The Johnsons moved into the White House on December 7, 1963. They had two daughters, Luci and Lynda, and two beagles. Although Lady Bird Johnson told West that she wanted him to run the White House, she ran it in her own way. She brought along her press secretary, Liz Carpenter, who managed the public first lady, and her social secretary, Bess Abell, who managed the White House first lady. A very private person, Lady Bird focused on one task at a time and was kind to the staff. She expanded the role of first lady into one of public partnership. While she and the president had a bond of respect, the president dominated and shouted at her sometimes. West explains that she tuned him out and made up for his excesses. Lady Bird had a good relationship with Jackie Kennedy, as she consulted with her on the completion of the Restoration Project. Lady Bird, however, clashed with Boudin and had him removed.

The president roamed the halls of the White House, and to save money, he insisted that lights be shut off at night. Yet his complaints about the shower caused the staff to spend thousands of dollars to install one to his liking.