Hit The Road

Make 2018 a year for new adventures with your significant other. A recent survey revealed that 94% of couples enjoy traveling together but many couples don’t take the time to travel with their loved one. According to the study, “Couples who travel together have healthier, happier relationships compared to those who do not. Couples in a romantic relationship report traveling together makes them significantly more likely to be satisfied in their relationships, communicate well with their partners, enjoy more romance, have a better sex life, spend quality time together and share common goals and desires.” Set a goal for yourself in the new year to put away a little money away every month to save up for your new adventure. Working as a team with your spouse to save can be beneficial for bonding and can raise excitement in the household.

Weekend trips that aren’t planned can also be a fun and exciting way to get things going. Groupon offers amazing last minute trip ideas that are affordable and always romantic. You may even be able to squeeze in a couples massage. If you decide to bring the kids along, camping is always a fun and relatively inexpensive alternative to pricy hotel stays. Dream big, and do it together.

Redecorate

Designer Greg Dybek once said,” Your home should feel like a classic pair of jeans; stylish, timeless, functional and always comfortable.” Rustic furniture has that one-of-a-kind timeless look Dybek is referring to, something you can incorporate for years at a time and something you and your spouse can invest in together. Rustic side tables, cabinets and sideboards can complement any color in your home - especially a warm neutral palette. Adding more photos from couples trips or family events will also help liven up energy in the house.

Adding a little spark to your home can also help refresh energy in the household following the long winter months. Greathouse furniture’s Muse Sectional designed by Flores Design Furniture, is the perfect example of what’s hot in 2018. It’s a combination of the timeless colors to look out for in the coming year and a stray from generic finishings. This simple, yet bright design will paint your home with a fresh and modern feel without overwhelming the senses. According to color trend expert Maria Killam, blue and green are the hottest selling colors at the moment.

Revamp Your Style

Your spouse loves you just the way you are - but a new look is never a bad idea. In a recent article by Harpers Bazaar, runway fashion experts break down the hottest hairstyle trends for 2018. On the list, short cuts with a middle part were very popular as well as sleek textures and curls. Don’t tell your spouse your going to try a new look, be spontaneous. Applying a little color blocks and glam to your style has also been trending in 2018 according to Vogue fashion editor, Eugénie Trochu.

Heat Things Up

Heat things up -- in the kitchen! A new study conducted by relationship expert Dr. John Gray explains that 70% percent of married couples actually enjoy cooking together but don’t do it nearly enough! Explore cooking classes and other common interests with your spouse. Find a local store that offers one-on-one cooking classes. Or if you decide to skip the classes, take it to your own kitchen and begin exploring new flavors from all over the world. Making a new Thai dish for dinner or trying homemade can be a great at-home date night idea for you and your spouse. This can be an incredible bonding experience full of laughs and even some healthy constructive criticism on how to peel a potato or saute garlic. Even trying new diets or meal changes such as being vegetarian for a month can be a fun way to explore new recipes and can contribute to new conversations and relationship building.

It can be very easy to skip meals with your spouse or cook a dinner while catching up on the news. Communication during dinner time is so important in a relationship. According to many experts, this is the backbone of a prime romance. Disconnect from all your distractions during meal time. It can keep your relationship fresh and you’ll benefit from updating one another on how your day went.

Work Together

Make 2018 a year for goal setting and personal changes - whether it's in the home or on the road. Strategize with your partner on how to save for your next big trip or spend quality time finding similar interests. Explore new things with your loved ones such as local hiking spots or indoor rock climbing places in your neighborhood. These can all be fun new ways to keep the energy fresh and spontaneous all year long!