Bedroom Decorating Tips for When You Move in Together

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. 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.

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 decorative 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. It is always a good idea to take stock of what you both have or what you hope to achieve, and try to find a common thread.

A fine balance of masculine and feminine elements can be achieved through introducing softer hues using accessories such as throws, pillows, flowers and other natural elements that can soften harsher, darker tones and create a more mixed and inviting palette.

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