Although cohabitating before marriage has risen in popularity, there are still some couples who like to stay separate until after the big day. Although this does have a lot of benefits, moving in together can still have some unique challenges. However, it doesn’t have to be difficult, and there are numerous ways that you can both work together in order to make your new home the best it can be for your new family.
If you’re getting married before moving in together, here are five tips that you should keep in mind so that you can make your new home one that you’ll enjoy for decades to come.
1. Research Moving Companies Beforehand
The last thing you want to do after your wedding while you’re still basking in that ‘just married’ bliss, is digging through a bunch of local moving companies in order to find the best one. When getting married before moving in together, you should try to take time beforehand to research the local options near you so that you can find the best moving companies possible.
To do this, you can use many online resources to get a better idea of what each company offers or ask friends and family if they have any recommendations. However you learn about a company, it’s always a good idea to check online for reviews from past customers. While no company will be without a few negative reviews, those with an overwhelming amount should be avoided. Read every review critically so that you can know more about what to expect if you decide to use that specific company.
Once you have made a decision on which company looks best, you should always contact them to ask about their insurance. Never use a moving company that doesn’t have insurance, and definitely don’t use one that isn’t licensed. Anyone can buy a truck and call themselves a moving company, but that doesn’t mean that they will handle your items with care or have the skills to effectively move everything safely.
If the company that you want to use has licensing and insurance, you will then want to ask about their rates, if they have a truck large enough to move everything you own in one trip, and whether or not they will provide boxes and additional moving supplies that you may need. Once you know all of this, you can begin to have a better idea of whether or not that specific moving company is right for you.
2. Cleaning Up Your New Home
When getting married before moving in together, some couples opt to purchase a home together that neither has lived in before. While many newly bought homes will be clean when you move in, it’s always a good idea to do some additional cleaning yourselves just to ensure that nothing is overlooked. New home deep cleanings are often neglected by many people, but they can be an important necessity, even if the space doesn’t look very dirty when you walk in.
For instance, you should always take time to deep clean your new kitchen, including the fridge, to ensure that no grime was left behind by the previous owners. The hood above your stove is one place where a lot of grease and grime can accumulate, which can be hard to clean. A hood cleaner can be used to help remove built-up grease and give you a cleaner stove overhead. Wipe all surfaces down with a cleaning solution, and use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to get rid of any lingering stains on counters and stovetops.
In the bathroom, you should also wipe down all of the surfaces with a disinfectant, including the spaces behind the toilet, the light switches, and even the toilet paper holder. This can help eliminate any lingering germs and give you a sanitary bathroom to enjoy going forward. If there are any hard water stains on faucets or showerheads, lemon juice can help break them down and get them shining like new again.
Once you’ve gone through all of the rooms, you should turn your attention to the floor. Wood, tile, and linoleum floors should be swept and cleaned thoroughly, then mopped with a safe cleaner. For carpets, you should give them a once-over with a vacuum before using a carpet cleaner to remove any stains or odors that may be leftover. Many hardware stores have rentable carpet cleaners that you can bring home and use without needing to invest in your own.
Doing this before moving all of your stuff in can be extra beneficial as you won’t have to worry about working around boxes or furniture, that is if you have time between dress fittings and booking event insurance. Consider it as a team-building project since you’re getting married before moving in together!
3. Designing Your New Home
Once you have your home cleaned and ready to move in, you can start thinking about how you want to design it. When getting married before moving in together, you should consider brainstorming with your spouse about different styles that you both enjoy and compromise if you both enjoy different things. You may also want to enlist the help of an interior designer so that you can get the best design outcome possible.
An interior designer can help you come up with a plan that suits both you and your partner’s tastes and needs. Because they are experienced at creating unique and personalized homes, a designer can help you create the best layout, as well as find the best decor items to accentuate your style. They can even take the items and furniture that you currently have, and tell you how best to arrange it or repair it. For instance, if your family has an antique rug that would look great in your new living room, they may recommend you to an antique rug repair professional who can restore it to its former glory.
