{"id":1471,"date":"2016-09-16T05:00:35","date_gmt":"2016-09-16T05:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/worldwidehomefurnishingsinc.com\/blog\/?p=1471"},"modified":"2016-09-16T05:00:35","modified_gmt":"2016-09-16T05:00:35","slug":"your-step-by-step-guide-to-combining-two-households","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldwidehomefurnishingsinc.com\/blog\/your-step-by-step-guide-to-combining-two-households\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Step By Step Guide To Combining Two Households"},"content":{"rendered":"

How do you combine the trappings of two houses into one happy home?<\/em><\/h3>\n

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\"happy<\/p>\n

Whether we\u2019re talking about second marriages or two professionals moving in together after years in their own spaces, the notion of combining two homes is romantic in thought, but difficult in practice.<\/p>\n

The stark reality is a lot<\/u> of furniture and, unless you have identical taste in d\u00e9cor, there\u2019s a good chance that pieces won\u2019t match. Mismatched d\u00e9cor can give the impression of being visually disorganized and leave you struggling to create style out of a patchwork of furniture<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On a relationship level, this is bound to be a big test for a soon-to-be-combined household, but with a bit of sensitivity and d\u00e9cor savvy, you can pass it with flying colors, and luckily, we\u2019re here to help!<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve compiled this step by step guide for combining two households into one harmonious space.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Step #1 On Merging Two Houses: Plan And Communicate<\/h3>\n

Whether you are moving into a new space together or one of you is leaving your home to join the other in an existing space, you have to plan how it\u2019s going to occur.<\/p>\n

Carving out spaces for you both as a couple and as individuals is important and needs some thought: Do you need a quiet home office or an oversized closet that is all yours? Does he need a man cave or space for his 52\u201d screen?<\/p>\n

Go through each room and draw the spaces including measurements and current color schemes. If drawing isn\u2019t your forte, there\u2019s an app for that (try MagicPlan or Home Design 3D)<\/p>\n

Now that you\u2019ve got your plan in hand, you can go on to Step #2.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Step #2 On Merging Two Houses: Pick Your Favorite Pieces From Both Homes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The first thing to remember is that it\u2019s easy to fight over things<\/em>. Our advice is to keep your perspective and your wits around you. Things are not people, they are not lives; in most cases, they aren\u2019t even memories. Be prepared to purge.<\/p>\n

That said, they are items that you have both spent time and money acquiring and there is inherent value in that.<\/p>\n

Look over the furniture, artwork and key pieces in each home and, with your plan and a tape measure in hand, discuss the bigger pieces and see what works and what doesn\u2019t. By jointly picking out your favorite pieces, you should see a pattern emerging and you can begin to brainstorm how you might fit those pieces into your new plan.<\/p>\n

Where you can\u2019t agree on something, particularly a larger piece like a bed or an armoire, consider getting rid of them altogether and buying a new one. Something that you have chosen together and becomes the focal point of a room, both literally and figuratively.\"combining<\/p>\n

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Step #3 On Merging Two Houses: Be Clear On Things That Can\u2019t Go<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There are things that we can all agree have tremendous personal value; items that cannot simply be discarded. Family heirlooms are a great example. So are handbags. And shoes. While technically not furniture, we can all agree that they are necessities of life!<\/p>\n

It\u2019s best to agree to have a certain number of items\u2014three or four\u2014that each of you can claim as \u2018untouchable\u2019.<\/p>\n

Knowing that important items are off limits will help ease the rest of your compromises \u2013 because there will be compromises.<\/p>\n

Each of you wins a little, and the items that really do matter or have value can remain safe and close by.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Step #4 On Merging Two Houses: Get Rid Of Duplicates & Keep What Is Better Or Newer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Your full size mixer versus his handheld chopper\u2026<\/p>\n

His fabulous coffee maker that makes everything except martinis versus your standard hotel style coffee machine\u2026<\/p>\n

Agree that you don\u2019t need two of everything and keep the one that works for you as a couple.<\/p>\n

This is where the real challenge occurs and sensitivity is important.<\/p>\n

One thing to ease the decision making is to choose a good friend or loved one whom would appreciate your donation of lovely furniture. It may make it easier to give up your well-loved ottoman if you know it will be just as well-loved in your sister\u2019s new apartment!<\/p>\n

\"combining<\/p>\n

The same goes for larger items like couches, coffee tables, accent chairs and dining sets.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Step #5 On Merging Two Houses: Pulling Your D\u00e9cor Together<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Based on the remaining items, choose a d\u00e9cor style that can pull your pieces together with coherence.<\/p>\n

Our advice is first to choose a mood. How do you want your home to make you each feel when you return to it at the end of a hectic day? Relaxed? Adventurous? Romantic?<\/p>\n

Once you have a mood, choose your colors. We wrote a blog on the psychology behind colors that\u2019s useful for this task<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Beware: This is where things may change.<\/p>\n

For example, you may realize that his solid blue couch will be a better fit for the minimalist look you\u2019ve chosen than the floral couch you have previously agreed to keep.<\/p>\n

Combined with your plan from Step #1, you now have a good blueprint to guide some joint decision making on combining your two households into a single beautiful space that reflects who you are as a couple and a family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Have you moved two houses into one home? Was there a trick to the whole process that made it easier for you? Share it with us!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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