Everyone has different tastes when it comes to interior design, so what do you do if you and your partner want to decorate your home but can’t agree on the artwork?
Even if you both have very different styles, compromise is possible. Here are some tips on how to combine different design preferences into one coherent, stylish look.
Assessing the Current Style
First of all, the two of you should determine what kind of style your home already has. This will determine what kind of artwork will work best. If your home isn’t furnished yet, this still applies. What are the wall colors? Are the sliding barn doors rustic or modern? These are all things to consider.
Generally speaking, if your home has warm colors and a traditional look, you won’t want super bright and modern artwork. Likewise, if your home has an industrial design, country style decorations will feel out of place.
Instead of arguing with your partner about your art preferences, try asking what would work best for the house instead. This can make the decision much easier and less personal. Of course, you and your partner are free to use a mix and match, eclectic style if you wish, but this is difficult to pull off well.
Budget Concerns
When you and your partner are deciding to buy art, there’s more to consider than just aesthetics. There are practical concerns, too. After all, some artwork is cheap, but other pieces can be worth thousands of dollars. The two of you should sit down and discuss your budget. Maybe owning expensive fine art is a value you both share. On the other hand, maybe you’re better off saving the money for something else.
Useful Decorations
Decorations like framed paintings and wooden figures are pure art. If you are having trouble convincing your partner to appreciate art like this, maybe you should turn your focus to useful art instead.
Take throw blankets for instance. They are super stylish and can make a couch much less boring and more inviting. A sofa with a throw blanket and throw pillows feels fancier than a plain one with no decorations.
Custom Items
When a couple is having an argument over which decorations to buy, sometimes the issue is really about the shopping rather than the style. If you and your partner don’t enjoy shopping for artwork together, ask yourself what would change this.
Perhaps the two of you would find custom artwork more appealing. Centuries ago, only the ultra-rich could afford to commission art, but this is no longer the case. In fact, you don’t need to know anything about the art creation process to get started.
There are many artists that can be found online offering commissions. You and your partner could brainstorm an idea together and then pay a professional artist to bring that idea to life.
Of course, if at least one of you is an artist, you have even more options. Maybe you could draw portraits of your family members and your partner could build custom frames to hang them on the wall. The possibilities are only limited by your creativity.
Getting Expert Help
What if you and your partner have already tried all of this, but you still can’t see eye to eye? In that case, it’s time to consult some interior design experts.
First, pick up a magazine with pictures and information on the topic. Having lots of pictures is important because it allows you to quickly decide what you like and don’t like. You and your partner should spend some time cutting or printing out images to use as examples of what you want.
Then go shopping and don’t forget to bring the pictures as inspiration. Look for similar items. Can’t find anything? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re at a physical store, ask the salesperson if they have any recommendations. If you are doing online shopping, try uploading the pictures to an interior design forum and asking for advice.
Finally, you also have the option of hiring a designer. Designers always know what type of artwork will add the perfect touch since getting details like this right is their job!