Similarly, a designer will have connections with other professionals that they can get you in contact with so that you can fully realize the home of your dreams. For example, they may know a reputable painter who is skilled in the style of painting that you want in your home. Being able to find these resources through your designer can save you a lot of time that would otherwise be spent trying to hunt down companies on your own.
When it comes to getting married before moving in together, you want to start off with the best possible foundation. This means creating a home that you will fall in love with and want to spend the next couple of decades in. Additionally, you’re paying your mortgage and, by all means, should be able to create the home of your dreams.
4. Interior Repairs and Improvements
Although design can play a large part in making your home unique and comfortable, there may also be some updates and repairs that you’ll want to make if you are getting married before moving in together. For example, your new home may have an HVAC system that is getting a bit on the old side, and if your system is over 10 years old, it may be time to start thinking about replacing it. While this may sound tedious, it can actually provide you with an opportunity to improve your energy efficiency and integrate smart technology into your home.
Modern HVAC units are built to be more energy-efficient than older models and, when coupled with a smart thermostat, they can help you have hundreds on your energy bills. The best part about smart thermostats is that they can be controlled right from your smartphone and set to regulate temperature based on your schedule. For instance, you can have your air conditioner or furnace shut off when you’re not home and then come on before you return so that the home is comfortable when you need it to be. This will prevent it from running unnecessarily when no one is home, and it can save you a lot overall.
Additionally, if your HVAC system is new, you may still want to call an air conditioning service just to give it a once-over to ensure that everything is running as it should. While new systems are less likely to experience problems, things like a freon leak can be potentially dangerous, and because the gas is odorless, you could be none-the-wiser.
Other improvements could include replacing flooring, updating your bathroom, or updating old appliances with energy-efficient models. What repairs and improvements you choose to undertake will depend on your needs and what your new home is coming equipped with.
5. Exterior Repairs and Improvements
Lastly, when getting married before moving in together, you’ll want to consider the exterior of your new home and not just the interior. Even though you just bought the house, you should always have the roof inspected to ensure that there are no issues that you can’t see from the ground. A roofing service will also be able to tell you how long you have before you need to replace your current roof.
Depending on the type of home you get, you may also want to think about getting new siding or painting the siding that you currently have. This can help make your home seem newer, and it gives you more control over the exterior appearance so that it can more accurately project your style. If you live in a fire-prone area, you may also want to consider investing in non-combustible siding and roofing. This can help keep your home protected from stray sparks that could otherwise cause huge problems.
Landscaping is another thing that you should consider when getting married before moving in together since it can completely transform the way your home and yard look. Along with boosting curb appeal, it can also make you want to spend more time outdoors. If your home doesn’t currently have a deck or patio, you may consider having one installed to give you a relaxing spot to sit after work or entertain guests. If you’re planning on having children, you may also want to take steps to make sure that this addition is safe for any curious little ones. Dogs can also benefit from a well-maintained yard, especially one that is fenced in so that they can run and play without you worrying about them getting loose.
There is a lot of potential when it comes to fixing up the exterior of your home, and if you’re not sure where to start, a landscaping or hardscaping service may be able to help. These professionals can tell you what layouts would be best for your yard, and they can even recommend specific plants that would be both beautiful and low-maintenance.
Because the exterior of your home is the first impression that anyone will get, you’ll want to make extra sure that it is exactly the way you want it to be. It can also give your parents and in-laws something to admire when they come over to see your new home!
Creating a Home Together
When getting married before moving in together, the prospect can seem a bit daunting. However, it doesn’t have to be. By working together as a team, you and your future spouse can start to put together the best home possible, and one that you will be eager to come back to once the honeymoon is over.
If you are planning on moving in with your future spouse after your wedding, keep these five tips in mind so that you can start your happily ever after in a home that you’ll love almost as much as you love your partner.