Thinking of cohabiting with your other half? Here are 10 tips for getting it right…
Moving in with a partner can be daunting, but if it feels like the right step to take next, then perhaps it’s something to consider?
If you’re looking to buy a house together, an online conveyancing lawyer will be able to help you to get the ball rolling. Otherwise, if you’re just looking to rent a home with one another, speaking to an estate agent will help you to find something that ticks the boxes.
In this article, we’ll be listing 10 of the ways you can work to make the house move a success. Take a look…
- Communicate
Before you consider moving in with one another, it’s important that you ensure you’re both on the same page. To do this, talk through your expectations of living together beforehand, as well as your deepest fears about doing so. This will help you to understand how you both feel, so you can make adjustments before the big day comes.
Then, if you decide it’s for you, this communication mustn’t stop. Resentments and arguments can reach boiling point if you never talk about your problems. So, be sure to air out any angers or issues as soon as they happen. This way, the other person can rectify their behaviour, or explain their thought process, before things become too much to bear.
- Clean Up After Yourself
You’ll likely have your own way of doing things, and your own expectations of how clean things need to be. This is something you should discuss when you talk about your expectations beforehand. This way, you can start off on a good footing, and adapt to suit the reality.
Ultimately, the best way to ensure you don’t rub one another up the wrong way is to use your initiative. Clean up after yourself when you use something or spill something in the kitchen. If you see the pile of clothes building up, or the plates on the side piling high, take it upon yourself to do a load. It’s pretty simple!
- Move in Together when You’re Ready
For some people, it can feel as though you’re falling behind all your friends and family when it comes to relationships. But, it’s important not to rush anything, and to go at your own pace. Everyone is working to their own timeline and clock, so stick to your own.
When it comes to moving in together, do so because you want to. Don’t do it because it makes financial sense or because everyone else is doing it. Go for it when you feel ready.
- Maintain Separate Interests
Living together doesn’t mean you have to become the same person. Be sure to keep up with your own interests and friendship groups so you don’t morph into one another.
This will allow you to get some space from each other so that, when you get home after a long day, you’ll be excited to spend some time together.
- Compromise on Décor
If you’ve bought a house together, you’ll have the chance to put your own stamp on your new property. This might mean garish colours and stand-out furniture, or muted beiges and leather and wood.
Whatever your personal aesthetic, you may not see eye to eye. This is why compromising on different décor is paramount, as you both have to spend a lot of time in your home.
To do this, why not go shopping together and agree on the main pieces, like the sofa and bed. Once you’ve agreed on these, you can build the rest of your décor around these items to ensure you’re both feeling as though you’ve had a say.
- Consider Getting a Joint Bank Account
Paying bills and your rent or mortgage will need to be a joint venture, as well as any house bits and food. So, why not open up a joint bank account to pay all these necessities together?
Once you know how much you’ll be spending on these items each month, you can agree on a monthly amount to transfer to this account. Then, on pay day, simply transfer this agreed amount so you know all the important stuff is covered. Then, the rest of your money is there to do what you want with!
- Divvy Up Chores Based on Which You Like Best
It might seem natural to divvy up chores based on traditional gender roles, but we’re way past those times now. Instead, discuss with each other which chores you enjoy the most so you can take the lead on those.
If neither of you enjoy any chores, then you may have to put a rota together so you can do a variety of things each week or month. Whatever you decide, making a plan like this could save a lot of arguments.
- Respect Each Other’s Dietary Requirements
These days, the range of different dietary requirements is astounding. As research about intolerances and allergies grows, as well as concerns over animals and our environment, the landscape is ever-changing. Not to mention peoples’ food likes and dislikes can sometimes be pretty extensive.
Because of this, it’s unlikely that you’ll always want to eat the same thing, which is why you have to respect this. If one of you has an allergy, you may need to be prepared to avoid buying this product altogether. Or, if one of you is a vegan and the other isn’t, why not try some of their meals on certain days?
Generally, you just need to respect their choices, and make accommodations for them. Where you can, to make it easier on one another, why not try creating new meals together that tick all your requirements in one?
- Take Some Alone Time
Living together might become a little claustrophobic, especially if you’ve been cooped up in the house during lockdown. So, take some time to be apart from one another, whether that be adjourning to a different room in the house or taking a walk. This will help you feel less stuck with each other, and more like you’re choosing to spend time together.
- Never Go to Bed Angry
Finally, never go to sleep feeling angry or upset. This is where communication comes in handy; if you have a bone to pick, air it out before sleeping so that no issues fester. In doing so, you’re sure to lead a much happier life.
Think You’re Ready to Move in With Your Other Half?
At the end of the day, if there’s any part of you that is feeling hesitant, don’t move in with your partner. Rental agreements might be temporary, but you’ll still have to make it through at least a few months before you can leave your living situation.
What’s more, if you’re currently living with friends, you don’t want to disturb everyone from their home just for it to fail. Be sure that this is the right step for you, and that you’ve spent enough time together in the past that it’ll all work out. Good luck with your decision!
