Deciding What Furniture and Decor to Keep, Donate and Buy New

You’ve decided to move in with your significant other, which means you are going to experience many lifestyle changes that are new and exciting. One of the most overlooked aspects of moving is going over your need for items in your separate living spaces before merging into one home. The steps after deciding what moving company to work with, and what area you’re looking to move to (try checking out the happiest city in the U.S.), and ensuring you have enlisted help the day of your move, is sorting through each of your belongings to determine what to keep, what to donate, and what to upgrade with a newer product for your combined home. Although it is exciting to figure out what lighting fixtures will look best in your home and picking out paint colors, it’s better to cross off the initial steps to moving before looking too far ahead. It can be challenging to decide what items fit into which categories, especially if you are known to save a lot of things throughout the years but buying a home or an apartment allows you to start from scratch and decide what items are truly valuable to you and your significant other, or what can be left behind.

What to keep:

Depending on how much space you have at your new home, you can gauge how many items are practical to keep. If you don’t have the option for storage, you may have to limit the number of items you actually bring with you and store any other items at a friend or family members home until you know if you can accommodate miscellaneous pieces. Any items that you use on a daily basis are items that would be practical to bring. For example, work clothes, toiletries, bedding, pots and pans, and non-perishables are all items that would be immediately relevant to you, and easy to pack. For things that will require a moving truck, split up the furniture you and your significant other have, deciding between which items fit your color scheme, and mutual aesthetic desires for your shared space. Additionally, you’ll want to keep any family photo memories and passed down decor because they are irreplaceable items that might not always be something you need to see but are something you want to continue to have in your life.

What to donate:

Generally, anything that isn’t overused and isn’t something you are bringing with you can be donated. To put it into perspective, if you haven’t used something within the past year, it probably isn’t a product you need. It’s understandable that seasonal items are more so used in their optimal time (for example: Halloween costumes, patio furniture, a grill, and specialty pots and pans), but if you went a whole year without using a product for any season (unless it is a family memento  or a special piece of jewelry), it’s safe to assume you can donate it. Your instinct would be just to move everything from one place to the other because you don’t want to feel like you have items in your possession that you just don’t want. However when you’re going through your belongings, take a moment to think if you really use the item, or if someone else may benefit greater, whether you donate to your local thrift store, like Salvation Army, or maybe a family member or friend.

What to buy new:

Depending on your current living situation you may need all new furniture, half and half, or maybe just a piece or two; either way, you are going to want long-lasting and durable furniture for your transition as a couple. Buying new is the fun part! Make a list with your significant other and decide what furniture stores you want to make a stop at after figuring out what pieces are needed for your final move. Deciding ahead of time is crucial, that way you aren’t waiting weeks after moving in for something like a couch or a bed frame. If you don’t have time to shop in store, there are plenty of places to find quality furniture online. This way, you can continue sorting through your homes, while also purchasing your needed items online.

Once you’ve responsibly sorted, packed and moved to the home of your dreams, you can be at ease that your items are neatly organized and readily accessible. Then, you can think about things like adding a swimming pool (see tips and tricks for this here), getting a pet, or joining in on some fun community events!