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After a dreamy wedding ceremony and a blissful honeymoon comes the exciting part: buying and decorating your first home. Having your first home is already a great achievement as a newlywed couple, so give yourselves a tap on the back for making it this far.
Designing and styling your first home as a married couple is one of the most exciting parts of marriage. But this stage can also be challenging as this will test both your patience and coordination as a team.
If you find yourself having a hard time and do not know where to start the whole home decorating process, here are some tips to get you on your first step.
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Set Your Budget
It is easy to find a house, and just one quick Google search of the phrase “new houses for sale” or “best home decor” will give you numerous leads.
But throwing all of your hard-earned savings on your first home and decors is not an excellent start for marriage. You should have a good strategy in allotting a budget for each corner of the house.
Set a specific budget for appliances, decors, and essential stuff you need. Make sure to set an amount that you can afford and will not break the bank. It is easier said than done as when you shop for decors as you might have an impulse buying on all of the cute stuff that you see in the store.
Stick to your budget religiously to avoid going over what you can afford or worse, going broke after you have completed all the things you need at home.
Another tip on working with your budget is to try to save some appliances or decor from your previous homes or try shopping on thrift shops to salvage cheap but still functional items.
Work as a Team
Remember that this is your house and not just his’ or hers’. This is where your dreams will be built and unfold, so take this home decorating journey as your “first project” as a newlywed couple.
Sit down and talk about your vision together. Write down the pieces that you want to prioritize and the things that can wait a little longer or can be funded in the future.
Discuss if you wish to convert the guest room to a home office, or have dedicated “man cave” for the husband’s collection, or have a particular area dedicated for coffee time.
Remember that open communication is one of the keys to a long-lasting marriage, so start having a good discussion at this early stage so you will know how to deal with each other’s differences.
Try to have an open mind when your spouse talks about the style and color that he/she likes, and you’ll be surprised how both of your ideas can work together beautifully.
Know Your Style
After a thorough discussion of your ideas and vision for the new house, try to sit down and research for style inspirations together. At this point, Pinterest is your best friend. Dedicate a special board for all of your pegs to keep you focused on one design.
The first thing that you should agree on is the color palette. It dictates the overall vibe of the house. Do not try to disregard the color palette if you don’t want to end up with clashing colors and designs.
Second, decide on the overall theme of the house. Do you want a modern minimalist, rustic country style, industrial, zen/Asian vibe, or contemporary style? Make sure to choose which one suits your personality as a couple so the maintenance will be an effortless factor.
Make an Inventory
For sure you have received gifts during your wedding that are meant to be useful at home. There are also some items from your previous homes that are still functioning, and you want to take in your new home.
Make an inventory of the things that you already have to avoid duplication and focus on the stuff that is lacking in your basic needs. Below is a useful starter checklist of the must-haves and essential things for your new home:
- Major appliances like refrigerator, television, microwave, iron, stove)
- Kitchenware (pans, pots, kitchen utensils, knife sharpener)
- Dinnerware set (plates, glasses, mugs, cutlery)
- Bedroom set (mattress, sheets, duvet, pillows, pillowcase at least 2-3 sets)
- First aid kit
- Toolbox
- Couch
- Storage and organizer boxes
- Deluxe towels
- Proper lighting
Window Shop Together
Go out and check out the items that will suit your budget. Make it as an instant date and spend a little bonding moment checking on stuff that you might like.
If you are hiring an interior designer to do it, have at least two to three proposals from different suppliers and decide which one suits your budget and style.
Make the Master Bedroom Your Masterpiece
The bedroom is probably an essential part of the house at this point in your marriage. After all, this will be your love nest. Dedicate more time and effort in achieving your dream masters bedroom as this will be the place for your intimate and relaxing moments.
Make it Personal
Allot a space or wall dedicated to photos and memorabilia that will represent your story. Wedding photos are always amazing to consider and it would be more special if you have clicked those photos with the professionals like Maru Art Photography. Display photos from your first trip, fun moments while you were still dating, wedding photos, and other stuff that will remind you that you are finally home with your soul mate.
Agree to Disagree
Compromise is the key. Yes, you are compatible and share a lot of things in common, but there will always be things that you will not agree on, especially when it comes to each other’s sense of style.
If you have an exactly opposite sense of style, try to compromise or dedicate a separate room to pour each one’s creativity and style. Remember that give-and-take principle is also one of the most important ingredients of a happy and fruitful marriage.
Take Your Time
And lastly, set a goal but take all the time that you need. Do not rush on completing everything in just one shopping day.
Plan which appliances or stuff to buy first depending on your needs and priorities. Seek professional advice if needed. DIY may be fun and practical, but professional help is also significant in achieving your overall dream home.
