10 Essential IKEA Finds for Anyone Who Lives with Roommates
Having roommates isn’t always easy. For every good thing you share (a.k.a. rent, bills, groceries, etc.) there’s usually something a little more difficult (i.e. space and storage) to divvy up. Thankfully, IKEA knows the roomie struggle is real. The super stylish and affordable retailer offers tons of roommate-friendly solutions—think: Furnishings that are lockable and dividable—to help make sharing and sorting household stuff easier. From lockable storage cabinets to two-tiered shower caddies, read ahead for 10 IKEA finds for anyone living with roommates.
1. VEBEROD room divider, $129
The only thing better than a room divider—for separating shared living spaces with roomies—is one with storage. The VEBEROD boasts hanging hooks and cloth storage shelves, as well as caster wheels so it can move from room to room with ease.
2. GUNNERN lockable mirror cabinet, $30
Sharing a bathroom with a roomie with sticky fingers? The GUNNERN mirror cabinet with shelves mounts straight to your bathroom wall and comes with a lock and key so you can sleep easy knowing your stuff is safe.
3. IVAR SYSTEM shelving units, $45+
Sometimes, all it takes to score some peace of mind about sharing a home with someone is a well-devised storage plan. Enter the IVAR system, which along with clean-lined bookcases offers cabinets and drawers, complete with locks and labels, for sorting and securing your stuff in a shared living space.
4. IMMELN shower caddy, $15
Stuck sharing a shower with hardly any storage space? The IMMELN caddy comes with two shelves, so you can designate one for you and the other for your roomie, and simply hangs from your showerhead (without taking up any storage space).
5. TRONES shoe cabinets, $40 for 3
Looking for an easy way to organize your and all your roomies’ shoes in your entryway? TRONES cabinets are the perfect place to store (and conceal) your kicks in plain sight, just make sure to label them so you know which shoes belong to whom!
6. RASKOG utility cart, $25
A tiered rolling cart on wheels is a gift that keeps on giving. Case in point: The RASKOG utility cart that’s small enough to squeeze into your tiny kitchen or bathroom but offers three shelves of storage space for separating your stuff from your roomies’.
7. LUNS chalkboard, $14.99
A message board in your entryway can work wonders for communicating with your roomies. The LUNS chalkboard comes with built-in storage compartments (for separating mail and keys) and lets you leave messages for all your roommates to see before they walk out the door.
8. FJALLA storage boxes, $4
Nothing screams “this is mine, not yours” quite like a storage box labeled with your name. FJALLA storage boxes come with lids and built-in label holders so you can stay organized in style (while simultaneously marking your territory).
9. PRUTA food containers, 99¢ for 3
The only thing worse than having “dishues” with your roomies is discovering they’ve eaten your delicious leftovers—with the “I didn’t know it was yours” excuse. PRUTA food containers are super cheap and simple to label, so you can let everyone you live with know that’s your Chinese takeout (for only a buck for a three-pack).
10. ERIK file cabinet, $99
If keeping your important paperwork safe from your roomies is a priority, look no further than the ERIK cabinet. Equipped with four drawers to hold sorting hanging files, this sleek file cabinet features a lock and key for protecting your paperwork from nosy roommates.