There comes a time in every relationship when serious decisions have to be made. Couples might find themselves moving on to the next step or otherwise. For many, moving in together is the logical and often economical next move. Whose home should you keep? Is it more cost-effective to rent an apartment or buy a house as-is?

And while you want to have fun with the process, sometimes decor can also become a surprising bone of contention. Wood or chrome? Bright or subtle? Julie Ann Rachelle Interior Design presents the following guide to how you can furnish your love nest with minimal drama and expense and maximum representation of what will be a beautiful life together.

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Purge.

It's undeniable that the merging of two lives — and households — together invariably comes with many worldly possessions that need to be accommodated in a single space. This can be a challenge, especially when square footage is a concern. As Simply Stuff explains, it's crucial for both parties involved to make space and purge before moving in together.

This is, of course, easier said than done, considering our innate personal attachment to things. An excellent way to approach this is to take stock of duplicates. WeddingWire says to examine the multiple pieces of the same furniture, dozens of cutlery and kitchen items, and the like and do an entire inventory as you combine belongings. You might make lists or set things side by side for comparison. As a rule of thumb, pick and choose items from each of your inventories based on quality, condition, and size. Also, allow each other leeway for things closest to your hearts.

Needless to say, repurposing essential items and furniture that you already own is a great way to save a pretty penny as you're eliminating the need to buy new ones. For everything else, simply let go. You will inevitably find clutter that is best thrown out, but there will be some things you can donate or give away. Better yet, you can even organize a sale of things that didn't make the cut, which is undoubtedly a great way to earn extra cash for essentials to spruce up your love nest.

• Make space and purge together

• Take stock of duplicates, pick and choose items from each of your households based on quality, condition, size, etc.

• Allow leeway for items held close to the heart

• Repurpose items to aid your budget

• All else, let go by throwing out, donating, or giving away, or even hold a yard sale

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Shop together.

After the purge, you will inevitably need more stuff for your new, shared home. Perhaps you'll need fresh towels and linens or even upgrade to a more giant bed and new appliances — there's no better time than now to determine what you may still need.

Before you balk at the potential costs, know that stocking up and decorating your new home doesn’t has to break your collective bank. Case in point, shopping at a reputable and budget-friendly retailer like Walmart or Target will not only guarantee that you find everything you need but that you also enjoy savings while you're at it. If you're on the lookout for something more unique, buy from specialty shops and small businesses for unique artwork, handmade linens, and the like.

• shop together to purchase new, necessary items such as fresh towels and linens

• upgrade to a new bed and new appliances

• mind your budget at great stores like Target and Walmart

• save unique purchases for specialty shops and small businesses

Focus.

While there's much room for growth as a couple when you move in together, there are also openings for mistakes that you will wish to avoid. The best way to do so is to stay focused on your objectives and have a real game plan. This will entail exploring your respective personal styles and agreeing on a theme and budget, as well as running ideas by each other until you find common ground. Indeed, when you're both on the same page, you create real value for your home rather than disjointed decisions that potentially cause conflict.

Photo by Erda Estremera on Unsplash

Having focus is also a great way to simplify moving and decorating pains. For instance, focusing on one room at a time will keep you better organized and stay on track in terms of budget. The bedroom is, of course, the best place to start and may even be worthy of special attention to ensure happiness and harmony as a couple.

• Create a list of objectives and focus

• Combine your personal styles to create a theme

• Agree on a budget

• Find common ground

• Conquer one room at a time, such as starting with the bedroom

Indeed, moving in together is a huge step in any relationship and should be given much care, thought, and attention. So consider these tips to ensure more love and positivity in the transition and a lot fewer expenses to boot. Examine what you have, unload what you don't need, and have fun blending your styles as you build your life together.

Julie Ann Rachelle Interior Design can help make the inside of your home a perfect reflection of your style and taste. Email us for a quote today!

Author:

Emily Graham is the creator of Mighty Moms. She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms -- from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family.