“He Said…She Said!” Who rules in the house?
Men and women have different, oftentimes conflicting, tastes in design. They pose no problem that is, until they live together. Johanna Acab-Faustino offers marriage-saving suggestions on how couples can properly align their design ideas to create a well-balanced interior that still keeps their respective individuality intact.
The whole design process of conceptualizing an interior is a fascinating yet demanding task. From something as general as picking a certain style to something detailed such as choosing between various tile options can leave one baffled in the whole interior design composition. It is expected for couples to have disagreements and misunderstandings during the process. However, one can minimize, and if not, obliterate the chances for couples ending up in heated arguments in matters pertaining to the design of their interiors.
It is extremely important to plan.
There is hardly any successful design that has not been properly planned, identifying the specific needs of each user of space. Identify preferences of each individual: color, look, amenities, orientations, health factors. These are all necessary so that one does not leave out essential elements in the successful planning of spaces. Doing these will lessen the chances of couples endlessly arguing on who says the last word on design. This is particularly the reason why it helps to have an interior designer to solve conflicting ideas that couples have. If successful, individual ideas can be harmoniously balanced with that of another, making an interior space as personal, unique and impressive.
Gender transforms itself in interior spaces. Oftentimes, just by looking at an interior says a lot about the user of the space, be it the male or the female. And yet, spaces breathe life if there is a harmonious blend of ideas shared by man and woman. Although couples strive to share their thoughts on design together, it usually ends with conflicts and even fights, simply because both parties insist on what they want. As a designer, it is no laughing matter to be situated in between bickering. It is best to take both interests at hand, regardless of who holds the budget. Men in general tend to be straightforward, no frills and simple, meaning they are more concerned with the ease and maintenance of a certain feature in a home, while women tend to prefer softened, delicate and light expressions in design.
Most women avoid spaces that look hard, massive and rough, and men dread the thought of their walls filled with flowers and dainty colors. And yet, men and women can’t live without the other, and interiors lose their uniqueness without the balance of both genders. The most important step is to listen and compromise. Let your partner know what you want and don’t want for your interior. Discuss the reasons why and compromise to meet the other person’s expectations. If it is space planning, identify your specific activities in each area so that adequate space may be addressed. Secondly, research and identify the style or the look both of you would like to live in. By and large, preferences toward certain styles are dictated by innate general characteristics that each gender favors. For example, since men are generally more straightforward and simple in choices pertaining to design in the home, linear, massive, solid lines and neutral colors are preferred. They usually leave the softer details in the home such as curtains, furnishings and accessories to the females since women are generally more capable with the ability to look into the details. Know the strengths of each one to be able to balance the feminine and masculine elements in the interior space.
The easiest way to create a harmonious interior space for couples is to start off with a neutral background. White, black, browns, grays are neutral colors that can easily be worked with other complementing colors. Choosing this color scheme for larger surfaces such as walls or flooring will allow the couple to designate more detail, more color and more texture in smaller items in the interior. That way, no element will dominate over the other, and instead, a well-balanced interior is created. Also, choose easy to maintain materials that will appeal to both the male and the female. Should this be a consideration in your interior, you will find that living should always be at ease and should always target specific needs of each user. Then, each personality in the setting is given priority which will eventually be appreciated.
Strive to maintain a balanced look of interior. This may be done by clearly sorting out your needs versus wants versus things not really needed. In doing so, you will also be able to prioritize on what you really need so that you may complement and allocate ample space and design consideration to your partner as well. After all, you will be sharing the space with another so best if it complements you both. You may also choose to consider blending certain styles such as modern and classical, or Western and Eastern. Most often, modern style is associated with men preferring a streamlined, clean and hi-tech look in interiors. Classical styles are more detailed, refined and generally curvilinear.
Ideally, the simpler style should be considered for larger proportions of interiors such as flooring, walls and structure. For instance, if a woman would insist a Classical dining set to go with an ultra-modern look of the dining area, the couple should agree on their decision. In my opinion, it is best to keep the integrity of the style and perhaps ascertain which of the classical styles would match a modern interior. Some interior accessories and accents may be considered, in this case.
Likewise, if it is a case of choosing between a Western or an Eastern style, one may consider an eclectic interior where there is a unified cohesion of styles from both regions. Again, consider using the style with simpler proportions to bigger areas in the interior, and incorporate accents of the more detailed style to the smaller proportions of the rooms. In a nutshell, the more detailed and intricate the style, the lesser it should be used in the interior. The simpler the design, the more it should be used in the interior.
Someone once said “never to move the man’s chair in the house.” It is important to respect the head of the house and to consider his special needs. For women, if you want your man to spend quality time in the home, consider recognizing his needs and wants and find a space to address these. You may want to pamper him by putting a recliner in front of his TV where he could relax after a long day’s work. Have a special space or room for him where he can do the things he likes. In the same manner, women traditionally spend more time in the home than men. It is essential for women to have a space where they can relax, refresh and unwind, to ease the daily stresses they also encounter. If the room is meant for either gender, leave the decisions in design to the user of the space.
Rule of Thumb
As a rule of thumb, structures are toned down from its rigidity by how well designers can use the elements and principles in design to soften an interior space. Though some interiors may generally be stiff and hard, it does not mean that it cannot be softened to adapt to the well being of the users. Rigidity is best eliminated through successfully grouping decorative furnishings, furniture and accents. Pictures, prints, paintings, pottery, sculpture and interior plant scaping; these are all essential to soften a place. Identify all areas that lack the warmth detailing may bring in a home. After doing this, strategically locate it in areas that tend to be overly masculine.
Couples working in agreement in the design of their house may probably share one of the best experiences of their life together. It can be a satisfying experience to know more about one another and what may please the other. Design is truly successful only when the needs of each one is addressed through careful and thorough planning and research in the style that will best suit one’s personality.
