Helping couples select timeless products for their wedding registries that will last decades or even longer is one of the primary reasons we started Registry Design Co.
This fall we will have been married for 15 years and in that amount of time it becomes pretty apparent which of your belongings are timeless and which are far from it. And as much as we’d like to say that our registry was perfect and that every product was expertly selected for its longevity, that is simply not the case.
Admittedly, we did better in some areas than others. As big fans of America’s Test Kitchen and Cook’s Illustrated since the time we were dating, we managed to add some nice kitchen items to our registry that are still going very strong. Unfortunately, cooking was basically all we really knew about “real life” back then and so our registry ended up being 90% kitchen stuff. Obviously, this not ideal.
In seeing which of our belongings have held up and which haven’t, we’ve concluded that there are three key considerations couples need to keep in mind to select products that will stand the test of time and that you’ll like and enjoy using far into the future.
The first is style. We think by adhering to a handful of key style-conscious principles, couples can greatly increase the likelihood that their wedding gifts won’t go out of style prematurely and may even serve to complement a host of future styles and trends. Carefully selected, classically styled products will serve as a foundation for your home’s style that you can construct style trends on top of and then, when necessarily, disassemble the more fleeting tastes and rebuild. All the while, the classically styled products endure.
The second consideration is value. We know the concept of value means something different to everyone. For us, value is based on how long we can expect a product will last relative to its original purchase price. If we can be reasonably assured that a product will last for many years (and we’ll explain ways to figure this out in advance), we would assess that it has a high long-term value. Thus, the value equation is a product’s purchase price divided by its expected lifespan. You would be surprised at how affordable many high-quality, higher-priced products are when they can be trusted to last for years.
And finally, the third consideration is a product’s function or usefulness. Do products serve only one niche purpose, or can they be used to accomplish many different tasks? A single-purpose product might be completely acceptable if you plan to use it daily (for example, an espresso machine). However, a single-use product used once a year or less (for example, a turkey roasting pan) might not last long in your home. Product usefulness and functionality are particularly apparent with items like kitchen appliances because they take of lots of room and are highly visible, but the principles apply to many areas of a home and different product categories.
In this post, we break down exactly how you can find and select products for your wedding registry that perform well against these three longevity criteria. Not only will selecting timeless products save you money in the long run, but these products will serve as enduring reminders of your wedding day. Nothing feels better than looking at a well-loved item in your home that is still going strong and know that it’s been with you since the beginning.
Selecting products that won’t go out of style
It is true that product styling is subjective and highly dependent on individual preferences and tastes, perhaps more so than any other product attribute. Despite this, we have found that there are ways to carefully select products that won’t quickly (or ever) go out of style.
To start, when assembling a wedding registry, we encourage couples to let themselves be inspired by but not firmly bound to current interior or product design trends since styles come and go rather quickly. Barely five years had passed from our wedding day before our more style-forward gifts had already begun to look dated.
This doesn’t mean couples should not register for in-style items, but, rather, should think of interior style as having layers. Couples should look for more classically styled foundational items (like flatware, dinnerware, or duvets) on which more stylish accent pieces (like table linens, place mats, throw pillows or blankets) can be layered. As trends change, a couple’s more style-forward accent pieces can easily be swapped out for more updated items, while their classically styled foundation pieces stick around to accompany and be a backdrop for whatever is next.
So, what exactly are classically styled products? These are items that could be described as elegant, without being ornate. They are designed with clean lines, textures, and patterns, and are usually less intricate than other comparable products. Most “special release” or “limited run” versions of more traditional products (think a red or green KitchenAid stand mixer versus one in white or stainless) are the opposite of what is considered classically styled. Focus on products that are simple, cleanly-styled, and understated and chances are you’ll end up with classically styled pieces.
Couples should also try to stick to more neutral colors (like beiges, greys, or whites) for most items and add splashes of color as an accent in select, impact pieces. Now don’t get us wrong, neutral colors are not without character. Take for example a warm white versus a cooler white. Both serve different purposes in different settings, and both can be considered classic style. Color can be added immediately or over time with accent pieces like rugs, artwork, and textiles.
One of our best examples of selecting a neutral color piece that has yet to go out of style is with our dinnerware. It’s white, plainly styled everyday China from Crate & Barrel. The currently available equivalent would be Crate & Barrel’s Aspen line. Selecting white dinnerware has created a perfect backdrop for many different tabletop styles we’ve assembled via things like table linens, placemats, interesting glassware, and beautiful one-off pieces of serving ware. Regardless of what tabletop style we’re trying to achieve, our plain white dinnerware always holds up.
To some this might be an interior styling hot take, but, where possible, we also try to maintain some consistency in product materials across our home. We feel this gives our space some cohesion and flow. It’s a subtle touch that is probably felt more than noticed. Also, in our experience, natural materials like wood, stone, and linen have stylistic staying power that synthetics simply do not.
Couples shouldn’t be afraid to blend old pieces with new pieces. If you share a home with your partner or otherwise already have a lot of personal belongings, don’t feel like you to replace everything you own with new items via your registry. It’s okay to be choosey, but keep in mind that existing items add character and depth to your home, especially when they are hand-me-downs from family or friends.
Finally, when it comes to striving for timelessly styled products, remember that less is often more. Sometimes the most elegant, long-lasting pieces are the simplest and most understated.
Selecting products with good long-term value
As consumers, nothing feels better to us than investing in high-quality products (be it pieces of clothing, items for our home, or something else) and having them last for years and get better with age or, for some, seemingly never show their age.
