How to Make Moving in With Your S.O. as Stress-Free as Possible ~

Whether you and your partner have been together for just a few months or a couple of years, moving in together is a big step in your relationship! On one hand, you’re looking forward to spending more time together and not having to pack up a bag as you go back and forth between homes. But on the other hand, you’re getting a little nervous about sacrificing your space and perhaps you’re even worried about having to switch up your routine or adjust your living habits.

If you’re feeling anxious about taking this leap in your relationship, we’re here to calm those nerves. Use this guide to make moving in together as enjoyable and as stress-free as possible!

Tip #1: Get ready to make compromises

Whether you were living on your own before or with roommates, moving in with your partner is a totally different ball game. If you were living alone, you probably didn’t need to make many compromises at all—you picked out all of your own furniture, organized the place how you liked, and you probably got pretty used to your lifestyle as an independent person. But here’s the thing. Your S.O. did, too. They’re also an adult and they’re set in their ways!

There’s no avoiding it—when you and your partner share a space, you’re bound to have differing opinions in some areas. Maybe he likes to keep the thermostat low while you like to keep it warm and cozy at all times. The good news is, some things are easier to agree on than others. This hybrid bed mattress, for example, gives you the best of both worlds—a firm mattress on one side and soft mattress on the other. Do as you learned in elementary school and take turns!

Tip #2: Value each other’s design preferences

Like we mentioned before, you and your partner probably have some strong opinions on how you build a home. Maybe you even favor different interior design styles! Make it a point to value each other’s opinions when it comes to building a home together. Browse furniture online before you make the move so that you can develop a design concept that the two of you can agree on, and be sure to map out your budget ahead of time so that no one’s feeling uncomfortable about finances from the get-go.

Tip #3: Stay organized

Whether you intend to have separate closets or not, when you move in with your partner, your things are inevitably going to meld into communal property. The key to staying sane in a home full of combine items? Stay organized. Every item in your home should have a home, too.

ProTip: When you start putting boxes away, make sure it’s a shared effort so neither one of you is confused when it comes to finding the dang remote!

Tip #4: Be respectful

This one should go without saying, but it’s worth mentioning again. You have to understand that each of you are on different schedules and each have unique habits. Maybe your boyfriend works nights and he likes to sleep in, but you have a 9-5 job that requires you to wake up at 7 am. You can do so respectively with an individual alarm clock that merely vibrates under your pillow without disturbing your partner. This way, no one has to deal with grumpy mornings again!

Tip #5: Communicate clearly

When you live on your own, you don’t need to report to anyone when you go out for dinner, have a fun girls’ night out, or just want to have some alone time. Not that you have to tell each other where you’re going at all times, but you will probably want to have a stronger level of communication with your partner in order to keep the peace at home.

This tip spans all aspects of your life together, whether it’s making plans, communicating concerns, or just shopping for shared groceries. One helpful tool to make communicating with your partner easier is a shared shopping list. Having a repository for your home’s groceries can prevent you from doubling up on items or missing them altogether.