The first thing you need to do is sit down together (perhaps with a glass of wine!) and ask yourselves some basic questions:
1. How will we be using the space?
2. Do we need comfortable seating for watching TV, or do we need more supportive seating for reading?
3. Is the room going to be used for entertaining? If so, how many people do we need to seat?
4. Do we need storage?
The answers to these questions will help you refine your thoughts–even when your decorating ideas differ. And really, it’s all about compromise. Often times when a husband and wife start the discussion about how they want their space to look or feel, they find out that their ideas are not that far off from each other. But even when your decorating ideas differ and are very far apart, there are ways to combine the differences in one space.
You may each have distinct ideas about comfort in the room you’re going to use to watch TV. Perhaps, your husband wants deeper seating on which he can relax and put his feet up, but you want more supportive seating for your back. You both can have what your want – a sofa that is deeper and more comfortable for your husband to lounge on and a chair for you that is less deep and more supportive.
From Traditional Home – neutral upholstery with bold accents
Maybe you want more seating for entertaining, but your spouse doesn’t want to fill up the room with too much furniture. There are creative ways to get more seating without taking up more space, such as fun ottomans that can double for seating and are tucked under a cocktail or a sofa table. Storage can also be achieved by having tables with drawers or shelves.
How about color? Again, compromise is key. Your partner might like very neutral, light colors, and your decorating ideas differ because you’re attracted to very bold, saturated colors. Your upholstery can be done in light, neutral colors and the rug, pillows, art work and accessories can be done in bold colors.
From Traditional Home – Bold Artwork
From Hunter Douglas – Shabby Chic with a ClassicTable
Even completely different styles can come together and in fact, be done exquisitely. For example, a comfortable, cottage-like, shabby chic style can be blended with more classic, traditional furniture. In the photo, you can see that the upholstery is done in a shabby chic style and has been placed next to a classic wood table. The two different looks work very well together.
You can even combine the farmhouse look with more modern pieces. In this dining space, the two styles have been combined beautifully with classic Windsor chairs, a farmhouse table and a modern console table, lamps and mirror.
From Traditional Home – Farmhouse Modern
Remember, incorporating both of your styles in one space is what creates a unique and interesting home. So, when your spouse’s decorating ideas differ from your own, you can always count on your Toms-Price designer to help you marry two different styles to create a beautiful space which works for both of you.
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Some good ideas that I’ll try with my husband!
This is such a realistic topic! The pictures are great examples of your ideas. Thanks.
Great information – keep it coming!
This is a very interesting article…. i like the way you find seeming diametrically opposed ideas and bring them together in a solution…. kind of like a form of couples’ counseling….
Very informative.
Great advice for those couples who differ on design styles. I was fortunate. My husband just let me shop and was very happy with my choices in furniture styles, fabric colors and paint.
Very interesting
Nice ideas! I have some new things to think about. Thank you.
Very informative. We are doing a project now that incorporates traditional with some modern and after reading your article I feel much better it!