So you're living with your partner, welcome to the club.
There are many reasons for doing this. One, you (hopefully) love each other, and two, it also saves a load of money on rent. Use that money you're saving to ace your shared space, and use the below for some ultimate inspiration.
Talking from experience here, it CAN be done.
Plants elevate cheap furniture
As well as bringing in some well-needed oxygen (more on that later), adding plants will make your room instantly cooler. Varieties such as Swiss Cheese and Snake Plantwork well, and you can order houseplants online. These Ikea cabinets above are inexpensive and look awesome with a few plants and trinkets to decorate.
Source: The Design Files
Try a monochrome palette
Going fully black and white is an easy way to make your room look ace without spending loads of cash. White sheets, with a mixture of cushions (H&M home have good ones) and a throw like this one are a recipe for success. The original 'swiss cross' blanket is from Story North, £145, but Etsy sellers have caught onto the trend with this version for £49.85.
Source: A Merry Mishap
Or pick a colours and run with them
Or if you're not keen on the monochrome thing, choosing colours like this will make life loads easier. The colours in this Urban Outfitters rug are perfect for a cohabiting room, and it’s easy to find cushions/decorations that blend well. If you're both the stubborn type, choose a colour each.
Embrace having your own stuff
Pick a place to keep your own trinkets. A good bedside situation like this one is perfect for just keeping out the little bits that are precious to you, the rest can go away in a box. This ledge could easily be built if you have some DIY skills, and bonus storage could be added in the lost space.
Display possessions you both like
These ledges are perfect for hanging above the bed and holding the little postcards from that trip to the Tate, a favourite magazine or book you're reading and some photos. Mix it up so you have momentos of your relationship alongside personal items. Sorry for being a soppy fuck.
Source: Share Design
Double up on chests of drawers
You'll be suprised of the sheer quantity of socks and plain t-shirts boys can hoard. To avoid the arguements over storage buy two of these MALM chests. They're less than £50 and sit flush next to each other, creating ample space to put your clothes and they also look pretty damn good.
Source: A Merry Mishap
No bed = better sex
Avoid the inevitable squeeks by ditching the bed frame and opting for a matress on the floor vibe. You'll be suprised how this can improve things in the bedroom, and we don't just mean how sweet it looks.
Invest in candles
Boys smell. It’s a fact. Get a nice scented candle like these homemade ones that come in amazing fragrances from the Spitalfields Candle Co. Guaranteed to set the mood and eliminiate the whiff.
Get a BIG laundry container
Boys always seem to have SO MUCH washing. Unsure whether it's the sweatiness, the quantity or the recklessness, but it's true. Get an industrial sized laundry bag and this will help to keep Mount Washmore at bay.
Divide it up
Not the most exciting of tips to finish, but you'll thank us later. Save a drawer or shelf in the cupboard, and use these tessellating boxes - one for tampons, one as a medi-box, one for shared stuff like suncream and naturally one as an overflow of your makeup and fake tan.
Singletons - this is what you're missing. Don't rush into anything too soon.
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.