When it comes to decorating a home, are you more minimalist or do you love filling every space? Has that ever caused a clash with someone you live with?

B Natural answer

I’d say I’m somewhere in the middle, but I definitely lean toward a clean, simple style. I like to keep things tidy because it makes the home feel easier to use and less stressful. At the same time, I don’t want it to look empty, so I add a few photos, a rug, and some plants. The one problem is that my partner likes to fill every corner with something decorative. That can be nice in small doses, but if it goes too far, the room starts to feel busy. We’ve had a few tense conversations about it, especially when we were choosing shelves and wall art. Usually we solve it by making a small compromise: we keep the main areas simple, and then let the other person choose a few personal items. It’s not perfect, but it saves a lot of arguing and keeps the place comfortable for both of us.

Key phrases in this answer

• keep things tidy — make sure a place stays neat and organized“I like to keep things tidy so the apartment feels calm.”
• fill every corner — put something in every available space“My partner likes to fill every corner with decorations.”
• small compromise — a minor agreement where both sides give up a little“We made a small compromise about the living room shelves.”
• pretty minimal — fairly simple, with very few decorations or objects“I’m pretty minimal when it comes to decorating.”
• a bit cluttered — slightly messy or too full of things“The room felt a bit cluttered after we added more furniture.”
• open, breathable feel — a feeling that a room is spacious and easy to be in“I like a home with an open, breathable feel.”