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How To Live With a Roommate

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Living with a roommate definitely has its perks. One study by SmartAsset found that living with a roommate saves renters an average of $517 a month. Considering the tough financial times we live in, that probably means you’re likely to be living the roommate life.

But moving in with another person isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There are also plenty of challenges and responsibilities that require communication, compromise, and respect from both parties. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning to move in with a friend, significant other, or even a stranger you met online… here’s how to do it right. 

Don’t move in before doing your due diligence

Regardless of whether you found your person through your own network, a friend, or even Facebook, be sure you do your due diligence to check their background before you move in.

Step one in moving in with a roommate is, well, finding that roommate. Some people already have a person in mind, such as a good friend. However, if you’re looking for a roommate with the goal of saving money, it’s important to take your time finding the right person. 

roommates

“While many college students prefer to use Facebook groups or room with friends, other people like to reach out to their inner circle on social media to ask if anyone’s looking for a roommate,” says Raquel Kehler of the home styling blog RoomCrush.

“If you don’t know them, offer to meet up for a coffee and a chat. This will help you get to know the person and see if their living preferences (like sleeping patterns, lifestyle, and cleanliness) will match yours.”

Safety is important. If you think you’ve met “the one,” do some homework and make sure there are no red flags. Ask for and call references, such as previous roommates, employers, or professors. A site like BeenVerified allows you to run a basic background check for a modest fee and find out if that person has a criminal record. You can never be too careful. 

Plan to downsize before the move

Chances are you own more stuff than you need. You really don’t want to start arguing about space right off the bat.

  • Make a list of what you both have: Many organization projects start with creating a list and this one is no different. Sit down with your new roomie and make a list of all of the things you each have. Do they have a microwave? Do you also have a microwave? 
  • Narrow it down: Now that you’ve got the list of everything you both own right in front of you, it’s time to start downsizing. This may simply be a game of “whose item is nicer/in better condition?” It may be hard to be objective during this time, but do your best.
  • Get rid of extra stuff: Before moving day arrives, be sure to donate all of those items you both agreed to ditch. You can check out this list of donation centers if you need some guidance.
  • Remember that compromise is key: Be willing to let go of some of your possessions in order to make your roommate happy. Hopefully, they’ll do the same. 

Not only is this whole process a pragmatic thing to do, but hopefully it can be a bonding experience too.

Set the house budget and divide the bill responsibilities

roommates

One of the most sensitive topics among roommates tends to be money. You both have a lot of expenses, many of them shared, including rent, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and more. So who pays for what – and how?

Trust me… decide ahead of time who will own which bills, or if one person will pay them all.

 

“…living with a roommate saves renters an average of $517 a month.”

 

A common approach is doing stuff 50/50, but it’s not always the best way to go about it (more on that in a sec). Using apps such as Splittr and OurGroceries can help you easily split your bills according to whatever proportion you decide. 

You’ll also need to determine how the bills will be paid. For example,

  • One person pays for everything while the other sends their share of the bills via cash or Venmo/wire each month
  • You all divvy up the bills and each takes responsibility for paying some

There’s honestly no “correct” way to do it – as long as you do it!

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What bills should really be 50-50?

Talk stuff out as honestly as you can before anyone is upset, as emotions can run high if you feel like you get the short end of the stick three months down the line.

 

“Be honest! You can put whatever you want in your roommate agreement (as long as you both do, in fact, agree to the rules).”

 

“While bills are often 50/50 as a rule of thumb, this also depends on room sizes and how each person uses the utilities,” Kehler says. For example, if both of you use the TV but only one of you watches shows on Hulu, it wouldn’t make sense for you to split the streaming services down the middle. 

“Another example is that back in college, my friend had three roommates in medical school, and they all shared the upper floor of a house, Kehler explained. “While they split the energy and utility bills 50/50, the rents were proportional to the size of the room so the roommate with the biggest room paid the highest rent.”

Have the cleaning talk before things get messy

roommates

Now that you have finances out of the way, your next biggest task is to divvy up the household chores.

