Couple’s home survival

THE PSYCHOLOGY

Opposites attract – and in many ways this phenomenon can work out well for a couple – but one area in which a couple’s differences can make living together less than harmonious is home organisation.

Unless couples find ways to deal with their organisational divide, the stress on their relationship can be immense –both for the neat one and the more laid-back, untidy one.

THE HOW TO

Separate spaces While compromise is important, ultimately, it may just be better if one person sets up a desk in a shed or keeps their clothes in a spare bedroom. Arguing about what an office or cupboard “should” look like is usually not helpful. People function differently, and they’re rarely able to change ingrained habits dramatically. So, don’t waste years trying to get your spouse to come around to your way of thinking. You don’t have to share everything. A willingness to take a different approach is a sign of respect.

Sorting out your spaces

Split the work In most homes there are areas that regularly become cluttered and disorganised. If one person is better at where things belong in a particular room, they can be responsible for straightening up that space, and their partner can take on another area. Split the work and set a deadline. Or agree to clean your designated space every Sunday evening or every two weeks. Resentment builds when one person is in charge, so divide the responsibility evenly.

We all have different needs and skills, so it makes sense for couples to play to their individual strengths – you don’t have to share everything

Get help Doing nothing when there is disagreement about how to live in and enjoy your home is not a viable option. If you can’t resolve your differences alone, call in a third party to offer objective advice. It doesn’t need to be a professional organiser, and a relative might not be ideal. A friend or neighbour could help you clean out or straighten up your wardrobe a couple of times a year or share ideas about how to process bills. – Washington Post