Does it really matter if your next-door neighbor doesn’t like the way you’ve arranged your kitchen? Well, no offense, but not really. Sure you might want a second opinion, and that’s great. But when you’re decorating, make sure you include all the right people in the decision making.
Got a roommate? Make sure they can live with the decorating decisions you’re making. You don’t have to agree with one another on every single detail. In fact, that probably would be impossible. But as you begin to decorate, or better yet, before you move in together, sit down and discuss the types of living environment you both like.
If your styles are extremely different with little common ground, it may be a tough road. But keep trying until you reach a compromise. In cases of completely opposite tastes, perhaps each of you can decorate certain areas as you wish, and you may both agree to live with that.
If you have a spouse or partner, make sure you’re both involved in major buys, especially furniture purchases. Of course, you won’t be together when finding every item that goes into your apartment. But make sure you’ve checked in with your partner before you drag home a $600 sofa. Even if you love the sofa and think it’s the most beautiful piece of furniture ever made, if your mate hates it, it’s probably going to be a sore spot, at least once in a while. You’re also showing respect for your partner by including him or her in these joint purchases, because it lets this special person know you care about what he or she wants, too.
If you have children, it’s tempting to decorate their rooms in a way that makes sense to you. Try to resist this temptation. Although you, as the parent, will make the final decisions, involve your child as much as possible. Let them pick out the main colors of the room and take part in as much of the decorating as they can, depending on their age.
If they’re babies or toddlers, keep their room simple; as they get older, they’ll have more opportunities for injecting their own personality into the room’s decor. And try to stay away from themes that focus on currently popular cartoon characters, toys, or movies. They become outdated quickly.
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