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1. A really good mattress that befits your ~mature~ status. (Translation: You deserve to sleep on something better than the plastic-covered mess of lumps and springs that’s the hallmark of dorm room bedding everywhere.) Both supportive and soft, this gel memory foam pick is excellent for back-, stomach-, and side-sleepers alike – and if you run hot while you sleep, good news: It’s also got breathable construction, so you’ll stay cool all night long.
2. Plus, some excellent sheets to go with it, because why sleep on scratchy sheets if you don’t have to? This 1,000 thread count, 100% Egyptian-quality cotton set will send you off to the land of Nod in cool, soft comfort.
3. A pair of beautiful two-tone seagrass wicker baskets, so your storage solutions can be as grownup as you are. (No more plastic milk crates here!) Perfect for aesthetics ranging from coastal to rustic, these round, nesting baskets give you somewhere refined to stash any clutter you want to get out of the way – blankets, your kids’ toys, you name it.
4. A pair of matching glass soap and lotion dispensers, because it’s time to give up on those single-use plastic bottles and invest in reusable ones that will last. Whether you use them for hand soap or dish soap, these classy vintage-inspired bottles are both practical and a lovely way to dress up your sink or countertop.
5. A trestle coffee table with pull-out storage that’s basically a museum piece. Venturing into the adulthood presents a great opportunity to upgrade some key pieces – and this dazzling table will provide a focal point for your living room while adding some useful and easily accessible storage space at the same time.
6. A pair of playful bookends, because being a grownup doesn’t have to mean giving up on fun. Designed to look like a pair of kids bopping around together on a seesaw, this cast-metal set keeps your favorite tomes in place while also injecting a touch of whimsy into your space.
7. A set of dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe stoneware dishes that’ll dress up your dining room table with some understated sophistication. This 16-piece service for four includes dinner plates, salad plates, mugs, and bowls — and, I mean, let’s be honest: We all deserve to feel fancy even when dinner is cereal. (No judgment. You’re an adult. Do what you want. You’re in charge now!)
8. A Le Creuset Dutch oven, because now is the time to start making investment purchases. Yes, Le Creuset is pricey, but the pieces are so solidly built that you’ll enjoy them for years – and then you'll probably pass them onto someone else to enjoy for even more years when you're done with them. Plus, this pick comes in sizes ranging from a single quart to a whopping 9 quarts, so whether you’re making a teeny loaf of bread for yourself or braising beef or veggies for a crowd, this gorgeous workhorse has you covered.
9. A laundry hamper that is cleverly disguised as an unassuming coastal chic cabinet that'll teach that old mesh bag you've been using for years a lesson or two. The two tilt-out doors allow you to quickly drop your clothes in; meanwhile, the bags inside are removable, so you can just as easily pull ‘em out when it’s time to put everything into the washer.
10. An elegant brushed stainless-steel soap dish, so your bar soap can finally have somewhere to live that’s not just, y’know, directly on the edge of your sink. (In adulthood, it’s the details that matter, right?) The super smart design allows water to drain out the bottom, too, so you don’t have to worry about your soap living in a puddle of stagnant grossness anymore.
11. A trendily minimalist low-profile bed frame that’ll update your sleeping space with ease. Crafted from a combination of solid wood and manufactured wood – because you’re wise enough to know by now that all-particle-board, all-the-time is not a recipe for furniture longevity – this frame suits most rustic design aesthetics, and as a bonus, it doesn’t require a box spring.
12. Or, a storage platform bed, because your hard-won wisdom has taught you that there’s no such thing as too much storage space. With a sturdy frame made of solid and manufactured wood and two roll-out drawers at the foot, this linen-upholstered piece packs a ton of useful features into one chic, modern package.
13. A lightweight, bagless, cordless Samsung Jet 75 vacuum that’ll make keeping your floors clean a breeze. This vacuum is so much easier to move around your home than the huge, corded vacuums of yore, and it comes with tons of attachments and a wall-mounted charging dock for easy use and storage. (This, by the way, is how I realized I had grown into An Actual Adult: Getting a high-tech vacuum a few years ago was really exciting to me. True story.)
14. A framed, mid-century modern-inspired art print, because all that sticky tack you used to use to mount unframed posters in your youth isn’t doing your walls any favors. If you’re looking for a way to fill up some empty wall space, this trio of colorful birds by artist Rachel Lee adds brightness and panache while still asserting that Yes, You Are An Adult Now And Have Actual Art On Your Walls, Thank You Very Much.
15. A pair of velvet geometric-patterned throw pillow covers with metallic accents, so you can finally add that certain je ne sais quoi to your space. And even if you know people who believe there is such a thing as too many throw pillows (me, for instance – guilty as charged), you get to put as many throw pillows on your couch as you want. Because you're the grownup here. So there.
16. An L-shaped executive desk with open storage shelves that’ll look right at home in the coveted corner office you’ve worked so hard for all this time – even if it's an at-home one. Unlike a traditional executive desk, this one isn’t heavy or stodgy; instead, it offers clean lines and an open feel, thanks to its elegantly minimalist metal frame.
