For Furniture
A&G Merch
111 N. 6th St., at Berry St., Williamsburg; 718-388-1779
This boutique caters to newlyweds looking for sofas, tables, and other big-ticket items. Couples can describe their vision to owner Jill Goldhand, and her team will take it from there, e-mailing photos of housewares and upholstery fabrics. Gifters can pitch in for pricier things by donating via credit card; the goods are removed from the registry when the retail price is met.
For Designer China
Barneys New York
660 Madison Ave., at 61st St.; 212-833-2066
The process begins with an in-store meeting, where bridal consultants can expound on the value of Italian handblown glass or gargantuan Taschen art books. They will special-order merch from any Barneys label, and registrants get 10 percent off any items remaining after they’ve tied the knot.
For Basics
Bed Bath & Beyond
620 Sixth Ave., nr. 18th St.; 212-255-3550
The chain prides itself on service: Perks include free gift-wrapping and announcement cards, as well as a no-hassle return policy that allows store credit or cash back (read that again: cash back) for up to two years. The selection ranges from shelving systems and bath towels to Wii accessories and luggage, not to mention a variety of fine-china brands, including Vera Wang and Lenox.
For Quirky Cookware
Whisk
231 Bedford Ave., at N. 4th St., Williamsburg; 718-218-7230
This family-run kitchenware shop launched its registry program in January. Store manager Kari Johnson will special-order items from any of its in-store brands, be it an unusually colored KitchenAid mixer or an Indian-inspired organic-spice kit by Mobile Foodie.
For Bargains
Broadway Panhandler
65 E. 8th St., nr. Broadway; 212-966-3434
Products at this kitchen emporium—there are some 20,000—are typically 10 to 40 percent off normal retail prices (to wit: a Cuisinart PowerEdge blender is $149 here, versus $200 at Williams-Sonoma). Knowledgeable staffers can help you distinguish among the Top Chef–worthy array of Santoku knives or point you toward new and intriguing picks, like a butter churn.
For Budding Chefs
Brooklyn Kitchen
100 Frost St., at Meeker Ave., Williamsburg; 718-389-2982
The real draw here, beyond obvious kitchen staples like stainless-steel cookware, are the classes (available via gift card)—domestic-life primers such as knife-skills and wine-appreciation courses and tutorials on pickling vegetables (from $40).
For Ecofinds
Green Depot
222 Bowery, nr. Prince St.; 212-226-0444
This hardware store offers tankless water heaters, energy-efficient vacuum cleaners, and other ecofriendly home goods. It’s particularly great for guy goods like lightweight drills. Guests can also purchase gift cards to contribute toward large home-improvement projects, like bamboo flooring.
For Decorative Items
MoMA Design Store
81 Spring St., nr. Crosby St.; 646-613-1367
Apart from thoughtfully designed housewares, the registry’s offerings include framed art reproductions and spendy investment pieces like Eames furniture. The store introduces more than 100 new items each season, with pieces from designers such as Karim Rashid and Philippe Starck among them.