Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jun 23, 2025

10 Things To Never, Ever Give Up When Moving In Together

10 Things To Never, Ever Give Up When Moving In Together

Designers and professional organizers share the things you should hold on to when moving in with your significant other.
1. Heirlooms

Pressuring your partner to trash an item can lead to major resentment down the road - especially if it's an antique that's been passed down through the generations. "You should keep vintage china or glassware that was given to you by your parents or grandparents," says designer Kelly Wearstler. "It's all about curating the table and mixing old spirit with new spirit."

2. Feminine Pieces And Man Cave Leftovers


                

Whether you're holding onto your floral curtains or a favorite leather reclining chair, mix feminine and masculine design elements to keep both you and your partner happy.

For instance: "Pink and lavender can be great for men, but you'll need to mix them with pieces in camel- or beige-tones to make it all less saccharine," says designer James Andrew. Good design comes from contrasting elements, so decor shouldn't be on only one person's terms.

3. Lamps


"You can't really have too many lamps," says professional organizer Laura Cattano. It's simple but true: When have you ever complained about your apartment being too bright? "I'm always suggesting more lighting to clients, as most have too little. I have eight light sources in my 325-square-foot apartment, whereas my neighbors in the same size apartment might have two or three."

4. Artwork You Love


                

If it means a lot to you, keep it. "Art is irreplaceable and you can always reframe it to give it new life in your home together and integrate it into your shared aesthetic," says New York City-based professional organizer Jeni Aron.

5. Your Partner's Furniture


At least have a conversation about it first. "Don't throw away someone else's stuff without asking," says designer Nick Olsen. "You have to approach getting rid of their pieces that you hate from a strategy standpoint." Try his script for success: Instead of "I've always hated this pillow/sofa/chair!" try, "How do we make our new place the best place possible?"

6. Home Bar


            

Just because you're no longer entertaining dates at home doesn't mean you should lose your stylish bar accessories. "They transition from your single life to entertaining as a couple," says Wearstler.

7. Ratty Old Towels


Wait, what? This one's unexpected, but practical. Before you toss your partner's stained facecloths and ripped towels, consider giving them a second life by cutting them up to use as cleaning rags in your new home. "They're the best for cleaning and will leave you with some extra cash for fancy dinners," says organizer Tova Weinstock, founder of Tidy Tova.

            

8. Decorative Pillows


Like artwork, even if throw pillows don't match your new design style, they're still workable as long as they're in good condition. "You can cover the pillows with new cases to match your new style together," Aron says. With new coverings, floral-print throw pillows from your old bedroom can easily be repurposed to become accessories for your partner's living room couch, for example.

9. Collections


"If you care about someone, you have to find a way to be open to their 'thing,'" says Andrew. "Anything that brings you or your partner that much joy deserves to stay, so be considerate and thoughtful." Truly no place to display it? Choose a few pieces to be out in the open and put the rest in an agreed-upon place.

Cattano suggests storing such items in a nice box, or if it's something you'd like to see every day but your partner does not, try displaying trinkets in private areas. For knickknacks that are too large or numerous, though, Cattano says it might be best to take a photo to keep as a memento, and then donate, recycle or trash the item to save space.

10. Your Current Roommates (And Their Stuff)


            

Don't forget that merging households is a big adjustment for your pet as well. Save space by cutting down on extra dog leashes you never use, and food and toys your pet isn't interested in (but be sure to keep all of their favorites). If you're getting ready for a big move, don't wash your best bud's toys beforehand either (despite your partner's protests) because your original roommate will appreciate the smell of home.

Lastly, keep pets from feeling neglected by fitting in an extra trip to the pet store. "They get new beds, too," says Wearstler. And no doubt they'll be very happy about that.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
×