Good morning everyone, today’s post is a lifestyle one, how do you make a partner feel at home in your home. Here is something to think about for all of you who are at this stage of your relationship. So things have gotten serious in your relationship and you want to take the next step and move in together. One of you already owns/rents a place and the other person is moving in with you, it can be a difficult transitioning period for you both.
Not to worry as I have some tips for you to consider to make things go smoothly as possible and also make the person feel at ease and feel like it’s their home too. However, a lot of people can feel like they’re imposing on your space, even if you’ve given them no reason to. How do you make sure that they know you’re committed to living with them or at least having them around?
Talk about where the relationship is:
This is, by far, the scariest part of the relationship that is in a transitionary phase. However, it’s better to rip off that band-aid as quickly as possible. If they’re spending a lot more time at your place, then talk about whether or not they might want to live with you at some point, with no pressure attached to the question. Whether it comes to moving in, proposing, or something else, these transitionary periods in a relationship should have at least some communication before them. At least then, both of you know that the relationship is going in the right direction and, even if you don’t, you give yourself time to figure it out.
Give them some storage place:
What better way to make someone feel like a space is “ours” rather than “yours” than to donate some much-needed storage space? Once they know that they can start keeping stuff at your place, or a shared place, then it becomes clear that you’re fine with letting them stick around. It helps make the place not only welcoming to them but practical, as well. This might mean donating a drawer or two or setting aside some closet space just for them. It’s a gesture that’s small but signifies the next step in the relationship very well. You’re not just hanging out with each other, now, you’re living around or with each other.
Make the bathroom theirs:
It’s weird, but the bathroom tends to be one of the most “awkward” rooms for people to use as guests. Its use is incredibly intimate, and the owner tends to have a bunch of products in there that claim it as “theirs.” As such, one way to really make a partner feel at home and welcome in your home is to have something that sets out a little part of the bathroom as “theirs.” Having a toothbrush just for them is a cute and minor gesture, but if you have already talked about them moving in or spending more time at yours, you can get them something like personalised bathrobes to really mark the occasion. It can be a present that’s a little silly but rather heartwarming at the same time.
Be ready to compromise:
It’s surprising how many couples get caught off guard by the fact that living together isn’t always a wholly positive experience. Your daily routines, your different levels of cleanliness, and tolerance for clutter can be some contentious issues. Beyond that, deciding on decor can become a series of complex negotiations not unlike debates in the UN. However, it’s important that you learn to compromise with your partner and come to consider their needs. Of course, this only works if they are also willing to compromise. If they’re moving into a place that was previously yours, however, then it’s essential that you make the first compromise, as they might still be figuring out what their boundaries are and might feel a little awkward about trying to challenge the way you live in your own place.
Host together:
At this stage, it’s likely that your partner has met the family and friends you keep in your life. However, hosting them is different from simple meeting them as a couple. You are welcoming them into a space that is shared by both of you and presenting it together. As such, consider hosting a party or dinner party and ensure that both of you take part in the preparations, from cleaning to cooking to making sure you have entertainment. Having your partner play the role of welcoming others to the home makes them see it from the other side of the equation. It’s also a good way to show off some great teamwork.
Communication is, of course, the most important of the above tips. But make sure you speak through your actions and make them feel welcome in the little non-verbal ways that matter a lot. Even if you’re an honest speaker, the impact of a little welcoming gesture can be very deeply felt by your partner.
