Living Rooms: Your Place or Mine?

You finally decided to do it. You and your partner are sharing a home. Or maybe you found a roommate and moved into your first apartment. But it's not exactly what you expected. He brought along that big-cushioned sofa and spends hours lounging around in the living room. Or maybe she brought in a fancy, white divan that's only for "special occasions." Merging households can cause tension, especially when it comes to living room furniture. But there are ways to co-decorate this room without either of you completely surrendering your style.

Two Sets of Furniture, One Living Room: Bringing Your Styles Together

You might remember your childhood living room as a place you rarely ventured into unless the family had "company." And then you had to "behave" — no leaning on armrests or bringing in snacks. Or maybe your living room was a more casual place —where you could stretch out on the sofa, play games on the floor, or watch TV.

In fact, the living room has changed its function dramatically in recent years. For a long time, living rooms were appropriately called sitting rooms because that was about all you could do in them. The furniture was formal and maybe even covered with plastic. Times have changed. But not everyone has adopted this less-formal view of the living room. That can be the source of a lot of tension and stress for people who are new to sharing this space.

Whether you have a roommate or are part of a couple, your living room should say something about who you are. But now the word you applies to two people. Even if your tastes in furniture aren't in sync, you can blend them into a style that works for everyone.

Consider these tips:

• Remember that contrast can make the room look more interesting. Antiques look even more distinguished next to modern furniture, glossy finishes stand out more beside a matte surface, and curves seem more organic next to straight lines. IKEA furniture includes a range of styles from casual to elegant that make it easy to blend two styles into one.
• Use color as a starting point. Color is more than the paint on the walls. It's also the furniture, artwork, lamps, plants and accessories. For large items, such as your sofa, choose a neutral color. This will give you more flexibility for adding other colors in the room.
• Start with a multicolored object that both of you like, such as a rug or a piece of art. Then build from there. Use two dominant colors from that object and distribute them around the room. Then use one to three other colors from the same object in the same way. Work to achieve balance, and be careful not to create a "blue area" or a "white corner."

It takes time and patience to create the perfect living room. Working together will help you agree on how the room will be used. So whether you make it a room for formal entertaining or a place to relax, enjoy living in it!