Be specific. I'm looking ot add a fairly broad ammount of mods that are not overkill, but are....

Yes. Realistic but better armor, weapons, and even UI. But thta's why I m ade this, to guage the opinions of the rest of you guys haha :P

I'll use whatever makes the mods :P
 
So yeah, it don't HAVE to be workshop mods.

I personally use the Skyrim Total Enhancement Project.  It's a compilation of mods (textures, UI, HUD, lighting, etc.) that takes forever to install (since you have to install each mod individually), but it makes your game look like this:
 

There are too many mods that change skyrim to make it a great game.
 
For actual UI improvments most people use 
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=3863
I am not sure if it is available on the steam community but I found the nexus mod manager a lot better at handling many mods at once and it allows for easier management of them
 
Catgorize favorites is also a nice mod as it as it says categorizes your favorite items making it easier to manage them
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=4862
 
As for Armors there are a lot of great ones. Here is an armor compilation by a great modder. All his armors are great and very high quality
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=19733
 
Also another person changed some npcs to use some of those armors to add more lore to the game
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21163
 
He also has standalone versions of his armors with more color options such as his Spell Binder armor set.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=21228
Personally I love this and am using it right now because of how great it looks.
 
Another 2 great armors I found are the silver dragon armor and knights of thorn armor (same author)
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/18028/ (Silver dragon)
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=18940 (Knights of thorn)
 
Also more great male armors + weapons can be found in the Darksiders weapon and armor pack
I have no idea where it is. I am reading it is a hidden file now by the author. Maybe someone can find a link
 
Chinese General armor is quite nice and inlcudes a sword
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21366
 
Also if you download the Deadly Dragons mods which changes the dragons system in skyrim to make it harder with different loot
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=3829
 
You can also download the deadly dragons armory along with it which is a ctually a compilation of armor mods in one to wrok with the new dragons system (I highly recommend this)
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=16474
 
As for Female armors brokefoot created a great armor compilation. Each armor consists of many unique pieces so mix and match is great with this mod
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/20415
 
You will also find the sovngrade steel armor is a very high quality armor set for women and you can get a resolution of up to 4096 x 4096 showing how much effort was put into making this
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16096
 
You will also find echo1162 has a bunch of armors for the cbbe body. Thye look great and you might want too download armors other than the dread huntress which I gave the link to below
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21125
Ok now for retextures I have 6 really nice high quality textures for vanilla armors in skyrim. CaBaL120 created 4 armor retextures so far for the iron, steel and leather armors which are extremely highquality and look just amazing in skyrim.
Leather:http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/22065
Iron:http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19340
Steel:http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/18272
Steelplate:http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/20792
 
There is also a great looking vanilla glass retexture but it may not look like glass anymore but I personally am using this and it looks great ingame
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10235
 
Finally a dwarven retexture that makes dwarven well more shiny I can say.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/4818
 
 
Also cloaks of skyrim adds lots of nice cloaks as the title says. I dont know maybe over 100 are tere in the latest update. They look great and the author is trying to remove all clipping that happens with them
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=12092

 
Bondolier bags and pouches is for both genders and allows for extra inventory slots in exchange for making them: They are really nice
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=16438
 
Some great hairpacks to allow for more costumization to your character are Apachi sky hair
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=10168
 & Oblivion hair pack
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/18110
 
As for followers people mainly use UFO (Ultimate follower overhaul) or amazing follower tweaks
I believe amazing follower tweaks allows for more options such as how you want your follower to fight. What spells you want him to use. what armor you want him/her to wear etc. They are both great but I personally use amazing follower tweaks.
UFO:http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=14037
AFT: http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/15524
 
As for house mods there are too many to list
Currently Vjarkell castle is currently like a lot by the community as it uses a lot of assets from the dawngaurd dlc (If you dont have it dont download it)
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21918
 
Buildable home also allows you to build a costum home to your liking with presets to choose from
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=18480
 
Quest mods I don't download much as they cause conflicts usually with each other but Moonpat to elswyer is a great mod and adds too many more hours into the game for free
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=9782
 
As for lighting and weather I don't use much enbs but I tired some out and if your computer can handle them can make skyrim to your liking
This weather overhaul though is a huge and more realistic change to skyrim and is made by a modder who also made weather overhauls to Fallout 3 
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=17802
 
