You’re newly married, madly in love and moving in together, and you need guidance on buying home essentials as you embark on your new life. Take it from me: I’m going on 24 successful years with my husband, and just like with any new endeavor in life, everyone needs the right equipment for survival. There are joys and challenges in navigating newlywed territory, and your best bet is to arrive prepared for the journey.
Folks who have buoyed the waves of wedded bliss for multiple healthy, happy (and hard) years have plenty of advice to share. They know that ultimately a happy home goes way beyond basic cookware and fancy appliances, but it’s a good place to start to keep your day-to-day running as smoothly as possible.
It’s no secret that when you’re living with someone else (whether they’re a partner or friend) sometimes you’re in sync and sometimes someone feels uninspired by a home that seems solely suited for the other person. There is undeniably going to be tension that builds in a space that lacks collaboration. At the minimum, there should be an agreement on what sheets you put on the bed to keep a sweaty sleeper content, which leads us here.
To help you lovebirds out (or if you’re stumped on what to get a new couple), I’ve curated a list of my favorite home decor items, appliances and other helpful essentials that I recommend all newlyweds buy to support smooth sailing at home.
Marriage itself can be a pressure cooker. While this appliance takes up some hefty real estate, it's a time (and marriage!) saver. Plus, it ultimately saves space by reducing the need for multiple pots and pans. In an hour or less, you can make soups, stews and braises that taste like they’ve been slow cooking all day. And there’s so much more that it can do — endless options for easy 30-minute meals as well as multiple functions that cook rice, beans and frozen foods to perfection with a fraction of the time and effort.
This chic set of wooden cutting boards from cookware-favorite Caraway covers both your chopping and charcuterie needs. We use ours to make a variety of tasty spreads,?including the viral butter board. Bonus: The stacked design adds visual interest to your countertop and covers ugly outlets.
Organization is key to keeping the peace in any couple's kitchen. These glass containers with wooden lids make it easy to find and use your favorite snacks and ingredients. The stacked design saves precious storage space, and the plastic-free materials are an eco-friendly bonus.
I discovered silicone storage bags on my quest to reduce waste and to remove as many plastics as possible from my kitchen. The delightful colors and numerous sizes make it easy to organize and store prepared foods and produce. They're also perfect for packed lunches or snacks and are dishwasher- and freezer-safe. Take things a step further and use different colors to signal what's communal so both you and your partner can clearly claim your snack stash.
My husband and I can attest to the ultrasoft temperature-regulating abilities of these sheets. We both tend to run a little hot at night, and once I fall asleep my temperature drops dramatically. I stay cozy and he stays cool, and we both enjoy a dreamy night’s sleep in hotel-level comfort.
I love the supple texture and neutral vibe of a gauzy material. This duvet set is the perfect backdrop for combining your design preferences. Settle on a color that you both would love to live with, then jazz it up with colorful pillows and a throw blanket that you can easily switch out when you get bored.
No happy couple has a terrible sleep setup. This incredibly comfy mattress is an ultra-affordable option that my husband and I discovered in our long internet searches for the best option. We’ve bought several since then, before we knew that there even were organic memory foam options available. And we don’t regret it. Every time we get back home from a trip, we profess our love for our comfy bed!?
Earplugs can save a marriage. Whether one spouse snores or one is more sensitive to sounds at night, these cute and colorful accessories can dampen the noise. Once my kids were old enough for me to feel like I didn’t have to sleep on high alert, I finally started using earplugs. I fall asleep more quickly, sleep more soundly and, most importantly for my partner, I’m a lot more pleasant in the morning.?
Light sensitivity creates a challenge for co-sleeping if newlyweds are on different schedules. This silky sleep mask blocks light with pillowy softness and also helps prevent sleep lines and hair damage at the same time — a triple win. Quadruple if you count how cute it looks.?
Most people moving in together have to share what is generally the smallest yet?busiest rooms of a home: the bathroom. Keeping vanity surfaces clean and tidy is a struggle for even the neatest folks. Enlist these adorable bathroom accessories to streamline things and keep things at the ready. Plus, the tray makes it easy to move things around, so I recommend buying a tray for each of you to curate your own vanity setup.
Thin, soft, eco-friendly and absorbent, these lightweight towels are sure to please any couple. They dry quickly, keeping musty odors at bay (and the romance alive). Also known as Turkish or Moroccan towels, they work as beach towels or picnic blankets too. The soft yet stunning colors — like my favorite Pewter/Tangerine combo — make it easy to add a bit of subtle flair to any bathroom.
If you’ve been married for a while, you know that hangers mysteriously disappear. Make sure to have plenty of these high-quality wood hangers at hand to avoid stealing your partner's.?
Hunting for a charger is another perpetual source of frustration between couples. Cluttered countertops too. I strongly recommend a vertical charging station and organizer to keep things tidy, and the sweet option to write an erasable love note is a nice touch.
There aren't that many activities that feel as freeing as using a cordless vacuum after you've used one with a tangly cord. Trust me, once you add a cordless Dyson vacuum to your cleaning arsenal, you'll be encouraged to clean more frequently — you might even look forward to it. Plus, it comes with a wall mount (that charges too!) so you can hide it out of sight in a closet or corner.
Keeping an entryway clear from clutter can be a feat in a newlywed’s home. Avoid tripping over loose shoes and stow sneakers away in this stackable shoe storage case. The clear, open design makes them accessible and easy to see and return.
These sleek bins are perfect for keeping linen or clothing closets streamlined. The wooden lids add a chic touch too. Go the extra step and label them so you know exactly where everything is without opening the lids.
Adding greenery throughout your new home adds a sense of peace, and it’s a good practice for nurturing the health and wellness of another living thing. We love the variety included in this indoor jungle package. Plus, there are pet-friendly options available so you won't have to worry about Fido chewing on toxic plants.
A cozy faux fur blanket is a must in any home. I didn’t believe it either at first, but it instantly adds a dose of luxury to a couch, chair or bed. It's also an essential for movie nights at home.
You typically have to go to a specialty store in person to get a rug custom-made for your space, but you can now get one customized with just a few clicks online. Ernesta offers a variety of chic styles at more budget-friendly prices than traditional custom rugs. Having rugs throughout your home not only protects floors but also helps create zones and add texture to the room.
Scent can transform a space into an experience. I love this trio of gorgeous candles inspired by Gstaad, Ibiza and Mykonos. Maybe one of these locations was your honeymoon spot or your favorite vacation you've had together so far (or one that's on your list)!
Food is the centerpiece of so many love stories. From fancy restaurants to quiet cafés, we share beautiful moments together over meals. How fun is it to capture the recipes that you love with the one that you love in this gorgeous journal?
If candles aren't your thing, diffusers are another great way to change the mood and ambience of your space through scent. This chic version doubles as a work of art.
