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3 Ways To Share A Two-Bedroom Apartment With A Roommate

26 March 2020

Cody Day

Whether you and your roommate are long-time friends or new acquaintances, sometimes sharing a living space comes with its own set of challenges. Here are three ways to peacefully coexist in a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate. 

1. Personal Space

If you're in a two-bedroom apartment, you already have a space that is entirely your own: your bedroom. This room is a haven for when you need to get away as well as a safe spot to keep any belongings you'd rather not share. 

Make sure you and your roommate understand what the expectations are for your own bedrooms and talk about them upfront to avoid any unwelcome surprises. It can be helpful to discuss things like whether you're okay with your roommate entering your bedroom when you're not home, borrowing things in your bedroom with or without permission, and times of day when you simply don't want to be disturbed. 

2. Shared Space

In a two-bedroom apartment, you will probably share common areas like the kitchen, living room, and even a bathroom. It's important again to talk about what items in these spaces are shareable as well as how you and your roommate expect to use them. 

For example, kitchen items might need to be labeled if you don't plan on having communal groceries. Another way to do this is to split up the cupboards, sides of the fridge, or pantry shelves so that each person has their own space to keep their items. 

Bear in mind that a roommate is not a family member so some habits you bring from your own family may not coincide with your roommate's habits. A roommate might think that sharing one bathroom hand towel is fine while you may prefer to have your own. When in doubt, always ask before you assume something is alright to share. 

3. Organized Space

One common disagreement among roommates is how tidy or messy the apartment should be. Fortunately, there are nearly as many solutions to this issue as there are grievances, and again, it's all about communication. 

Talk to your roommate about their expectations. Do they like all the dirty dishes to be washed before turning in for the night, or is it okay to leave them in the sink? Do they leave their mail on the counter while yours is organized right away? How often should the trash and recycling be taken out and how is this responsibility shared? 

If one person is decidedly more disorganized than the other, it can also help to try to contain the clutter to one or two areas. Maybe your bedroom is a mess while the shared spaces remain relatively clean. As long as you're both on the same page and willing to compromise with each other, sharing a two-bedroom apartment can be a rewarding experience for everyone. 

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