Learning to merge lifestyles with someone is a new and exciting phase in your life that can provide many opportunities for you and your significant other. One of the most difficult aspects of sharing a space is learning how to communicate effectively before, during, and after the move, and understanding the various preferences and stipulations your partner has about everything from decor, to money expenditures.

Before the move

Before you even start planning the move, the first conversation you should have should revolve around money; how much you want to spend, how much you want to save for the future, and what each partner is going to contribute. After having a conversation about funds, you’ll be able to understand a little bit more about the different tastes and preferences of your partner based on how much money they’d be interested in spending on a home. In this conversation, you decide whether you’d like to rent monthly or put a down payment down on a house. In doing so, you allow for an open pathway of communication between you and your partner for other serious discussions that come with moving, and sharing a space. To help stay organized, create a calendar online together so you can keep track of your meetings with realtors, and moving companies, and take notes to reflect on what you spoke about.

During the move

Be sure to reach out to friends and family for support during the move, this will cut the cost of movers while also allowing you to be more comfortable during the process. Make a list of all friends and family that you would be willing to ask for help, and pick various days throughout the month to invite people over to pack boxes and move your items from place to place. If you’re looking to move all in one day, you can provide your loved ones with refreshments to fuel throughout — using apps like Instacartor Uber Eats you can deliver food at any point during the day to your location and tailor it to the needs of your helpers!

After the move

Once you are settled in your new place, there are many fun and exciting opportunities for you and your partner. This is the part of sharing a space where you can pick out furniture, and different important pieces to supplement your new zone. Check out some items you enjoy on different websites, like the ones at Arhaus, to compliment your new space. You’ll want to pair a nice new environment with furniture that will be durable and comfortable for many years, and possibly many more homes! For fun, you and your significant other can take turns adding favorite decor items on Amazon, or any all-encompassing site, and purchasing them as the money becomes available. Since decorating isn’t generally a priority, this can be a fun way to connect with your partner while making some cool decisions for your shared space.