How to Combine Two Living Spaces into One
Moving to a new home can create all sorts of problems and challenges:
- How will everything fit into your new home?
- How will you get all of your belongings to your new home?
- What will you do if the new place is smaller than you thought it was?
However, moving in with someone for the first time whether it’s a friend, a lover, or a random stranger, can create its own unique challenges as you try combining spaces. For instance, what will you do if you have doubles of everything or your personal styles are completely opposite?
But, as long as you can talk to your new roommate before you move in together you can plan for some potential issues. To help you figure out what to talk about, here are a few tips to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Deciding What To Do With Doubles (or Just Too Much Stuff)
One of the first things you’ll want to talk about is what to do with all of your items. If you’ve been living on your own for a while chances are you’ll already have everything you need to set up a new home. But, your partner might also have everything.
If your living situation is only temporary you might not want to get rid of anything. If you have space or can afford a storage unit, that’s okay. But if there is nowhere for you to store your extra set of kitchen pots and baking sheets, or your living arrangement is permanent, you’re going to have to talk to your partner about which items stay and which ones have to go.
One word of caution: When choosing items to get rid of, make sure there is some give and take and a lot of conversation. One person might resent the other if they were forced to give up everything, and all the other individual sacrificed was a lowly tea towel.
Be Open-Minded and Respectful
During all of your conversations about what stays and what goes be open-minded and respectful of your roommate’s likes and belongings. Chances are they won’t have the exact same tastes as you and they might have a few items that they want to keep that you don’t like. The new space should be a blend of both of your likes or a mutually agreed upon aesthetic.
This doesn’t mean you have to accept the bright orange chair you think is hideous. If your partner or roommate has their own room or office you can respectfully suggest they keep their monstrosity in there. Or, if they want to keep it because it’s the chair is incredibly comfortable, ask if they would be willing to get a chair cover for it to help it blend into the rest of the room better.
Talk About the “Must Keeps”
If there are some items that you are simply not willing to part with—family heirloom, favourite art, model car collection—let your partner or roommate know. Talk about how many items each individual is allowed to claim as a must keep. Knowing that some of your favourite items are guaranteed to be in your new place, can make it easier to compromise on some of the other items.
Blending the Décor
If you have widely different likes, one way that you can respect both parties’ interests without having your home look like a chaotic mess is by rotating the décor. Choose a few small decorative pieces and switch them out every once in a while.
Once you’ve decided everything that is going to be moving into your new home, contact us for a quote to help you move it there.
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I bought a new fridge, and the delivery people said, "there's no way we can take your huge fridge up the stairs." So I called Hendra Moving and Andrew came out with his tape measure, double checked and said, "yes, we can!" Today, Kelly and Ryan showed up and got the job done in style! Took a bit of maneuvering, but they made it look easy (and I know it really wasn't easy!). Thanks Hendra!
Mathieu Powell
Hendra Moving & Storage
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Do you provide packing and unpacking services?
Yes, we offer professional packing and unpacking services for an additional fee. Additionally, we provide high-quality moving supplies Victoria BC residents know they can rely on. These materials are available for purchase to ensure the safety of your belongings during transit.
Do you offer cleaning services?
Yes, we do offer cleaning services, which can be arranged separately for an additional charge. Right after our furniture movers Victoria BC leave our cleaning crew can help you leave your old space spotless and ready for the next occupants.
How far in advance should I book my move?
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Absolutely. We offer safe and reliable British Columbia car transport to ensure your vehicle arrives at your new address securely and on time. Our team will handle all the logistics involved in transporting your vehicle, providing you with peace of mind throughout the process.
What should I do if I need to change my moving date?
If you need to change your moving date, please notify our movers Victoria BC as soon as possible. While we do our best to accommodate changes, availability may vary depending on our schedule. We'll work with you to reschedule your move to a date that works for both parties.
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As one of the top Victoria moving companies we offer a variety of storage options to meet your needs, including residential storage, commercial storage, student storage, military storage, realty storage, piano storage, fine art storage, climate-controlled storage, and more. Whether you need short-term or long-term storage solutions, we have options available to suit your requirements.