The goal is to come up with a list of responsibilities and a schedule that feels fair. If one person is stuck constantly cleaning up after the other, resentment will build and arguments will undoubtedly arise. 

The most common way to sort this out is by creating a chore calendar that clearly states which roommate does what and when. Hang a whiteboard or calendar somewhere in your apartment that’s hard to miss, such as the kitchen. Visual checklists can also help you hold each other accountable.

[CLICK HERE FOR OUR FREE PRINTABLE CHORE CHART]

Chore Chart PDF

Also, be sure to outline any special rules you come up with in your roommate agreement (we’ll get to that in the next section). “You both might have differing ideas about cleanliness and what constitutes the chore being finished,” Kehler notes. “Have a short meeting where you get clear on each other’s expectations and what you will do if either of you has to miss a day.”

Go over special agreements before you move in

roommates party
How will you handle get-togethers at your place?

Setting ground rules for your shared space is important.

Some examples:

  • How do you each handle significant others or overnight guests?
  • Is there a limit on the number of times non-tenants can stay in the apartment?
  • Who gets to decide what to watch in a shared space, and when is it the other person’s turn to pick something?

Think about the types of conflicts that may come up and try to settle on a resolution ahead of time. Bringing up these issues and making the rules up on the fly could feel like a personal attack. 

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“If you don’t know the person well or have any concerns at all, then put a formal agreement together,” Kehler suggests. “Even friends who become business partners draft formal agreements because they never know what conflicts may arise, and the same holds true for roommates.” You also want to make sure you’re legally covered, especially in cases of damages or someone moving out early and leaving you with all the rent, she added.

Be honest! You can put whatever you want in your roommate agreement (as long as you both do, in fact, agree to the rules). In addition to general house rules, a roommate agreement can also cover: 

  • Quiet hours, especially if one of you works early or needs study time.
  • Use of common spaces, including when and what is expected in terms of keeping common spaces tidy.
  • Splitting up expenses and chores, “the official roommate agreement” is a perfect place for writing the financials out. 

Roommates who plan the process for future conflicts are more successful

In addition to setting ground rules, it’s important to discuss how you’ll handle (and resolve!) conflicts. Yes, the key is to make a process ahead of time, before you’re in the heat of the moment.

A conflict resolution agreement can spell out things such as:

  • How problems will be discussed, such as face-to-face, over text, or even a shared online space
  • Communicate areas in your life you will always prioritize, like a family issue, or a mental health issue
  • How to make progress if you were to both hit a wall (maybe you both are close to a neutral third party you might mentally assign to be a potential source of help)

Having a process to follow when you disagree will lead to more productive discussions.

Tips for Literally Living With a Roommate

roommates

Now that you have the basics down, here are a few more tips to keep in mind so that living with a roommate goes smoothly.

  • Preserve personal space. Ideally, you and your roomie get along well. Maybe you even enjoy watching TV and going out for happy hour together. Still, it’s important to remember that your roommate isn’t obligated to hang out with you. So respect each other’s need for personal space and alone time.  
  • Get creative with storage. Sometimes, downsizing isn’t enough, especially if you live in a smaller apartment or one with limited storage. So look into creative solutions that allow you to keep your prized belongings without cluttering up your space (and causing arguments). “These include getting storage bins that go under your bed, folding clothes so they fit into drawers more efficiently (we love the Marie Kondo method), and getting furniture that doubles as storage, such as a storage ottoman,” Kehler says.
  • Talk to your roommate before decorating. Everyone has their own personal style, and you probably want your living space to reflect yours. However, you should check in with your roommate before hanging a painting or adding a new end table to the living room. For one, their taste may not jive with yours, so it can be irritating to come home to clashing decor. Plus, certain decorations can cause damage to an apartment (like nail holes) that may end up costing both of you when it’s time to get that security deposit back. It’s better to confirm whether your roommate is into a certain piece of home decor before you spend the money on it.

Remember that nobody is a mind reader. Living with another person means some conflicts are bound to come up. But if you don’t share what’s bothering you, the other person may not realize that their behavior or habits are a problem. Whether it’s leaving dirty dishes left in the sink or eating your leftovers, if you’re irritated by your roommate’s behavior, you can’t assume they’re doing it knowingly unless you’ve talked about it!

