Sarah Michelle Gellar reveals home tip for maintaining a 23-year marriage

Sarah Michelle Gellar, 48, notes that a small but functional element at home has helped her sidestep typical marital issues.

In a People interview released on Wednesday, the actress revealed that having "one bedroom, two bathrooms" is essential for her enduring marriage.

"You don't need to have extravagant accommodations with two bathrooms in your bedroom! Simply having another bathroom available is all that's needed," she shared with People, explaining that this arrangement "prevents a lot of insignificant quarrels."

Gellar has been wed to Freddie Prinze Jr since 2002. The couple first connected while filming "I Know What You Did Last Summer," and they have two children together.

The "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" actress stated that establishing a distinct separation between her public image and personal life has been crucial for her relationship's success in Hollywood.

"I always express that I am dual: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sarah Prinze," she mentioned. "They represent two different sides of me."

The version of her with her spouse enjoys "a calmer life and a personal life," she noted.

Gellar emphasised that strong bonds don’t survive without dedication.

"You need to be prepared to make an effort. That's true for all relationships, friendships, everything. Effort is essential," she stated.

"I feel like we live in an extremely throwaway culture. When I was younger, if your TV had issues, my mom and I would lug it eight blocks through New York City to the TV repair store," she shared.

Nowadays, she pointed out, people tend to replace rather than repair.

"This mentality means we don't work as hard on things since it's simpler to 'acquire a replacement,'" Gellar remarked. "Effort is necessary. You have to make time for it."

Gellar previously mentioned how individual bathrooms contributed to her marriage's success.

In 2017, she shared how this arrangement works because not everything must be shared.

She reiterated this sentiment during an April appearance on "Today with Jenna & Friends," insisting, "It's really that straightforward."

Gellar isn't the only celebrity embracing more personal space at home, with some opting for individual bedrooms.

Carson Daly described sleep divorce as "the best decision" for his marriage, while Barbara Corcoran admitted that having their own bedroom made her feel "twice as affectionate" towards her spouse.