DIY Ideas to Make Your Shared House Feel Like Home

Living in a shared house with roommates can be an exciting and challenging experience. It gives you an opportunity to bond with new people, share responsibilities, and enjoy the benefits of affordable living. However, one of the challenges many people face when moving into a shared space is making it feel like home.

Fortunately, with some creativity and DIY magic, you can transform your shared living space into a comfortable and personalized environment. Here are some DIY ideas to help you do just that.

First Things First – Finding Your Perfect Roommate

Living in a shared house can be wonderful, but it’s essential to have roommates who align with your living style and habits. If you're looking to find a roommate in Houston, New York City, Boston, Austin, or anywhere else in the US, you can explore options through SpareRoom.

SpareRoom provides a great platform to find roommates who match your preferences and make your living situation as happy as possible.

How to Make Your Shared House Feel Like Home

1. Personalize Your Bedroom with DIY Wall Art

One of the easiest ways to make your room feel like your own is through art. If you’re not allowed to paint or hang heavy artwork, don’t worry. There are plenty of creative, inexpensive ways to bring your personal touch to your room.

Ideas for DIY Wall Art:

• Framed Prints and Posters: Find affordable prints or posters that reflect your style. You can use frames that are easy to hang or command strips for a non-damaging solution. You can also frame pieces of fabric or patterned wrapping paper for a unique touch.
• DIY Canvas Art: If you're feeling crafty, grab a blank canvas and some paints to create your own custom artwork. Abstract designs, quotes, or even simple shapes can make a big impact.
• Photo Collage: Collect your favorite photos from travels, events, or memories with friends and create a photo collage on a bulletin board or wall-mounted grid.

2. Transform Shared Spaces with Room Dividers

In shared housing, you’ll have common areas like the living room or dining area. If you’re seeking a bit more privacy, a room divider is a practical and stylish way to carve out a personal corner for yourself.

DIY Room Divider Ideas:

• Fabric Curtains: Hang a curtain rod from the ceiling and use fabric to divide the space. You can choose a neutral color to blend in or go bold with bright patterns.
• Wooden Pallet Divider: If you're up for a bit of woodwork, repurpose old wooden pallets into a rustic room divider. You can easily stack and arrange them for a chic, industrial look.
• Bookshelf Divider: A tall bookshelf acts as a divider and also provides storage space for books, decor, or plants. This is especially useful if you want to keep your belongings neatly organized.

3. Upcycle Furniture for a Personal Touch

When you’re living with roommates, you may not have much control over the larger pieces of furniture in the shared areas. However, you can personalize your own furniture with some DIY upgrades to make it more reflective of your style.

DIY Furniture Upcycling Ideas:

• Repainting Furniture: If you have old, dull furniture, give it a fresh look with a coat of paint. Whether it’s a dresser, a coffee table, or even kitchen chairs, a new color can completely transform the look of your furniture.
• Decoupage and Mod Podge: If you want to add some personality to your furniture, consider using decoupage techniques to cover a table, chair, or storage unit with fun magazine clippings, wallpaper, or photos.
• Repurposing Old Furniture: If you find yourself with hand-me-down furniture or pieces that are not quite your style, think about repurposing them. Turn an old ladder into a shelving unit, or use an old dresser as a media console.

4. Create Cozy and Inviting Common Areas

While it's essential to personalize your own space, you also want to make sure the shared spaces are inviting and comfortable for everyone. Creating a cozy atmosphere can help your shared house feel more like a home, rather than just a place to sleep.

DIY Ideas for Cozy Common Spaces:

• Throw Pillows and Blankets: Add a pop of color and warmth to the couch with homemade throw pillows or blankets. You can create pillows from inexpensive fabric or even repurpose old sweaters into cozy cushions.
• DIY Lighting: Lighting sets the mood of a space. Consider making your own pendant lights using mason jars or repurposing string lights into decorative displays. A few candles here and there can also add a cozy vibe.
• Indoor Plants: Plants breathe life into any room. Start a small indoor garden with potted plants or succulents. You can even create a DIY plant hanger using rope and a wooden dowel for a boho vibe.

5. Organize with Style

In shared housing, organization can make a huge difference in how comfortable the space feels. With stylish storage, you can keep your personal items tidy while also making the space more functional.

DIY Storage Ideas:

• Under-Bed Storage: If you're short on space, consider making your own under-bed storage solutions using inexpensive bins or even crates. This is a great way to maximize your room without taking up valuable floor space.
• Storage Cubbies: Use inexpensive wooden crates or plastic baskets to organize shoes, books, and other small items. You can arrange them in a neat stack or mount them on the wall for additional storage.
• Hooks and Shelves: Install hooks or small shelves for bags, coats, or hats. This keeps things organized, and it also saves space in smaller rooms.

6. Incorporate Shared DIY Projects with Roommates

Shared housing is an opportunity to bond with your roommates while working on DIY projects together. Here are a few ideas for group DIY projects that can improve your shared space and build a sense of community.

Shared DIY Ideas:

• DIY Welcome Mat: Make a fun welcome mat to put outside your door. You can personalize it with stencils and spray paint for a quirky design that reflects the vibe of your home.
• Community Art Piece: Collaborate with your roommates to create a large art piece that you can display in the living room or hallway. This could be a mural, a painting, or even a collage made from bits and pieces from everyone’s individual interests.
• Shared Herb Garden: If you enjoy cooking, create a small herb garden in the kitchen that everyone can use. You can easily grow basil, mint, or rosemary in small pots on the windowsill.

Living in a shared house doesn't mean you have to sacrifice comfort or style. With these DIY ideas, you can easily personalize your space and create a cozy and inviting atmosphere that feels like home.