Moving in together is at once exciting and stressful; we all have our own way of doing things and decorating our homes is no different.  Imagining his football posters along side your Georgia O'Keefe print can make even the strongest of us cringe. 

Consider a few strategies before the big move-in and at least your shared home's decor will be less likely to butt heads:

 You both need to take stock of the furniture and accessories that you own.  Get rid of what you have too many of and keep what is functional.  Allow that each of you will probably have something of sentimental value.  These items will add an eclectic feel to your home.
 
 Chances are that each of you will have different interests.  For example, he may love car racing and you may be inspired by anything to do with cows. Mixing two or more different interests into a decor can be challenging. The better option is to designate specific areas for the display of memorabilia or collections.  Whether it is a specific room or a wall, keeping everything together will provide a better display and not look cluttered.
 
 Having said that, it is important to remember that some things are not decorating items and although they have a sense of meaning, they should be kept in storage or put away for personal viewing.  A few items that top this list are garters from weddings, beer labels pulled from bottles, flags, and stuffed animals.

 Having an area in the home that is comfortable for each of you as individuals is a consideration that is often overlooked.  Whether you live in a one bedroom apartment or three bedroom house, a sense of individual space is important.  In a large home, this can be accomplished by having rooms for each person to "hide-away" or chairs that are specific to each person.  In a small space, this can be achieved simply by having a special blanket or throw on the sofa for yourself and maybe a table to the side which holds all of his books.  It is important that these things stay distinct and thus reflect the style of the individual owners.  By doing this, your home will also look less cluttered and feel like it has more focus and purpose.

 It is a good idea to keep a consistent color scheme throughout your space.  If you like pink and he likes black, try to find a way for the two to work together.  Remember that these should be used as accent colors and that the background colors should be kept neutral.
 
 Living with someone will certainly bring along a lot of changes.  Try to keep an open mind and be willing to compromise, especially on the smaller things.  Although you may love your fluffy pink sofa cushions, consider something a little less girly such as ultrasuede which can be accommodating to both of you.  You can still have fun with the color but the fabric is better suited to the both of you.
 
 Of course, getting rid of everything old and buying new for the two of you is always a great option, if you can afford to do so.  The two of you can decide on your style together and create your new space that compliments both of you, thus providing both a sense of the individual and a harmonious feel to your home.