17. A stunning MCM-inspired sectional to replace your ancient futon, because the time to upgrade is nigh (and your aching bones need something more comfortable to rest on these days!). With a solid wood frame and a reversible chaise, this piece is both flexible and beautiful – and super duper comfortable, according to reviewers.
18. Or, a colorful slipcover that’ll makeover your old sofa easily and inexpensively. At this stage in your life, you definitely know the value of a dollar – and sometimes, the best solution is also the most cost-effective one. Designed for box cushion sofas with rolled arms, this stretchy slipcover slides right over your couch’s frame and cushions, instantly turning an out-of-date or damaged piece into something shiny and new. It’s like magic!
19. A surprisingly elegant two drawer filing cabinet, because functionality – like adulthood itself – doesn’t have to be boring. This cabinet gives you plenty of space to organize all your most important pieces of paperwork – and with those clean lines and gold accents, it’s lovely to look at, too.
20. A sophisticated wall-mounted coat rack that doubles as Capital-A Art, so you can finally upgrade your outerwear storage situation. This neat-o wooden piece features five hooks that flip down when needed – but they can also fold away when not in use, leaving you with a wall hanging with the kind of ~vibes~ you could never get from plain ol’ Command hooks.
21. A three-shade tree floor lamp, so you can finally swap that bendy-armed plastic lamp you’ve been carting around since your dorm room days for something nicer, but without sacrificing the practicality of a (literally) flexible lighting solution. Each of the shades swings on its own arm, so you can position them however you like – and the switch is three-way, meaning you can adjust how many of them are lit at any time.
22. A classy and colorful task chair that’ll make you actually want to sit down to work every day. (Someone's gotta pay the bills, and when you're the head of household, that someone is you.) With tilt control, a swivel mechanism, lever-operated height adjustment, and five hooded caster wheels, it’s got all the flexibility and movement you could want from a workspace seating solution – but the tufted back and nailhead details also give it some serious style.
23. A pantry storage bin or two, because nothing makes you feel quite as grown-up as a well-organized kitchen. These clear plastic bins might look simple, but they’re terrific for arranging and organizing goods of all kinds, from cans to dish towels and more. Reviewers even say they use them to stash non-kitchen things ranging from cleaning supplies to – I kid you not – a bow tie collection. How’s that for versatile?
24. A six-piece set of high-quality towels that actually match, so even your shower setup can communicate that you’ve 100% got your life together – even on the days when it doesn’t feel that way. (It happens to the best of us!) Made of Egyptian-quality cotton, this set includes two cushy bath towels, two washcloths, and two hand towels, all of which feel as terrific as they look.
25. A glam velvet storage ottoman with cute little hairpin legs, because you’ll never stop finding uses for it (because knowing how to deal with messes is one of the most valuable skills for an adult to have, right?). It’s seating! It’s a footrest! If you flip the lid over, it’s a side table! And, of course, it’s a place to stash those odds and ends floating around the room that you just want to get out sight!
26. An eye-catching area rug with an abstract, black and white design that’ll dress up your floors – even if you’ve had a habit of ignoring them up until now. Combining a bold look with easy care, it’ll pull together your space in a way you may not have realized was actually possible before. (Hey, you don’t stop learning just because you’re an adult now, right?)
27. A super glam gold tone bar cart, because the kinds of parties you throw in adulthood are very different than the kinds you throw in your youth. Bye bye, red Solo cups; hello, getting your Gatsby on and shaking up the perfect cocktails. Throwing a sophisticated party is easy when you’ve got a cute little three-tiered, rolling cart like this one to keep all your bottles, mixers, and garnishes in one spot. (A few reviewers point out it also makes a great plant stand, if you’re more into greenery than drinks!)
28. A sleek motion-sensor trash can that will ruin you for all other trash cans. The lid opens itself with the wave of a hand, meaning you can open it up without making a huge mess, even if your hands are covered with flour, sauce or what have you. Simple-sounding? Perhaps. The best thing ever? Absolutely. (Funny how the things you find exciting in adulthood are some of the most mundane, isn’t it?)
29. A ~fancy~ coffee maker, because life is too short to drink bad coffee. Moccamaster coffee makers are basically universally acknowledged as one of the best at-home drip makers money can buy – and if you take good care of this 10-cup, thermal carafe-equipped brewmaster, it’ll last forever, too.
30. A lush velvet barrel chair with a flared, seashell-like back that’ll zhuzh up any room you put it in – and since versatility is key in adulthood, this one very much earns its keep by working just about anywhere, and for any purpose: Dining chair, accent chair, vanity chair, you name it.
31. And a faux palm plant, because it is 100% okay if you, a Real, Live Grownup, still cannot keep a plant alive. (It’s me. I’m talking about me.) This surprisingly realistic faux floor palm will bring a touch of greenery to your space, even if you have the opposite of a green thumb. Adults are not perfect. Adults have their failings. And if yours is plants, that’s fine.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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