How to Live with a Maximalist

As a minimalist, living with a maximalist who doesn’t share the same perspective on a simple lifestyle can be extremely frustrating.

Maybe there isn’t enough space in your small apartment for all of their belongings or they insist on displaying absolutely everything they own. When a maximalist and a minimalist live together, whether as roommates or as significant others, it can be tense with these differing preferences and philosophies.

Through my own experience, I can tell you that it is not exactly easy to live with a maximalist. It can be frustrating when all of their personal items seem to overtake the common spaces. Here are some tips and tricks I’ve found that can help minimalists and maximalists live in harmony. This post details how to live with a maximalist, specifically as a minimalist.

Effective Communication

Open and honest communication is crucial when living with someone who has differing perspectives and preferences. Discuss your concerns and frustrations with your maximalist partner or roommate in a calm and respectful manner. Share your need for a clutter-free environment and explain how it positively impacts your mental well-being.

Listen to their perspective as well, and try to understand their attachment to their belongings and the value they find in surrounding themselves with things. Seek a middle ground where both parties can compromise and find ways to coexist peacefully. Remember that living together requires understanding and respect for each other’s boundaries and choices.

Set up Boundaries

If someone you live with insists on keeping their possessions that you simply don’t have space for, designate an area or room where they can keep their belongings. But there it has to remain; They may keep anything they desire within the confines of this space but outside of that space may only be the common items universally agreed upon.

This is a good compromise for a minimalist as although it does not completely rid the home of these extra items, it keeps the main areas free of them

Keep it Clean

A large part of the issue is simply clutter. When there are many items all in the same space it can create clutter that although isn’t messy, looks like a mess.

In order to avoid this, simply make sure all of your maximalist’s kitchen utensils, shoes, electronic devices, etc. are always put away in their respective locations. This can be the cupboards, the shoe rack, or the desk drawer. But whatever it is, the miscellaneous items should be in there and not out in the open taking up space.

This will help maintain a clean and organized living environment, alleviating some of the tension between minimalists and maximalists. Remind your maximalist partner or roommate to clean up after themselves and put their belongings away. By establishing this routine, you can prevent the accumulation of clutter and maintain a visually appealing space. This will satisfy both your minimalist sensibilities and their desire to keep their belongings close at hand.

For ideas on different storage solutions in small apartments check out this page on storage

Compromise on Display

While maximalists may want to display everything they own, you may not be so keen. Compromising what items are allowed to be showcased can be a solution. Sit down with them and have an open and honest discussion about what you feel is important to display.

Encourage your maximalist partner or roommate to select a few of their most cherished or aesthetically pleasing possessions they want to display. You can suggest using shelves, wall-mounted displays, or designated areas where they can showcase their chosen items.

Then keep the rest stored away. By limiting the number of displayed possessions, you can strike a balance between their desire for self-expression and your need for a clean and minimalist living space. This compromise allows them to enjoy their items while also maintaining a clutter-free environment.

Find Common Ground

Despite the differences in your lifestyle choices, there are often areas where minimalists and maximalists can find common ground. Explore shared interests and activities that can be enjoyed together without conflicting with your minimalist ideals.

For example, you can both agree to designate certain rooms or areas in the house as minimalist spaces where clutter is kept to a minimum. In contrast, other rooms can be more flexible for the maximalist’s self-expression. Find activities outside of the home, such as outdoor adventures or experiences that focus on creating memories rather than accumulating possessions.

Remember, compromise and understanding are key when living with someone who has opposing preferences. Embrace the opportunity to learn from each other’s perspectives.

Conclusion

Living with a maximalist as a minimalist can be challenging, but by practicing effective communication, setting boundaries, maintaining cleanliness, compromising on display, and finding common ground, you can create a living arrangement that respects both your minimalist lifestyle and their maximalist tendencies.

Embrace the opportunity to learn from each other’s differences and foster a harmonious living space that reflects the values and preferences of both individuals. Living with a maximalist as a minimalist can be challenging but just know it’s not as hard as you think.