How to feather your first nest.

• Position: Your Life - Home furnishing for newlyweds - Brief Article

Newlyweds are getting a head start on their new lives together by furnishing their homes early. Twenty-eight percent of married couples bought their first piece of furniture together before they stepped over the threshold, and 32% bought furniture within the first six months of marriage, according to a survey conducted by the American Furniture Manufacturers Association.

It's not only when they buy their furniture that helps couples create their beginning, but also how they shop. "Furniture shopping is a very exciting experience for couples who are decorating their new home," says interior designer Catherine Bailly Dunne, author of Interior Design for All Five Senses. "They can follow a few basic guidelines to ensure the process is as easy and fun as it should be."

Dunne suggests crafting a master plan based on your dreams and demands. "Every couple has a list of furnishings they need and a longer list of pieces they want. Begin in the room that needs the most furniture or where you spend the most time, and build from there. And don't forget to treat yourselves every once in a while to a piece of furniture you've been dreaming about."

Finding the ideal starting point is easier than saying "I do." First, she counsels, learn what kinds of furniture you both like. Pick up various decorating books or browse at a local retailer to see what is available.

Dunne emphasizes the power of accessories. Items such as lamps, picture frames, vases, and area rugs are simple ways to add detail and style to a room. Because most honeymooners' homes are filled with wedding gifts, pieces such as...