Did Your Rent Cost Just Skyrocket? Here Are Some Options

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Did your rent just shoot up big time? I hear ya. I’m not sure what it’s like in every neck of the woods, but here in Florida, renters have had to deal with some shocking increases recently. In fact, most of the nation’s top 10 steepest regional increases happened in Florida. Fort Myers took the “win” with an average rent increase of 32.4% betweem 2021 to 2022.

That’s largely because Florida doesn’t have any rent control legislation. But this is not a state-specific issue; across the United States, rent has increased an average of 17% per month!

If this is happening to you, you’re not alone. And like everyone else, you’re probably wondering what you should do next.

Here are your options – including a few you might not love! 

1. Yes, you’re allowed to haggle with your landlord

talking to landlord

Before you lose hope and start browsing local listings, you might as well try to keep your current place. Even if it feels awkward, counteroffering is a normal option, especially if you have a compelling story. Heck, leaning into my identity as a single mom, I successfully haggled to bring down my son’s private school tuition a few years back.

 

“Across the United States, rent has increased an average of 17% per month.”

 

To be clear, this is more effective if you’re speaking to an individual landlord, as opposed to a property management company. But you never know, and it never hurts to try. Before you do, you should take some time to research your local renter’s laws. They’re different in every state, and knowing what leverage you may or may not have is extremely useful going into the conversation.

2. Analyze your life, then downsize or downgrade your needs

rent cost increase

If you’re on a strict budget or can’t budge on your current rental rate, it might be time to downsize. This might mean losing square footage or sacrificing amenities, like a pool or spacious yard. Truly consider your “wants” versus your “needs”.

Get creative! For example, my sister-in-law is currently renting our guesthouse for overnight stays. Even though it’s less comfy than what she originally wanted, the arrangement saves her a lot of money.

Many websites allow you to browse potential living spaces by specific features, right down to appliances. You might be surprised what impacts rent, and what you can easily live without.

3. Doublecheck your financial trajectory, then… buy a house

I can already hear your exasperated sigh, but wait! While the housing market is at a premium right now, experts actually advise against waiting if you’re even remotely thinking about buying.

It might actually be a good idea to get in before prices get even higher. And if you think you aren’t anywhere near ready, how about a fact-check on that? For instance, if this will be your first home purchase, you can qualify for the First-Time Homeowner Tax Credit, which is $15,000. Consider meeting with a mortgage broker to assess your options.

But what about the down payment? There might be some people in your circle sitting on little nest eggs who might be willing to help out (ahem, parents), or it might be worth pulling from your retirement to invest in real estate. Once again, this is especially true if you’re lucky enough to have a guest house you can rent out to help refill that account.

4. Research all the rent-to-own properties near you

rent to own

If you’re on the fence about buying, there’s an alternative: rent-to-own. After my Florida-based cousin received notice that her rent for her apartment would be increasing 25% over the previous year, she took this as her cue to buy a house. However, her credit score wasn’t quite there yet. Thus, she decided to look into getting a rent-to-own home, which would allow her to build her credit while setting aside money for a down payment.

Here are the positives:

  • You’re basically still renting a property, but have secured the right to purchase it at a certain point (for example, after three years)
  • Some of the money you’ve already put into rent goes toward the purchase, essentially like a down payment (score!)
  • You don’t have to wait until you’re the official owner before you start making the home feel like your own
  • In most cases, as long as they don’t require a permit or structural changes, you should be able to make any cosmetic updates, such as installing new countertops, cabinets, and floors  

And now for the cons: 

  • Your interim rent will be higher
  • If you ultimately opt out of the arrangement, you will lose that money
  • Depending on the contract, you’ll likely be responsible for the maintenance of the property, which may include fixing and replacing appliances

This arrangement can come with specific properties, or you can work with a financial institution like Divvy or Expensify, which will purchase a home of your choosing and set up a rent-to-own arrangement with you.

