Cohabitating with your partner? Here’s what you need to do first
Did you know that nearly 40% of couples move in together within a year of dating? If your significant other is moving in with you, get excited: you’ll get to spend more time together, save money on rent, and get to know your partner better than ever.
With that said, such consolidation doesn’t always make for a bed of roses. If you’ve been living solo and enjoying your own personal space up until now, there are some steps you’ll want to take to prepare for move-in day – especially if you know you happen to subscribe to different styles of living habits.
Heed the following tips so that both you and your significant other can be as comfortable as possible, and kick things off to a great start:
Think About Storage
You might feel like you have plenty of space right now, but consider the fact that the amount of “stuff” in your home is about to double… or triple, if your partner’s last name is Kardashian.
Your significant other will more than likely bring along his or her own clothing, toiletries, personal items, and maybe even some furniture. Take the time to go through your largest closet and all of your dresser drawers, and set aside anything you haven’t worn in the past year. Consider donating, selling, or putting these items into a separate storage space. You may even want to invest in some additional storage solutions to maximize space, such as over-the-door shoe racks, closet shelving, or an extra bureau.
Decide What to Do With Duplicates
If your partner has been living in his or her own place up until now, things can get complicated when it comes to consolidating furniture – especially if there’s not enough room to fit everything in one house or apartment (i.e. you live in New York City).
This is why it’s crucial to create a game plan ahead of time: perhaps your partner has a nice dining room set that can replace the one you own, but you agree to keep your couches and bed. The same goes for smaller home appliances such as kitchenware, vacuums, and décor items (it might finally be time to let go of those Batman window shades).
If your partner can’t bear to get rid of certain items that simply won’t fit in your place, look into renting a joint storage unit. You can always recover those items if you choose to buy or rent a bigger place together down the road.
If your pad has two full bathrooms, congratulations: you just saved yourself from an inevitable series of arguments over hair in the drain and on the toilet bowl. But if you’ll have to share a bathroom with your partner, be prepared for compromise. Buy a shower caddy to ensure that you both have plenty of room for your shampoos, conditioners, soaps, and razors. Clear out a few drawers in your bathroom vanity for any toiletries your partner may bring along. If you’re worried about space, look into installing shelving on the walls for added storage, or – especially if you live in an apartment – buy a portable shelving unit to ensure that you both have plenty of space to get ready. It may not seem like a big deal now, but you will learn a lot (quite often, too much) about your partner by simply sharing a bathroom together.
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to making space for your partner to move in. Taking the initiative to de-clutter, clear out space, and deal with duplicate home goods ahead of time will only set you up for success down the road.
