Moving in with a partner is an exciting adventure. What you may not look forward to, however, is combining your styles on move-in day. It’s not uncommon to secretly (or openly) loathe your significant other’s taste in interior design. Having different design preferences can make decorating your new home a challenge. Over the years, we’ve learned a few key steps that make combining your tastes simple.
Here are a few of our best tips:
Keep communication open.
When it comes to merging your styles, it’s important to keep communication open. Start by talking through the furniture in each of your homes. Have a discussion and make lists of what you agree to keep, donate or sell. You might be surprised that your partner is actually okay with keeping that green velvet sofa! Go through each room ahead of time, so you’re well-prepared before moving in together.
When it comes to merging your styles, it’s important to keep communication open. Start by talking through the furniture in each of your homes. Have a discussion and make lists of what you agree to keep, donate or sell. You might be surprised that your partner is actually okay with keeping that green velvet sofa! Go through each room ahead of time, so you’re well-prepared before moving in together.
Get ready to purge.
You can’t make room for new things if you’re holding onto everything old. Take this time topurge, and declutter more than just furniture and decor. Go through all of your belongings,including documents, kitchenware and clothing. Make room for your partner’s things, and get ridof anything you know you will never use or wear again.
You can’t make room for new things if you’re holding onto everything old. Take this time topurge, and declutter more than just furniture and decor. Go through all of your belongings,including documents, kitchenware and clothing. Make room for your partner’s things, and get ridof anything you know you will never use or wear again.
Make a list of your must-haves.
Before you evaluate your pieces room by room together, make a list of what you definitely want to keep. Include family heirlooms, antiques, sentimental pieces and any other items that you feel like you must have in your new home. This will make it much easier to discuss combining furniture—just remember you can’t keep everything.
Before you evaluate your pieces room by room together, make a list of what you definitely want to keep. Include family heirlooms, antiques, sentimental pieces and any other items that you feel like you must have in your new home. This will make it much easier to discuss combining furniture—just remember you can’t keep everything.
Shop together.
Use this opportunity to do something fun together and shop for any furniture or decor you maybe missing. Art is a great place to start. Seek out local, independent stores, antique shops and even flea markets. Purchase at least one piece together!
Use this opportunity to do something fun together and shop for any furniture or decor you maybe missing. Art is a great place to start. Seek out local, independent stores, antique shops and even flea markets. Purchase at least one piece together!
Be okay with contrast.
You might love bold colors, while your partner prefers neutrals. This is an area of compromise that is easier than you might think. Opt for a neutral color palette when it comes to the big things, such as paint and furniture. Bring in bolder colors through art and decor.
You might love bold colors, while your partner prefers neutrals. This is an area of compromise that is easier than you might think. Opt for a neutral color palette when it comes to the big things, such as paint and furniture. Bring in bolder colors through art and decor.
Don’t separate styles.
Many of my clients have the first instinct of separating styles completely and dividing up the house. Keeping styles to separate rooms rarely works out in the end. Instead of divvying up the house, blend your styles to avoid a disjointed feel. The combination of unexpected and unique elements within your style can lead to a beautiful final product.
Many of my clients have the first instinct of separating styles completely and dividing up the house. Keeping styles to separate rooms rarely works out in the end. Instead of divvying up the house, blend your styles to avoid a disjointed feel. The combination of unexpected and unique elements within your style can lead to a beautiful final product.
Hire a designer.
Hire a referee, also known as a designer. A professional interior designer knows how to dig deep into every individual’s style, and they can easily combine both of your styles in a way that will blow away your guests. If you are considering remodeling along with combining your styles,then hiring a designer is a must.
Hire a referee, also known as a designer. A professional interior designer knows how to dig deep into every individual’s style, and they can easily combine both of your styles in a way that will blow away your guests. If you are considering remodeling along with combining your styles,then hiring a designer is a must.
At Bon Brise Design, we love to work with our clients to create cohesive spaces that everyone feels at home in. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