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Full disclosure: Though my cousin loved the rent-to-own option, she couldn’t find a “perfect-for-her house” before her lease was up, so she’s actually keeping her apartment in spite of the 25% rent increase for another year. 

However, this does raise an important point about how you shouldn’t always rush into buying a new house. You still deserve the house of your dreams, not just the first house you can lock down before your lease is up.

5. Take a deep breath and get a roommate

Ew, no. You’re a grown-up now? I totally get it, but hear me out.

At the end of the day, you can save a ton of cash each month when you live with roommates. It’s just a fact of life. In some areas, couples are moving in together sooner, or even staying together instead of breaking up just to save on rent. For the record, I’m not suggesting you have to stick it out with your ex. But if rent’s too pricey for one person, it might be just fine with two, and that’s something to seriously consider.

If the idea of finding a roommate on Craigslist or some random roommate app gives you the heebie-jeebies, I don’t blame you. What can you do instead? Reach deep into your personal network, because you never know if a close friend, your cool cousin, or someone else you enjoy being around is open to sharing a pad with you for a little while. 

6. Sigh! Live with family

While there’s a stigma about living in mom’s basement, I’m of the opinion that if that’s what it takes to get through a dismal economic situation, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks (and, let’s be real, mom will probably be thrilled). That being said, you could think outside the moving-back-in-with-your-parents box (or basement)! With my sister-in-law living on our property, she’s saving on rent, we have help with our mortgage, and we get an extra caretaker for the kids. It’s a win-win.

 

“At the end of the day, you can save a ton of cash each month when you live with roommates. It’s just a fact of life.”

 

One more example: My neighbor is planning a second-story addition as a separate residence for her daughter’s young family. If you get creative, you might just land on a neat new living situation that works for everyone involved.

7. Welp, just pay the higher rent

At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious, I’d like to invite you to take another look at things and ask yourself: Can you make it work? Consider where you can cut other costs in order to redirect funds to your rent increase – even if it’s just for a little while, as you plan toward one of the other options on this list (like my cousin is doing).

One thing to remember as you think this over is that moving can be expensive, too, depending on how much stuff you have and where you’re going.

Make sure to weigh that cost against the cost of staying, do the math on moving, and consider all the fees associated with a new lease or a mortgage. Not to mention… you should ask yourself if you’re really ready to go through the stress of moving. For many people, staying put, at least for now, might just make the most sense.

The average rent increase over the last year was indeed staggering, and we’ll likely continue to see outrageous rents for a while longer. Hopefully, for every renter’s sake, some legislation will come through soon to help provide housing stability. Until then, it’s good to remember that you’re not alone—and, of course, to consider all your options.

I Moved Five Times in One Year, Here’s What I Learned

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Until I graduated as a graphic designer, I lived my entire life in the small desert town I was born (the nearest city was Tucson, Arizona). Besides farming and cattle, there were few career opportunities… let alone ones for an aspiring designer.

This is why after a couple of months working for a local magazine, I decided to pack up and find a bigger city with greater employment opportunities—specifically in the tech industry. My choice to move to Austin, Texas was easy. But my next four decisions to move (in the same year) were all a bit harder.

How to Survive if You Have to Constantly Move

Due to job changes, living conditions, and other needs, I had to move over five times in one year, and each one of them had their level of difficulty. It forced me to learn many things, from finding suitable roommates, to knowing when to buy your first pieces of furniture. 

There’s still a long road ahead of me, but I want to share with you what I’ve learned about continually moving with limited resources and big aspirations. 

Make finding friends an immediate priority

Foregoing possessions, I had to focus all my energy on establishing myself. I had to keep the packing as light as possible and only brought these bare necessities to start my new life in Austin:

  • Important legal documents and every government-issued ID I had (passport, driver’s license, etc.)
  • My computer
  • A few essential clothing items: five shirts, two sets of pants, a hoodie, and undergarments

Lucky for me, I had a few friends who didn’t mind housing me for a few weeks while I got settled in the city. As a lucky break, after seeing my work, my friend gave me a job referral that helped me land my first job at the startup where he worked! 

