Important purchases when moving in with your partner
Deciding to move in with your significant other is a big step in any relationship.
It’s something you both need to think carefully about before making the commitment and signing the lease.
But the work doesn’t end when you find a place and put in an offer.
No, once you have secured your new home, you need to start thinking about what you’re going to put in it. And that can end up being a whole new discussion with your partner.
To get you started, here are the most important purchases you need to make when moving in with your significant other.
The necessary kitchen equipment
There are two pieces of equipment that absolutely need to be in your kitchen. Number one is a stove. You should consult with your partner about whether it would be preferable to buy an electric stove or a gas stove for cooking your daily meals. It stands to reason that the person who will be doing most of the cooking has more say in the cooktop surface and oven you choose to purchase. If they do most of the cooking, you should listen to their argument of why an induction cooktop and induction stove is best. After all, if they want to work on an induction cooking surface and claim it’s better for boiling water for that pasta you love, then it’s better for everyone if you give in.
Number two is a fridge which is both spacious and made from quality materials. Keeping your food cool and fresh is as important as how you cook it on induction elements. Whether or not you have electric cooktops or not won’t mean anything if your food has gone off due to insufficient refrigeration. Look for an energy-efficient fridge because electricity costs will go up once you’re living with another person. It’s a good idea to purchase a fridge with a control panel that allows you to decide how cold you want to keep your food, especially if it comes with a freezer.
Comfortable furniture
One couch in your living room will no longer be enough. You will likely need more comfortable seating in your entertainment and relaxation space as there will be two of you spending time in the same area. You may love each other, but you won’t always want to be cuddled up together on the same two-seater sofa. This is why you need to start looking at comfortable furniture online as soon as you begin to even think about moving in with your significant other.
And can you both sleep in either of your beds every single night? You’re going to need a bed that ensures you have a good night’s sleep every night. You’ll likely need a larger bed than you had when you lived alone.
Shelving
You may not yet know how important shelving is until you move in with another person. For one thing, you will be sharing that much-needed closet space with your partner. For another thing, you’ll each be bringing your own items to your new home and there will need to be enough space for everything that neither of you wants to get rid of.
Start with shelving in the bathroom as this can become an issue if you both have many different face, hair and body products. A single small table with a glass surface may not be enough and it will likely become dirty quickly. Instead, build in some easy-to-clean shelving made from plastic or treated wood.
Next up, it’s time to install shelving in the kitchen. This will be needed for your cast iron pots or pans, as well as cooking utensils and spices. You can add interesting shelving which includes separate spaces for each type of item. You won’t regret adding extra shelving to this important place in your home. Lastly, and most obviously, you will likely need to add some shelving to your bedroom. This can be to add space for folded clothes, books or even personal, sentimental ornaments.
Purchase your shelving wisely as, unless you or your partner are particularly handy with drills and screwdrivers, they will need to be easy to install as well as pleasing to look at.
Moving in with your partner is an exciting choice and you should be thrilled that you’ve made this decision. However, the conversation doesn’t end when you’ve found your ideal home. You also need to discuss all the big and important purchases you’re likely going to need to make during this time.