Top Tips for Living Together for The First Time
You’ve finally decided to move in with each other but amidst all the excitement, there’s plenty of questions running through your head. There’s a lot more to it than just moving your belongings into a shared property. You’ve got to find the perfect pad, agree on a location and that’s before having to sort through double the amount of stuff. At Cassini Properties, we’re experts in helping you move so we’ve put together this handy guide for living together for the first time.
Your place or theirs?
One of the first questions you’ll be faced with is whether you’re moving into their place, staying at yours or finding somewhere new together. If you’ve both outgrown your properties then this may be an easy answer but if one person already lives in the ideal home, you need to think about commuting, the local area, and safety. It’s important to discuss what you want in your property and if either property doesn’t make the cut, you need to look for other locations.
Sort through all your belongings
If you’ve lived separately for a number of years, it’s likely that you’ll own a number of duplicates. Two hoovers, two coffee machines, and two sofas – plus there’s bound to be items that you’ve outgrown. Set aside a day and sort through all your items, figuring out what you want to keep, bin or sell. If you haven’t used something in the last 12 months, you probably won’t miss it in the future.
Private Space
Just because you’re now living together, it doesn’t mean you have to spend every waking minute together. For a harmonious atmosphere, it’s important to have your own space where you can relax. If you enjoy reading, create a quiet corner where you can enjoy a good book. If your partner enjoys gaming, the spare room could become their den.
Even though you are a couple, you’re still individuals. Remember to give each other some time to enjoy your individual interests.
Compromise
If you want to stay together you need to familiarise yourself with the word, compromise. He might want a bar area, you want a walk-in wardrobe. He gets a bar cupboard and you get an extra wardrobe for your clothes. #compromise
Varied design
Just because you may have different taste in décor, it doesn’t mean that your property has to look completely mismatched. Varied design gives a room character and makes the property look interesting. Choose a neutral colour palette and opt for two bookcases, allowing each person an area for individuality.
Get your storage sorted
Storing all your appliances and essentials is key to living together. Maximise storage space under beds, sinks and above wardrobes. Use stylish storage solutions such as mason jars in the bathroom to hold cotton wool balls and makeup. Likewise, in the kitchen ensure that all your shared pots are stored away appropriately. Items that are used regularly should be within easy reach but the smoothie maker that only gets used when you’re on a health-kick can sit at the back of the cupboard!!
Create a chore list
Okay, so you’re not 9 but a chore chart will really help in the long run. Whether you agree that one person will do the bathroom every week or you’ll take it in turns, there’s nothing more annoying than when someone isn’t pulling their weight.
Rules rule
No phones at the dinner table, whoever is last out of bed has to make it or whoever takes the bin out has to put a new bag in. While they may sound insignificant now, you’ll be thanking us later on in life.
Remember each other
When you start living together it can be easy to forget all those little important things. Just because you see each other every evening, doesn’t mean that you should forget about a mid-week date. It’s important to have space with each other so during dinner, turn off the TV, push aside your mobile phone and talk.
If you’re looking for your dream property, get in touch today Cassini Properties Estate and Lettings 0113 249 7313