Moving in together? Here’s why storage is your relationship’s best friend

Moving in together is an exciting milestone. It’s a time filled with anticipation, new beginnings, and the joy of creating a shared home. But while the emotional aspect of the transition to co-habitation is thrilling, the practical side can be a little more challenging.

Depending on what stage of life you’re in, merging two households means merging two sets of belongings to some extent. That’s where things can get complicated.

You’re both likely have furniture, décor and personal items that hold sentimental value, making it difficult (and sometimes awkward) to decide what stays and what goes. At Alexanders we can provide an ideal solution, giving you the flexibility to organise your belongings at your own pace.

Decluttering before the move

Even before moving in together, it’s a good idea to declutter. Rather than bringing unnecessary items into your shared home, take this opportunity to sort through your belongings.

• What do you use regularly? If something hasn’t been used in over a year, you may not need it.
• What holds sentimental value? Some items might not serve a practical purpose but are emotionally significant.
• What duplicates do you have? It’s unlikely you’ll need two kettles, two toasters, or two sets of cookware.

However, don’t be hasty. Making these decisions takes time, and sometimes it’s hard to let go of certain things. That’s where Alexander’s storage facilities come in handy. Instead of making rushed choices, you can store items temporarily until you’re sure whether you need them or not. We have a range of services for you to choose from depending on your requirements.

If you need ready-access to your belongings, choose our safe and secure self-storage facilities. You can visit them as often as you’d like, during working hours. We’re conveniently located in North Acton, close to transport links. For belongings that you won’t need for many months or even years we have a long-term storage option. This is a more economical choice but we will need 5 days’ notice if you need access to your containers.

Dealing with duplicate items

When two people combine households, it’s common to end up with duplicate furniture, appliances, and home essentials. If you both have sofas, beds, wardrobes, or dining tables, you’ll need to decide which ones fit best in your new home.

Selling or donating excess furniture is always an option, but before you do, consider the future. Will you be upgrading to a larger home in a few years? Are you planning to start a family? If so, those extra pieces could come in handy down the road. Instead of parting with them now and needing to repurchase later, a storage unit allows you to keep them in excellent condition until they’re needed.

With Alexanders flexible storage rental options, you can store your extra   for as long as necessary. Put your things away for years at a time, or set up a ready-access agreement.

Use Alexander’s Storage Space Calculator to work out how much storage space you’ll need. Simply select all the items you want to store from our list and we’ll suggest the right size container.

Blending styles and personal tastes

Creating a home together means merging your styles, which can be a delicate process. One of you may prefer a modern, minimalist aesthetic, while the other loves a cozy, vintage vibe. Negotiating which pieces stay and which go can be tricky, especially when sentimental value is involved.

Instead of having to make immediate and potentially tense decisions, storage offers a diplomatic solution. If one of you isn’t ready to part with a favourite chair, artwork, or bookshelf, store it temporarily and revisit the decision later. This approach gives you both time to adjust and ensures that no one feels pressured into letting go of something meaningful.

As you settle into your home, you’ll naturally acquire new furniture and décor that you both love. Over time, stored items may become unnecessary, making it easier to donate or sell them without regret.

The emotional side of downsizing

Moving in together isn’t just about logistics—it’s also about emotions. Some possessions carry deep sentimental value, especially if they’re connected to personal history, family members, or past experiences.

For example, you may have a bookshelf from your childhood home, or your partner may have a sofa that’s been in their family for years. While these items may not fit perfectly into your new space, parting with them can feel difficult. Rather than forcing a decision immediately,  -storage allows you to keep these cherished possessions safe without them cluttering your new home.

Over time, you might decide to integrate them into your space or pass them on to family members. Either way, you won’t feel rushed into a decision you might later regret.

If you know that you want to leave your belongings in storage for a year or more we can offer Container Storage which is more affordable option.

Financial considerations

If you’re moving into a rental or a temporary home before buying a place together, you may not want to invest in new furniture just yet. Using storage allows you to keep high-quality furniture and appliances for when you settle into a more permanent space. We export wrap everything that comes into storage so high-quality furniture is protected. When you get your items back after months or years you’ll find them in the same condition as they were when they went into storage.

Additionally, quality furniture is expensive to replace. If you own durable, well-made pieces, it’s often more cost-effective to store them rather than sell them and buy lower-quality replacements later.

Make an enquiry today and find out more our flexible and secure storage solutions.

A flexible solution for changing needs

If you’re moving into a rental or a temporary home before buying a place together, you may not want to invest in new furniture just yet. Using storage allows you to keep high-quality furniture and appliances for when you settle into a more permanent space. We export wrap everything that comes into storage so high-quality furniture is protected. When you get your items back after months or years you’ll find them in the same condition as they were when they went into storage.

Additionally, quality furniture is expensive to replace. If you own durable, well-made pieces, it’s often more cost-effective to store them rather than sell them and buy lower-quality replacements later.

Make an enquiry today and find out more our flexible and secure storage solutions.