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So here’s my first piece of advice: Know how wide your friend and acquaintance network goes, and especially who might help during your first few days. You might not know someone that lets you crash on their couch, but maybe a friend of a friend can point you in the right direction for the safest places in town to find a room or a hotel. 

If you don’t have a job lined up yet (like me), do what I did and start combing through your contacts on LinkedIn that might provide you recommendations. I was able to find Austin recruiters who showed me open positions in my field. (Job listing websites such as Glassdoor or Indeed can work well, but I’ve come to find that the best way to get a quick answer is by reaching out directly via LinkedIn.) 

Finding Decent Living Arrangements on a Budget

I’ve lived alone before, but now in a larger city and with a limited budget, it was necessary to find a place where I would live with roommates.

I’ve learned to identify potential red flags in a home or roommates with every move. After living with six people in five different places, here’s my ultimate list of the most consistently important things when looking for good living arrangements (aside from the typical “find somewhere close to work”).

How do you find a good place to live?

A lot of things won’t be perfect when you’re starting out, but in my experience, these were the worst things I dealt with while finding my own way.

  • How old is the apartment/house? Unless you’re okay dealing with your roommates and landlord over leaky pipes or moldy cupboards, I suggest finding a place that has less than 10 years on the market, or at least looks like it’s been diligently looked after. Living in newer homes means you’ll be less likely to have any issues with the infrastructure—trust me.
  • Learn the room space to rent ratio. I was so inexperienced that I never realized I could negotiate rent with my roommates, so I ended up splitting the rent equally. Later, I moved in with people who broke down the rent according to room size, and everything just made more sense! Why was I paying the same rent as someone with a bathroom and walk-in closet? Talk openly to any potential roommates and negotiate rent for fair pricing.
  • Don’t settle when it comes to pets and household cleanliness. An irresponsible pet owner (ahem) can be a nightmare when sharing a reduced space. If there are resident pets in the place you’re considering, check out if they are potty trained or where the litter box/puppy pads are located. Ensure that the smells that may arise won’t be a source of inconvenience for you (accidents happen, but hopefully, it won’t be near your room!)
  • Avoid places with pests and infestations. You won’t get a complete picture with only one visit, but it’s always a good idea to ask how long has it been since the last fumigation and how do they keep dangerous bugs or vermin at bay (I once lived in a place where I couldn’t open a kitchen drawer without seeing a cockroach running around and I ran out of there as fast as I could).

How do you find roommates?

Moving in with strangers as a foreigner is sometimes intimidating. It was for me. But after living through some rough experiences, I finally have a pretty good idea of what topics to discuss before picking a roommate.

  • What’s their lifestyle? Social butterflies and introverts aren’t always a good mix for sharing a living space. While one may choose to have friends over every weekend, the other might find it overwhelming. There’s nothing more awkward than spending the night cooped up in a room while knowing more strangers are outside (been there). All I’m saying is to make sure your future roommate’s activities and behaviors are compatible with yours.
  • Share electronic payment responsibilities. The most pleasant places to share are those with clearly defined responsibilities. It’s usually a good sign if you see that household tasks are divided among the rest of the roommates. For example, someone pays the electrical and gas bills, while the other pays for internet and water bills. 
  • Cleaning help truly helps. As responsible adults, it’s ideal that everyone cleans up after themselves… but as crazy as it sounds, I highly recommend pooling together and setting aside a budget for cleaning help at least once a week, especially for the common areas that are bound to get dusty or dirty. It will save you and your potential roommates a lot of emotional frustration. 

Furnishing (When You Move a Lot)

To avoid a furniture dilemma, seek furnished rooms during the first months of your arrival. My first three places were furnished rooms before finding a cozy loft where I could live by myself. Only until that point did I start frantically looking for a mattress, box, and desk, which were the bare minimum I needed to live and work comfortably. 

How do you constantly deal with furniture?

