Ask Joshua: Can Two Different Interior Design Styles Work Together?

Hi Joshua,

My fiancé and I are planning to get married next year and so we are planning to move in together soon. The problem is we have two very different styles. My fiancé’ style is minimalism and my style is glamour. We’re prepared to do some shopping for new furniture and accessories that work best for both of us. I’m just a little bit at a loss how to merge our different styles so it doesn’t look like a bunch of random stuff thrown together.

Amy - New York City, New York.

AI-generated rendering of a New York City apartment that blends minimalist and glamorous design influences into a cohesive living and dining space.

Hi Amy,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

What you're experiencing is actually very common. In fact, many of my clients come to me because they and their partner have different design preferences and aren't sure how to bring them together. The good thing about design is that very few homes fit neatly into a single category. Most well-designed spaces borrow elements from multiple styles to create something that feels personal to the people who live there.

Minimalism and Glamour may seem far apart on the surface, but I've found that different styles often have more in common than people realize. The challenge isn't whether two styles can work together. The challenge is knowing where to compromise, where to make a statement, and how to create a cohesive vision that reflects both people equally.

This is one of the reasons many couples choose to work with a designer. Having an outside perspective can help identify opportunities that neither person may have considered and create a home that feels intentional rather than like a collection of competing ideas.

The most successful homes aren't necessarily the ones that follow a specific style perfectly. They're the ones that tell the story of the people who live there.

Warmly,

Joshua

Have interior design related questions? You can ask Joshua here.