4 TIPS TO GET YOU READY TO MOVE IN WITH ANOTHER!
Deciding to move in with another person can be an intimidating yet exciting step. For some, it’s the first time they have moved in with someone so there are bound to be a few learning hurdles and challenges to overcome. Below we have some tips that can help to make this transition easier, to make it a happy experience that you can reflect on, and not one met with endless frustration.
Let’s Talk Finances
Moving in with someone means being more open and honest–maybe more than you were prior to sharing a space with one another. It can be difficult to start a conversation about topics you normally keep to yourself, including your financial health. It’s important to share your spending habits and expenses to know what you need to budget for. This will cut down on the stress of knowing how much money needs to go towards expenses and how much can be spent on hobbies or other entertainment. Taking the time to talk it over will reduce the chance of frustration and confusion when it comes to where your money is being spent. Sit down with one another and create a spreadsheet that keeps all your financial information organized. It’s also important to take your individual incomes into consideration and distribute the monthly expenses accordingly.
Once you have your finances in check, you can begin looking into the best space that fits in your price range. Whether it’s a home or apartment, you want to invest in a space that has your desired amenities without putting too much strain on your wallet. Then it’s time to pack those boxes and combine two separate spaces into one.
Time to Declutter
When you pack up your old home, it’s the perfect time to declutter, organize, and get rid of gently used home furnishings that you no longer need. Make a list of things you need and want to keep, and a list of items you no longer have use or room for. Since you’re combining two living spaces into one, there are bound to be some duplicate items. Do some research into donating options before throwing everything to the curb, because your gently used furnishings could be an affordable piece for someone else’s living space. Or, try sites like LetGo, that make it easy to post and sell your old furnishings. You can also go the traditional route and have a garage sale! This can help you raise some extra money to put towards your new space.
When you’re digging through your belongings and filling those moving boxes to the brim, you might even find some old mementos that you’ll want to bring into your new space. These personalized pieces can make it feel more like home. Old family photos or sentimental items make great talking points with guests too!
Designing Your Space
Once you have everything settled into your new space, there may be some gaps where you need to replace the home furnishings you donated or sold. Investing in new furniture is a huge expense, so shop around and be sure to talk with one another about your design tastes and styles. You’ll want your space to reflect both of you, so sit down together and search the web or magazines for interior design inspiration.
When you come to a decision on the overall theme, it’s time to do some shopping! Don’t shy away from higher quality items because you might find that they last you longer and are more durable against wear and tear. To avoid getting overwhelmed when decorating, start by going one room at a time. If you have a new dining room that needs the perfect dining set as the focal point, look into unique and durable dining sets fit for a family dinner or entertaining guests. Or if your living room needs a new sectional sofa, perfect for movie nights and binge-watching your favorite show, find a neutral sofa made with easy to clean fabrics. Focusing on one room at a time can also help you stay within budget by tackling the expensive furnishings over an extended period.
Learning Curves
Once you are living with one another, there may be some conflicts that arise or learning curves that need to be addressed due to differing lifestyles. This might be a new experience for both of you, so don’t panic or get angry, just be open about the expectations you both have for your space. Make a list of household chores and divide up the responsibilities to make sure your new space stays neat and tidy. Also, label things that you might not want to share. Just because you share the same home doesn’t mean you have to share everything within the space. Finally, don’t feel bad about wanting some alone time in your shared space. Build spaces in your home that each of you can design to your liking, to create a little get away from one another.
