20 Products You Need to Live With Other People in Peace
Your roommate survival kit includes a whiteboard, a Costco membership, and a sleek and effective trash can.
Welcome to Roommates Week, an exploration of the highs and lows of cohabitation.
You’ve signed the lease, curated your Pinterest boards, and picked out the perfect couch…but now you have to figure out how to make things work with your roommates. Thankfully, we’re here to help. Consider this your roommate survival guide, complete with everything you need to live happily ever after with others. Our recs include noise-canceling earplugs, a hair-catching bathtub drain, and a remote work-saving Wi-Fi extender. We’re here to help you keep the peace—even when your roommate insists on making smoothies at six in the morning.
A board for easy roomie communication
ThreeByThree Seattle Monthly Glass Magnetic Dry Erase Board
Avoid wondering whose week it is to clean the bathroom with this magnetic dry-erase board. Stick it on your fridge and keep track of chores, grocery lists, and important dates.
An odor-absorbing garbage can
Simplehuman Rectangular Step Can
As the weather gets warmer, so will the trash in your garbage can. Instead of being hit with the strong stench of last week’s dinner every time you walk through the door, opt for simplehuman’s trash cans, which are built to keep odors trapped inside the can.
A blender that doubles as decor
Beast ® Blender in Carbon Black
This blender’s stylish design will make you want to display it proudly in your kitchen. It also gets the blending job done, without taking up all of your counter space.
A physical way to define your space
West Elm Ida Woven Screen
Whether you’re looking to share a bedroom, or break up a common area, dividers are an easy way to create separation. This one from West Elm has a stunningly modern design, is available in black and white shades, and folds up when not in use.
An alarm clock that mimics the sun
Hatch Restore Sound Machine
If you’re a heavy sleeper, you may want to opt for this sunrise alarm that uses gentle sun-like light to wake you up instead of loud blaring sounds (your roommate will also appreciate it). The Hatch Restore also offers meditations, and sleep sounds to help you sleep better.
A tool to help make cleaning your bathtub easier
Scrubtastic Electric Spin Scrubber Brush
Instead of scrubbing your bathroom clean while on your hands and knees, pick up this scrubber that can be used to keep your bathtub, floors, and counters sparkling clean.
A hair-catching drain protector
OXO Good Grips Silicone Shower & Tub Drain Protector
There are few things in this life worse than pulling unidentified hair out of your bathtub’s drain. This drain protector has a steel weight that’ll keep it in place and stop hair in its tracks.
Fragrance built for a smart home
Pura Smart Home Fragrance Diffuser Set
Home fragrance is more important than ever when living with multiple people. NEST’s diffuser set can be plugged into bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. The diffuser can also be controlled from your phone, ensuring that you’ll always return to a fresh-smelling home.
The key to saving your furniture
Crate and Barrel Cole Coasters
Save yourself the arguments over ruined wood furniture and counters, and pick up coasters as soon as you move in. This set from Crate & Barrel combines stylish earthenware with a functional design.
A wooden home for your keys
Yamazaki Magnet Key Hooks
Never get locked out or misplace your keys again with this handy key hook and its magnetic backing that helps it to stick to the back of doors or the side of your fridge.
A saving grace for your Wi-Fi connection
Netgear Dual Band Wi-Fi Range Extender
If you and your roommate(s) work from home, pick this Wi-Fi extender up now and thank us later. It’ll help strengthen your Wi-Fi and erase your worries about that one dead spot in your home.
An outlet made for all of your electronic essentials
Philips 6-Outlet Extender Surge Protector
Never run out of outlets again, with an outlet extender that’ll quadruple your charging space. It’s the perfect addition to a crowded common area.
A premium hand soap
Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash
Sure, this soap is a splurge but its rave reviews prove it’s absolutely worth it. Break it out when you’re hosting guests, parents, or just want to feel fancy.
A water filtering pitcher
LifeStraw Home Dispenser
A storage food set made for sharing
Pyrex Colored Lid Set, Set of 18
This 18-piece Pyrex set comes with nine containers, and can hold your and your roommates’ meal prep, leftovers, and more. They’re also hardy enough to be thrown in the dishwasher, freezer, and microwave.
A set of earplugs to keep things quiet
Loop Earplugs
Let’s face it, living with roommates means you’ll need to get comfortable with noise. But when you’re unsuccessfully trying to sleep or focus, things can get uncomfortable. Luckily, Loops’ Quiet Earplugs are designed to be worn to sleep and stay in your ears all night long.
A flexible seating arrangement
Marin Stackable Pouf with Casters
If your seating is limited and you’re planning on hosting, pick up this stackable floor pillow set that offers three additional seats and can be moved around from bedroom to living room and back again.
A butt-saving membership
The secret to keeping your home constantly stocked? Ordering your essentials in bulk. Sign up for a membership at a bulk retailer like Costco and you’ll never have to make an emergency toilet paper run again.
On-demand household services
Whether you’re looking for a handyman, an expert IKEA furniture assembler, or a cleaner to help keep your apartment nice and tidy, consider a TaskRabbit. Its directory offers hundreds of local service providers.
A cozy alternative to clothes
Parachute Classic Bathrobe
Sometimes you won’t always want to wear clothes while chilling at home. So pick up this cozy Turkish robe from Parachute to avoid scarring your roommates for life.
We love the products we feature and hope you do, too. If you buy something through a link on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Related Reading:
Tinder for Roommates Is Just as Awful as It Sounds
Everything You Need to Know to Make Moving Less Miserable
What Does It Take to #VanLife as a Family?
Every Possible Way to Dispose of an Old Mattress
