Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 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
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
×