Trying to decorate a home using a combination of feminine pastels and floral patterns with masculine leather and modern metal can be quite a challenge.
When couples start to decorate together, the main problem that often arises is sentimentality to items that are overly masculine or overly feminine.
Men typically do not want to live in a home that looks like it was decorated by a little girl and women typically do not want to live in a home that feels sterile and industrial.
Here are a few interior design tips, tricks, and ideas for combining masculine and feminine decor together in the same room.
photo courtesy of Angi231700 flickr.com/photos/49725418@N07/6414407603/Be Willing to Compromise
Both parties must be willing to compromise a little when mixing masculine and feminine styles.
If one person decorates to only their taste, the other will not feel comfortable in their own home.
Consider hiring an interior designer to come up with a plan that everyone can agree on.
Inventory
Take an inventory of the best and highest quality masculine items and feminine items that each of you have.
Try to work those pieces into your new interior decorating plan.
One for One
For each item that seems masculine, make sure to include one item that seems feminine so there is an equal balance within the room.
Meet in the Middle
Try to focus on the similarities of your design styles.
Maybe you both like a certain color, a certain type of art, or dark stained wood.
New items purchased should have qualities that you both like, but are neither overly masculine or overly feminine.
Items to Avoid
There are several overly masculine and feminine items that should be avoided if possible.
The list includes items that are pink, colorful floral patterns, taxidermy, black leather, extremely dark walls, plaid, a collection of small figurines, overly ornate items, lace, furniture that is greatly oversized or undersized, anything that looks like it belongs in a nightclub or bar, and an excess of pillows.
A Style You Can Agree On
Look through magazines and online (Pinterest is very helpful) for design styles and decor pieces that you can both agree on.
Start with that style as your base style and you can bring in items that are the tiniest bit masculine or slightly feminine here and there to complement the new style.
Neutral Items
There are several items that are not gender specific that both parties should agree to like.
You can use textural wicker baskets to add texture, style, and storage.
Another gender neutral items is bamboo shades for your windows. Adding solid neutral colored curtains on top of the bamboo shades is also gender neutral.
Also consider floral arrangements made of only greenery without flowers. hardback books (without paper jackets) as decor, substantial candle holders with neutral colored pillar candles, neutral brown leather, solid white bedding, and neutral wall colors.
Meet in the Middle
Instead of insisting on something overly feminine or overly masculine, try to meet in the middle.
Instead of masculine black leather, consider using a soft gray colored leather.
Instead of pink, consider using a pinky beige.
If you must use a floral pattern, select one that has a more abstract pattern or neutral colors.
Add masculine touches to feminine items and feminine touches to masculine items.
You can add a masculine nail head trim to a feminine shaped headboard.
You can replace the cabinet knobs on a masculine looking dresser with knobs that are more feminine.
Consider painting a feminine curvy lamp in a dark masculine color.
If you want a feminine faux fur throw, purcahse it in a darker more masculine color.
You can add soft colorful pillows to a dark leather sofa to make it less masculine.
Consider adding colorful artwork to a dark monochromatic room to make it feel less sterile.
Ask For The Other's Opinion
Before making a major purchase, such as furniture or expensive artwork, ask for the other person's opinion.
A 30 second phone call can save hours worth of quarreling.
Separate Spaces
If possible, give each person one space of their own to decorate by themselves.
It could be a home office, craft room, home theater, a separate bathroom, or reading room.
