Merging two households into one can be challenging. I have worked with dozens of couples over the years who have come together later in life after living in their own homes. And I did it myself, just one year ago! If you’re planning on moving in together, consider the points below. They will help make your transition easier.
Tips to Merge Two Households Into One
- Before you do anything, please sit down and take some time to be sure you are both on the same page. You may need to let go of a lifetime of stuff to live comfortably in your new space. It is essential to discuss who is willing to let go of which items. Discuss which items are negotiable and which ones are not.
- Create a plan for the next few weeks (or months) and help each other downsize instead of working alone. Working with someone isn’t who is not attached to what you own is always helpful. And you can use this project to strengthen your relationship before you tackle the stressful task of moving.
- If you run into disagreements or roadblocks, consider renting a storage locker to store the unnecessary items you can’t yet part with. Set a deadline for clearing out the locker a few months after the move. You may find that once you move in, you no longer want to keep the items in storage. Then, you are not spending money for months (or years) storing things you don’t need.
- You will probably have a lot of furniture, artwork and knickknacks. Keep in mind that it can’t all go with you, so choose what really brings you joy. And perhaps you’ll decide to buy some new pieces that will suit your new life together rather than bringing all those pieces from your past life into your new home.
Moving in together and merging two households into one is definitely stressful. But this is an exciting transition, so embrace the challenge and remember to enjoy the process of letting go and moving into your new life with less.