Newlywed Decorating Dilemmas

So, you’ve just been hitched and now you’re stuck with your spouse’s huge collection of sports memorabilia. You secretly wish you could throw it away but know that it holds meaning to your spouse. How should you incorporate it into your new home? Here are some ways you can decorate and blend your styles without anyone getting upset or breaking your budget.

Antlers don't have to say "redneck"

First, it’s helpful to look at your personal inventory, magazines, model homes, and home furniture stores to get an idea of where to begin.  Once you find ideas you like, mix and match with one another to see what works and what doesn’t. If your tastes differ greatly, you might want to “assign” rooms. Choose an important room to you and give him full control over a room that is important to him. If you want to combine your styles in one room, consider making a list of items you love, items you can live with, and items you can’t stand. This will be a clear representation of what items/styles you can and cannot use.  You might be surprised to see what items your spouse chooses in each category.

Look at paint colors together. If you like neutral tones and he likes color, opt for an accent wall with one burst of color and paint the others neutral or, select the lightest tone of his favorite color to paint the entire room. It’s the best of both worlds, without being overwhelming for you and underwhelming to him.

Have you had just about enough of his ugly, wood dining table that he loves? Consider refinishing to save money. You can pretty much paint, stain, or reupholster anything, so give it a face lift if purchasing new furniture isn’t practical right now.

Warning: Do not throw away any of your spouse’s furniture and/or belongings without their permission! Pressuring them into it doesn’t count as permission either. This can lead to resentment, which should never be the way someone would want to start their marriage! You would be surprised to learn what pieces have special meaning and go back into a family’s history.

Choose accessories and textiles that don’t have a super-feminine feel. Avoid bright pinks and purples in rooms you both spend a lot of time in. Gender friendly colors such as greens, yellows, blues, grays, and other neutrals tend to be favored by both genders. However, be careful choosing shades and tints of each color; bright versions, such as turquoise or bright yellow, are not favored by all.

Don’t forget, it’s his/her home too, so be fair with decisions and try to incorporate a little bit of everything. A little elbow grease and compromise will go a long way!  Good luck! J

~ Nicole

(photos on next page)