30 Things Everyone Should Own by Age 30
Updated: Aug. 23, 2023
Growing up is hard, but it comes with serious benefits like better quality bedding and kitchen gear that makes you actually want to cook. These 30 things we should all own by age 30 will help you become an adult the right way.
Yes, you really do need an iron
In college, you can roll into class or work with a wrinkled shirt and get by, but if you show up to your very-real job at 30 with a wrinkled hemline and crumpled-looking clothes, you risk making a bad impression. A Reliable Ovo 150GT Portable Steam Iron and Garment Steamer is the perfect adult-worthy essential because it easily irons or steams to help release tough wrinkles on even the most delicate fabrics. It’s easy to use and affordable too. You can check out some other popular tech gifts you’ll want to keep for yourself while you’re considering this one.
It’s time to invest in an electric toothbrush
If you’re not already in love with your oral hygiene routine, it’s definitely time to up your adulthood ante and switch to a Quip toothbrush. The slim, no-clutter modern design comes in a variety of fun colors, and you’ll love how efficiently it cleans your teeth and breaks up stains from all the very-necessary lattes adulthood has brought you.
Work-ready flats
Sure, you can buy all the crazy heels in the world, but you’ll end up getting the most wear and value out of a really cute pair of flats. Why? Because they’re perfect for work, running errands, days out with friends, and just about anywhere else life might take you. Invest in high-quality leather, like these Jigsaw Ballet flats from French Sole, and you’ll get years of wear from a single pair. You’ll probably love them enough to buy them in a few colors too.
Sheets that make you eager to get to bed on time
There’s a lot of temptation to stay up late (we’re looking at you, Netflix), but when you invest in buttery-soft bed sheets like this Fieldcrest Supima Classic Hemstitch Sheet Set by Trident, you know you’re going to be happy to hop right in with a good book at a reasonable hour. Great bedding also makes our list of the best graduation gifts.
A warm winter coat is very necessary
A winter coat like this Nobis Ladies Parka will keep you toasty for several years, thanks to Canadian Origin White Duck Down fill, a windproof, waterproof, breathable shell, and thoughtful details like thumbholes on the sleeves and fleece-lined hand-warmer pockets. It’s also a stylish statement piece. Part of adulthood is making wise investments, and the return on this one is warmth and on-trend practicality. One Amazon reviewer writes, “This coat lived through five New England winters and can easily take five more.”
Skincare that really works
There is no doubt that your skin required less attention in your early 20s, but between age, stress, and environmental factors, keeping a solid skincare routine for your 30s with proven ingredients is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil is a blend of nine essential oils and a go-to of royals and celebrities, but is priced moderately enough for real people to enjoy (phew!). The line is also brimming with other useful products like cleansers and eye creams we know you’ll love for seasons to come.
A cozy robe is a gateway to good feelings
A luxuriously cozy robe is the beginning of a perfect night in, a late weekend morning over hot tea lattes and homemade brunch, or a deliciously fragrant spa day. The Soma Cool Nights Kimono Short Robe is made of an ultra-soft fabric blend that is machine-washable and a complete joy to exist in day or night.
Something to help keep your fitness game on track
Life gets busy and comes at you fast, which is why it’s hard to keep track of just how often you’re staying active. The Fitbit Versa Smart Watch tracks your heart rate, fitness, and sleep cycles nonstop on its four-day battery range, stores up to 300 of your favorite songs, and even has various modes for swimming and running to more accurately track your workouts.
A statement necklace that speaks volumes
Get ready to dress your little black dress up with this Chico’s Neutral Bib Necklace in subtly adventurous gold tones with black and tiger’s eye-shaded beads. It’s also an elegant way to add flair to your jeans and white-tee look, and a timeless addition to just about any wardrobe.
The perfect coffee maker
Part of responsible grown-up life is not spending a significant portion of your income at Starbucks, as easy as it may seem. The Bella Dual Brew Single Serve Personal Coffee Maker is all your convenience dreams come true, because it offers either ground coffee brewed joe, or you can even insert K-cups when you have them on hand (but we know it’s hard to remember to buy them on top of all the other very grown-up responsibilities you have). And yes, it’s dishwasher-compatible.
A perfect all-occasions purse
This MZ Wallace Downtown Crosby Bag is the ultimate perennial style statement you’ll use for years. It’s got a practical crossbody strap, an optional high-style chain shoulder strap that may be better suited for evenings out, and all sorts of very useful compartments you’ll manage to fill with essentials. It’s blissfully lightweight, too, so you can cross shoulder pain off your list of grown-up complaints.
Better pillows, better sleep
Is there anything more wonderful than a well-rested self? Get your best rest on a Sleepgram Pillow. It’s a definite upgrade from the college dorm cheapies you may have had before, thanks to its hypoallergenic microfiber fill, washable removable cover, and futuristic-seeming adjustable height. Plus, high-quality pillows are always a great gift—they even made our Father’s Day gifts list.
Leather boots you’ll love endlessly
The Aerosoles Compatible boots are named perfectly because they’re truly compatible with just about everything in your wardrobe. Dress them up with a skirt for a night out, or wear them just about anywhere with modern denim and a cropped jacket. They’re also an absolute dream to walk in thanks to patent-pending technology, and a blister-free life is what grown-up dreams are made of.
Non-stick baking pans
Whether you’re into homemade cookies or mouth-watering chicken wings for you and a friend, a set of Chicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick Pans is one of the wisest kitchen investments you’ll make in your future. Solid cookware with easy cleanup means you’re more likely to cook at home, which means you’ll save endless time and money in the long-run. How mature of you! Here are more items on Amazon with nearly perfect reviews.
