By planning ahead, you can create a space you’ll both appreciate without hurting anyone’s feelings or spending a fortune on new decorations. Use the following tips to get started.
- Declutter What You Already Have
Before you move into your new place together, the two of you should go through your current belongings and get rid of any clutter. You need to decide what you and your spouse should keep or get rid of. Be considerate of each other’s feelings. Most likely, you will each need to compromise on a few items.
Remember that you don’t have to-and shouldn’t-buy a completely new set of decorations when you move into your new home.
However, you will appreciate the opportunity to get rid of clutter now so you don’t have to deal with it later.
As you declutter, take inventory of what you already own. An inventory also gives you an idea of what you still need. If there are duplicate items, such as two waffle makers, just keep one.
- Create and Stick to a Budget
If you and your spouse make and keep a budget, you can cut down on a lot of the frustration that comes with building a home together. A budget will also help you save money. If you know how much you have to spend, you can narrow down your decorating choices to what you can realistically afford.
Additionally, a budget will also help you if you decide to change your décor or style over the next few years. This is your first home, and chances are your tastes will change. Luckily, you will have the freedom to update your décor without feeling guilty.
After all, you didn’t spend a lot of money on it in the first place.
- Make a Decorating Plan
Go through your home and decide what you want to go where. Remember to take measurements of your rooms before you hang anything or buy anything. Then m
Make a list of what you want to purchase at the store so you don’t grab anything on an impulse.
With the combination of your stuff, your spouse’s stuff, and the new stuff, coordinating your home can prove difficult. Luckily, you don’t need to worry about matching every little detail. Try decorating with a color or style in mind based on what you already have. Then, when you go shopping, you will know what to purchase to complete your home’s look.
You and your spouse may also find it hard to blend styles. You may want lace and bright colors while your spouse is more into neutral or practical pieces. Realize that you won’t see eye to eye on every decision, but your differences won’t keep you from decorating a home together. The key is finding a balance between your styles.
- Go Shopping Together
If you and your spouse are short on cash, good places to shop for home décor include thrift stores and online sites like Craigslist. Family or friends might even give you some of their old pieces or wedding gifts. If any of these items don’t exactly work the way you want them to, get creative and re-purpose them.
Although thrifty shopping will help save you money, you’ll want to invest in a few new things as well, such as a bed. You will spend a lot of time sleeping in that bed, and you don’t want to have to replace it for a while because they can cost a lot.
- Pace Yourself
Decorating a new home can take time, especially when you blend two different tastes together. Don’t be afraid to take a few months or even a year to complete your home. You don’t need to buy everything as soon as you move in. With a little planning, communicating, and understanding, you and your spouse can design a home together that you’ll both love.
