How to avoid a DIY divorce

 Content supplied by Together Mutual Insurance

 

They say moving house is one of the most stressful things in life, but we reckon home renovation has got to be pretty high up on the list too. With this in mind, we’ve teamed up with Together Mutual Insurance to give you some handy hints on how to avoid clashing with your other half when it comes to home improvements…

Successful relationships are built on compromise and this can prove challenging when embarking on home DIY projects. An individual’s style and tastes are so subjective and personal to them that it stands to reason that you might end up struggling to reach a middle ground when it comes to the design of a living space. Then, once you do decide on the décor, there’s potential for a fresh round of arguments once it comes to buying the materials and the stress of actually getting the job done.

The good news is there are a few things you can do to minimise the pressure points of redecorating and, with it, the strain on your relationship.

 

Marry your styles

Your home should reflect the people that live there – so if you’re a couple it needs to reflect both your personalities. There are ways to mix styles without it looking too much of a mish mash. For example, one person could choose the colour scheme and the other could choose the furnishings. The key thing here is to compromise; like a marriage, a one-sided approach to décor just won’t work. One way to share your ideas is to create a mood board on Pinterest – this will help you to visualise your different styles working together.

 

Agree a budget and stick to it

Money is one of the top reasons for rows between couples. Before embarking on any redecorating or home DIY project set a clear and realistic budget for it and then add 10% for any unforeseen expenses. If you don’t already have one, consider setting up a joint account with your partner and use this to manage your finances. By setting mutual goals and having a clear plan in place you’ll avoid disputes down the line.

 

Consult each other

You might think you’re being helpful getting up early to go and buy building materials, or ordering curtain fabrics online during your lunch break, but it could spell disaster if you don’t consult your other half first. When it comes to any home improvement project, communication is key. Don’t go it alone and assume your other half will agree with your ideas. Talk to each other – after all, two heads are better than one.

 

Share the load

A sure-fire recipe for a home decorating argument is if one person feels that they’re doing all the work while the other does nothing except provide ‘helpful’ advice. Share the load and work together. If you find that one of you is better at the practicalities of DIY or decorating, the other can still keep busy by buying materials, cleaning up and doing extra chores around the rest of the house. Remember, doing up a home together should be a pleasurable experience –you’re investing in your future together.

 

Avoid the blame game

It’s a fact, not all home DIY projects go to plan. Chances are the paint you’ve picked might look garish on the walls or the shelves you’ve put up aren’t quite level – these things happen. So rather than scream, shout and point the finger, figure out the best way to fix the situation and put a plan in place to do it. Hopefully your relationship is stronger than a few cracked tiles; so don’t let the stress of a DIY disaster lead to a break up.

 

Essential to any home renovation project is ensuring you have the right type of home and contents insurance in place – this will definitely help to avoid arguments should something go wrong!

Together Mutual Insurance offers a fairer deal on home and contents insurance, with 40% off home contents insurance when you buy today. Find out more

 

 

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