Sure, high-quality products usually cost more, and we recognize that paying more isn’t always possible everyone in all circumstances. But we’ve come to find that many of the highest-quality products are not the most expensive in their categories. Price and quality are often, but not always, directly related. Through applying some of the value-spotting tips we describe below, we think all couples can become very good at seeing which products are priced for their quality and which are priced for their brand names.
First, let’s have a very brief discussion about the economics of product durability. This might seem obvious to some, but it’s worth mentioning. Repeatedly paying for low- or mid-priced products that wear out every few years is almost always more expensive in the long run than paying for higher-priced, higher-quality products that will last a very long time or, in some cases, forever. While not a typical wedding registry item, a perfect example of this principle is leather shoes. High-quality leather shoes (be it boots, oxfords, etc.) from a reputable maker will last decades, seemingly never go out of style, and get more comfortable with age. You can achieve the same value result with many home goods.
When looking for high-quality products for your wedding registry, the internet will be your best friend and it is a great first place to start. We always start by reading product reviews from reputable websites like Wirecutter, Consumer Reports, and America’s Test Kitchen. Then we move onto product reviews from individual, verified buyers from whichever retailer we are considering.
Obviously, the opinions of professional review websites are much better, but don’t sleep on consumer reviews too quickly. Look for products that have lots of consumer reviews (we’re talking thousands). This creates a large enough data set to drown out any overly harsh or unfair reviews from individuals with a unique (and usually not broadly applicable) axe to grind. Put simply, if a product has thousands of verified reviews, the overall tally (whether positive or negative) will give you an accurate assessment of a product’s quality.
Next, consider which companies within different product categories have been around the longest and which offer long warranties or lifetime guarantees. If a company has been making a product for more than 50 years and its basic design hasn’t changed much over that time (improvements and refinements are fine), there’s a good chance it’s a good quality product. Time has a way of rooting out bad products and poor performing companies. Further, if a company stands by its product by offering a simple, easy-to-understand, condition-free warranty or guaranty (that you don’t have to pay extra for), it’s also a good sign that their products will last.
Product design and material matters. Couples should look for simple designs that have proven themselves over time versus new design trends or fads that feel gimmicky. Let time sort out which newly-designed products will stick around. It’s been our experience that the design of most quality home goods don’t change that much over time. Couples should also look for quality materials like solid wood, genuine leather, and solid metals like stainless steel, copper, or brass. These will almost always outlast plastics or other synthetic materials.
Manufacturers of high-quality products almost always provide information or resources for cleaning and maintaining their products. Curiously, this information is often missing for low-quality products. Further, couples should look for companies that offer replacement parts or directly service their products. Can the product be sent to the original manufacturer for maintenance or repair? If it can, it’s a very good sign the company expects their products to last.
Finally, couples should get in the habit of looking around the homes of their friends and family members for long-lasting, quality products. Ask people you are close to which products they like the most and that have lasted the longest and which, if any, are still around from their wedding registry. Personal testimonials from the people you trust the most are invaluable.
Selecting products that are most functional
We admit, thinking about product functionality when you are making your wedding registry is not glamorous or exciting, but it will pay dividends far into the future. Don’t get us wrong, we love beautiful products, they are what make our home warm, interesting, and inviting, but functionality makes life feel just a bit easier and a lot more comfortable.
When assembling a registry, it’s worth thinking about both your current and future needs. We know and can attest; this is not easy. Part of marriage is figuring out what the future holds together. It’s nearly impossible to know for certain exactly where you’ll be or what you’ll be doing five years, ten years, or even further into the future. That said, if you know a move is imminent or you want to live in a small urban flat, this can and should impact your registry choices. Even the best made product won’t be timeless if you are forced to get rid of it to prepare for a move.
Couples should also assess the needs of their lifestyle. What products will complement or hinder how you want your life to look and feel. What are your daily routines? What items will enhance these routines and make everyday activities more convenient? Quality, timeless products make life work and feel good.
We touched on utility up at the top, but it’s worth mentioning again. Products that serve multiple purposes will stick around your home longer. And while it’s easy to think of utility only in terms of whether a product can serve multiple functions, it’s more than that. Utility can be a medium weight duvet cover that can be used in multiple seasons or a propane patio heater that can extend the useful period of all your outdoor belongings. Utility can also mean usefulness, which ties into good product design. A simple product whose design has not changed is likely going to perform better, which, in turn, will make it stick around your home longer.
Finally, consider how well products can be stored or organized. We will talk about registering for organizational aids at length in a future post, but for now, we’ll just touch on it terms of product selection. Some products flat out cannot be stored easily (like the above-mentioned stand mixers) and that’s okay, but where possible, look for products that stack, nest, or stow easily. Some manufacturers consider storage and organization when designing their products and others do not, but it’s important regardless. A product that cannot be stored or organized away effectively won’t last long in your home.
Final thoughts
Selecting timeless products for your wedding registry involves careful consideration of style, value, and functionality. By adhering to classic design principles, you can ensure that your new belongings will remain relevant and useful to you as your tastes evolve over time. Investing in high-quality products with long-term value not only saves you money in the long run (and is better for the environment) but will also add character and familiarity to your home. Additionally, prioritizing functionality ensures that your belongings will enhance your daily routines and adapt to your changing needs. Ultimately, the products you select will serve as enduring reminders of your wedding day, bringing joy and utility to your home for years to come. So, as you embark on your wedding registry journey, remember to choose wisely, for the best wedding gifts are those that stand the test of time.
