The merging of two households can be challenging. As a newlywed you are not only merging styles, but lots of stuff too. In many instances consolidating households requires tough choices, compromises, and concessions to be made. Here are some tips on getting your new home organized, while living happily ever after.
Step One: Take Inventory
As newlyweds you have a great opportunity to avoid an over-cluttered home from the start. First, take inventory of all your things. Then note if there are any duplicates (i.e. towels, toaster ovens, etc.) and purge (donate, recycle, toss) items that are not being used, broken, or unwanted.
By Jennifer Bishop Designs via Houzz
Step Two: Assess the Space
Space planning is an important step in getting your home organized. Take a good look and measure out your space to determine what furniture will function best, and where. For instance, the large leather sectional might not be the right scale for your new digs. Furniture and items that are still in good condition can be sold on Craigslist, eBay, or at a local consignment shop. The extra cash can be used in purchasing the right size sofa for your space.
Photo Credit: Houzz
Step Three: Have a Plan
Designing a space takes time and planning. Before buying anything new, ask your spouse how much of a say he’d like in your home’s design. To get a better idea of his/her style, show him pictures of spaces and styles you love to see where you might have synergy.
Photo Credit: Decor Demon
Your stuff doesn’t quite go with his? Look for items that flow and complement each other. Consider painting mismatched chairs, tables, and dressers the same color to unify the space. Reupholstering his grandmother’s vintage in a fresh fabric that pulls together your color scheme is also something to consider. Purchasing small items like new throw pillows can help pull together a space that would have otherwise looked out of place.
What?! He won’t budge on letting go of the lazy boy? If one of you has a strong personal attachment to a piece of furniture that is not right for the overall design, keep your negotiations to the basics—the item’s quality, necessity, and scale. If this fails, consider getting a non-biased third party to help break down the negotiations in a non-emotional way.
Design by Charmean Neithart Interiors. Photo by Ericka Bierman Photography via Houzz
Step Four: Take Your Time
My favorite spaces evolve overtime. Don’t feel rushed to buy everything at once. Take your time to pick items you both love and that fit in your budget.
-Cristin
This is great advice to not only a newlyed couple but to a married couple of 30+ years like me. We get stuck in a rut with our old furniture and this has some wonderful advice on how to freshen our home up a bit and bring the “newlywed” vib back to our home. Thanks!
I think of living in a home akin to layering. First you have to find the right basics and then layer with the right accessories.
Great post.
pve
Go to Houzz.com for tips on remodeling and updating your home to today’s style. This website has helped a lot of my clients with ideas for their old, tired, dated homes.