If you’re planning on living with your significant other, congratulations! You’re about to take a big step in your relationship. Anyone who has moved in together knows that there are particular challenges that come along with it, especially when deciding whose stuff to use when decorating and which items need to be placed in long term or short term storage in an effort to avoid clutter.
From sharing responsibilities around the house, managing finances, decluttering and managing each other’s expectations, we’ve put together some valuable tips you should keep in mind to ensure your move goes smoothly.
5 Tips for Moving in Together & How Short Term Storage Can Help
1. Do a Trial Run with the Help of Short Term Storage
A trial run is one of the best ways to see if you and your partner are ready to take the next step in your relationship by moving in together. This will help you gauge whether or not you can handle living with each other before making any significant commitments.
Find a fully furnished rental and place your belongings in a short term storage unit at Space Centre; then, once you know you are confident about your decision, you can simply cancel your contract.
It may seem negative, but a trial run will help to avoid any potential problems in the future. There might be habits that bother you more than anticipated, and doing a test run ensures that your routines are compatible.
2. Keep, Sell, Donate, Bin or Long Term Storage
When people move in together from separate homes, there are often duplicate items. To avoid having too many of the same thing, make a list of all the essentials from both places (such as beds, refrigerators, ovens, washing machines, and sofas). This makes it easy for you both to decide what to keep, sell, donate, bin or store in a short term storage or long term storage unit.
When it comes to personal items, you should decide together what to keep, sell, or throw away. A good rule of thumb when choosing to keep an item is to ask yourself if you have used it in the last 12 months. If not, it’s probably time to let it go unless it has sentimental value.
If an item has value but you don’t want it anymore, consider selling or donating it. You can also put some of your belongings into short term storage, such as items you don’t want to get rid of but don’t have space for in your new home.
If you have broken and unusable items, get rid of them immediately but ensure you check how best to dispose of them and don’t forget to recycle, if possible. For an in-depth guide to decluttering, please read our blog on Decluttering Tips For A Proper Clean Out
3. Yours, Mine or Ours: Choosing Where To Move In Together
Another vital question to ask yourselves before moving in together is, “Where should we live?” You could remain where you are and have your partner move in with you or you could move into your partner’s home. Alternatively, perhaps both of you want to find a new place together for a fresh start somewhere new.
If you already have a mortgage or your partner is stuck in a lease, there might be financial implications or advantages to whichever choice you make. Many couples find it more straightforward to move into a new space instead of trying to jam two households into one person’s home.
4. Set A Budget
Discuss your finances before you start packing! This will help you put aside some money for the move and short term storage rental while you negotiate what you need in your new home. It will also give you the opportunity to discuss who will be responsible for which bills, debt, savings, and other financial obligations often causing conflict down the line.
To avoid disagreements and tension in the early stages of living together, establish a system for bills by opening a joint account, and be transparent about budgeting goals. If you’re feeling apprehensive about raising the topic with your partner or spouse-to-be, here is some helpful advice on how to talk to your partner about finances.
5. Divide Out Chores Before Moving In Together
You should ideally split domestic tasks evenly between both partners, and discussing this before moving in together is crucial to ensure you’re on the same page. Make a list of all household chores and how often they need to be done.
Then, go through them together and decide which tasks each person will take on or if you’ll alternate completing them. Having a guide that outlines each person’s responsibilities regarding household chores means that you can refer back to it when needed and avoid arguments.
Long Term vs Short Term Storage at Space Centre
A short term storage unit is perfect for those who only require a few months of extra space, which is usually around three months. It’s a great stop-gap that is both affordable and effective. Many people choose short term storage units as they offer a simple solution to keeping your belongings safe and dry for a brief amount of time.
On the other hand, long term storage gives you a safe place to keep items for an extended period, usually anything more than three months. Many people use long term storage as an extension of their wardrobes at home, for collectables, extra furniture or to simply declutter their house, garage or garden shed.
Storing things you don’t need at home is easy with a long term or short term storage unit, and you can have peace of mind that your excess belongings are safe and easily accessible whenever you need them.
For more information on how to store your items for long term or short term storage, please read this detailed article: Packing for Self Storage: 10 Do’s and Don’ts.
Why Choose Space Centre Self Storage
For almost two decades, Space Centre Self Storage has been providing individuals and businesses with quality storage units at an affordable price. Our selection includes a wide range of sizes as well as long term or short term storage contracts to accommodate your specific needs.
Space Centre has self storage centres conveniently placed across the UK; click here to find long term or short term self storage in your area.