Whenever I needed a piece, this is the moving timeline I used for organizing all my furniture shipping (so I didn’t get stuck sleeping on the floor for days):

  • Three weeks in advance: Seal the deal with the new landlord of your place. This depends on each property, but this usually includes dropping a security deposit, one month’s rent, and all legal paperwork. It usually takes over a week to get it all in place and finally have the keys in your hands.
  • Two weeks in advance: Once you have an agreement in writing, start measuring up the place to know how big your furniture needs to be. After putting down a deposit and rent, there tends to be little wiggle room for impulsive buying (at least for me), so I recommend creating a layout of the stuff you need with measurements, and shopping accordingly.
  • One week in advance: Once you carefully select all the furniture for your place and have the keys, leave a one-week delivery window for your stuff to arrive. If you’re given the opportunity, plan to receive most of your things on the same day; otherwise, you’ll have to be coming and going all week long. 

By the way, I learned the hard way to keep your new stuff packed and sealed until you are fully moved in to avoid getting dust and dirt all over it. This will make the moving day far easier.

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How to Move (Quickly)

Forget about sparking joy until you think you’re even close to settling down. Here are some tips.

Don’t obtain much to pack

Packing will get more complex as you grow in your new life and feel the new city like a second home. 

I try to keep my stuff easy to transport, but for my fifth and final move, I had to hire a truck and a couple of movers to help me with all the furniture, books, clothes, and even plants. I used this last-minute moving checklist to help with those small details I never dealt with before, since I was moving so often and so quickly. (Here’s a hint: keep things light!)

Search for hourly movers

Finally, when you’ve finally accumulated enough stuff, you might need some muscle for a quick turn-around.

Though I didn’t know the first thing about hiring movers, two weeks before my move I Googled and was able to find movers by the hour, then I booked them online almost immediately. All I had to worry about was finding enough boxes, though a couple of trips to the supermarket solved it (if you’re getting your boxes from a supermarket, remember to clean them first). Also, since I don’t own a car and mainly use my bike for transportation, this post on keeping it safe in a moving truck saved my life. 

Earlier on when I was moving so much, everything was as simple as picking up my clothes, getting in an Uber, and arriving at the new apartment during my first few moves. Yet even as it got a little more complex, getting a couple movers was a little bit rewarding, as I got to see the fruits of my new life I had finally made.

Moving is an unavoidable part of growing. And if you’re anything like me, be prepared to grow a lot. If you’re going through a similar journey, I hope my experience helps you find a great place to live with awesome roommates. Good Luck!

What You Should Bring, Could Bring and DON’T Bring When Moving Into a Dorm

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‘Tis the season for college dorm room shopping! If you’ve been to any of the big box stores lately, we’re confident you have seen all the colorful storage things just screaming “take me to college!”.

Some college students are eager to start prepping for their new “home away from home”, while others aren’t too interested in putting in much extra time. Whichever you are, we aren’t judging. We’re just here to make sure everyone is prepared for the excitement!

With that in mind, here’s an in depth synopsis about what you should bring, what you could bring, and what you don’t bring to college come fall. Be independent and avoid having mom and dad come visit (with the essentials you forgot) less than a week after moving into your new digs.

What You Should Bring

Towel, Toiletries and Laundry Detergent

Whether your dorm is equipped with private bathrooms or community bathrooms, this is the number one must: multiple towels, toiletries and shower shoes. Most college students opt for a shower caddy, which is a handy way to corral all of their shower essentials when traveling to and from the shower. Be sure to choose a shower caddy that can drain any water from the shower, because you don’t want it to become moldy from sitting water.

Unfortunately, college life also comes with learning to do your own laundry, and usually, the laundry facilities aren’t anything to get excited about. Stock up on plenty of laundry detergent, softener and dryer sheets to keep your clothing looking its best (and your parents at bay) all semester long.

A Microwave and Mini Fridge with Snacks

Photo by Good House Keeping

Tried and true for a reason: make sure you pack a microwave with some snacks! Healthy or unhealthy, we’re definitely not judging, just reminding you that having your own stash of food is important. You don’t want to find yourself starving and the cafeteria is closed, nor do you want to pay cafeteria prices. You probably don’t want to buy food in bulk because you won’t have a ton of places to store it, but having some snacks stashed away to hold you over until the cafe opens is essential.

