How to Compromise on Home Decor

You've probably dreamed of having your own house for years before you buy one, you can't wait to decorate it to make it your own, you think that you'd probably paint everything white to make it nice and bright...but then you buy a house with someone else and wait, what, you don't also want to paint the whole house white and have copper detailing everywhere?

I'd never considered that I'd have to compromise when I finally bought my own house even though I'd expected for a long time that I'd be buying one with Nick. We hadn't really discussed interior options before we'd had our offer accepted, but luckily we've managed to compromise really well and we've got a bedroom and bathroom so far that we both absolutely love. It's funny because I can't imagine wanting them any other way now so it just goes to show that compromise can be a really positive thing! Having done two rooms and currently compromising our way through the third, here are some tips on compromising on home decor:

Talk A LOT | If you don't agree straight away on interiors (and let's face it, who would?) there needs to be a lot of suggestions thrown around until you find something you can both live with. Prepare for there to be a lot of veto-ing and for the eventuality that a lot of things you've had your heart set on might get thrown out, but make sure you speak your mind too. Don't settle for anything you're not 100% happy with and make sure the other person isn't just making do either.

Mood boards | We used Pinterest a lot at the very beginning to put separate mood boards together, which we'd then share with each other and narrow down images that we both liked. This was particularly helpful with the bathroom and I don't think we'd have been as ambitious with it if it weren't for Pinterest inspiration!

Shop around | The very first colour we both agreed on was a Farrow & Ball paint, which was completely unrealistic for our budget so we went out and about searching for something similar (thanks Wilko you babe). We ended up shopping around for everything and quite often we'd have a day of completely unsuccessful browsing! Remember that it's still a productive day even if you've only managed to decide on things you don't want.

Check in with each other | It's easy to argue about things and sulk when you don't get your own way, but it's important to remember that the other person isn't getting their own way either. Make sure every step of the way that you're checking with each other that you're definitely happy with what you've decided.

Hopefully these tips are in some way helpful if you've bought or are thinking of buying a house with someone else. Let me know if you have any others!

Amy x