You’ve tied the knot and now it’s time to create the perfect apartment for your wedded bliss. When you are newly married, though, it can be tough combining households. Whether you are settling into the bride’s or the groom’s space — or getting an entirely new apartment — here are some things to keep in mind as you set up your newlywed apartment.
Highlight your decorating connection
The things that bring a couple together can be far-ranging, and for two people with their own different styles, combining and setting up a new apartment can be tricky. So, for newlywed couples, commonalities are key.
The decorating secret is to find common elements between you to highlight, from favorite colors to a passion for travel. If one person is into antiques and the other loves animal prints, perhaps you can combine those styles by recovering a vintage chair with a leopard pattern. You may also find common ground in a shared love for all things beige, for instance, and toss out anything that doesn’t fit that vision.
One way to start searching for your combined style is to take a look at the items you are bringing into your shared apartment. Group similar items together and see which piles are the biggest. Now you know which direction to head, design-wise. If you get stumped, of course, don’t be afraid to call in the help of an interior decorator. They are experts at assessing your home and helping you create a cohesive look for your perfect apartment.
Honor your relationship
As you combine your households to create a new home, practice partnership by purchasing new items together as a couple, such as new furniture, linens and cookware. Honor your relationship and new lives together by making your wedding photos a focal point of your environment. Place wedding gifts you received around your apartment to remind you of your commitment. Vow to set up the newlywed apartment that reflects the love you have for each other.
Savor some space
Creating the perfect apartment for your newly-married life is exciting; it’s fun to merge styles into a home that you both can enjoy together. That being said, remember to create some individual, separate spaces for yourselves for those moments when you need a retreat. These could be as substantial as separate offices or as small as special chairs where you curl up and read. Carving out a personal niche in your apartment doesn’t mean your partner can’t ever share that space with you; it just affords a nice place when you need some alone-time.
There isn’t one picture of the perfect apartment for newlyweds. Each couple’s home should be a reflection of their special love for each other and a blend of their personalities. Setting up an apartment is a great opportunity to learn more about your partner and to learn about compromise as a couple — skills you’ll use for many happy years to come!
