How to live clutter-free in a shared room

Living in a shared room might seem like a recipe for clutter, but with forward planning you can maximize the space you have and stay organized.

Discuss storage places with your roommate(s) 

In a shared room, it’s always better to communicate. When you first move in, simple discuss with your roommate(s) where you will all keep your things. So long as you portion out the room and storage units fairly, this will avoid arguments in the future and make sure that you all have clearly defined boundaries from the start.

Use space smartly

It’s easy to stay clutter-free if you’re clever about the way you use space. Firstly, make sure that you’ve used all available storage space such as closets, as hanging is the perfect way to see multiple items of clothing at once. You can also utilise the space under your bed by using storage boxes. 

It’s best to store your suitcases under your bed, but suitcases can be more than just empty space. They can also be a place to store off-season clothes or other items you don’t use very often, freeing up space in your room for other, less cluttered items. 

Don’t bring or buy anything you don’t really need

Before you arrive, you can minimize clutter by not bringing anything that’s not truly necessary. If you’re only staying in your shared room for a short amount of time, leave knick knacks and appliances at home. At co-living spaces such as Outpost, everything is included, so only clothes and toiletries are needed. 

Once you’ve moved in, simple resist the urge to shop too much. Many co-livers create a rule where they get rid of one old item for every new item bought, which means you won’t end up accumulating a load of clutter. You can also mail items home or donate unwanted clothes or books to charity once you’re no longer using them.