By Michelle Ullman
Bedroom Expert
You’ve been sharing your hearts for a while, and now you’ve made the
decision to share your home as well. When it’s time to take the plunge
and move in together, there are many decisions to be made: how will you
handle finances? How are you going to divvy up housework? How much time
will you spend pursuing individual hobbies and how much time will you
spend together? And of course, you’ll also need to decide how to
decorate your shared bedroom. It’s often said that the kitchen is the
heart of the home, but it can also be said that the bedroom is the heart of your relationship. Get that heart beating in a healthy rhythm with these tips to decorate your shared space.
Paint the Bedroom Walls a Color You Love
If you’re renting, you probably can’t permanently change the wall color (although there are plenty of non-paint ways
to decorate walls), but if you purchased your home, nothing says new
start like a fresh coat of paint. Go creamy white, pale gray or soft
sand if you like a neutral or traditional style, choose something
brighter if you share a sense of drama, or go dark and deep if you both prefer an elegant, slightly moody look.
The actual color isn’t as important as the
process of choosing the paint together. If possible, tackle the paint
job yourself (painting a single room is a fairly easy DIY project for a
weekend) as a symbol of the new life you are starting together.
Combining Your Furniture
One
of the biggest decorating decisions you’ll have to face together,
particularly if you both had fully furnished living quarters prior to
cohabiting, is which furniture to keep, which furniture is unnecessary
and which furniture should be replaced.
Luckily, while these can be complicated decisions in the living room
and entertainment area, they are usually not as difficult in the
bedroom.
First of all, don’t think you have to have matching
furniture in the bedroom (or in any area of the home, for that matter.)
Matched sets can actually be boring,
so feel free to go eclectic with a mix of looks. If the two of you are
bringing very diverse styles of furniture into the bedroom – for
example, you have black lacquered contemporary pieces and he has knotty
pine country style – don’t despair. A coat of paint and perhaps matching
drawer pulls and knobs help create a complementary compromise. If your
tastes in furniture are closer in style, then you might not have to make
any changes at all.
You’ll also want to consider the size and
function of your bedroom furniture. Two people sharing a room generally
means two nightstands, two dressers or chests of drawers, one bed with
headboard and perhaps footboard, an armchair or comfortable spot to sit,
and a selection of lamps. Out of your pool of furniture, choose the
pieces that are suitably sized and in the best condition for your new
digs.
Start Afresh with a New Mattress
Your shared bed is the most intimate spot in your home. Because of this, many couples like to start fresh with a brand new mattress
selected together. If your budget simply will not allow such a luxury,
then choose the mattress that is in the best condition, or is the
newest.
But whether or not you buy a new mattress, do make it a point to purchase new bedding
together. After all, when two people slip into the same bed each night,
both deserve a say about the color, design and feel of the sheets,
blankets and duvet or comforter. Plus, it’s always nice to know there is
no “past history” with any prior partners and the bedding in your new
home.
Accessories Mean Compromise
The
decorating area that generally requires the most compromise is artwork
and accessories. After all, your bed and furniture are mostly
functional, but the frills and extras in the bedroom are just that:
extras that serve little purpose beyond looking decorative (not that
that isn’t important!). Typically, you’ll want at least one large piece of artwork
over your headboard or over a dresser, so if one of you has a suitably
sized piece, that might be reason enough to give it a place of honor.
But if one of you really hates the other’s taste in artwork or
decorating accessories, you’ll need to work out a compromise. That might
mean agreeing to each select one piece of artwork out of what you
already own, and then purchasing a few new items together. Another
solution is to use one partner’s accessories in the bedroom and the
other partner’s artwork in another room of the home. When reaching a
compromise, consider the sentimental or emotional value of the object,
its monetary value and its suitability to the space where you intend to
use it. But remember – what’s most important is creating a happy new
life together. Arguments over décor simply aren’t worth the strain on
your relationship. Flexibility is the key when moving in with your
significant other, whether in finances, parenting or decorating.
source: about.com