Living with roommates can have plenty of advantages. You can share expenses, enjoy more space than you might have on your own, and have people around to share everyday life. But anyone who's lived with roommates knows that the layout of a home can make a big difference.
So what should you look for when choosing a rental home to share with roommates? Here are six things worth paying attention to when browsing listings or touring a property.
1. Bedrooms that are similar in size
In many traditional homes, bedrooms are designed around a family structure. There's a large primary bedroom, often with an ensuite, and then smaller secondary bedrooms intended for children. For roommates, that can create an awkward situation. One person gets the largest room, while everyone else compromises.
When comparing rental properties, look for bedrooms that are reasonably similar in size. Bedrooms that feel equal make it easier to share a home on equal terms, and can make splitting the rent simpler too.
2. One bathroom for every bedroom
When several adults share a home, bathrooms can become a source of friction, especially when everyone is getting ready for work or school at the same time. Having an ensuite bathroom for each bedroom is a great option because it gives everyone independence in their daily routines, without needing to coordinate shower schedules or share responsibility for cleaning the same bathroom.
Of course, not every rental has an ensuite for each bedroom. As an alternative, look for a home with the same number of bathrooms as bedrooms. Even when bathrooms are shared rather than private, having more of them can make it easier for everyone to get ready in the morning and manage their own schedules.
3. A layout that separates bedrooms and bathrooms from shared living spaces
When roommates have different schedules, the location of bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas can make a big difference to how comfortably everyone shares the home. One person might be sleeping while another is cooking dinner, watching TV or having friends over. A good layout allows these activities to happen at the same time without people constantly disturbing one another.
When viewing a rental, pay attention to where doors open and how people move through the home. Bedrooms and shared bathrooms that open onto a hallway, rather than directly into the living room or kitchen, provide some separation from noise and social activities. Having bedrooms on a different floor from the main living areas can work well too. These layouts also mean someone can get to the bathroom in their pyjamas without having to walk through the middle of a dinner party.
Also notice which rooms share walls. A bedroom directly beside a bathroom might mean hearing showers and hair dryers early in the morning. These small details can make a surprisingly big difference when several adults are living together.
4. A dedicated dining area
Not every rental home has a proper place to eat together. Some are designed only with a kitchen island or breakfast bar with stools, which might work for a quick solo meal but can be less practical for a group of roommates who want to socialize and eat together.
Look for a dedicated dining area with a table that can seat everyone who lives in the home, ideally with a few extra places for guests. A dining table can also double as a workspace, craft table or place to play games, making it a flexible shared space for different activities.
5. A living room with space for comfortable seating
A good shared living room gives everyone somewhere comfortable to sit and spend time together. When comparing rental homes, room dimensions can be a useful starting point, especially since photographs don't always make it easy to judge the size of a space.
As a general rule of thumb, look for a living room with around 10 feet of depth to accommodate a sofa, coffee table and chairs facing each other. The room doesn't necessarily need to be 10 feet wide — a narrower room, perhaps 7 feet across, could still work depending on the furniture and number of roommates. Even an 8-foot depth × 8-foot wide living room can be functional with compact furniture, particularly for a smaller household.
Pay attention to where doors and walkways are located, since these can affect how furniture can be arranged. If dimensions aren't included in the listing, ask for a floor plan or measurements so you can compare properties more easily and map out your furniture.
6. Storage in five key locations
When several adults share a home, storage needs to be distributed throughout the property. When browsing listings or touring a property, look for these five storage features:
Entryway storage: A coat closet or designated space near the entrance for jackets, shoes and bags.
Kitchen storage: Pantry shelves or cupboards that allow each roommate to have a designated area for groceries, alongside shared storage for dishes and cookware.
Bedroom storage: A closet in every bedroom so each person has a place for clothing and personal belongings.
Bathroom storage: Cabinets or shelving for toiletries and personal items. In shared bathrooms, look for space where each roommate can have their own shelf or storage area.
Storage for larger items: A garage, basement storage room or secure locker for bikes, seasonal equipment and larger belongings.
It might sound like a lot, but having a place for everyone's belongings can go a long way toward keeping a shared household running smoothly.
Space together and space apart
At Wello, we think good shared housing comes down to a simple idea: space together, space apart. That thinking shaped the design of Wello One, our new rental development in Edmonton's Prince Rupert neighbourhood. In our larger homes, bedrooms are designed to be similar in size and each has its own ensuite, while generous kitchens and living areas give roommates space to cook, eat and spend time together.
Looking for a roommate-friendly rental in Edmonton?
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