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One unexpected situation that you might encounter when moving in together with your partner is to realize that you have different décor tastes. There are lots of stressful aspects when taking this important step in your relationship and you should learn how to deal with this issue and find a compromise. Even if you thought you knew your partner well, there are always new things to learn once you’ve decided to become roommates.
When you’re sharing space with another person, you will often discover that you don’t see eye to eye when it comes to interior decorating. If your partner has different priorities and opinions then conflicts can easily start. We’ll take a look at some of the best methods and strategies you can try to keep the peace and discover a harmonious look that you’re both satisfied with.
Don’t worry if your partner’s décor style is so different compared to yours. That shouldn’t be a huge issue that affects your relationship. There’s no need to face this challenge on your own as you can rely on these tips and tricks and find common ground even if yours and your partner’s tastes don’t always match.
1. Understand Your Priorities
When you move in together with your partner, there are lots of decisions to be made. It’s very important to sit down with him or her and understand each other’s priorities. Many preferences can be different, but there isn’t always just a matter of décor taste. You also need to take into account the money factor because it’s possible that your partner thought of a different budget for renovating.
To make sure that everyone ends up happy with the decision, it’s recommended to go a bit more in-depth when discussing your redecorating priorities. Figure out how each of you wants to use the living space areas. While you will probably clash when it comes to what you consider important and what he does, there will be some mutual must-haves. Try to build from your common points of agreement.
2. Make a Budget Plan Together
As we’ve previously mentioned, the renovating budget plays a large role when it comes to decorating your new shared space. Issues can often appear if one person feels that the other spends way too much or is being too restrictive. Deciding on a fixed budget isn’t easy and will need to take into account both of your needs. Before you go browsing ideas for interior design, set a budget that feels comfortable for everyone.
3. Share Your Styles
A common situation that can happen for many couples is that one person is more invested when designing the look of the home. That’s usually because that person has stronger preferences and is more attentive to how all the design elements fit together.
If you feel that you match that description pretty well, maybe it would be better to resist the urge to take control of the situation. Why not try to figure out the style of your partner more precisely? You’ll be surprised to discover common things when sharing your styles. This can be usually achieved by looking at magazines or shopping together and giving your opinions about various items and trends.
In case your partner is the one with the stronger design preferences, then you can still try to share your styles and obtain something unique. Opposing or very different styles can result in a creative look when mixed together. It’s all about fitting color schemes in interesting ways, layering eclectic textures, and adding unique accents or art pieces.
4. Go for Neutrals
It’s not surprising to find out that you can please people with different tastes by opting for neutrals. That doesn’t mean you can solve all the differences by whitewashing all the areas in the house. You can learn to use neutrals for seamlessly blending different tastes and there’s no need to restrict yourself to white only.
There are lots of captivating neutral tones that are far from boring. Try to go for neutrals when it comes to investing in large pieces such as sofas. Then you will obtain a great foundation that you can build upon with smaller accent pieces. It will be easier for both of you to show off your own style by layering pillows and throws. Even a leather sofa such as this model from Amazon can act as a reliable neutral anchor for the living room.
In terms of textiles, mismatched color preferences can also be corrected by incorporating more neutrals. If you don’t like rugs that look too conventional, you can still enjoy a more stylish design without focusing only on color. Choose a neutral rug that has different layers of texture that add some visual interest. This off-white rug from Amazon seems like a solid choice especially if you’re into Moroccan décor.
5. Look for Clean Lines
Searching for décor elements with clean lines doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to focus on a minimalist design. This advice can be helpful to allow you to find pieces that can accommodate different tastes. Natural materials and clean lines are usually liked by everyone. They have timeless qualities and you’ll be doing everyone a favor by opting for them.
A nice example if you’re looking for pieces with clean lines is this stylish coffee table found on Amazon. It has a rectangular shape with a matte-black iron frame and cozy wood surface. The rustic metal design has some industrial flair that makes it appealing for a wide range of decorating styles.
The good news about furniture with clean lines is that is amazingly easy to integrate even if tastes change over the years. Mirrors are also good examples of decorating in a crowd-pleasing way. It can make for a good alternative to artwork where it’s too hard to find a satisfying match for both of you. A simple wall mirror such as this one from Amazon could be a fitting choice considering how it comes with the added benefit of brightening up the room.
6. Stick to the Current Trends
One quick solution to ending the debate regarding finishes and fixtures would be to follow the popular trends. It’s simple and convenient to just let yourself be guided by what most people love. Chances are high to discover some interesting ideas that match both of your tastes. Another advantage of sticking to the current trends is that you increase the mass appeal of your home.
By going with popular decorations, you have a greater chance of your friends liking the look and you might even increase the resale value of the home. There are some fundamental design elements that you can use without worrying about going out of style. Some examples include hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances.
7. Learn to Compromise
When you don’t like the same things as your partner, you need to find a way to compromise. Some décor pieces can be considered must-haves by you whereas your partner doesn’t really love them. If those items are truly treasured, maybe you can discover a way to reinvent them to increase their appeal for your partner. For example, you can try a different upholstery fabric or a fresh coat of paint.
Another way to compromise is to simply change the location of a décor element. It’s possible for a piece to obtain a completely new vibe once the context is changed. Also, try to meet the needs of your partner first as that can boost his openness to compromise in other areas where you’re not in agreement.
8. Integrate Sentimental Things
If your partner has some sentimental items that he wants to keep, this can impact your vision of the home. This problem can be solved more easily if you look around and find out that you also have some items that you treasure in a similar manner. Try to make space for all of these important things and maybe even feature them as a grouping.
That old chair from grandma might feel like it doesn’t really belong anywhere but if you look closely you can find a great use for it. Maybe it can be incorporated in a reading nook or meditation spot somewhere in an empty corner of the living room. If we’re talking about smaller decorations, you could put them all together on display on a bookshelf and craft a unique collection that can double as a conversation starter. Your home library could make use of a personal touch.
9. Designate Space
We all like to have our little private area that we can call our sanctuary whether it’s for work or fun activities. The fact that you’re now living together and share a house doesn’t mean that the need for a personal space customized to our liking disappears. It’s recommended to designate areas for both you where each person can enjoy the freedom to decorate however they please.
This is a sure way to make everyone feel at home in a new environment. A small home office that’s decorated in a more masculine style with darker colors and rugged textures represents a good example. Another one is a more feminine space that boasts gold accents, plush fabrics, and softer colors.
10. Hire a Professional
If all else fails, getting the help of an interior designer is a viable last resort method. There are cases where partners in a relationship can’t find the right compromise. A professional can offer pertinent solutions for all of your design dilemmas and will be able to guide the entire renovation process.
Having someone experienced to give you advice can often be better than researching things on your own as the designer should be capable of providing some fresh perspective and more creative solutions to common issues. Instead of going through the redecorating process as if dealing with a chore, this can be transformed into a more pleasant experience.
