Tips for combining his ‘n hers interior tastes for a happy home and a happy relationship

Or indeed his ‘n his or hers ‘n hers. We’re all inclusive here at Interiors Addict!

How to combine two people’s styles when moving in with your other half is something I’m often asked for advice on. I’m not sure I’m the best person to give it (or if my fiance would think so either). So I asked the girls at new Sydney wedding registry The Wedding Nest, for their top tips.

Their in-house interior stylist (former Belle interior design editor Imogen Naylor) works with their couples to collate a registry of gifts that will achieve a beautifully styled space true to both their individual styles.

Top tips

1. Be involved together from the start! Even if one partner takes the lead, keep in mind that it’s best to consult the other partner regularly and ‘take them on the journey’ so they don’t block all the hard work by the time it’s well down the track.

2. Plan! She might call this a mood board, he, a strategy, but either way the key here is agreeing on a vision. We invite couples to bring magazine cut-outs and to get pinning on Pinterest. Together they work through the collection to agree on a style or a selection of key pieces they both like that will suit their home.

3. A beautiful home takes time. If your shared story is new, then look forward to collecting things together that over time will inspire and tell your unique love story.

4. Stick with a fairly neutral colour palette for the surfaces and larger pieces. This will mean that your space is less likely to look too dated, and you can showcase your changing tastes through less expensive items. Add smaller punches of color with side chairs, cushions, pillows and rugs. Simple things like books and plants will do wonders for any room.

5. Don’t forget you live in your space. When editing your items, don’t always opt for style over comfort, and always think about how you’re going to use the piece in your space. It might look great on the shop floor or in a gorgeous French farmhouse, but will it look the same in your apartment living room?

6. Each choose a few key anchor pieces. Remember, what makes a place feel homey is it being filled with pieces you absolutely love that have personal meaning to you. And most importantly, sharing it with the right someone.

7. Give priority to pieces that mean something special to you. Maybe that’s an artwork customised to list all the cities you have shared a kiss in, or a vintage kantha throw from an Indian adventure

8. Yield! It’s the first thing you learn in acting class when improvising: to always accept your fellow actor’s idea before developing it in your own masterpiece. Same goes for the production that is styling your home – listen to your partner, understand what they like about a style or a piece and then work it into your own.

9. Enlisting the help of an interior stylist is a great starting point. A stylist can work with you to help merge your pieces and define your personal style. In the long run, they can often save you money by giving advice on which pieces to invest in and creative yet inexpensive decorating tips.