Best Wedding Registry Items for Small Spaces

We live in the same 1 bedroom 1 bath apartment that we moved into when we got married 6 years ago. The space has grown on us, and we’ve grown to appreciate the limitations and opportunities it has given us. Since we have learned what items don’t physically fit in our household and what we don’t emotionally have room for, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of the best wedding registry items for small spaces.

I divided this post into areas just like an apartment and have linked *some* items that we absolutely love and would buy again in a heartbeat!

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, I know that Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Crate and Barrel both have gorgeous checklists when you go in to register. These are meant to be NEW items (for 2021) and interesting finds for your wedding registry for small spaces.

Kitchen Items for Your Wedding Registry

1. Nesting mixing bowls – the #1 used item in our kitchen (after plates I guess…) Ceramic from Crate and Barrel and still looking brand new!
2. One Simple set of dinnerware – This is probably the best recommendation I can make for a wedding registry for small spaces! We have a beautiful set of white dinnerware for 8 and it has served us just well (even when hosting family over the years). Since we picked something classic, Crate and Barrel still make the SAME set 6 years later and we can add more whenever we move or need the extras.
3. Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot – 3 cooking devices in one, yes please!
4. Berkey water filter – we live in Los Angeles with some of the WORST water ratings and this thing has improved our health and quality of life. We thought it would take up more room than it did!
5. Stacking pots + pans – we have approximately 4 accessible cabinets in our kitchen and that’s it. And, of course, they are all different sizes. We got lucky that my parents got us stackable/interlocking pots and pans one year!
6. Cordless hand mixer – the hubs just added this to our Amazon wishlist. I will be SOOOO HAPPY once it’s in this house and I don’t have to worry about losing counter space with another cord in the way!
7. Collapsible colander – perfect for stacking away in a cabinet
8. Knife wall bar – if you have more wall space than storage space in your kitchen, uniquely displaying items can be logistically helpful
9. Paper towel holder – we have one that attaches to the wall because our counter space is the size of a stovetop!

Household Items for Your Wedding Registry

1. The Home Edit organizational containers – yup, I’m obsessed. You’re obsessed. Just cave already and feel the organizational bliss.
2. Blue light-blocking light bulbs – now this one is good for ANY home, but especially in a small apartment where you probably only have space for 1-2 lamps or lights at best. Don’t keep yourself up at night!
3. UV Phone sanitizer – because coronavirus is real and this handy device can be taken on the go as well.
4. HEPA Air Purifier – small spaces make BIG SMELLS. I’m talking about the kitchen get your mind out of the bathroom gutter lol. We cook a lot at home and unfortunately do not have a stove hood range that vents outside. Thus, our cooking smells last well into the next day. Now our air is much cleaner and less smelly.
5. Motion sensor trash can – sure this may not “save” space in the way you are initially thinking. It saves time more than anything!
6. Roomba or other robot vacuum – I’m not totally sold myself on one of these little guys. I enjoy cleaning and don’t want my job stolen away lol, but they can save you time and space
7. Storage bed – yes, you can still register for BIG items with a small home! Having drawers built into our bed meant we could share one dresser and save space in our room. Also, most beds with storage built-in do not need a box spring. We learned this the hard way – aka getting one and then having to get rid of it when I couldn’t get onto our bed.

Home Decor for your wedding registry

1. Floor lamp – this is an easy and super functional addition to your wedding registry for small spaces. It adds height to your room without it feeling cluttered.
2. Mounted lighting – if you own your home and can install fixtures/wiring you won’t have to worry about cords everywhere!
3. Faux or real house plants – These add texture and bring the outside inside for those of us who are stuck working from home for the foreseeable future
4. Oversized mirrors – can add dimension and make your space look bigger
5. Foldable or storable work desk – We are currently looking into one of these that is adjustable to a standing desk as well
6. Coffee table or ottomans with storage (drawers, cubbies, shelves) – we store our remotes, charging cables, current puzzles, and games in ours.
7. Area rug – can add color and texture while making your room appear so much larger. Currently purchasing a WASHABLE one from Ruggable because #catpoop

Things to consider when creating your registry…

Any space can feel hard to fill, but when it comes to small spaces we need to shift our perspective to intention. Your wedding registry should reflect what you actually do in your home!

Are you constantly hosting events?

Do you work from home?

Will you have pets?

Do you have a studio apartment where a living room will double as your bedroom?

How much do you want to cook every week?

Do you host family dinners regularly?

How much food storage do you plan to have?

Do you drink a glass of wine every day?

Let’s be real – sometimes you just don’t know because you haven’t experienced it. We thought we’d be entertaining more! But our small apartment away from family has made that more difficult, so our fine serving ware and umpteen wine glasses have never seen the light of day!

Look at your typical day-to-day. What items help you achieve your goals to the best of your ability? I don’t think there is a limit on large items or interesting home decor when it comes to building your wedding registry for small spaces. You are building the life you want to live and your friends and family want to support that journey!

You might be wondering who on earth this girl is sharing with you about furnishing her small apartment space! Hey, I’m Sarah a wedding planner and designer in Los Angeles. And I don’t just love small spaces, I love small weddings! My focus is on intimate weddings where your relationships become the driving force of the celebration, reflecting an event as individual as you and your loved ones.

If you are working towards planning a wedding under 100 guests, you may want to check out how to prioritize your budget or the complete guide to small weddings in Los Angeles! Or if you are looking for support and partnership while you plan, you know so you can get back to living in your day-to-day life, check out how we can partner together.