Blending two lives together into one space can be challenging. But knowing a few key tips will help lead to a smoother, less stressful move! Here are our top tips for couples moving in together.
Discuss Financials Ahead of Time
Before you even start moving in together, set aside some time to go over all the financials. It will not only help you figure out how to pay for moving supplies and movers, but it will help you decide on long-term budgets. Discuss income, savings, investments, credit score, credit card debt, student loans, and any other financial obligations. Once you’re both fully in the know, you can begin to create a budget around rent, utilities, groceries, and more.
Compile Belongings
Moving is all about the stuff. And having two people come together to share one space…you can bet there’s going to be quite a bit of stuff! Before packing any boxes, take inventory of you and your partner’s belongings. You will probably have some duplicate items you’ll need to deal with. For example, unless you’re moving into a place with a guest bedroom, you’ll need to decide what to do with one of the two bed frames and mattresses. Don’t forget to decide what to do with smaller duplicate items like kitchen utensils, appliances, and cleaning supplies.
Decide What to Keep, Donate, or Sell
Here comes the difficult part. Everything you keep adds to the cost of your move and the amount of square footage you’ll need in the new space. If you and your partner don’t pare down your belongings, you’ll be wasting money to move stuff you might not ultimately keep.
Go through all the items with your partner and decide what you’ll be keeping, selling, trashing, or donating. It can be hard to get rid of your things, and it can be harder to hear your partner tell you some of your things won’t make the cut. Remember to communicate and keep an open mind when going through this process. This can be tricky for everyone involved, but it can also be liberating. Think of it as making room for a new life with your partner!
Measure Furniture
When you know what furniture you’ll be keeping for the new home, make sure to measure it so you can be sure they will fit. If you haven’t found the place yet, write down the dimensions on a note in your phone. As you tour places, bring a measuring tape and refer to the note to see if your furniture will make a good fit.
If you have the place and find your furniture won’t fit, it’s time to figure out together what you’ll do. You can put your furniture in a storage unit, sell it, or donate it, and then decide together what new furniture you’ll get.
Be Prepared for Compromises
Your new home will be a shared space between you and your partner. So that means it shouldn’t feel or look like it belongs to just one of you. Whether it’s your doll collection you want to keep in the living room or their loud singing in the shower at 5 am, you’re both going to have to make compromises.
If there are small things that bother you but aren’t harmful, you may need to let them go. If there are things that upset you, don’t let them build up. It’s important to communicate openly with your partner about your worries and expectations. You may find they had no idea they did something a certain way, and it could be an easy fix. Also, keep an open mind throughout conversations and hear each other out.
Rent a Self-Storage Unit
If you’re running low on space in your new place or don’t want to toss the extra furniture, a self-storage unit can come in handy.
With a storage unit, you can store items that may still have a future, like a bed frame that won’t fit in your home now but will be great for your next home. You’ll also be able to store seasonal décor, extra clothes, sentimental items, and collectibles safely in a storage unit and not have to worry about cluttering up a closet or bonus room.
All Secure Storage is your go-to storage provider for the Western Slopes!
Make Space with All Secure Storage
When you start to feel like you’re running out of room in your home, All Secure Storage will be here to help you out. We have storage unit rentals available to help free up space in your home, as well as moving truck rentals if you want to make the moving process a little easier. All Secure Storage is the go-to storage provider for the Western Slopes. With a convenient location in Montrose, we’ve got your storage needs covered.
