One of the least talked about problems that college students face in their first apartment is blending decorative styles with their new roommates.
Everyone has their own aesthetic and in most apartments, everyone has their own room. But, what about shared areas like the living room, dining room, and kitchen?
Who decides how to decorate? What colors to use? What to hang on the walls, etc.?
It’s neither here nor there because the only way to really solve this dilemma is to blend both or all styles and make an environment everyone is comfortable in. Now, there are some things that could be labeled rude or obscene if hung and anything of that nature can be stored in said roommates room.
One of the best ways to utilize everyone’s styles and still maintain individuality is by creating a focus wall of art. Grab a few different sized pictures, or wall hangings from each roommate and organized them all on one focal wall. Imagine a collage of every resident of your unit hanging in the area above the couch. Doing this ensures that everyone feels as if their decorative style is important.
Another popular idea is to just completely hold off on shopping until everyone can go together and mutually agree on what to hang up on the walls. The benefit of this idea is that every roommate can pitch into the cost so no one person is paying for every piece of decoration.
One last method to blend styles with new roommates is to just ask them what they like style wise and see if you have any similarities to work from. You can all take turns sending each other what you have to begin with and then just give honest feedback.
It’s likely that there will be room on the walls for everyone’s favorite pieces of art. Walls are giant blank canvases just waiting to be filled. Before you hang up everything you have on the walls, take some time and get your roommates point of you. Everyone’s got their own sense of style and who knows, you may love it.
Have any tips for blending style? Let us know!
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