Spring is the time for many couples to do things together, meaning moving in together.
Moving into a shared apartment is the first major turning point in a relationship for many couples. Such a big decision also has its consequences and should be well thought out and planned. Both partners must be aware of their responsibilities and work to make the new cohabitation work.
Before making such a decision, it is important to realize that you will no longer be able to do everything you want in your home. While you were completely independent in your own apartment, now you have to get used to your partner's habits and possible quirks.
Until now, everyone slept in their own bed, perhaps left the toilet seat in the position they thought was right, screwed the toothpaste tube closed or left it open after use, and had their own morning ritual. All of that comes to an end with moving in together. Now two people live together - and from now on, common rules apply to living together as partners.
Sell duplicate furniture and turn it into cash
The first challenge for couples begins with furnishing their own four walls. Normally, both partners already had their own place and therefore their own furniture. Some pieces will be hard to part with, others are simply duplicates and one of the pieces can go. Here, compromises are often necessary, because tastes are naturally different.
With the help of a checklist, you can determine which furniture you want to keep and which you can part with. Moving in together also means getting rid of old furniture. All furniture that no one attaches great importance to and that is duplicated can be sold and turned into cash.
The following options are available for sale:
- Selling to acquaintances: Friends, neighbors, and acquaintances should be the first port of call for selling furniture. The process is simple, fast, and uncomplicated.
- Newspaper advertisement: If no one from your inner circle of friends is interested in the furniture, buyers can often be found through newspaper advertisements. Since these are usually local ads, the process should be just as quick and uncomplicated.
- Online ads: If even the local ad doesn't attract any interested parties, then only the internet remains. Whether on eBay or other portals, selling furniture online is usually uncomplicated.
- If nothing works, you can ask at the social department store if there is interest in certain furniture. Usually, however, they are not purchased, but simply donated - but still better than giving the items to bulky waste.
New furniture for the new apartment
With the money earned from the sale and some savings, couples have the opportunity to buy new furniture they need for their shared apartment.
It is important here to determine exactly what furniture that is, how big it can be, and where it should be placed. Another checklist should be created and compared with the list of unsold items.
While it may seem obvious to many consumers that the furniture should be new, it is not an absolute must. Flea markets, second-hand shops, newspaper ads, and B-stock sales can be a good way to get beautiful, unusual, and, above all, inexpensive pieces. Here you often don't have to spend a fortune on furniture for your first shared apartment.
Nevertheless, no one should compromise on quality - beautiful wooden furniture is often available at surprisingly low prices.
A secret tip is B-stock offers in online furniture shops:
Here you can find high-quality furniture at advantageous prices, because warehouses need to be cleared, they are discontinued models or last season's goods. In special online shops, such offers are always available, including here at Baumkantentische.de. In general, good online shops are interesting for young couples because high-quality furniture is sold at fair prices.
Another good tip are outlet stores or factory sales warehouses for furniture. You can find our two outlets here: Factory Outlet Kirchheimbolanden, Outlet Center Lörrach
How do two different tastes fit together?
The shared apartment is a place where both sides should feel comfortable. If tastes are very different, it quickly becomes clear that both sides have to make compromises and meet in the middle. Couples are well advised to choose an interior design style that allows for compromises when furnishing their shared home.
The challenge is to choose furniture and accessories that both sides like. This is admittedly a laborious process, but it must be done now. Of course, it is important that both people feel comfortable in the shared apartment.
If the room situation allows, each partner can of course create their own refuge and a room to retreat to. And here everyone can then let off steam as they please.
For furnishing your own four walls, we recommend an online interior planner. In the meantime, there are free programs that help to furnish the future shared apartment based on a floor plan. This way, you can get an insight into what it will actually look like in advance.
When moving in together, a shared vision of the future interior welds the couple even closer together. After successfully furnishing the apartment, the couple can then look back at the result and look forward to living together.
Before pleasure comes work
A new shared apartment usually also means that renovation work is necessary. Depending on the rental agreement, the previous apartments must be repainted and prepared as they were when they were handed over. Age-related wear and tear is normal and usually does not need to be taken into account. However, large holes in the walls from hanging pictures, shelves or other furnishings should be removed and you may also need to paint. Here it is important to look at the rental agreement.
In the vast majority of cases, the new apartment needs a fresh coat of paint, and the two future residents should coordinate well. Should the walls be neutral, white or lightly tinted, or can it be colorful? The lighting conditions, room situations, size of the rooms and any sloping walls should also be taken into account. You can find some tips on this in the guide here.
If the floors also need to be renovated, you should definitely allow a little more time. It takes a few days to lay a new carpet or laminate. And a newly sealed parquet floor must also dry thoroughly before it can be walked on.
Cleaning schedule for the shared apartment: Everyone should lend a hand
Annoying, but unfortunately unavoidable: furniture needs to be regularly cared for so that it can retain its beauty for many years. Of course, this is not just a woman's job; men also have their duties in the household. What these are exactly should be clarified by couples as early as possible. In a joint discussion, they should discuss the cleaning schedule and determine what strengths and weaknesses both sides have.
There are tasks that some people are less willing to do and that can be taken over by the partner. The latter, in turn, takes on a task that the other person doesn't like. Such compromises and agreements are the basis of a happy relationship.
When it comes to furniture care, the basic rule is that it should be dusted once a week, depending on how much dust accumulates. In addition to dust removal, you should treat the furniture with appropriate care products. These products guarantee that the furniture will retain its appearance for years and look like new for a long time.
3 basic rules for living together
Living together is sometimes more difficult than you think. Two people, no matter how similar they are, are always different somewhere. So that living together in harmony is possible, here are some basic rules:
- Create rules: Whether it's the mentioned house cleaning, shopping, bills, or other things that are to be expected. They should be clarified as early as possible so that no disputes can arise. Tasks are always assigned according to the couples' weaknesses and strengths.
- Resolve conflicts: The first conflict will arise sooner or later. Then it is important to resolve it civilly and as quickly as possible. The simplest solution: talk to each other. Both sides should listen to the other, show understanding, and offer a solution.
- Create retreat options: Everyone sometimes needs time for themselves. Therefore, there should be a retreat option in the apartment where one of the two people can switch off. This can be, for example, a guest room or a study.
