The economic crisis is forcing couples to downsize

FIRST it gets your cash, then it starts taking your living space. If the credit crunch means you’re starting to see a lot more of your girlfriend or boyfriend, and not in a good way, then you’re not the only one.

In a recession, even love has to downsize. Whether you’ve lost your job or are in fear of a "restructure", it can be tempting to ask your other half if you should halve your rents by living ­together – or, if you've already taken the plunge, moving to a smaller place.

But can this really be a solution? Halved bills may mean double your cash, but that’s no good if you have no room in which to enjoy it.

One in five ­couples feel ­"financially shackled together", according to a ­survey by building ­society Skipton.

Writer Georgina Melville, 33, and her partner, events organiser Will Bean, 29, gave up their house in Essex at the end of last year. Now they live in a tiny one-bedroom flat nearer work in west London.

"If we felt cramped in ­our house we could always retreat to different rooms to have a bit of space," says Georgina. "But now there is no privacy unless one of us goes out.

"Every time I open a ­cupboard something falls out, which makes me want to scream. There’s no room to hide and being so boxed in is eating away at any romance."

Relation counsellor Mo Kurimbokus says: "When times were good, they would have taken things for granted. Now they may be suffering from the loss of a job or space."

But it needn’t be the end of the relationship. "They can be happy again, they just need to talk it through and find their own practical solutions."

Meanwhile, when space is at a ­premium, you need to ­organise your own zones too.

Interior designer Mhairi Coyle recommends ­couples create "his" and "hers" areas. Coyle says: "You must each have well-­organised, separate storage. Chuck out as much as you can. Mirrors that face windows can add light to a room, as can pale colours.

"Have different settings for lighting: bright lights for food preparation and low-lights for entertaining. Prioritise the bedroom, too. Make it clutter-free."

Five ways to make it work:

1. Remember to talk: Don’t forget to have proper chats together regularly.

2. Create your own mystery: Shut the bathroom door to "transform" for your evening date.

3. Go out separately: It maintains the sense you have your own life.

4. Turn the telly off: A TV in a small space can take over – switch it off.

5. Dejunk your home: Store or chuck anything not in regular use.

When it doesn't work out:

Chez Grimble, 27, a ­musician, gave up her London house-share to move in with her girlfriend in ­Brighton. "It was meant to be temporary, but I ended up there for a year. But there was no room – even eating together all the time ­became suffocating. We eventually split up. We weren’t ready – you need to have your own lives."