What Should You Bring When Moving in With Roommates?

Moving in with roommates does not mean everyone needs to show up with a complete apartment’s worth of stuff. 

Before you pack or start shopping, find out what your roommates already own. Coordinating shared items can save money, prevent duplicates and keep your new home from immediately becoming overcrowded. 

Here’s what to bring, what to discuss and what you may want to leave behind. 

What Should You Bring for Your Bedroom?

Your bedroom is the one space you can generally plan without worrying about what your roommates own. 

Start with your everyday essentials, including: 

• Bed and bedding 
• Pillows 
• Clothes and shoes 
• Hangers 
• Laundry hamper 
• Phone charger 
• Lamp 
• Personal toiletries 
• Desk or dresser, if needed 

Before bringing larger furniture, measure your bedroom. A dresser, desk and nightstand that fit comfortably in your current room may make a smaller bedroom difficult to navigate. 

What Kitchen Items Should Roommates Share?

Talk about the kitchen before everyone packs their own complete set. 

Most households do not need multiple: 

• Toasters 
• Microwaves 
• Coffee makers 
• Blenders 
• Dish drying racks 
• Sets of pots and pans 
• Knife blocks 
• Mixing bowl sets 
• Large kitchen gadgets 

Decide who is bringing what before the move. You can always add something later if you discover you actually need it. 

You should also discuss which items will be shared and which will remain personal. One roommate may be happy to share cookware but prefer everyone to buy their own groceries, for example. 

What Should You Bring for a Shared Bathroom?

If you are sharing a bathroom, keep your personal products relatively contained. 

A shower caddy or small bathroom bin can make it easier to keep toiletries organized, especially when counter and shower space are limited. 

Roommates can also decide whether they want to share basics like hand soap, toilet paper and cleaning supplies or purchase them separately. 

Who Should Bring Furniture for Shared Spaces?

Do not assume an empty living room means everyone should bring their couch. 

Talk about larger pieces before moving day, including: 

• Sofa 
• Coffee table 
• TV 
• TV stand 
• Dining table and chairs 
• Bookshelves 
• Floor lamps 
• Entryway furniture 

If two people already own similar pieces, compare the size, condition and style of each before deciding which one works best in the new home. 

It is much easier to make that decision before two couches are sitting in the living room. 

What Household Supplies Should Roommates Coordinate?

Some of the easiest items to accidentally duplicate are the boring household basics. 

Before shopping, figure out whether anyone already has a: 

• Vacuum 
• Mop 
• Broom and dustpan 
• Basic tool kit 
• Iron or steamer 
• Trash can 
• Step stool 
• Extension cords 

You can also create a shared shopping list for anything the household still needs instead of everyone making separate trips. 

What Should You Not Bring When Moving in With Roommates?

Limited shared space makes this a good time to reconsider things you rarely use. 

You may want to leave behind or downsize: 

• Duplicate kitchen appliances 
• Furniture that does not fit 
• Excess dishes and glassware 
• Decor you do not have room to display 
• Off-season items you will not need soon 
• Hobby equipment you rarely use 
• Boxes you have not opened since your last move 

You do not necessarily have to get rid of everything that does not fit. If you want to keep furniture, seasonal gear or other belongings without crowding your bedroom or shared spaces, a storage unit can provide another option. 

Public Storage offers a variety of storage unit sizes with month-to-month rentals, which can be helpful when you are downsizing into a shared home or deciding what you will need long term. 

What Should You Discuss with Roommates Before Moving In?

Your belongings are only part of the conversation. 

Before move-in day, talk about how you will handle shared purchases, cleaning supplies, groceries and common areas. It is also worth establishing what belongs to whom, particularly for furniture or appliances that everyone will use. 

You do not need to buy everything before moving in, either. Bring your personal essentials, coordinate the big, shared items and give yourselves a little time to see what the household actually needs. 

You can always buy another frying pan. Finding somewhere to put four of them is the harder part.