12 Dorm Items To Split With Roommate In College

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Are you wondering which dorm items to split with roommate in college?

Here are the top items to share with your roommate to save money and make things simpler.

When moving into a dorm in college, there are lots of things you’ll have to buy. You’ll also likely be sharing your dorm with a roommate, which means that there are some key items you can share in order to cut down on costs and avoid unnecessary duplicates.

Before moving to college, discussing these items is one of the most important questions to ask your roommate.

You can coordinate on which items you plan to share, and who’s going to bring what.

How To Split Dorm Items With Your Roommate

When it comes to splitting dorm items with your roommate, there are a few different ways you can go about it.

The first and most obvious piece of advice is to bring what you already have. If you or your roommate already have one of these things at home, you can bring it and share it during the school year, and then keep it after you move out.

Another option is splitting the cost for items. For example, if a mini fridge is $60, you would each put in $30 towards the cost. This can be trickier because you’ll have to determine what will happen to the item at the end of the year. Will one of you keep it? Will you sell it and split the proceeds?

A simpler option is just figuring out who will buy what. If there are four items you want to share, you can each take two (or split it into one and three if one item is much more expensive than the others.)

This is an easy solution because it makes it clear who owns what and who will keep the item at the end of the year.

Here are the top items to split with roommate in college:

1. Mini Fridge

Sharing a mini fridge with your roommate in college can make dorm living much more convenient. It provides a dedicated space for storing perishable food items, snacks, and drinks within easy reach.

By sharing the fridge, you can both have a place to store food and avoid cluttering the limited space with multiple individual refrigerators.

2. Microwave

A microwave is a versatile appliance that allows you and your roommate to quickly heat up meals, popcorn, or beverages without the need for a full kitchen.

It can be a lifesaver during late-night study sessions or when you’re running short on time. By sharing a microwave, you can split the cost and maximize the available counter space in your dorm.

3. Coffee Maker

For those who rely on a daily caffeine fix, sharing a coffee maker with your roommate can be a practical and cost-effective solution.

This is an item that only makes sense to share if you both drink coffee and will be both be using — otherwise, you can just get your own.

4. Other Kitchen Appliances

Apart from the mini fridge, microwave, and coffee maker, there may be other kitchen appliances that you and your roommate could consider sharing.

These could include items like a toaster, blender, or electric kettle. Discuss with your roommate which appliances you both find useful and agree on sharing responsibilities and maintenance.

5. Television

Sharing a television can be a great source of entertainment and relaxation in your dorm room. It allows you and your roommate to watch your favorite shows, movies, or even play video games together.

Consider setting up ground rules regarding usage time, volume, and content preferences to ensure a harmonious living environment.

6. Vacuum Cleaner

Keeping your dorm room clean is important for maintaining a healthy and comfortable living space. Sharing a vacuum cleaner with your roommate makes it easier to tackle regular cleaning tasks.

A small and lightweight vacuum cleaner is all you need for your dorm room. Be sure to agree on a cleaning schedule that you’ll follow together in advance.

7. Water Filter Pitcher

Instead of relying solely on tap water or purchasing bottled water, sharing a water filter pitcher can be a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution. A Brita pitcher is what I recommend for keeping in your dorm room.

It allows you and your roommate to have access to clean and filtered drinking water conveniently. Make sure to change the filter regularly to ensure optimal water quality.

8. Humidifier

Depending on the climate and personal preferences, sharing a humidifier in your dorm room can help combat dry air and create a more comfortable environment.

It can be particularly beneficial during the colder months when indoor heating systems tend to dry out the air. Discuss with your roommate if they have any specific needs or concerns regarding humidity levels.

9. Streaming Services

In addition to a television, sharing streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video can provide a vast library of movies and TV shows for you and your roommate to enjoy.

By splitting the cost of subscriptions, you can access a wider range of content and have entertaining options readily available.

10. Printer

Sharing a printer can save you and your roommate from the hassle of finding printing facilities on campus. While this isn’t something you necessarily need at college, it can be nice to have, and if you and your roommate will both be using a printer often, you might as well split the cost.

Having a printer can be useful for printing assignments, lecture notes, or any other documents you might need. Establish clear guidelines on ink and paper usage, as well as sharing printing costs, to ensure a fair arrangement.

11. Curtains

Dorm rooms often come with basic window coverings, but they may not offer enough privacy or light control.

Sharing curtains with your roommate allows you to customize the room’s ambiance while adding a personal touch. Consider choosing curtains that complement your room’s décor and discuss preferences regarding openness or closure.

12. Area Rug

Adding an area rug to your dorm room can instantly make it cozier and more visually appealing, instead of cold and sterile.

By sharing an area rug with your roommate, you can enhance the overall aesthetic of the space while also providing additional comfort underfoot. Discuss style preferences and placement to ensure a harmonious room design.

What NOT To Share With Your Roommate

These are the best dorm items to split with your roommate, but what about the things you shouldn’t share?

You may see these items on lists of items to share with your roommate, but these are things I personally think it’s best to have separately (with reasons detailed as to why)

Dishes, cups, and utensils: It might seem logical to share these items if you’re splitting a mini fridge, microwave, and other appliances, but I personally think it’s better if each roommate has their own to avoid disputes over dirty dishes.
Snacks: Similar to above, I think it’s a good idea if each roommate purchases their own snacks (and has their own food storage area) to eliminate the potential for arguments over who ate whose snacks.
Trash cans: You may think having one shared trash can for the room is fine, but again, having separate ones ensures that there won’t be any confusion over whose turn it is to take out the trash.

Dorm Items To Split With Roommate

This guide showed you what dorm items to split with your college roommate (and which items not to split.)

Sharing items with your roommate is a common practice and it can help you cut down on costs and maximize your small space by not having duplicate items.

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