Decorating for Couples: How You Both Can Love Your Space
Decorating for yourself is hard enough now add someone else to the mix and it can get crazy real quick. The key thing when it comes down to decorating for couples one thing and that is compromising.
Now this can be easier said than done.
Me and Robert go through it and that’s because he thinks that he is the Decorator in our house. He’ll buy things without telling me like the bulky ass brown sofa set that I can’t stand or the grey rug that is way too small for any room in the house, or the time he painted the bathroom a big bird yellow color (and he didn’t stay within the lines lol) or the time he brought not one but several shower curtains that did not match with the color scheme of our bathroom. I mean I could go on and on and on! lol
How do I cope? He decorates behind my back and I fix his mistakes. Annoying? of course!
I mean, I’ve had to tell him SEVERAL times to leave the decorating to me and go mow the lawn or “fix” the car instead (btw if I ever veer off the road while driving - you’ll know why - I’m just saying! lol).
He’s gotten better though and that leads me to my first tip, please start here. Do the opposite of Robert does and that means…
#1 COMMUNICATE
Yes that deserves to be in all caps and bold, but I left out the bold for the sake of not being too extra.
Even if you don’t think he’s listening or tunes you out, have that conversation. Whether it happens in person, through text/email, tell him your plans! Then that way he doesn’t feel left out plus you can pull out your receipts when he acts like Robert - all brand new when you buy something new for the space or start a new project (rolls eyes).
Now there are those partners who really just don’t care and are like, “babe do whatever you want”. Now as a Decorator, this is my fave type of partner! lol Still be considerate and include them in the room somehow especially if they’ll also be spending time in the space too.
That doesn’t have to be anything too drastic either, which leads me to my next tip.
You know your partner best.
What they like, what they don’t like, their fave this, their fave that so…
#2 Sprinkle Your Partner Into Your Space
This is what I do when decorating our home and it works. Now I’m lucky in the sense that Robert and I have the same decorating style, which is Boho glam (he’s more boho though) and yes, he rolls his eyes every time I start a new project or buy something new, but when he sees the end result, he goes around telling family and friends that he did it! lol Remember when I said that he thinks he’s the Decorator?!
Okay, back to the post.
Let’s say you love the glam decor style, but let’s be real, most men don’t. So think about the things that your partner loves.
What’s his fave color?
What are his hobbies/interests?
Then work off that and sprinkle it into the room. So for example, if his favorite color is blue, then add a pillow to the sofa that has a shade of blue in it - something you can both live with.
If you know he loves black, then add a black and white abstract piece of art to the room and frame it in a brass frame. Now you’ve incorporated a color that he loves in the room along with brass, which ties into the glam decor style.
You see, compromise. His likes have now been included in the room without taking away from the style that you love.
#3 Add Some Neutral Pieces
This a great way to add balance in a room and include both styles into the space.
So for example, try a soft grey wall paint color to add a touch of masculinity in the space. Then with the rest of the room include pieces that you love.
If your man is more of a woodsy type of guy, then go with a wood dining room table and add feminine touches to the space with brass lighting or brass table setting.
Most men are into simple pieces. In other words, things that don’t scream girly. So instead of a crystal looking chandelier, try a midcentury looking chandelier with gold or brass touches.
If you remember one thing from this post, remember that decorating for couples is all about compromise.
Be considerate of the other person even if they tell you they don’t care what you do with the room.
Leave a comment below and let me know which tip you’ll be using to help you decorate while keeping your partner in the loop.
And if you still feel like you can’t do this decorating thing on your own and if you need help, hit me up here, I got time! lol.