Share housing is one of the most memorable times in a young adult’s life.
Sure, there are ups and downs. Like the stand-off that takes place when one of your roommates refuses to buy the next round of loo paper.
Or waking up to loud music and discovering there’s a mini rave taking place in your kitchen.
Then there are those moments of hilarity on the couch, sitting around the kitchen table sharing meals as a family, and the creation of long-lasting new friendships.
Before you get to all that though, you’ll need a few things to help you start your new life. Try these ideas on for size.
1. Pot plant
You could even name your new communal pot plant. Picture: Shutterstock
Greenery instils a sense of calm in any home, so come armed to your new digs with a lush new indoor pot plant.
It’ll put a smile on your dial and most likely be seen by your flatmates as a lovely new addition.
See more: 8 low-maintenance indoor plants you will love
2. New cutlery
If you consider yourself a clean freak – be honest – you’ll need some fresh cutlery for those at-home dinners.
You can generally pick up cheap buys from supermarkets.
Don’t overlook kitchen walls as potential storage space. Picture: Ikea
3. Bath mat
For anyone who gets irked by a wet bathroom floor, consider this: You could be sharing with two, three, four or more other flatmates.
A constantly wet bathroom is inevitable. Ew.
Buying a new mat sorts this issue out early on and avoids accidents.
Bath mats are serious saviours in share houses. Picture: Getty Images
4. Sheet set
If this is the first time you’ve lived out of home, go nuts and buy some nice, fresh linen.
It will be a little taste of luxury in among the whirlwind of share house living.
Keep your bed linen washed regularly to avoid dust gathering. Picture: Getty
5. Toilet paper
If those aforementioned stand-offs do take place, try have a stack of loo paper up your sleeve – nothing quite like running out of toilet paper when you most need it.
6. Cleaning supplies
Stock up on all the essentials to ensure a clean and liveable space: Think detergent, toilet cleaner, window cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, sponges, scrubbing brushes – you name it.
7. Mirror
To avoid getting stuck in the bathroom queue when all you need to do is fix your hair, BYO mirror to your new abode.
A long statement mirror is a great addition to any share house bedroom.
A white frame against the white wall gives the illusion of space in artist Lara Scolari’s bedroom. Picture: Tamara Graham
See more: 9 ways mirrors can be used to craft magical optical illusions
8. Vacuum cleaner or broom
A tidy home’s a happy home.
If you’re confident enough to bring one of these into your new share house, why not suggest a cleaning roster too?
9. Garbage bags
Running out of garbage bags is just plain annoying – have a solid stack on the go and store under the sink.
Particularly for those moments when the garbage is full to the brim and you need to double bag.
10. Wine glasses
Sure you’re share housing, but it doesn’t mean you need to skimp on everything.
Pick up some affordable wine glasses – and if they break, don’t stress. There’s always the less classy option of drinking out of a mug.
Picture: Getty
11. Cushions or throws
Hating that brown couch with stains all over it?
Invest in a nice throw or liven it up with some colourful cushions. You’ll be glad you did.
Add some colour to your new digs. Picture: iStock
Article repurposed from 13 things to buy before moving into a share house by Kristy Barratt. Author at realestate.com.au.
