7 Things Nobody Needs to Keep When Moving In with Someone

Decluttering is always a good first step to take before packing up for a move. But if you’ll be sharing your next address with someone — whether a roommate, romantic partner, or family member — your decluttering plan requires a strategy.

Even if you’re moving to a new home that will double your square footage or quadruple your storage space, deciding before your big move what to leave behind or get rid of will save you both time and energy. Here are seven things you can start whittling down so that there’s less to unpack at your new place.

It’s practically guaranteed that you and the person you’re sharing a space with will have at least some duplicates. Some might be easy to get rid of, like an extra drying rack. But it can be tricky to make decisions when the item in question is used often, and you’re unsure of which one to give up.

The best thing to do? Keep the “better” version of the two duplicates in question. This might mean keeping the larger TV, the more expensive set of pots and pans, or the newest edition of a video game console. If compromise isn’t an option — let’s say you both like to cook and can’t imagine giving up your favorite sauté pans — then prioritize paring down something else to make room for both.

No need to get rid of any holiday items that are sentimental or one-of-a-kind. But if you’re thinking of packing up items that you see on sale every year at the home goods store, don’t waste a box or room in the moving vehicle for it now. 

I would never tell anyone to abandon a beloved hobby or an exercise routine when moving in with someone. But if your exercise ball has been deflated for a while or you haven’t touched that stash of knitting yarn in over a year, take a moment to consider whether your habits or hobbies have changed. If you’ve simply been waiting to bust them out in a dedicated gym or craft space in your new home, then bring them along.

Hear me out, vinyl fans. You don’t necessarily have to start selling off your treasures to make room in your new place — unless you’re merging your collections and have found duplicates, of course. This is simply a reminder that vinyl should have proper storage — preferably a cool, dark, and dry space. You might have to rent a climate-controlled storage space until you create a suitable spot for them in your new home. While storage rentals can add up, you might find it worth the extra money so you can take a breather and refrain from making any hasty decluttering decisions. 

Want a quick decluttering win? Dump out the contents of your junk drawer. Your new roommate probably already has a drawer full of similar items, and I’d bet good money neither of you need any of it.

It was a freeing experience when I discovered that every appliance manual I could ever need has a digital version online. Take that as encouragement to leave yours behind as you pack up — even if you happen to be taking said appliance or device with you. 

The same goes for paper bills and, yes, even your tax forms. Credit card bills and utility bills can be tracked online. And while the IRS has suggestions on just how many years to keep based on your filing status, know that you can download transcripts of past returns from the IRS site.

If you’ve seen the classic rom-com When Harry Met Sally, you’ll remember that a character’s wagon-wheel coffee table ended up at the curb the day he moved in with his girlfriend. If you have something that simply won’t fit in at your new place, don’t bring it with you — or it could meet a similar fate.