Speaking of snacks, most dorms also allow you to bring your own microwave and mini fridge. You can always cut down on the costs of these items by arranging with your roommate to each bring one of the two, that way you only have to invest in one, not both.

Plenty of Power Strips and Extension Cords

Laptop, printer, phone charger, microwave, mini fridge, blow dryer, iron, string lights, coffee maker…. all these things hog outlets. Dorms only have a few outlets though, and you’ll likely be sharing them with your roomie on top of it. What can we say, the struggle is real! Along with all of these everyday essentials, be sure to pack at least one power strip and possible extension cord so you never get caught with a dead cell phone or no coffee! That could be bad.

A Secure Box for Very Important Papers

Focusing on the basic must-have stuff makes it easy to forget about this essential. Make sure you bring your driver’s license, insurance card, social security number (or card as long as you can keep it safe), emergency contact and medical info, paperwork for refillable prescriptions, and any other documents you may need while you’re away. We hope you never have to use some of these, but having them with you just in case is necessary.

What You Could Bring

Carpet Squares or a Cool Rug

Some dorm rooms come with commercial grade carpets, but most of these carpets have seen high traffic for several years (at least!). Packing an additional rug or carpet squares to add to your dorm will not only make your room look a lot cuter, but it will make the whole space feel a lot more warm and cozy. Consider a cool rug because this tiny upgrade will make such a difference… and may even keep your room a bit warmer in the winter if it experiences any kind of drafts like our dorms rooms did.

A Bunch of Cleaning Supplies

No matter your lifestyle, living in these cramped quarters all day every day means that your dorm room is bound to get a little messy! And since mom or dad isn’t tagging along to clean up after you, it’s important to pack some cleaning supplies so you can keep the place clean… especially during flu season.

Here’s a list of some basic items you should consider buying a few or all of, especially if you have a closet space:

  • Vaccum
  • Disinfectant
  • Duster
  • Swiffer mop
  • Windex
  • Bleach wipes
  • Dish soap

A Printer

Before going out and splurging on a new printer or lugging your large printer into your dorm room, be sure you actually need this piece.

Although having a personal printer is a huge perk when it comes time to last second papers, most schools offer a free printing lab that can do the same job. Plus printers are large and take up some valuable space in your room. Not to mention they can be costly with ink refills and necessary repairs, so be sure it’s a definite must (or a fancy luxury) before you add it to your shopping list!

What You Don’t Bring

Twin Bed Sheets

Although it may appear as though you will have a twin bed in your dorm room, most dorms actually have XL twins instead of the traditional twin sized bed. So packing twin-sized bedding will be a big mistake since you’ll find out pretty quickly that these new sheets won’t fit on your new bed! We speak from experience. If you want to double check, try social media to get some inside intel.

An Office Chair

Almost every dorm these days provides their own chairs. Coupled with how much space these things take up in a car, you absolutely do not want to make the mistake of doubling up. And if you’re really attached to your chair at home? Considering how big dorm rooms are, now’s the perfect time to start learning to love other seats!

Your Pet

Do we even have to say this? Apparently, we do. We know, we know… it’s hard to leave home, and even harder to leave home when you’re leaving your beloved pet at home. But unfortunately, dorm rooms do not allow pets of any kind. So sadly you can’t sneak in your pooch, kitty or even turtle into the halls of your new home.

Any Luggage at All

We urge you to skip the bulky luggage. Unless you need it for frequent flights back home, luggage is an item that will take up so much valuable space in your tiny new digs. Instead, try packing everything you have in oversized duffle bags (or even trash bags) that can be broken down and stored under your bed or somewhere else less invasive. The duffle bag will still allow you to pack up and travel, yet won’t waste valuable space like large luggage would.

Communicate and Consolidate! Whatever Your Roommate Is Bringing

It’s important to touch base with your roommate before the move-in day so you can coordinate what you are both bringing so you don’t double up! Space is very limited and sometimes so are funds, so splitting these items up will not only ensure your room isn’t overflowing with doubles of everything, but will also help cut down on costs for both of you.

The countdown to college is officially on. Hopefully, now you are fully prepared for what you should bring, could bring, and should NEVER bring to move-in day!

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