She Strengthens

New Home, New Regrets: 6 Purchases We Wish We Hadn’t Made

The Thrill of Moving In

When my partner Drew and I decided to take the plunge and live together, we were caught up in the excitement of creating our new home. We blew through gift cards at Home Goods without taking the time to make a thoughtful list of what we really needed. Now, after a few weeks of settling in, we’re realizing our mistakes.

Mistake #1: The Elegant but Unused French Press

Our copper French press is a stunning addition to our kitchen, but it’s rarely used. With our daily coffee habit, we can easily finish a 12-cup pot in the morning, and the French press is better suited for single servings. We’ve used it once, Instagrammed it, and then… nothing. For $30, we wish we had invested in an espresso machine or milk frother instead.

Mistake #2: Utensil Drying Cups – A Cute but Cluttered Idea

These cute cups with holes in the sides seemed like a great way to dry utensils, but they’ve become a cluttered eyesore on our counter. We’ve fallen into the habit of leaving them out, rather than putting them away in the drawer. A good storage system for extra hand towels would have been a better investment.

Mistake #3: Champagne Flutes Galore

With New Year’s Eve approaching, we thought champagne flutes would be a great addition to our home. But after one use, they’re now tucked away in a cabinet, taking up valuable space. If we’re being honest, we’re beer drinkers at heart. A cocktail shaker would have been a more practical and fun purchase.

Mistake #4: Candles, Candles Everywhere

We got carried away with candles, and now we have a stash that will last us a lifetime. While they’re lovely, we don’t need “backup candles” just in case. A reed diffuser or deodorizing system would provide a safer, longer-lasting fragrance solution.

Mistake #5: Ill-Fitting Sheets

In my excitement to upgrade our bedding, I bought sheets without measuring our pillow top mattress. Now, they slide up around the sides, and we’re stuck with two ill-fitting comforters. It’s manageable, but I wish I had waited and invested in sheets that fit, along with a high-quality duvet.

Mistake #6: Chalkboard Chaos

Our chalkboard-themed purchases, including list boards and paper, seemed like a great way to decorate our office and stay organized. But the reality is, our floors are now covered in chalk dust, and we rarely erase or rewrite anything. A curated collection of artwork would have been a better choice, providing a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to handwritten lists and jokes.