Living With A Roommate: How To Make It Work

Kate Burt, Houzz Contributor

One effect of the recent recession is the rise in live-in landlords. Perhaps youre one of them, or are considering taking in a housemate. Its something I did for years, and the experience taught me theres a knack to planning an interior for adults leading separate lives but living together.

So how do you divvy up a modern home in style to make sure everyone has the space they need, as well as enough privacy? Both are key considerations for domestic comfort, so try these practical but beautiful ideas to help you and your new roommate live in stylish synchronicity.

Create a Chic First Apartment on a Dorm Room Budget

Create zones. In an age of open-plan living, it may not be immediately obvious how to accommodate a new person with their own timetable and social life. Clever zoning is key. Consider how you could rearrange your communal space so it will comfortably accommodate multiple activities and inhabitants working, resting, eating or cooking in harmony.

Look out for small-scale furniture if space is tight lots of brands now have a dedicated range of compact or flexible pieces. And shop creatively a small round metal garden table can easily double as an affordable dining or laptop spot for one. Comfy armchairs are good, too, since you may not always feel like sharing the sofa.

Split your space. Room dividers can also help to create zones in larger rooms or open-plan spaces to allow different members of the household to do their own thing. These are especially useful if you each have friends over at the same time.

Boost living room storage. With that spare room full of your stuff gone, youll need to create additional storage in the rest of your home. High-level floating shelving that stretches from wall to wall looks great painted the same color as the walls, it creates an architectural detail. And it can stash heaps of books, magazine holders and good-looking storage boxes without compromising space.

Reorganize Your Space With New Storage Bins and Boxes

Seek out a shelf nook. Where else could you carve out space for more storage? Look beyond the obvious places to add bookshelves: the littlest room in the house can sometimes pack in a surprising amount of shelf space. This dinky-sized library looks cute, too.

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Living With A Roommate: How To Make It Work