Happiness-inducing scents
Every fully appointed home needs a signature scent, which is why finding your favorite jarred scented candles will go a long way in turning your apartment or house into a real home. Yankee Candle Large Jar candles burn for up to 150 hours (that’s a lot of game nights with friends), and reveal rich, expensive-seeming fragrance in options like Home Sweet Home and Salted Caramel.
Cookware that doesn’t take up all your cabinet space
Unless you’re living in a mansion with an enormous kitchen, the idea of giving up all your cabinet real estate to pots and pans isn’t usually appealing. That’s why the Calphalon Premier Space Saving 3-Piece Cookware Set is basically a magical gift from the fairy godmother of kitchen things. The entire set stacks neatly so it doesn’t monopolize your space, and also offers durable construction. Plus, it’s metal-safe, so you don’t have to be too careful when you’re stirring your favorite sauce.
Stylish sunglasses that are built to last
You’ll get great use of out a pair of Spy Spritzer Cat-Eye Sunglasses made of durable polycarbonate that offer 100 percent UV protection. They’re one of those hidden gems on Amazon you’ll wish you owned.
Jeans you’ll want to live in
A pair of dark rinse denim will never fail you when you’re in a pinch, and Kut From The Kloth’s Mia Skinny High Rise jean is an essential part of a versatile wardrobe. The flattering fit pairs well with just about anything, and the ankle length means you can wear them with flats, sneakers, boots, heels, or just about any other shoe in your grown-up closet.
Better hair tools
Toss that old hair dryer to the curb, because the T3 Cura Luxe Hair Dryer is all you’ve ever imagined a blow dryer could be. It cuts down drying time, boosts shine, fights frizz, and blasts the hair’s cuticle with negative ions to keep everything smooth and health. Did we mention it saves major time though? Because that alone is enough reason to switch.
A durable carry-on bag
If you studied our list of carry-on bags with 5-star reviews, you know just how important a durable weekend bag can be. The Eagle Creek National Geographic Borderless Convertible Carry-On can take you from weekends with family to overnight business trips, and everything in between.
An easy-to-wear LBD
A little black dress, or LBD, is an essential part of every woman’s wardrobe. Forget skin-tight versions and opt for a grown-up, detailed one like this very flattering BCBGMax Azria Women’s Marae Knit Lace and Illusion Dress.
Cleanliness is next to everything good
It’s no secret that a clean home is a major component of adulthood, but cleaning usually isn’t fun—unless you have a Shark Ion W1 Handheld Vacuum. It’s lightweight (under a pound and a half), offers powerful suction, easy emptying, and no cords. You can clean up an oatmeal spill in the kitchen, a dog food fumble in the hallway, or your car without much effort at all. Check out the things on Amazon with a lifetime warranty.
A comfortable mattress
If you’re sleeping on the same mattress you have been since you were a kid, there is a good chance the springs are worn out, and if not, it doesn’t matter—mattress technology has changed a lot since then. Consider upgrading to an affordable Zinus Memory Foam 12-inch Green Tea Mattress. It’s a decidedly mature bedtime move.
It’s definitely time for your underwear to match
If you’ve been mixing and matching your undergarments, that’s OK, but one of the hallmarks of proper adulthood is wearing high-quality matchable underwear that you’re proud of. This Panache Jasmine Underwire Balconette Bra is the perfect blend of elegance and comfortable sophistication. You’ll feel undeniably on-point when you pair it with matching panties.
An upgrade on an old comfort classic
Scrap the college logo sweatshirts for those lazy days at home and trip to the gym. You’re an adult now, and deserve a major upgrade, like this Project T Keys Sweatshirt. Body-enhancing dropped shoulders and comfy lightweight fabric will make you feel like the sophisticated woman you are, without sacrificing comfort.
Hair products that breathe new life into your tresses
If you want to extend the wear of your current style (and shampoo slightly less often), you definitely need to add a can of Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to your vanity. It does double duty to both add light, manageable texture to hair while sopping up excess oils and weird late-night smells.
A versatile go-anywhere accessory
If you’re a bit of a style chameleon who likes to dress up, dress down, and experiment with her style, a Luca + Danni Druzy Bangle Bracelet in metallic gold will be the style charm you’ve waited literally decades for. We can’t think of an outfit it doesn’t look good with, and that makes it a solid style investment you’ll treasure for years to come.
Luxurious lipstick you’ll treasure forever
We love drugstore brands, but there’s nothing quite like a velvety, high-end lipstick to make a woman feel like the treasure she is. Opting for a YSL Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stain is an updated version of the old classic, with long-lasting wear and rich, matte color. Plus, it’s a couture addition that has the ability to elevate any mundane style moment.
A durable reusable water bottle
Buying single-use water bottles is so over, and the new mature you should be ready to invest in a reusable water bottle to take to work, the gym, on trips, and just about everywhere else. The EcoVessel Aspen TriMax Insulated Stainless Steel Water & Wine bottle keeps your drink cold, reminds you to hydrate, is easy to clean, and did we mention it can tote wine too? The brand made our list of the best Amazon Prime Gifts.
Proper disposal is worth a thousand words
There is nothing less appealing than walking into a kitchen where you can smell all the things that were cooked for previous meals. Adulthood is the right time to invest in a proper trash can, like the odor-masking simplehuman 40-Liter Slim Plastic Step Can, which comes in on-trend colors like grey, and offers a hands-free approach to disposal. It saves space thanks to its slim design too. Don’t miss the things you should always buy on Amazon.
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