People move in together for many reasons, from love to financial reasons. Moving in together as a couple for the first time is a huge step and not to be taken lightly. There are many things to consider, such as choosing whose furniture to keep, what is getting tossed, whether duplicate furniture should be stored or sold, how to decorate, and who is getting what closet/drawer space. In this article, we look at how to make the process less stressful for everyone involved.
If you decide to move into the other person’s house or apartment, tread carefully. There are many reasons why you might want to look past this idea. One reason is that it is already fully furnished with one person's things. They might be reluctant to part with their belongings as their place is already set up how they like it. You might always feel like it's their place and never quite feel like “home” for you.
The best way forward might be to rent a new place together before buying, especially if the relationship is fairly new. Discuss what you can afford or want to spend on a new place.
Declutter time!
Don't hesitate to get rid of items that you don't use. Focus on getting rid of old clothes, shoes, electronics, and maybe those old photos of your ex that you were holding onto. If you have anything of value, you may consider selling items to help pay moving costs.
If you are unsure what furniture or items to keep, especially if you have many duplicates, you might want to consider renting a storage unit to store your items until you figure out what you will be keeping in your new place.
Packing time!
Now is the time to figure out how many boxes you might need. It's always best to use an assortment of sizes. Don’t forget bubble wrap, tape, protective covers/blankets, a few permanent marker pens, labels, and a packing knife. Creating an inventory of your belongings as you pack might also be a good idea.
Your local Storage King has a wide range of moving and packing materials from boxes to moving covers, bubble wrap, packing tape, pens, moving blankets, packing knives, and more!
You will also want to pack items for day one of when you move in together; things like kitchen supplies, a kettle, towels, toiletries, and bedding should be easily accessible from the minute you move in.
Expectations, chores and money.
Who loves dishes? Nobody! Talking openly about chores and responsibilities from the beginning can create a smooth-running household and free up more time for the fun stuff later on.
Finances and money can be a difficult topic to talk about, it can make all the difference in creating a successful living arrangement with your partner. Be honest when talking about income, savings, bills, financial expectations and if you will be creating a joint budget for living expenses.
Self-Storage is a flexible option!
As mentioned earlier, you may want to rent a storage unit short term during the move while you figure things out what you will keep but will you need a storage unit long term for items you don’t use often like holiday decorations, winter clothes, sporting equipment or for items you don’t have the heart to part with quite yet?
After the move
Going from living alone, family life, or roommates to sharing a space with your partner is a big jump! Be patient with yourselves as you adjust to new routines, surroundings, and the joys (and quirks) of domestic life together. Open and honest communication is key to making this transition successful.
Don't forget to change your address where needed, and most importantly, it's time to have a housewarming party and enjoy your new space!
Call your local Storage King on 1800 100 700 (AU) or 0800 220 210 (NZ) to learn about our storage options and our huge range of moving and packing materials.