Imagine this: You’ve just landed the job of your dreams. It’s in your favourite city and offers you a decent salary (hell yeah!). You feel it can’t get any better. And then, a random scary thought enters your head: the idea of a “roommate.”
And scene.
We’ve all been there, done that. Living with a roommate is like sharing your ice-cream: you don’t want to do it but deep down you know it’s best for your health or in this case your bank account.
So here’s a handy list of the factors you should consider on how to choose a flatmate.
1. Balance: Separation in Togetherness
If you want to make it last, you have to give each other space – quite literally. Everyone craves a little privacy from time-to-time and your home should accommodate this need as aesthetically as possible. Let’s say, one roommate fancies a “reading corner” while the other wants a “party lounge” for those late-night parties. So, you need to plan in advance and allocate spaces accordingly so that everyone wins.
Handy tip: You could also go for a multi-functional setup in the living room where various activities are possible at once – from watching movies and playing games to napping and eating.
2. Talk About the Elephant in the Room: The Budget
An obvious suggestion but we’re not just talking about communicating the rent. From coffee tables and sofas to cutlery and curtains – there’s plenty you need on a daily basis. Share your budget as openly and honestly to avoid petty arguments later. A practical suggestion here would be to rent furniture at pocket-friendly prices from Furlenco. From sofa-cum-bed options to five-seater oriental packages, the world is your oyster. If you get bored with the look, just rent another type of living room package and instantly give your home a makeover.
3. The Curious Case of Creative & Compact Spaces
Let’s face it. Over time, the apartments have shrunk and so has your budget for daily expenses thanks to the rising rent prices and overall inflation. But does that mean that you can’t decorate with a stylish, modern touch that you both agree on? Definitely not. Take for instance multi-purpose furniture like a coffee table that doubles up as a storage solution. Or a bed that comes with storage space inside. Or even ottomans that have hidden space for storage inside. The idea is to use space as cleverly as possible.
4. Carve Out Spaces for Storage
If you’re wondering where your 200 T-shirts, 600 shoes, 500 videogames, and countless dresses will go, you’re not wrong. Not to mention your books, game CDs, and magazines. Everyone needs storage. So the smart thing to do would be to figure out every nook and corner that can potentially act as a storage space. It could be placing floating high-shelves in the living room or using chests in your room to store your bed sheets and covers – get creative so that no one has to compromise.
5. Compromise, Observe, & Share
Living with a roommate is no less than living with your family. You will have your share of ups and downs so it’s important to understand each other’s habits and compromise occasionally for the monotonous tasks. Make no mistake, maintaining a home is not easy. In our experience, you could buy all the expensive furniture in the world but if you’re not at peace mentally, no amount of soft cushions can soothe out your stress.
Think you have better ideas on how to share a room with a roommate that we missed out on? Feel free to comment below.
