When buying a new house, design is usually a big factor to consider. The style, finishes, layout and plans all come together to create a home that you'll either be chomping at the bit to move into, or will make for a home that makes you want to say 'no thank you' and keep looking.

With my own new house I spent a ton of time planning and selecting finishes and interior elements. As soon as we walked through the show home I knew that I loved the style but that there were some changes I'd want to make. If I had been making the decisions on my own it would have been a pretty painless process however, negotiating and compromising with James turned out to be more of a struggle than I had initially thought it would be. So, if you're buying a new home or even renting a place with a partner or roomate or friend, I've got a few tips on how to compromise and find the right style to suit the both (or all) of you!

Explore Different Styles

When trying to determine what interior style is your favourite, the best way to get an idea of what you like is to see what's out there. You might have an idea in your mind that you love one style but once you browse through pinterest or houzz or a few design magazines you might find you're gravitating to a style you hadn't expected to love. My best tip is to start a pinterest board and have everyone who's going to have a design opinion pin images to that board. Then, rather than focusing on your differences, try to find similarities or commonalities in the images you pin and use those as your jumping off point.

Determine Your Likes and Dislikes

It is just as important to determine your absolute dislikes as it is to determine what you love. Sit down with your partner or roommate or friend that you'll be living with and talk about your must have's, your wants, needs and absolute not's when it comes to your home. If you find you disagree, explain the why behind your choice and talk through what's most important to each of you. You might say you love the partner blue but your partner hates in. Maybe in understanding the reason why they hate the color blue, you'll better understand and be able to let that detail go, and compromise on another. Hopefully through sitting down and making a list, you'll be able to prioritize the most important factors to keep in mind when looking and focus on the values you share rather than what you disagree on.

Work With Professionals

When it comes to buying a home it can get very overwhelming. Looking for a well built home in a good neighbourhood and at a fair price is something that requires a bit of expertise. Working with a real estate agent is a great way to know you have a third party who's looking out for your best interest and is an expert in their field. Once you find your dream home, if you're really struggling with putting together your vision or compromising, hiring an interior designer even for just a quick consult can be a great way to get an expert opinion and point you in the right direction.

Be Realistic

My last and possibly most important piece of advice when it comes to finding a home you'll love is to be realistic. We all have our "wish list" but rarely does anyone find a home that checks all the boxes on their list. Life is about compromise and purchasing a home is no different. Be realistic and flexible and open to compromises. If you stay closed off to different homes and ideas you might miss out on an amazing property you might have otherwise ignored

Happy house hunting!

Buying a House: Finding the Right Interior Style for You