People are waiting longer to get married. Statistics show it, and so do the living spaces that people eventually move into once they do get married.
There’s “his stuff” and there’s “her stuff.” All “this stuff” was accumulated when the parties to any particular partnership lived on their own.
Moving to the nest of love can be less than a lovey-dovey experience once everyone’s stuff shows up.
This sort of situation requires tender negotiations, according to design consultant Rose Mauriello of the on-line home furnishings retailer Furniture.com.
“Couples first moving in together may not appreciate the significant challenges they’ll face when beginning to create their dream home and if not handled with care, the situation could easily turn explosive,” she says.
Without compromise, respect, organization and familiarization, says Mauriello, let the fireworks begin.
The key to making this jigsaw puzzle of chairs and sofas and rugs and lighting and accessories and art and stuff work is compromise. Seek out a balance of the two groups of stuff that are being combined. Look for style similarities. The same goes for colors, patterns and textures.
Just because you don’t like your partner’s fishing tournament trophy or terribly cute needlepointy pillows doesn’t mean you should suggest that they go for a little trip in the big green truck on trash collection day.
R-e-s-p-e-c-t, as Aretha Franklin likes to wail. Getting rid of such personal possessions is like telling your mate that you want to get rid of them, too. Be cool. Let it ride. And do recognize that it’s only human nature to attach memories to things, even something like a stuffed rainbow trout.
Next, organize and blend items that you’re both bringing to the new living situation, then get ready to shop for new furniture that will help tie it all together.
Lots of times, the best choices are furnishings with a clean, neutral design quality because their simplicity most easily fits with the different design styles both of you will be bringing to the partnership.
After you’ve got the basic furnishings in place, layer in your own things beginning with smaller pieces and moving on to accessories.
If everything goes just right–you give as well as you take–then the two of you should still be on speaking terms once you’re moved in.
