but by adding a few poppy-pieces to your new home you can start to define your aesthetic as a married couple.
So go grab that zap gun and start shooting! Click through to see 10 serious upgrades on the classic registry items.
Turn every meal into a stylish event with cloth napkins in coordinating prints. They're more eco-friendly than paper and way prettier, too! We love these bold blue-and-green options from Dransfield & Ross, but they also offer tons of solid hues and patterns.
Linen napkins, from $45 each, Dransfield & Ross
Grandma's old couch or your college futon may have dutifully served you well for years, but now that you're a married lady, it's time to toss that less-than-adult furniture. Invest in a clean-lined bench-seat sofa for a contemporary style.
"Emory" upholstered sofa, $2,750, Jayson Home
Already own a stack of white towels? Register for a soft-stripped set, which will add instant sophistication to your linen closet. We love Kassatex's luxurious, 100-percent Turkish cotton towels, which feel exceptionally plush and look incredible thanks to their sleek ribbed pattern.
"Linea" bath towels, starting at $7.99, Kassatex
Le Creuset's new line of stainless-steel cookware is seriously tough, which makes it perfect for your newlywed cooking endeavors. While a full set is ideal, it can be pricey. So if you're going to request a few pieces instead, choose options that you can use regularly like a medium-sized fry pan, saucepan, and roaster.
Stainless steel cookware, starting at $160, Le Creuset
Cin cin! Whether you're drinking OJ, wine, or kale smoothies, these colorful tumblers will quench your thirst — and add a bold burst of color to your table setting. Available in three mixed colorways (blue-and-purple, seen here, red-and-purple, and green) you're sure to find the perfect set of four for your home.
"Coro" tumblers, $38 for four, LSA International
Blue-and-white dinnerware is always in style, and mixes seamlessly with plain white china. The "Siena" collection feels formal yet contemporary thanks to the blend of Art Deco details and hand-painted designs.
"Siena" dinnerware, $60 for a four-piece place setting, Mikasa
Your kitchen drawer may be well stocked with cutlery, but none are probably as well crafted as Sarah Wiener's chef knife. This versatile 8" blade will be your new go-to for chopping everything from pork to pecans.
Sarah Wiener Plum Wood 8" Chef's Knife, $300, Potts available at Horne
This fashionable and functional water filter from Soma will change how you consume those all-too-necessary eight glasses of H20 each day. It's made with BPA-free materials, and it's sized perfectly to fit in your hand, refrigerator, and sink. Plus, it's so cool you won't have to hide it each time you have guests over.
Carafe and filter, $59, Soma
This little clock radio may look retro, but thanks to Bluetooth enabling, it's totally modern. It's perfect for everything from your morning wake-up call to those intimate dinner parties. Even better, it's super stylish thanks to its four natural wood color options.
"Model Three BT" clock radio, $350, Tivoli Audio
What newlywed home would be complete without a coffee pot? While single-serve pots are nice for quick cups, nothing will beat the quality and flavor of traditional brewed coffee. This Bodum beauty offers "pour-over" taste (fresh and sweet) without the hard labor of actually making pour-over coffee.
"Bistro B. Over" coffee pot, $215, Bodum
