You and your partner have found a new home you want to live in together, all the paperwork has been signed and moneys paid to the right people. Now comes the part where you decide how to decorate the property. This, in most cases, is where gender differences may come into play and affect the decorating decisions, making it a less than fun process. Some couples realistically

expect to butt heads over their choices, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

Following Chinese wisdom of Ying Yang, opposing forces are actually complementary, meaning a strong masculine personality and an equally strong feminine personality together can bring their different styles to create a space ideal for both. It is no mean feat, but it is not only possible, but can be quite fun to do. Here are some tips on how to create a space that works for you both:

1. Focus on function
   The purpose of the space should be agreed upon by the two, since this will determine how it is decorated. You and your partner should therefore openly communicate and agree on this for all spaces in the house before any decorating even starts. Things like if the bedroom is going to be used exclusively for sleeping or if provisions should be made for TV or reading in there as well. Should there be a TV in the study, or should it be completely gadget-free?
   These are just some of the things you need to consider and decide on together. Once you have a clear vision of what you’d like to use each space for, you can then go ahead and pick your furniture, paint colour and decor.

2. Create balance and harmony
   A romantic relationship is about a perfect harmony and balance between the couple. Decorating together is not that different: it calls this balance and harmony into play, as it is very important that your new space shows off your individual preferences seamlessly and in equal measure. This way, you’ll still be able to recognise yourselves in the décor.

   Balance allows you and your partner to contribute to creating a comfortable, safe and stylish home that you both can enjoy.
   Harmony comes in to prevent a chaotic mix of elements of your personality. To achieve this, you’ll need to pair furniture and accessories with the same theme together. Group like with like, but don’t overdo it. Find a happy medium that holds everything together stylishly and shows the harmony of your union through the decor. This can be further displayed by keeping things that are important to each of you in prominence. For example: if the lady likes to collect beautiful colourful shells, and the man likes to collect stamps, both collections can be displayed on the same shelf. Merging individual interests on one platform will give visitors an idea of who you are as a couple.

3. Pick a neutral colour that is easy to animate
   You could both be actively involved in just about everything in the home, from selecting curtains to furniture, cutlery, artwork and carpeting. Your dissimilar tastes may be tricky to mix harmoniously, but if done just right, will produce a work of decorative art you can both be proud of. The key is to use one dominant colour; a neutral colour that is  easy to accessorise with different shapes, tints and textures.

4. Keep relationship issues separate from décor challenges
   Remember, as with every decision that requires the input of more than one person, there are bound to be disagreements. The key is to not use it as an

   opportunity to settle unrelated scores. For example, while you’re squabbling over the costs of items you want to include in your decor, does not present the best opportunity to attack your partner on an unresolved relationship issue like the fact he left the toilet seat up or she left hair in the bathroom sink. The stress and fatigue that comes with decorating your home to suit two separate personalities comes with enough challenges without adding to it. If you start to feel too stressed, take a breather, do something relaxing and unrelated and resume when both of you feel better. You can revisit failed design, but you can’t take back the negative or hurtful things you may have said in the heat of the moment.

Decorating your new home as a couple should be a fun experience, so just ensure you make major decisions together, be open and honest with each other,be ready to compromise and, most importantly, have fun!