April 15, 2025
Moving in Together: Your Guide to a Smooth Move
Moving in together is a big milestone — whether you’re merging two fully furnished spaces or starting fresh in a new home — the logistics of combining belongings, sorting through duplicate items and organizing a move can feel overwhelming. But with a little planning, it can be an easy and exciting transition.
Where do you start?
We’ve put together some helpful tips to make moving day easier so you can focus on settling into your new space.
Planning Your Move
- Take Inventory – Together: Walk through your current spaces and decide what will come with you. If you both have couches, coffee makers, dishes or kitchen appliances, decide which ones stay and which will go. The less you move, the smaller the truck you’ll need — and the lower your moving costs.
- Declutter and Donate: Moving in together is also a great time to declutter your home and let go of items you no longer need or use. If you have gently used furniture, appliances or décor that you won't be keeping in storage, consider donating them to a local charity or selling them online.
- Respect the Sentimental Stuff: Everyone has things that hold special value, whether it’s a book collection, artwork or childhood keepsakes. Discuss what stays, what goes and how to incorporate meaningful items into your shared space. If needed, designate specific areas (like an office, game room or refinished basement) for personal items.
Packing for Your Move
- Stay Organized: Pack items by room or category (e.g., kitchen essentials, home décor) to make unpacking easier.
- Label Everything: List the contents of each box so they’re easy to find later. Future you will appreciate not having to dig through ten boxes to find the coffee maker.
- Protect Fragile Items: Protect your belongings with sturdy moving supplies like boxes, bubble wrap and moving blankets. Everyday household items – like towels, suitcases and clothing – can also provide extra cushioning for fragile items. And if you have new household goods, keep them in their original packaging for added protection during the move.
For more ideas, check out our full list of moving tips and packing hacks.
Moving Day
- Choose the Right Truck: Most couples that move from separate apartments or small homes find that a 12 or 16 foot rental truck is a great fit. But if you need help deciding, the Penske Truck Wizard can recommend the best size for your move based on the types of belongings you own.
- Pack Smart: Not sure how to load a moving truck the right way? Load big furniture pieces first (like beds, sofas and dressers) in the shape of an “I,” then stack heavier boxes on the bottom and lighter ones on top.
- Build a Moving Team: A few extra hands can make loading and unloading go much faster. Whether it’s family, friends or neighbors, teamwork makes moving day smoother.
Wherever you’re headed, we’ll help you plan your move so you can focus on making your new space feel like home.
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