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Danielle Valente

How to share a small bathroom with a roommate, according to organization experts and interior designers

Green bathroom vanity top with accessories on it and plants.

Figuring out how to share a small bathroom with a roommate? We'll admit, it can be one of the more challenging parts of moving into a dorm or signing a lease with friends. However, organization experts and interior designers have a few recs to keep things in order.

Tiny and cramped spaces get a bad reputation to begin with, and that's only amplified when multiple people are in one abode. But with a few clever storage options and a reliable cleaning schedule, things will be just fine.

Trust the pros: these small bathroom ideas work best for multiple dwellers.

How to share a small bathroom with a roommate

We promise, this challenge is easier than it might seem. FYI: you're going to want to invest in a reliable storage system and some cleaner.

1. Divvy up the space

(Image credit: @renovation_at_5a)

First things first, you'll want to figure out ways to declutter a small bathroom. Start with a clean slate and assess what deserves real estate in the W.C. and what can be housed elsewhere. 

"Divide the storage space you do have and decide who gets what section," says Sarit Weiss, founder and lead organizer of Neat & Orderly. "Keep only very necessary, daily used items in this space."

This goes for beauty products, hair tools, toiletries, and essentials like towels. (Our experts also have tips for how to store towels and how to store toilet paper in a small bathroom, should you need some guidance.)   

2. Get a shower caddy

(Image credit: Amazon)

Don't let your shampoo and conditioner rest on the side of the tub. There's a way to keep things in order. Should you want to go the extra mile and decanter the haircare for an even more streamlined aesthetic, bottle dispensers from Amazon can do the trick. 

"It's also a good idea to have a shower caddy for your bathing essentials," adds Nick Valentino, Bellhop's VP of Market Operations. "This will enable you to more easily share the limited drawer and counter space for common items and a few personal essentials."

3. Utilize cabinet door space

(Image credit: Amazon/Daoya)

You'll want to organize a small bathroom with baskets and containers, but don't forget about the blank space — there's more storage opportunity than you might've imagined. 

"Utilize the inside of cabinet doors for added storage with stick-on pods or organizers," says interior designer Artem Kropovinsky. "It's out of sight and utilizes often wasted space."

4. Be resepectful

(Image credit: Getty Images/Suleyman Ozkan)

Above all, non-negotiable rules for small bathrooms with multiple roommates requires courtesy. 

"When sharing a small bathroom with multiple people, you need to be respectful of how much space you use, others' schedules, and cleaning up after yourself," says interior designer Soledad Alzaga.

5. Keep it clean

(Image credit: Getty Images/Alecu Mocanu / 500px)

Yes, folks, there's going to be some scrubbing involved. Divvy up the tasks and frequency with a bathroom cleaning checklist.

FAQs

How to share a small bathroom with a roommate?

First things first, keep things organized and divvy up the space accordingly. Allot space for each person in the house and keep things in check with a reliable storage system (over-the-cabinet baskets, shower caddies, etc.) and make a solid cleaning schedule. 

What is bad bathroom etiquette?

According to feng shui experts, bad bathroom etiquette includes keeping the space unorganized and not cleaning up after yourself. When taking roommates into consideration, bad small bathroom etiquette includes hogging the space, neglecting cleaning duties, and not keeping your storage system in check.  


Curious about the proper practices for small bathroom feng shui? Experts have you covered.

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