The 5 Home Changes I Made Since Moving in With My Partner

Including one surefire way to make sure we both get a good night’s sleep.

It’s been nearly two years since writer and style expert Lauren Caruso’s partner moved into her chic West Hollywood apartment. While the home looks just as gorgeous as the first time we toured it, Lauren’s shared the changes she’s made since to suit their needs as a couple.

Moving in with a significant other isn’t just a big step in a relationship – it’s one of the most crucial decisions you can make when it comes to your routine, work-life-balance, and yes, your home decor. When I decided to move in with my partner of three years, it hadn’t been the first time I’d crossed that threshold in a relationship, though it was his.

Still, even though we’d spent week-long stretches at each other’s apartments, especially throughout the initial few months of COVID, I was already well-aware that he was the easy-going, eclectic-leaning, Type B match to my neurotically clean, mid-century-loving Type A self. Of course, we both knew that moving in with each other would call for some compromise on both ends, so here are all the ways I changed my apartment – and my behaviour – when my partner moved into my space nearly two years ago.

Because I’d already moved into the apartment that would eventually become our shared space, most of the decor was my own. That said, we’ve learned how to come together to make it feel efficient, organised, and special to both of us.

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1. Linen sheets for cooler days

I found out fairly early into our relationship that my partner Christopher is a human furnace at night. I spent years rotating between cotton and wool sheets depending on the time of year, but now, we sleep exclusively on linen sheets all year-round – no exceptions. Our 100% French flax linen sheets and duvet cover are cooling and antibacterial, supremely transforming the quality of our sleep.

On the flip side, our compromise was this: He learned how to make the bed to my specifications (I call it “undone but done”) and now does it beautifully almost every morning, as our rule is that whomever wakes up last has to make the bed. That way, nobody’s waiting on someone else to complete their check list for the day, especially if one of us has to leave the apartment at a certain time.

2. How many throw pillows are too many?

Before he moved in, Chris would watch me – painstakingly – as I removed a plethora of throw pillows from my bed to 'The Chair' before bed. (He generally didn’t help in protest to their existence altogether.) While I prefer a surplus, he’s finally convinced me that ten pillows is at least four too many. We eventually settled on six full-size pillows and now our two green Bed Threads throw pillows live on the couch. (I actually prefer it this way, too!)

3. Smarter use of every corner

I grew up in a small home that was just big enough for my family of four – but that also meant that I wasn’t familiar with a “don’t touch it” room – AKA a more formal area that’s meant for guests or special occasions. That’s why when my partner suggested we use the guest room as an actual guest room, rather than a comically large walk-in closet, I shuddered. He made a few good points: We always have friends and family visiting from out of town, he’d love a space that he could use as a think tank when needed, and it’d be nice to have another bed to escape to if one of us is tossing and turning or needs to wake up early.

He’s a creative director that does his best work when horizontal, so eventually it turned into a proper guest bed that also serves as a space to lay down and think without interruption. And because we both often travel or have to work on east coast hours for various projects, it offers a great alternative to accidentally waking the other up before their alarm. This handy little room divider actually hides the printer. (Still, I let him pick out the blueish-grey colour scheme and have zero regrets)

4. Everything in its place

My New York apartments were constantly filled with tchotchkes, piecemeal artwork, and random electronics everywhere, mostly because storage was at such a premium. I promised myself that I’d purge anything I didn’t need and that I’d keep eyesores out of the main spaces – a definition that my partner and I still can’t agree on. While he thinks his Xbox, headphones, and other gaming equipment “lend a lived-in touch” to the living room, I begged to differ. Eventually, we had to figure out storage solutions for real life, like using a large, sprawling plant to hide his gaming equipment. I was also shocked one day when he used my collection of antique jewellery boxes and catch-alls to actually, well, catch-all. I’d always left them empty, but now I love to see them filled with memories like matchsticks from weddings, polaroid photos, and jewellery we like to share.

5. Always set the table

Lastly, I always loved the idea of setting the table nicely for dinner, even if it was just for takeout. I never really expected Chris to catch on but he's actually taken to it more than I have: He lays out the Bed Threads napkins and sets the plates nicely even when it's just a regular Tuesday night. I prefer to clean up, so he usually handles the set-up and cooking the main dish. That’s not for everyone, but it’s a good balance for us.