Have you ever tried buying furniture together with your partner? Chances are, you’ve had quite a few disagreements about the style, the design, and even the material of every piece of furniture in the store. I’ve seen a lot of couples fighting for every bit of furniture that they want. Sometimes I really have to agree that bachelors have it easy compared to married men. Why would I say this? Bachelors get to pick anything they want and put it anywhere they want it. Meanwhile, married men have to undergo a series of obstacle courses just to get that couch they’ve always wanted. Whether it’s a set of chairs for the kitchen or a futon for the den, buying furniture is never an easy task for couples.

Men and women are worlds apart when it comes to their tastes and likes in furniture. Men prefer straight lines, neat designs, plain patterns and muted colors for fabrics, and substantial builds for their furnishings. Contemporary, functional pieces with a casual theme go well for men, whether they are for wooden or upholstered furniture.

Women, however, go for pastel colors and floral designs, because for them, it gives the furniture style and elegance. They look for beautiful patterns and designs, and prefer floral, silk, smooth and soft fabrics. Furniture designs with rolled arms, curved backs, and details like skirting, cording, and pillows or cushions go well for women. The overall themes that women go for involves English, French, Italian or country flavors.

Considering these factors, it’s no wonder that couples rarely agree on what to buy or build for their homes. Their likes and dislikes will unavoidably collide with each other every chance they get. Men will see the women’s tastes as fastidious and uninviting, while the women begin to think that men have no sense of style whatsoever.

The best way to solve this dilemma is to understand both partners’ preferences. Instead of looking for the obvious differences in taste and style, why not look for the common factors that you both have? Find some common ground and work from there. Perhaps you’d find that you both like laminates and stripes. Or maybe it’s that movado clock you got for your 1st anniversary. Discover what you both like and try to see if the other details can fall into place around that common theme.

Compromising also works great. Combine your tastes and see if you don’t find something that will match both your standards. For example, he can have a large-scale work desk in the office, and she can add pastel curtains to brighten the room. You can have a color scheme that she likes, and incorporate a leather chair for him. Or the den might have a plain background and strong architectural lines for him, but it can also have silky fabrics and accessories that would appeal to her tastes.

Finding a common ground can work very well in resolving the differences that can crop up. Each one should be able to express their likes and dislikes. This way, serious disagreements can be avoided and you will have a home that is both functional and beautiful.

About the author:

Azlan Irda is the co-founder of Acura Furniture which provides a great selection of quality furniture at affordable price. Visit our website for the best bedroom furniture you can find online.

- Azlan Irda