I can’t help but think how different newlyweds are today than when I got married. Many couples already live together and parents or grandparents would hand down family heirlooms they saved for years. Unfortunately, many newlyweds don’t want or need these family pieces. As a professional organizer, four main topics come to mind when I work with couples combining households.
- Consolidate possessions with care. The first disagreement my husband and I had as a newly married couple was about me wanting to replace the bachelor pad lamp in our bedroom with a lamp we got as a wedding gift. Respect the other person’s feelings as you make decisions about what to keep and what to donate, especially if it’s a family piece or has sentimental memories. But if you have two sets of cookware, keep the set that will last longest.
- Think outside the box about space. If you have a dining room and don’t need space for dining, consider making it an office, a yoga area, or an artist studio. Room dividers zone off spaces that need to have a dual purpose. The bedroom, though, should be a sanctuary devoid of clutter (including a desk or exercise equipment). Karen Kingston, author of Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui says that “Clutter in the bedroom is a real no-no.”
- Choose an exit strategy for stuff. Many millennials are averse to clutter, so make a plan for how you’ll be taking the things out of your home that you’ll no longer need or use. Designate a home (garage, recycling center, etc.) to place unneeded items (until they go to charity) or old electronics (until you sell or recycle).
- Divide and conquer household duties. According to a UCLA study, couples who share chores and have clearly defined responsibilities are happier. It takes two to manage a household. You may consider hiring help to clean your home. Every two weeks you’ll clear the clutter and stay organized so someone else can clean your spaces. When it comes to finances, share the information and the decision making regardless of who pays the bills. Sit down face-to-face to make big decisions rather than doing it through texts and emails. Research says when couples work to spend money in a similar way (for saving or indulging) they’ll be happier.
"Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads, which sew people together through the years." - Simone Signoret, French actress
Vali G. Heist, M.Ed. is a Certified Professional Organizer® and Owner of The Clutter Crew. She is the author of Organize This! Practical Tips, Green Ideas, and Ruminations about your CRAP.
