Moving in together is a big decision and not one any of us takes lightly. Once you’ve decided to take that next step, and you’ve spent time finding the perfect apartment, you’re ready to get settled. As with any major life decision, there will be bumps along the way, so here are a few tips I learned for making the process of moving in together easier in a new apartment.

1.       Make sure you each have your own retreat space.  We all love our significant others dearly (I mean…that’s why we’re moving in with them!), but it’s very important to have separate spaces when moving in together where you can both have some “me time.” Whether it’s after a long day at work, before a big event, or just because…humans need alone time to recharge on their own and this can get tough when you’re living with someone else.

The first apartment my husband and I lived in (we were just dating at the time) was a one-bedroom that didn’t have space for us to retreat to. So, what did we do? We utilized our patio! When we needed a break, one of us would go out there with a book or an iPad and chill out.

Now, we’re in a two bedroom apartment at Camden Greenway and it has made all the difference. The spare bedroom is my husband’s office or man cave where he unwinds when he needs to. Where do I go when I need to unwind? I get the REST OF THE APARTMENT! Sounds like a sweet deal to me.

2.       Respect each other’s side preferences. It doesn’t sound like a big deal until you’re faced with an almost fight like we were. Like most humans, we both liked the side of the bed away from the door! And, we both wanted the side of the bathroom with more shelves…duh. 

Neither of us wanting to give up our favorite side, we needed to compromise. In the end, my husband gave me the side of the bathroom with shelves and I got the side of the bed facing the door. I feel like I won. I have WAY more hair product then he does. But, the point is: this was a decision where we both had to weigh our options and each give a little to the other. This is just one example – recognize that compromise really goes a long way.

3.       If you don’t have a spot for it, get rid of it. Every floor plan is different. When you move from place to place you often accumulate furniture and knick knacks that fit perfectly in one floor plan but have no place to go in another.

This especially happens when moving in together for the first time. You’ve got your furniture from your last apartment and he’s got his. Once you decide which coffee table to put in the living room, if there’s not a spot for the other one to be useful in maybe a closet or bedroom, then get rid of it.

When we first moved in together, my husband and I had to make these tough calls with a lot of our furniture. We ended up keeping some at our parents’ places. Then when it was time to move into a bigger apartment, we found we didn’t even want the stuff we’d been saving. PURGE NOW. You’ll thank me later.

4.       Do some DIY projects together.  There’s something so fun about working together to make your new home really homey – something that represents the both of you. A great way to accomplish that is to work on a DIY project together. Pick something you can both get into and you can both be proud of.

Maybe it’s making a brand new luxury headboard together. Or, maybe you collect some of your favorite photos then make this really cool photo wall collage. My husband and I had a ton of fun making this faux tin tile coffee table. It’s become our favorite piece in our house and we use it every day! This table has a lot of meaning to us because we made it together.

5.       Come up with a game plan for chores. Especially if you’re both messy. The last thing you want is for dirty dishes to pile up because you didn’t talk about who would take care of them. Whether you divide chores evenly or not, as long as you have a plan you both are comfortable with, and stick to it, they’ll get done.

If there’s one chore you both despise (and let’s face it, for my husband and me that’s all of them!) try doing it together and “bonding” while you do it. Get some matching dish gloves and chat while one person scrubs and the other dries. Or, divide the laundry so that one of you folds and the other hangs while you catch up on your favorite show. One chore we never argue about: taking out the trash. At-your-door trash pickup at Camden Greenway makes this a no-brainer.

Good luck with moving in together! These were just a few of the many tips I learned along the way. Share some tips of your own in the comments below.

If you’re looking for a community that will make your lives easier as you make this transition, check out Camden apartments in your area. Looking for more ways to make this life change easier? Check out Simply Camden article, What Makes Your Home Uniquely You?