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. It's a common sight to see couple arguing about the furniture they want to get for their home. Times like these, I often think that bachelors really have it easy compared to married men.

Why would I say this? Think about it. Bachelors can buy any piece of furniture they want and stick it anywhere they want to. 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 corner table for the bedroom, buying furniture is never 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.

Meanwhile, women look for floral designs and pastel colors in their furniture, because to them, it looks attractive and stylish. 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.

You can see that these two completely contradictory tastes will inevitably result in disputes. Their likes and dislikes will unavoidably collide with each other every chance they get. Men will see the women's tastes as fussy and uninviting, while the women begin to think that men have no sense of style whatsoever.

The key to resolving this dispute is understanding both of your 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. Maybe you'll discover that you both like laminates and stripes. Or maybe it's that bombe chest you got for your 1st anniversary. You'll find out that you both have something in common, so try to see if the other details can fall into place around that common theme.

You can also try compromising. . For example, he can have a large, sturdy sofa for him, and add some floral cushions for her. You can work around a color scheme that she likes, and include some accessories for him. Or the den might have dark wooden paneling and straight lines for him, but it can also have silky fabrics and accessories that would appeal to her tastes.

Finding a common ground allows couples to resolve furniture dilemmas that can crop up. Both partners should have a chance to express opinions, likes and dislikes. This way, serious disagreements can be avoided and you will have a home that is both functional and beautiful.