We haven't bought anything together except the mattress, and then Dh sleeps in the single anyway because the kids take up the queen. The base is his from college, the chest of drawers was mine as a teenager (and are falling apart!)

We really need new furniture but we are holding off until we work out how to get the kids into the other room. It works for us.

Bedding is my choice. It's pretty neutral. I don't like dark colours or patterns.