Tips for Living With a Roommate: How to Create Private Spaces in a Shared Apartment

Living with a roommate can be a great way to save on rent and make new friends. But it also means giving up some privacy and learning to share your space. However, even in small apartments, there are ways to carve out private nooks and enhance your sense of personal space. Here are some tips for living with a roommate while still creating private spaces in a shared apartment:

• Create private spaces in shared apartments using dividers.
• Take turns with your roommate to use the patio.
• Create a private reading nook.
• Get creative with storage.
• Agree on shared spaces and more.
• Set clear expectations and boundaries.
• Use music or white noise for auditory privacy.
• Organize your bedroom as the ultimate private retreat.
• Personalize your space.

Below we will detail each of these tips for living with a roommate and ideas on how to create more privacy in your apartment.

Privacy made easy: tips for living with a roommate using dividers

A folding privacy screen or room divider placed strategically in a large room can transform one big common area into two distinct spaces. Position it to block off an area for a bedroom, office or reading nook. You can also use bookshelves, curtains and large furniture pieces to create different zones. Just make sure you don’t block doorways or fire exits with your dividers.

Take turns to relax and breathe some fresh air on the patio

In apartments with small outdoor spaces, the patio can become a refuge. Set up a bistro table and two chairs to create an intimate seating area. Add potted plants, strings of lights and decorations to make it feel homey. Let your roommate know this is your special retreat spot, and agree on times when you each can use the patio by yourself. In fact, this is an essential piece of advice when it comes to tips for living with a roommate: Always make sure to discuss, schedule and plan how you use shared spaces and common amenities. Find more details about this in the dedicated section below.

Create a cozy reading nook for some inspiring me time

Bibliophiles need a cozy, quiet spot to curl up with a good book. Choose an out-of-the-way corner, bay window or other unused area in the apartment. Add a comfy chair — like a bean bag — with a floor lamp or sconce overhead to provide focused light. Stash books and magazines in a crate or basket nearby. You can also hang up curtains to define the space and block visual distractions.

Get creative with storage solutions

Storing personal belongings out of sight helps maintain a sense of privacy. For clothes and accessories, use wardrobes and chests of drawers that you can close up. Store mementos, documents and collections in bins and boxes with lids. A great tip when living with a roommate is to invest in storage beds with drawers underneath or consider installing shelves high up on walls for items you don’t use frequently. This keeps private possessions secure while the house is decluttered and easier to clean.

Agree on shared spaces

One of the most overlooked tips when living with a roommate is having a conversation about which areas of the apartment you are comfortable sharing and how you are going to do that precisely. You may want to share the living room but have your own bedrooms. Or perhaps you don’t mind sharing the larger bathroom but keep the smaller one for private use. Also, it’s important to agree on respecting closed doors that mean “do not disturb.” And when it comes to the kitchen area, talk about fridge space, kitchen supplies and other shared utensils and supplies.

Essential tip when living with a roommate: Set clear expectations

Speaking of agreements, draft up a roommate agreement detailing each person’s rights, responsibilities and expectations about privacy and shared spaces. Discuss matters like acceptable noise levels during study or sleep times, whether partners can spend the night, and bathroom schedules. Setting clear ground rules and boundaries helps avoid misunderstandings and enhances mutual respect.

More privacy when living with roommates? Use music or white noise for auditory privacy

Playing white noise creates a blanket of ambient sound that makes it harder to overhear conversations and activities next door. Try a white noise machine or app, a fan or even a radio static channel. Or you can play your favorite music — at a reasonable volume — on a Bluetooth speaker. Run these whenever you want a bit more auditory privacy in shared spaces like a thin-walled kitchen or hallway.

Organize your bedroom as the ultimate private retreat

One of the most obvious ways to enjoy privacy while living with a roommate is to make the most of your bedroom. Usually, this is the space that you get to enjoy by yourself. So, make your bedroom a personal sanctuary for rest and relaxation. Invest in blackout curtains for visual privacy and white noise for auditory seclusion. If you’re a college student sharing an apartment for the first time, consider investing in a student essentials kit that includes everything you need. Keep your room tidy so it always feels like a calm oasis. Display treasured photos and artwork to make the space feel like your own. Keep things clean and clutter-free for an even more relaxing vibe.

Personalize your space for a homier feeling

An easy way to claim a space as your own is to infuse it with your personality. Decorate your bedroom walls with posters, photos and art that reflect your tastes. Use decorative pillows, throws and accents that appeal to you. Creating a personalized haven helps you relax and recharge in privacy.

Living with roommates means adjusting to less personal space. But with honest communication and the right strategies, from divider screens to storage solutions, you can strike a healthy balance. Follow these tips for living with a roommate to carve out private nooks and respect shared spaces as well as your roommate’s privacy. With some creativity and mutual understanding, you’ll be able to customize your apartment into a comfortable home.