A home of your own

Furnishing a first home is one of the biggest steps newlyweds take after the wedding. In the UAE, more couples, especially brides, are taking the lead in making design choices that reflect both personal style and everyday practicality.

From mirrored dressing areas and dual-function majlis rooms to curated colour palettes and clever storage solutions, today’s newlyweds are creating spaces that feel thoughtful, flexible, and uniquely theirs.

“They’re not necessarily moving into forever homes, so flexibility and affordability are top of mind,” says Carla Klumpenaar, General Manager – Marketing and Communications, Al-Futtaim IKEA for the UAE, Qatar, Egypt and Oman. “Couples are choosing smart, stylish solutions that can evolve with them.”

For many new couples, the living and dining spaces are the heart of the home, and a stage for their shared identity. Hosting isn’t just about putting out trays of baklava for the in-laws; it’s about setting the tone for the life they’re building together. “We see a strong demand for warm, welcoming interiors,” says the Homes R Us team. “Couples lean into timeless silhouettes in their seating, neutral-toned dining sets, and layered textiles that feel cosy yet elevated.”

These high-traffic zones are no longer just about formality. They’re multifunctional hubs designed for movie nights, morning coffee rituals, and spontaneous game nights with friends. “They’re picking pieces like deep-seated sofas with washable covers, or dining tables that extend for guests,” says Sayed Habib, Director, Danube Home. “Every item is expected to multitask.”

This blend of form and function is key. “Function is no longer hidden, it’s designed to impress,” says Saniya Mulla, Head of Marketing, Al Huzaifa. “We’re layering performance fabrics over statement silhouettes and incorporating smart tech like wireless charging and acoustically softened ceilings.”

The era of copy-paste interiors is over. “There’s a clear shift away from full matching sets,” says Habib. “Instead, couples want to mix things they love, a sleek modern sofa with a traditional rug, or a minimalist bed with a bold headboard.” Social media is a major inspiration source, think Pinterest boards filled with Japandi calm, Moroccan arches, and vintage Parisian touches all living in harmony.

At Al Huzaifa, this eclectic aesthetic is treated like an art form. “Today’s newlyweds are moving toward expressive interiors that feel like a lived-in extension of their personalities,” says Mulla. Think confident colour pops, sage, terracotta, deep plum, layered textures like boucle and fluted wood, and gallery-style walls that juxtapose contemporary photography with nostalgic cultural nods.

Beyond the usual living, dining, and sleeping areas, a new crop of home zones is rising, each tailored to specific moments and moods. The mirrored dressing room is no longer a luxury reserved for influencers; it’s a common request. “Custom zones are becoming must-haves for couples who value both utility and mood,” says Mulla. “Dressing areas are evolving into boutique-style sanctuaries with mirrored walls, ambient LED lighting, and even scent bars.”

Multifunctional majlis rooms are also getting a modern makeover and hybrid prayer-library lounges are especially popular among culturally rooted couples who crave calm corners. “These spaces offer luxury in the form of intention,” says Mulla. “They’re designed for mental and spiritual clarity, with clean architecture, low-slung seating, and integrated storage.”

According to Homes R Us, the trend is less about built-ins and more about using décor and layout to create zones. “We’re seeing couples turn living areas into lifestyle hubs, dressing corners styled with mirrored dressers, sectional seating subtly dividing entertaining spaces from reading nooks.”

Klumpenaar adds that modular systems such as IKEA’s PAX wardrobes and KALLAX shelving units are becoming go-to solutions. “They’re easily configured to create everything from mirrored dressing stations to room dividers in multifunctional majlis spaces.”

A large chunk of newlywed couples in the UAE live in city apartments, think Marina towers and Mirdif villas — not sprawling mansions. And that’s shaping their design choices in creative ways.

“Modern couples are making the most of their living spaces by embracing smart, space-saving solutions,” says Klumpenaar. Pull-out daybeds like the HEMNES, slim-profile storage like the TRONES cabinet, and multipurpose ottomans with hidden compartments are popular IKEA choices.

Guest rooms are no longer reserved for occasional visitors, they double as home offices or zen zones. “We’re seeing foldable beds or sofa beds becoming essentials,” says Habib. “The space can switch from work to sleep in seconds.”

What’s clear across the board is that newlyweds in the UAE are designing homes not just for show, but for real life. “It’s no longer about what looks good, it’s about what feels good,” says Habib.

And that’s perhaps the most striking shift. Traditional markers of the “ideal” home — ornate furniture, crystal decor, gold-accented everything — are being reimagined through a lens of personal expression and everyday ease.

As Mulla puts it: “Design isn’t just about aesthetics anymore. It’s about the rhythm of daily life, and making that rhythm feel beautiful.”