Moving in After Marriage? Here Are 6 Ways to Make Your Home Magical

You spent your childhood playing house, and now you get to do it for real. Moving in and setting up a home together after marriage is your chance to create magic. So, how will you design your dream abode?

A lifelong marriage might see several moves, each presenting a new opportunity to recreate your world as a couple. The sky's the limit, but what are some details you shouldn’t overlook?

Get your creative juices flowing with these six ideas for transforming your home into a magical love nest for you and your beau.

 

1. Think Sustainably

Making sustainability upgrades is a loving way to say, “I’m in this for the long haul, baby.” However, you don’t have to tackle a solar conversion right off the bat. Small, caring touches make a big difference. For example, tying back heavy curtains on your south and westerly windows during winter days makes use of passive solar heat, saving energy.

Adding insulation is an energy-saving detail many homeowners overlook. For example, many garages have little to no insulation, but those adjacent to your living spaces should have an R-value of 14 or higher. Otherwise, those rooms can always feel cold, even when you crank the heat. Replacing the door with an automatic steel or wood version also preserves warmth and prevents chills when opening the door between your garage and home.

Other sustainable upgrades to consider include:

• Creating a recycling and composting center. You might even make two, a smaller version for your kitchen paired with larger outdoor bins.
• Installing power strips in offices and around home entertainment centers to power down multiple devices at once.
• Caulking around windows and weatherstripping around doors.
• Your new spouse will marvel at your DIY skills and thank you for saving money on energy.

2. Create a Mood With Lighting

Adjusting your lighting is another upgrade that's sustainable but also transforms the entire mood of your home. Today’s LEDs use a fraction of the energy of incandescents, last much longer and come in every imaginable rainbow hue. Some even change colors, enabling you to set a different vibe in each room.

Most big box hardware stores sell these lights in convenient strips that you can place beneath cabinetry and furnishings like your entertainment center to illuminate your home with a colorful glow. Add some around toe kicks and corners to prevent painful stubs in the dark and light the underside of your bed to set a romantic mood.

 

3. Add Some Soft Touches and Healing Houseplants

Many single folks stick to functionality when decorating their homes. However, you and your new spouse deserve a cozy space. Adding throws and pillows takes little effort but makes a significant difference in how welcoming your living spaces look. Houseplants help purify indoor air and add the beauty of growing things to your design.

If you have a yard for the first time, it’s time to realize your gardening dreams. Raised beds can help in areas with poor soil quality due to stones and sand and give you a place to use all that compost. Select the right plants for your hardiness zone, perhaps saving seeds from your organic produce — grow what you typically eat. Although it takes a bit of time and practice to establish a thriving garden, you’ll save quite a bit on groceries once you do.

4. Make Your Marital Bedroom Your Loving Retreat

The most important room in your new marital home is your bedroom. It’s where you and your spouse escape the world’s woes and rediscover the magic of your love. If at all possible, keep it sacred for sleep and intimate relations only.

Surround yourself with reminders of what makes you adore your spouse so much. For example, consider making a shadow box of your wedding flowers, creating a picture wall of special moments or both. Do you have a special scenic location you both hold dear? Perhaps you share an intractable love of all things hobbit? Have a photograph blown up into a mural or create a map of Middle Earth on your wall in homage to your shared passion.

 

5. Get a Little Smart

Smart home devices can make new married life less stressful and more sustainable. You can lock doors, adjust your thermostat and turn off the lights from an app on your phone. Such systems also provide insight into your usage, helping you reduce your consumption.

Smart devices increase your security, providing extra peace of mind if you plan to have children. For example, a camera doorbell lets you know who’s calling before you unlock. Some models also record video, providing valuable evidence to police if thieves swipe a package off your porch.

Finally, smart devices save money, giving you and your new spouse more budget wiggle room to start a family or vacation together. For example, a smart sprinkler system won’t flood your yard with extra water if it recently rained, using detectors to conserve water and cash.

 

6. Include Separate Spaces, Too

As much as you love your new spouse, a little absence can sometimes make the heart fonder, especially during disputes. While you may not require a dedicated she-shed, you and your hubby deserve your own corner of your abode to decorate however you like and have a place to get peace.

For example, a divider can work wonders to wall off a private meditation corner. A bookcase divides home office space, and even a big closet can transform into a cozy lounge with sufficient pillows.

 

Make Your Marital Home Magical

Moving into your marital home can be a magical experience. The right touches transform a house into a retreat for you and your spouse.

These tips can help you create the living space of your dreams. Your cozy abode will welcome you and your spouse, inviting you to stay in and cuddle on the couch.

 

Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded, where he writes about a broad spectrum of topics. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.

 

 

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