There is also a great mod that includes 4 great looking girls and 5 character saves with other good looking ones. If you are interested in it here you go. I personally used it and am very happy compared to what other follower mods require you to install mods to get the followers to look the same as they do in the picture. This one doesn't which is why it is so popular
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=21038
 
As for monster mods I dont use much but this one seems to be praised by many people and looks really good
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=9694
 
Finally I get to weapons
 
Extended Vanilla weapons is a great mod which literally adds over 100 weapons into the world of skyrim and into the forge using vanilla textures,
I use it an I must say they look just great in the world of skyrim
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=19611
 
I've also seen people use a very popular mod called heavy armory which does the same thing as extended vanilla weapons just differently 
http://skyrim.nexusmods.c...ajax/modimages/?user=0|:|id=21120
 
For High quality weapon mods you might want to take a look into the superb dread weapons pack which adds a whole new set called super dread into skyrim.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/15494
 
 
I can add more mods later but tell me which mods you might like first to know what to give you

boredgunner

http://www.gnd-tech.com/content/857-Skyrim-Modding-Guide

Skyrim is unplayable without most or all of these mods, if you have a high end PC with at least 2GB VRAM.  Put together by a Skyrim veteran and I who play it like it should be played!

/thread

Should check out Crimson Tide to replace your Enhanced Blood Textures mod.

Most of my mods for Skyrim are against TOS

willem445

Most of my mods for Skyrim are against TOS

 

willem445 

A few screen shots WITH armor on.   

 
 
Good thing the OP seems like a normal person, and wants normal mods.  

kidcrumb

Skyrim ENB series is good. (Its like the Life-like GTA4 mod but for Skyrim)

 
If you're willing to tweak it, then it is the best choice when it comes to lighting/post processing mods.  However, every preset ENB config I've seen has a very distinctive style to it, so if you're looking for presets it's hard to find one that suits you.  I prefer RCRN for this reason, I'm too lazy to make my own ENB config.  RCRN has a more Earth-like appearance, while preset ENB configs have an overdone fantasy look to them.  Whatever floats your boat.

Wow, That's a lot to start with....Thanks a ton guys!

You got the BR because your post was most helpul and full of information pertaining to my OP. Also it is worth 2 EVGA bucks which can be used towards your next purchase here at EVGA (but only here of course) hey do add up and do not expire. You can use as little or as much as you like as well.
 
Back to the topic. Has there been ANYTHING to fix the flying objects of death? I have been at very low health and was killed by a loaf of bread that shot across the room because the items are all possesed by demons.

Here are a few that I use that haven't been mentioned.
 
Rayek's End - Mini Hideout
A simple house mod that has a unique feel and atmosphere to it.  It isn't big and doesn't have a huge trophy room like many do.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16028
 
Dark Scout Armor
A set of armor and weapons that are geared towards a ranger type character.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14805
 
Andragorn's Armoury
Adds new weapons (of all types) to Skyrim that can be found in loot, crafted at forges and bought at a smith that is added to the game.  The weapons are well balanced for gameplay.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10135
 
Spend Dragon Souls for Perks
Allows you to spend dragon souls to unlock perks w/o having to level up.  But you still have to meet the skill level requirements to get the perk and you need 1 soul for every ten levels needed to unlock the perk.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/11623
 
Bat Travel Vampire Power for Dawnguard DLC
Makes fast travel to cities (you can also set custom locations) more lore friendly than just clicking on the icon on the map.  You obviously have to have Dawnguard and be a vampire.
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/21689
 
These a just a few that I use.  I use many of the mods already listed by others and plan to try out others.  Great idea for a thread I've been wondering what mods some of you use on here.

_Nite_

willem445

Most of my mods for Skyrim are against TOS

LOL same here

Nite I think all your mods are against the TOS 

_Nite_

KILLEROZSNIPER

_Nite_

willem445

Most of my mods for Skyrim are against TOS

LOL same here

Nite I think all your mods are against the TOS 

not all them

I did list some others above in my post ^

You edited your post 

Vibrant Auroras: Makes night questing look pretty awesome.
Whistle: For when that chicken horse runs away. Quicker than "moveto player".
Reduced Distance NPC Greeting: For when you get really tired of hearing the same ole stuff.
The Dragonborn Comes - Maluka: Nice alternative intro song.