Can a too small property cause relationship issues?

[Ephel]

Do you think being squished into a too small home can cause relationship problems?

Well - put it this way. Since moving into a larger house and not having to share a bathroom with my DH, things have been much more harmonious. 🤣

Yes, definitely. Humans need their own space and privacy. The change in DH, DD and I’s relationship when we moved into a bigger property and weren’t living on top of each other was amazing. Having more than one lounge and a bathroom for each of us was genuinely life changing. No more silly squabbles over who left what clutter where, what to watch on TV etc and room to actually enjoy ourselves + entertain guests

Only niggles I reckon. Bigger issues will surface even in a bigger place.

Yes. Snapping at each other in a small flat during covid was not fun; a noise nuisance occurred that meant I ended up spending months on a single bed in the middle of the lounge. My OH also seems to have an uncanny knack of knowing exactly which direction I want to go in and awkwardly standing in that exact spot too.

Bigger homes saved our relationship. You cannot control external stressors that will test your limits but you can control being prepared for them. To me, that means space, if it is affordable.

Not always. DH and I live in a small one bedroom flat, and have since we met, including Covid lockdowns. We communicate and take time 'apart' when needed (one will retreat to the bedroom to read, watch something, listen to a podcast and not be disturbed). It's never caused a problem. At the moment in fact there are 2 of us and a newborn, as circumstances meant we couldn't sell it before he arrived, so will now wait until I'm back at work.

I’m not sure. it depends on other factors in your life too. We got on really eell in the smallest flat we ever had together, largely I think because it was:

1. So small it was barely any upkeep
2. Nice high ceilings so it created a feeling of space
3. Ten minutes walk to work for both of us so we had got home much earlier inthe evening. And we coukd even meet at home for lunch some days
4. Two minutes walk to the cinema so we’d go out a lot in the evening with cinema passes
5. Close to shops and cafes so getting food etc was easy
6. It was very warm and cosy

I think you need to be able to get out of each other's space - you can do that with a separate bedroom and living room. You need to be able to get outdoors easily, even if it's just a balcony or a park round the corner.

@BitterSweetSympathy's points are really good - the right location can expand your home space to nearby pubs, cafes, etc.

You do need storage (or to be minimalists) so your 'spaces' feel like spaces. Having to shove each other out of the way to pull something from under the sofa gets old very quickly! And two bathrooms would be wonderful, though unlikely in a small home ... a gym next door could be handy!