4 Helpful Tips for Arranging a Shared Bedroom

Given that space often comes at a premium in many parts of the Philippines, it’s common for Filipinos to settle in houses, condominiums, and apartments that have small square footage. Though these types of properties are enough to serve as comfortable shelter, making them feel like home can sometimes be a challenge—especially if multiple household members need to be accommodated.

One of the easiest solutions to such a problem is to share bedrooms with other people to make the most of the living space. All the same, each person is entitled to their privacy and should be able to furnish the space according to their own preferences. Factors like the furniture layout and the type of bed frame used in the room also matter, as these can either maximize or hamper freedom of movement among occupants.

Knowing that, it’s important for you to configure a shared bedroom so that it’s a tranquil and restful place for everyone who stays in it. To that end, here’s a guide on arranging a shared bedroom for roommates, a couple, or kids and their caregivers.

Discuss Your Ideas with the Person (or People) Whom You’ll be Sharing the Space With

Before you start rearranging the bedroom or buying new furniture for the space, the first thing you’ll want to do is discuss your plans with the person or people you’re sharing the room with. Whether it’s your dormmates, friends, kids, or partner, it’s important to consult with them so that you can arrange the bedroom to achieve privacy and comfort for each occupant.

When doing so, remember to keep the communication channels open. It’s easier to come to a mutual decision when everyone can share their ideas without any miscommunications. Consider, too, that sharing space can either bring people closer or push them apart. You’ll want for the bedroom arrangements to improve relationships between people and allow them to observe respect for one another.

Going over bedroom design plans with the room occupants will also give you a chance to discuss what type of furniture you can purchase for the space. It’s an option to buy brand-new furniture, but you may be able to save both space and money by getting versatile secondhand pieces from buy and sell online platforms like LookingFour. Here, you’ll be able to find inexpensive, good-quality secondhand bedroom furniture that’s ideal for use in a shared bedroom, like a bedside table, desk, or loft bed frame.

Choose the Appropriate Size and Type of Furniture

Once you have a plan laid out, the next thing you’ll want to do is measure your bedroom’s dimensions and find furniture that actually fits the space. A shared bedroom can quickly become cramped and uncomfortable when outfitted with overly large or clunky furniture. It’s better to choose practical pieces that will help occupants observe economy of space and remain flexible when moving around and storing their things.

A king-sized bed is the ideal option if you’ll be sharing your room with your spouse or partner and want to sleep in close quarters. But for a room that will be shared by siblings or dormmates, it’s more appropriate to get twin beds or bunks.

Maximize the Bedroom’s Square Footage with Space-Saving Furniture

Apart from purchasing furniture of the right size and type, you should also consider adding some space-saving pieces to your bedroom plans. Space-saving furniture is perfect for homes with multiple occupants, but limited square footage because it’s designed to make the best use of both vertical and horizontal space. Most pieces also sport a modular design that gives them a sleek and modern look, which will add a stylish touch to any shared bedroom.

Invest in the multipurpose variety so that each occupant has everything they need in terms of space, privacy, and storage. Some examples of the best pieces you can furnish a shared bedroom with include the following:

• Bed frames with built-in under storage
• Loft beds with study tables and shelves underneath
• Convertible sofa beds
• Wall-mounted folding tables
• Armoires with mirrors
• Floating shelves

Keep Things Organized and Tidy

Furniture itself can only do so much to make a shared bedroom feel more spacious and comfortable. If you want to make sure that each of the occupants will have enough room to sleep soundly and relax in their own spaces, it’s also important to keep the bedroom organized and tidy.

Whether it’s shared or not, a bedroom will always feel cramped and stuffy if it’s messy. Adults should agree to keep their respective spaces and shared spaces in the room, like the shelf and the bathroom, as neat and tidy as possible. Kid siblings, on the other hand, can be motivated to practice this behavior with a chore chart and corresponding rewards.

Indeed, it can be challenging to create a cozy bedroom environment when multiple people of different ages and personalities are sharing it. But with thoughtful planning, open communication, and smart furniture choices, you can create a comfortable and spacious bedroom that suits everyone's needs and bring everyone closer to their idea of home.