Determine your non-negotiables. 

 

Since you are two different individuals, you likely have different rituals and hobbies that you enjoy. Establish these early in the process. For instance, if you like to read a book in the quiet to wind down in the evening, perhaps you want to ensure you have a reading nook designed to your specific tastes. If your partner prefers to relax with a TV show or video game, they might want an entertainment center for those activities. 

 

Decide what each person will bring with them. 

 

It’s important that each person brings what they want into the home. Ideally, both individuals would bring every single item that they want to, but this is rarely possible. Discuss which appliances, decorations, and other belongings are most important for each of you, and come to a consensus on what comes and what goes. If there are a few things that you can’t reconcile, consider putting them in storage until you can make a decision. 

 

One way to strengthen your relationship is to help each other declutter your belongings. Do a complete purge of your closets, pantries, and other rooms together and decide what to throw away, donate, sell, or store. Not only is this a relationship-building exercise, but it can also help you move in faster. Note that selling some of your belongings can earn you some serious cash, which you can save or put toward decorating your home!

 

Get inspired. 

 

Inspiration can go a long way in making a home both you and your partner love. Consider collecting your ideas, either online or physically, that have design elements each of you likes. As TCK Publishing explains, an inspiration board can help you get a sense of what the other person is looking for, as well as show you areas where your ideas might overlap. For instance, if you lean more toward a rustic vibe and your partner prefers more contemporary elements, you might realize several ways that you can bring the two styles together for balance. 

 

Compromise where you must. 

 

With all that said, both of you will most likely need to compromise on a thing or two. Perhaps you will need to choose the reclining sofa your partner likes over the tuxedo sofa you wanted. Or maybe your partner will need to agree to the Queen Anne dresser you adore instead of the more modern horizontal dresser that they had in mind. 

 

Shop smart.

 

When shopping for new decor together, it’s important to set expectations early and to have a budget you can stick to. Spending more than you originally planned could lead to arguments or resentment. You can find quality decor for reasonable prices through popular retailers like Wayfair, Kohls, Overstock and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Shopping online can yield further savings, but for large purchases, like a couch or bedroom suite, it’s wise to shop for those items in person.  

 

Make the most of moving in together. Establish your non-negotiables early in the process, and figure out what items each of you will bring into the new home. Discuss interior design elements, look for inspiration, find your together-style, and compromise when necessary. Working together to decorate your new home can make the difference between ceaseless fighting and strengthening your relationship!

 

Are you and your partner looking for your first home together? Take the guesswork out of first-time buying by working with seasoned real estate pros from Charlotte County Realty. Reach out today to get started! 941-883-8141

Erin Reynolds

erin@diymama.net