Natalie and her husband was quite overwhelmed by the home buying process. There were a lot of things to learn and Natalie hopes to guide others buying their first home by sharing what she knows. You can find more information on their site homeownerbliss
Are you about to move in with your significant other? First, congratulations! Second, it’s time to prepare yourself. Moving in together is an exciting step in a relationship, but it also comes with a lot of problem-solving, decision-making, and budgeting. Not only do you have manage your belongings collectively, but you also may have different opinions about decor. And if you’re like most couples, you want to find ways to decorate without breaking the bank. Here are four foundation decorating tips that will help you create an inspiring home and ultimately save you money:
1. Communicate
Just like any aspect of a relationship, communication is key when it comes to decorating a home together. What do each of you want for the overall style of the interior? Mid-century, modern, rustic, Victorian? Do you want it to be eclectic, with each room having a different feel? Discuss which items are sentimental; be honest from the start about the things you’re not willing to give up. Also, consider essential features each of you want, whether it’s a quiet home office or a big entertainment center in the living room. Once you discuss what’s most important to you, plan a budget and keep each other accountable so you don’t go over.
2. Use storage
Moving in together means you probably own more items jointly than you can use. For example, if both of you think your furniture set looks better than the other’s, it may come to one of three options:
1. Combine pieces of each furniture set for an eclectic style.
2. Sell both of your sets and pick a new one out together.
3. Choose one set and put the other in storage.
Storage is a great option for any belongings you can’t fit into your home or that you’re simply not ready to give up. If you need time to decide whether to keep, sell or donate items, consider renting a self-storage unit. Another option to free up some much-needed space is to purge some items in your closet (figure out which clothes you don’t wear or don’t need anymore and donate them) and employ some smart storage options.
3. Go with neutral walls
Painting is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to change the look of a home. That’s why it’s a good place to start when it comes to decorating. Putting a coat of neutral color on your walls (e.g. grey, beige) will give you a strong base to help you design the rest of your home. In every room, walls will serve as the backdrop for all the other design elements and decorations. Neutral colors will allow for more creativity, and it will also leave room to join opposing styles. Plus, it’s easy to change the color of walls or add an accent wall if you decide to later.
4. Compromise
While it’s important for each of you to voice your desires, chances are you will need to compromise. For instance, if you envision a large dining table for hosting family and friends, and your partner prefers a smaller table to save space, maybe you can go with a mid-size table and keep an extra cafe table in the closet to bring out for big dinners. It also helps to figure out where each of your passive areas are. That is, if you don’t have a strong opinion about the color of the walls in the master bathroom, let your partner choose. You’ll not only need to compromise between each other’s tastes, you also may need to compromise on things you both like so that it fits your budget.
The decorating process is a big part of moving in together. Begin by communicating your
desires and coming up with a budget to work with. Utilize storage for things you’re not ready to give up, and paint your walls neutral to give yourself a good base for decorating. Finally, learn the art of compromise. Both of your experiences will be fun and satisfying if you start off on the right foot.
Serenity Organising & Decluttering 