Email
PrintHome of our Own
Feathering—and furnishing—your newlywed nest
For many couples, decorating a newlywed abode is often their first chance to showcase their own personal design style. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just need to upgrade and update a few pieces or rooms, it can be hard to know where to start and how much you should spend.
Utah Bride & Groom sat down with two local experts to get the dish on do-it-yourself decorating. So put down those catalogs, turn off the home and garden channel and consider the following before you and your honey hit the stores.
Furniture Focus
Furnishing a home can be downright costly. So if outfitting every room seems a little out of reach right now, don’t despair. There are just four key pieces every couple should have when starting out.
The first must-have is a sofa. Not only is the sofa often one of the initial things people see when they step into your home, it’s a piece of furniture that gets used all of the time.
“Expect to spend between $1,000 and $2,500 for a quality sofa,” says Kristina Weaver, senior interior designer with Lisman Studio (SLC, 801-931-2670, lismanstudio.com).
For longevity, stick with a classic shape, like a rolled arm sofa in a neutral color. Think camel or earth tones in a herringbone twill or microfiber fabric. Choose a sofa with a kiln-dried hardwood frame, preferably with eight-way hand-tied springs, which are the strongest and longest lasting. When scoping out a good upholstered sofa, pick up a corner; it should be heavy. The fabric seams should be double stitched and go all the way down the inside back of the couch.
Like the sofa, a dining room set is a must for entertaining and should be your next major purchase. While there are plenty of inexpensive veneer or pressed-wood tables available, a good hardwood, like alder or mahogany, with seating for six is a better investment. Not only will it last longer, the larger size allows enough room to accommodate guests. Short on space? Opt for a round table.
The last must-have items reside in the bedroom. As pieces you’ll use every day, a quality bed and mattress are two things you never want to skimp on. A transitional-style bed will give you the most design options. “It’s clean-lined, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be really modern. It’s a style that can go modern or traditional,” says Weaver. Opt for a medium-tone wood like walnut or cherry for a timeless look that can carry you through the years.
When it comes to mattresses, the sky’s literally the limit. Today’s materials range from your basic innerspring coils to foam designed by NASA. Mattress prices vary depending on the materials and size, but considering they typically last 10 years, it’s worth it to buy the best one you can afford.
It’s fine to round out your boudoir with extras like a headboard or dresser at a later time, but don’t stress about coordinating everything; a little mix-and-match is a good thing. “I love to have one nightstand different than the other,” says Weaver. “Throwing in a couple odds-and-ends pieces gives it a designer look.”
Color Play
Aside from quality furniture, a dose of fresh color can do a lot for your digs. “Couples should start by picking which colors they want to use,” offers Jason Wilde of Harman Wilde interior design (SLC, 801-433-1057, harmanwilde.com).
Wilde cautions against using the same two shades throughout the house; instead, use a palette of colors that blend in from one room to another. Red, black and white, oranges, steel gray, mineral green/blue and chocolate will always be popular colors.
Wilde says saturated clear shades like robin’s-egg blue, buttery yellows and soft greens promise to be the next trends, and are great choices for newlyweds’ walls. “These are good colors to start with, because they aren’t too extreme and they aren’t going to close in small spaces,” Wilde says.
When it comes to incorporating color into your abode, painting offers the least expensive, biggest bang for the buck. “Pick a focal point wall and accent it,” offers Weaver. “And if you get tired of it you can paint over it.” Paint a test quart and check the color in various lights to be sure it’s exactly what you want before painting the entire wall.
Accessory Report
With the basic furniture and color scheme in place, it’s time to start accessorizing. Just like a belt or purse completes an outfit, great accessories not only bring life to a house, but also add an inexpensive and easily changeable pop of color. “Accessories can really warm things up,” says Weaver. “That’s what’s so nice about a neutral palette. You can change it easily.” And accessories are a way to add of-the-moment style to your home without commitment. “Accessories are the least expensive way to incorporate trends,” she says.
Use vibrant throw pillows, rugs, art and draperies to liven up the living room, bold towels and shower curtains for pizzazz in bathrooms and richly hued linens to add oomph in the bedroom. For a touch of the unexpected, choose accent pieces like console or end tables in contrasting painted or metal finishes.
Large lamps are one accessory you may want to drop a little more coin on. “Invest money in lamps that are nicer in quality,” says Wilde. “The scale is better.” Stick with styles that are both simple and classic. For instance, a substantial ginger jar lamp is perfect for an end table, and a candlestick or buffet lamp looks right at home on a sofa table.
And while you may want everyone to know you’re in love, you probably don’t want your neighbors getting a free show, so invest in quality window coverings. If you prefer blinds, opt for a 2 1/2-inch size made of composite material. If you’d rather have drapes, it’s fine to buy inexpensive panels, but be sure you pair them with more substantial hardware. And, says Wilde, make sure your drapes go all the way to the floor. “It looks more finished,” he says.
New and Redo
If you’re remodeling or building a home, splurge in the kitchen. Hardwood cabinets, granite or marble countertops, tile flooring, stainless steel appliances and hanging lights boast big “wow” factors and promise a good return on your investment should you sell your home.
And what about the bathroom? Brushed nickel fixtures and a white toilet and shower are a look that never goes out of style. “They’re such small rooms you don’t want a whole lot,” says Wilde of bathrooms. “But white is a classic look; it keeps it clean and fresh.”
A new house, like a new marriage, is about the couple. Take the time to go slow, trust your instincts and let your personalities and your budget be your guide. You’ll be rewarded with a personal sanctuary that will always feel like home.
Decorating 411
Designers' top do's and don'ts
Don’t dive into a new paint color without doing a test quart first. “Get a quart of the color, paint it on the wall and look at it in different light,” says Weaver.
Do finish what you start. “Always complete one room before you move onto the next,” says Wilde, “or your home never feels finished.”
Do an updated twist on classic looks.For instance, a sofa on legs will look more modern than one that is skirted.
Do spend more money on case goods (things made out of wood) like a dining room table. “Case goods are forever if you buy the right stuff,” says Wilde.
Don’t buy too much from one store, or you risk your home looking like a page from a catalog.
Do add impact with one big accessory, like a glass hurricane, rather than a dozen small votives.
Do let your personality be your guide. “Don’t be too influenced by home-decorating shows,” says Wilde.
