So you’ve had your first argument, shared your first holiday together and even met the parents… Now it’s time for a new first – moving in together.

Taking this step can be quite daunting, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. Exciting as the prospect may be, living with the person you love can also be a tremendous struggle. New boundaries will have to be drawn, new habits and quirks may become horribly apparent and new compromises will have to be made. With these challenges ahead of you, here are 5 tips to make the actual moving day as stress free as possible!

1. Plan ahead.

Tedious as the old idiom might sound; failing to plan really is planning to fail when it comes to moving house, especially if you’re moving in with a partner. The factors beyond your control are stressful enough, so make sure that you don’t neglect the factors you can control. Do your research and create checklists that you can both refer to.

2. Space.

Couples that move in together need to adapt to the fact that there will be less space to call their own. Make the transition easier by respecting each other’s space. If you get three drawers, is it fair that your partner only gets one?

3. Sense of ownership. 

It is important that both people in the relationship feel a sense of ownership and belonging. Making decisions together is crucial; whether you’re designing the kitchen or choosing the colour of the kitchen blinds, be sure to involve your partner. You moved in together so the space should represent both of you.

4. Know who’s bringing what.

Deciding on furniture can be a difficult task, especially if both of you had your own places beforehand. Before you move in, agree on what will be brought forward into your new life together and what must be left behind. Try selling unwanted furniture online; you can make some extra cash and avoid being left with two coffee tables and a lot of unwanted excess baggage.

5. Know your roles.

When moving day comes around, both of you should know exactly where you be most useful. Play to your strengths; if you can run an event like a military operation, take charge of logistics and checklists. If your partner is familiar with the new area, allow them to drive or direct the removal van.

Although the transitional period can be a bit of a shock to the system, it is important to remember the reasons why you decided to move in together. These 5 tips don’t just apply to moving day; forward planning, respecting each other’s space, working as a team, compromising and appreciating (or at least tolerating!) each other’s differences are key in a successful relationship.

 By: Kia Mcsween