Newlyweds want small home appliances, please

What they're saying: "We would love to ask for" big home gadgets, "but there's no room to store them or keep them on the kitchen countertops," says Kristen Campilonga, who's getting married this summer.

• She lives with her partner in a two-bedroom rental in Washington, D.C.

Their wish list includes an upgraded knife set and rice cooker "because the newer, better models are smaller," Campilonga tells Axios.

• Plus, they're asking for a portable gas pizza oven for the balcony and camping trips.

What we're hearing: Small kitchen contraptions have become the "it" wedding gifts, partly because they're "fairly classic" presents "that older family members feel satisfied to give," says Cathryn Haight, editor at The Knot, a wedding planning and registry website.

Size also matters because many couples already have the essentials — 88% of all those who register live together, Alicia Waters, Crate & Barrel brand president, tells Axios.

• Instead of more stuff, they're looking to trade two items for one multifunctional appliance or upgrade to something more luxurious.

Reality check: Cash gifts are still appreciated, especially for a down payment or honeymoon.

The big picture: Sky-high housing costs have led couples to move in together sooner and purchase houses later.

• The median age of first-time homebuyers is now pushing 40, according to National Association of Realtors data.
• Meanwhile, those who already took the plunge are hesitant to give up their cheaper mortgages by moving.

The latest: Some people are choosing homeownership over a lavish wedding.

• The number of unmarried couples who say they recently bought a house rose 46% over the past decade, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of census data.

What's next: Expect big home appliance makers to continue rolling out miniature, feature-loaded models.

• Whirlpool, known for washing machines and refrigerators, is focusing on smaller products such as blenders and food processors, the WSJ reports.