Sharing a home with your significant other can be one of the most exciting journeys to embark on in your life, but it doesn’t come without complications. Trying to stay on a level playing field with your loved one once you are sharing a home can be tricky, and it takes a lot of commitment to try and make it work without constant conflict.
Top causes of conflict in couples living together
The process of moving in together can be a stressful experience at times so, perhaps unsurprisingly, a study carried out by fitted wardrobe specialists Hammonds found that a substantial 83% of couples have argued about some aspect of living together either when undergoing the transition or talking about someday moving in with each other.
The study suggests that the main reason for conflict when moving in together is tidiness and that over a third of couples argue more about their homes being messy or filled with clutter, more than any other point of contention.
Below are the findings from Hammonds survey for the top causes of couple’s arguments when moving in together:
- Clutter/mess (34%)
- Bills (31%)
- Cleanliness (25%)
- Chores (22%)
- Decorating preferences (21%)
Decorating with your partner
Of the 2,000 UK adults who took part in the Hammonds survey, 21% admitted to having disagreements with their partner over their differing interior design tastes.
When it comes to decorating preferences, 37% of UK adults from the survey said they prefer to take a minimalistic approach to interior design styles, with only 7% admitting they would choose a maximalist design style in their homes.
However, 39% of people say they had to compromise with their partner when decorating. Allan Reid, a founder of Art Windows & Doors shares tips on what people can do if they have differing interior preferences.
“Minimalism is a wonderful, versatile trend that can be blended with many others. As the style revolves around simplicity, you can easily incorporate other aesthetics (such as cottage core) by making subtle nods to trends in your choices.”
How to avoid conflict with your partner
For couples who are struggling to find a middle ground as they adjust to a new living arrangement, relationship expert and global director at Berkeley International Mairead Molloy advises that the most important thing you can to do avoid conflict is to listen to the other person and try to break negative communication patterns that rarely end in a resolution.
