You're in love and decide to make the big move with your main squeeze: you're going to move in together. Life is good, you feel blessed! Now all that stands in the way is how your differing senses of style will affect the decor of your new place together. This article is going to cover how you can maintain your relationship bliss, while the two of you have very different senses of design. The key is going to be integrating using some very simple design tips to keep it from being tacky and looking like a mishmash of styles.
You do not have to have Beverly Hills decor type of budgets to make this work. Sure it would be nice to have some celebrity type of Los Angeles interior design. But maybe your budget is more affordable West Hollywood decor, while you have champagne tastes. That's ok! You can learn some do it yourself inexpensive design tips, which will help you with your budget.
So here's the first of my design tips: Before you go out and even start shopping, start with a floor plan on your computer and do some e-decorating from the comfort of your own home. Whether you're a professional interior designer in Malibu or a want to be interior designer in Arizona, it doesn't matter. Sit at your computer and do a plan. Try out how different pieces of furniture will look together, in the place you're going to be getting. It is easier to do e-decorating, than to really purchase and return big pieces! In most cases, you will end up paying hundreds of dollars in fees for delivery etc when doing returning, not to mention the hassle and missed work when getting furniture delivered so trust me and do some decorating from your couch! You and your someone special can compare notes and get some compromises out of the way here, before going out to stores and getting frustrated.
The first thing to realize is that men are drawn towards furnishings built to stand the test of time, while maintaining maximum comfort. Men will choose functionality first and design second. Women however, will prefer the look and style of a particular piece, rather than how practical it may be. So a first rule of thumb design tip to help you both is to look for pieces that are sturdy and well-made. Some possible places to look are Pottery Barn or Ethan Allen or Bo Concept. Prices will vary widely, with the Beverly Hills decor type of motif and budget on one end and a more affordable interior design style on the other. You can possibly look for clearance type of items or even on Craigslist or eBay. Just be careful not to get a hodge podge of items.
You are also going to need to pick out paint colors together, unless in some miracle the place you're getting is perfectly painted in a way you both already like. Picking out paint colors can be agonizing when couples do not see eye to eye. Most men will tend to choose a more muted neutral color palette such as tans and browns.
Women seem to be attracted to colors that are bright, pastel, or the latest trend in magazines. The best way to meet in the middle when it comes to selecting hues is to mix and match colors. Popular combinations are chocolate brown & berry red, yellow & grey, taupe & spa blue. You can go to a store like Home Depot or Lowe's and look at swatches. You can also follow my first design tip and do the e-decorating, putting the different colors of paint into the picture of your new place and seeing how they look. Compromise is not just possible here, it should result in a nicely blended style and a well balanced home or apartment.
Compromising is key when it comes to designing a home together. Talk to your partner about your top five needs and why they are important to you and listen to theirs. More than likely there will be a design solution that will fit both of your desires. Whether you're looking to build a cabin in the woods of Vermont, with a very rustic decor or a Malibu beach house with a Southern California decor, it doesn't matter. The basic rules of style and design will still apply, and understanding the different mentalities of men and women go a long way in helping you to figure out your plan.
