You’ve unpacked the housewarming gifts, connected the DVD player and scouted the neighbourhood’s best Thai takeout. Now the top challenge ahead is discovering how to live harmoniously in your shared living space. When you’re cohabiting with your honey, your home should reflect both of your personalities, represent harmony and serve as a mutual oasis. Such is the philosophy behind psychological clutter busting—the transformation of physical space to create positive shifts in one’s life—according to Elena Rubio (www.theelenarubiogroup.com), a Toronto-based feng shui consultant. “A couple’s home represents their relationship and can often be a reflection of what goes on in their life together,” says Rubio.

Aside from remembering to put the toilet seat down and keeping the cap on the toothpaste, what are the secrets to happy cohabitation? Rubio offers the following tips.

DITCH THE EX’S STUFF
“When you keep an object from a past relationship, it creates psychological clutter,” says Rubio. “This creates a tendency to repeat old patterns and experience the same type of relationship you may have had with previous partners.” Having an object from a previous relationship in the home you’re sharing with your new partner can create a “block,” preventing the new relationship from moving forward, she says.

KEEP THE TV OUT OF YOUR BEDROOM
If you insist on keeping it in the bedroom, at least make sure that you cover it at night—this helps couples create feelings of intimacy and connection without any distractions.

CREATE A PLEASANT ENTRANCE
Try to eliminate clutter from the front entrance. Rubio recommends having a picture of yourselves as a couple, along with some shared objects (perhaps from a trip together), to represent equality in your relationship.

DON’T EXCLUDE YOUR PARTNER
Never make changes that don’t meet the needs of one partner. Talk to your partner first, and be respectful of their needs.