Designing a home you love can be challenging enough when you’re a party of one. But what happens when lives converge — along with all the unique preferences of different parties in your home? 

Whether you’re a couple or a family, blending various design styles is no small feat. However, we’re always up for a challenge here at Elegant Simplicity Interiors, and we’ve helped guide many couples + families to create a harmonious living space where everyone’s design tastes and preferences have a voice. 

And that’s what we’re droppin’ on the blog today, friend. Something that will help you come together on key design choices and create a shared aesthetic that feels like home sweet home to everyone + ultimately creates a home with everything you need + nothing more®.

Understanding Your Individual Styles: The Foundation of a Shared Aesthetic

Whatever design preferences you have didn’t materialize overnight. Most people come into a shared home with years of design choices under their belts — from selecting paint colors and wall art as a teenager to picking out furniture for a dorm room or first apartment. So, when it comes time to share a living space with a spouse + children it’s important that everyone has a say. 

Begin with the steps.

Take Personal Style Inventories

Before you start moving furniture and throwing paint on the walls, take a moment to understand why “home” is important to you. 

This foundational step is almost always missed by clients but for those who want a home that’s truly Elegant Simplicity® it helps you and your loved ones connect more deeply on what makes a home special. 

Maybe it’s the feeling of comfort after a long day, the joy of cooking and socializing in a bright kitchen, or the peace that comes with creating cozy nooks. 

Your “why” is likely a combination of multiple factors.

Once you’ve nailed down the "why," assess your individual design preferences. 

Consider textures, colors, patterns, and furniture styles you’re naturally drawn to. Grab a notebook and pen, or use a design app or Pinterest to create a visual inventory of things you love. This process helps reveal common ground and potential areas of conflict.

Discover the Power of Compromise

Everyone has their favorites, but when you’re blending lives, some areas may require a bit of compromise. Ditching a beat-up recliner or ruffled curtains is usually a good idea for everyone’s soul, for example. 

As you decide what’s important, a great strategy is for each person to identify their must-have, non-negotiable items. For instance, perhaps you have a valuable record collection you want on display, or your partner insists on having high-end kitchen appliances as they’re the one who does most of the cooking. 

Recognizing these priorities helps in making design decisions that honor what each person values most. Maybe you choose a stylish shelving unit that beautifully showcases a record collection and complements the overall aesthetic. 

Similarly, you might choose a high-quality range that becomes a focal point in a kitchen. Focusing on how these essential elements can complement the shared space can help you create a balanced home everyone loves.

Practical Strategies for Blending Styles

Now comes the fun part: blending everyone’s ideas and preferences into a cohesive design! Now, if you’re a full-service or Designer 4 A Day client — we do this for you. But for the sake of simplicity *wink* let’s assume you go it alone. 

Here’s how to tackle the task.

Creating a Unified Color Palette

A unified color scheme can help tie together disparate design elements. Start with calming, neutral colors as your base — think whites, creams, and grays for your backdrop. From there, add pops of color with rugs, throws, pillows, decorative accessories, artwork, and other accents. 

Mixing and Matching Furniture Styles

Let’s say you love a minimalist look while your partner digs vintage charm. The good news is you don’t have to choose one style over another; mixing and matching different elements in your home is a fantastic way to create a unique, curated living space that feels authentic to everyone. 

Plus, it’s way more visually interesting than choosing matchy-matchy sets from the same furniture store. ← psst. Don’t do that *wink*

The trick is to consider scale and proportion. 

A sleek, modern sofa can look stunning with a rustic coffee table if balanced correctly — for example, you don’t want a tiny table next to an enormous sectional. Don’t be afraid to mix finishes, shapes, and materials; just be aware of how they work together in size, scale, and visual weight. 

Incorporating Personal Touches

Unless you are staging your home to sell, it should tell the story of the people who live there. Personal mementos, artwork, photos, and collectibles add warmth and character and serve as conversation starters for anyone who enters your home.

Being strategic with these personal touches will help you create uncluttered spaces and avoid overwhelming your home with tchotchkes. 

Designate areas where individuals can feel free to express themselves, whether a reading nook, a gallery wall, or a home office, and your home will feel personalized for everyone.

Additional Tips for a Successful Shared Aesthetic

You’re in the home stretch, getting closer to creating a shared aesthetic in your home. These last few tips will take you across the finish line.

Decluttering and Becoming a Conscious Keeper

Whether donating a bag of clothes or selling old furniture, eliminating unnecessary items will help you create a home with everything YOU need + nothing more®. It’ll make your home feel uncluttered, spacious, and inviting while creating a more visually cohesive space that contributes to the shared aesthetic.

This Conscious Keeper (C.K.) approach has huge benefits, boosting productivity by up to 40% as you untether yourself from having to waste time or energy considering things you don’t truly care about. 

Moreover, you create more time and space to fill your cup with things that bring you happiness, like #metime, hobbies, meaningful relationships, and the peace that comes with a clutter-free home.

Investing in Timeless, Quality Pieces

Once your home is organized and free of clutter, take the time to fill it with furniture and décor that you will actually enjoy and can adapt to evolving styles and preferences. Investing in timeless, high-quality pieces means your home can grow with you, no matter how your tastes change. 

Also, look for multi-functional furniture that serves different purposes, like a coffee table or bench with built-in storage or a dining table with an extension leaf for holiday meals and dinner parties.

When “Mine” Becomes “Ours,” Your House Becomes a Home

Crafting a shared aesthetic involves compromise, creativity, and open communication. Most importantly, it involves a commitment to making home: “us.” 

By listening carefully and staying open to individual styles, you can create a harmonious and beautiful home that addresses everyone’s likes and dislikes. 

Trust the process, and remember that every step you take together brings you closer to a space that truly feels like home.

And hey, if you’re in the preliminary planning stages of your next project, let’s chat. Book a clarity call to learn how we can help transform your home — from our Designer For A Day service to Full Service Interior Design and Luxury Organizing.

That’s a wrap for today — thanks for tuning in!  

P.S. If you loved this article, you’ll vibe with 4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home. You might also enjoy the 7 Elements Of Interior Design.