Selective Downsizing: Moving Into Your Partner's Home
There are many milestones in a relationship. There is the first time you kiss, the first time you tell someone you love them, the first time you meet their parents, when you move in together and perhaps eventually a stroll down the aisle. While these are all significant events, there is one that can truly change your life. Can you guess which one? Sure, marriage is going to change your life, but at the same time, there's something that generally happens before that, something that can drastically alter your home life. Moving in with your partner can feel like a massive step, since you have gone from having your own space (and them having theirs) to sharing a home and building a life. Sometimes you and your partner might decide to start from scratch and find a new home together, and yet sometimes you might opt to move in with them if their home is big enough for two. What are some of the things you really need to consider when you move into your partner's home?
The Obvious Things
Of course there are the rather obvious factors that need to be worked out when you move in with someone you're in a relationship with. You need to get your name on the lease (when the property is rented), as well as coming to a formal arrangement in terms of the bills and any other living expenses. But what about the logistics of actually moving the contents of your home to another home (which presumably already has contents of its own)?
Being Selective
Selective downsizing is the name of the game, and this applies to both you and your partner. It's unlikely that you will need two of everything when it comes to larger items, so it's really just a case of you and your partner deciding which item will remain in service in your new shared living space. Sometimes this is simple. You might be the one with a newer fridge or washing machine, so these will be the items that will be utilised in your shared home. Logistics can also play a part. Consider the physical dimensions of your soon-to-be new home. While you might have a beautiful dining table, it might not actually fit in the dining or living room of your new home.
Discarding the Unnecessary
Both you and your partner will need to go through the contents of your respective homes, discarding the items that will no longer be needed when the contents of your homes are merged. A garage sale can get rid of these superfluous items (ideally within the space of a single day), or you can sell them individually. A local charity might also be able to pick them up (which can be a massive time saver). You might even find that your furniture removals costs will go down after this, since you will have significantly less stuff to move after this selective downsizing.
Moving in with your partner can be a big step, but without selective downsizing, you might feel as though you're living in a furniture and appliance showroom.
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