The Master Bedroom: Deciding Who Claims The Space

Deciding who gets the master bedroom can be a tricky situation, especially when moving in with a roommate. There are several methods to determine who gets the bigger room, from the straightforward to the more creative. One way is to calculate the rent based on square footage, with the larger room costing more. Another option is to assign specific costs to each room based on size, with the master bedroom costing more. If neither roommate wants to pay more, a simple coin toss or rock, paper, scissors can decide. For those who enjoy a challenge, a physical contest or creative competition can determine the winner of the larger room. Alternating rooms every six months is also an option to ensure fairness.

Paying more per square foot

Deciding who gets the master bedroom can be a tricky situation, especially when there are multiple people vying for the same space. One way to approach this is by considering who is willing to pay more per square foot. This method is based on the understanding that the master bedroom is often larger and may have additional features or amenities that make it more desirable.

Calculating Rent Based on Square Footage:

A straightforward way to allocate rent for each roommate is to consider the size of the room they occupy relative to the total square footage of the apartment or house. This ensures that each person pays for the space they are using, including common areas.

For example, let's say three roommates share a 1,000-square-foot apartment and pay a total of $1,500 in rent, including utilities. To calculate the rent for each roommate, you would multiply the total square footage by the total rent and then divide it by the total square footage:

> (1,000 x $1,500) / 1,000 = $1,500 / 1,000 = $1.50 per square foot

So, each roommate would pay $1.50 per square foot of their room. If the master bedroom is 200 square feet, the rent for that room would be $300 per month ($1.50 x 200 = $300).

Willingness and Ability to Pay:

If one roommate is particularly set on having the master bedroom, they may be willing to pay more than the calculated amount. This could be an option if the other roommates are less concerned about having the larger space and are comfortable with a smaller room.

Including Common Areas:

It's important to note that the rent calculation should also include common areas, such as the living room, kitchen, and bathrooms. This is because everyone shares and benefits from these spaces. So, the rent calculation would consider the total square footage of the home, not just the bedrooms.

Alternating Rooms:

To promote fairness and avoid resentment, some people choose to alternate the master bedroom every six months or so. This allows each roommate to experience the benefits of the larger space and can be a good option if everyone is on board and there are no significant disparities in financial situations.

Advantages of the Master Bedroom:

The master bedroom is typically the largest bedroom in the home and may include additional features like a walk-in closet, an en suite bathroom, or a better view. These factors contribute to its higher rent value per square foot.

Disadvantages of the Master Bedroom:

While the master bedroom has its perks, it's important to consider potential drawbacks. For example, a larger room may result in higher utility costs, especially for heating or cooling. Additionally, the master bedroom may be more expensive to furnish, decorate, or maintain.

In conclusion, the "Paying more per square foot" method provides a practical and fair approach to deciding who gets the master bedroom. It takes into account the size of the room, the total space of the home, and each roommate's willingness to pay for the desired space. This method ensures that the allocation of rent is proportional to the space occupied and can be a transparent way to handle this common roommate situation.

Amenities trade-off

When deciding who gets the master bedroom, one method is to trade off other amenities or utilities in your apartment. For instance, if there is only one parking spot assigned to the apartment, it could be given to the roommate who doesn't get the master bedroom. In exchange, the person with the master bedroom could pay for cable or internet access. This often results in a bidding situation, but instead of bidding money, you are bidding on utilities and amenities.

Another example of an amenities trade-off could be that the roommate with the master bedroom takes on additional tasks in the flat. For instance, they could be responsible for cleaning the shared spaces or doing the dishes.

It's important to discuss these trade-offs openly and honestly, ensuring that everyone is comfortable with the arrangements. It may also be helpful to put these agreements in writing to avoid any misunderstandings or disputes in the future.

Sheer luck

One of the most fun ways to decide who gets the master bedroom is to leave it up to chance and play a game. Rock-paper-scissors or a coin toss are simple options, or you could have a little more fun with a quick game of poker, blackjack, or even roulette.

If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you could even try something like a squirrel-shaving contest or a sword-fighting duel! However, it's important to set some ground rules and ensure that everyone involved is comfortable with the chosen activity.

Another option is to use a lottery method. Ask a neutral third-party friend or neighbour to help. First, number each room and put the numbers into a hat or bowl. Then, have them pick out names from another bowl and match those with the numbers. The person whose name is drawn out first gets their choice of room.

If you're looking for a more lighthearted approach, you could try a creative contest. Write a persuasive essay, draw a sculpture, or sing a song explaining why you deserve the master bedroom. You could even act out a scene—the sky's the limit when it comes to creativity!

Remember, deciding who gets the master bedroom doesn't have to be a battle. These methods can add an element of fun and excitement to the process while ensuring a fair outcome for everyone involved.

Strength testing

If you and your roommates are struggling to decide who gets the master bedroom, you could try a strength-testing competition. This could be a fun way to decide who gets the nicest room.

You could start with a swimming race or a Twister competition, or you could go for a more endurance-based challenge. Food-based endurance challenges are a great way to divide the wheat from the chaff, but be careful not to eat too many hot peppers! If you're not athletically inclined, you could even interpret this category to include video or board games.

If you need a tiebreaker, pick a challenge that suits your skills and knowledge. You could even let each competing roommate choose one challenge to make things fairer.

Remember, it's important to have fun with this process and not let it turn into a full-on fight with your roommates.

Creative contest

If you want to get creative, you and your roommate could enter a creative contest to decide who gets the master bedroom. The rules are simple: create something that explains why you deserve the master bedroom. This could be a persuasive essay, a sculpture, a song, or even a performance.

This method is a fun way to decide the master bedroom and allows each roommate to express their interest in the room. It also helps to avoid any potential issues that could arise from other decision-making methods, such as financial strain or hard feelings from a game of luck.

To ensure the process is fair, you could ask a neutral third party to judge the contest. This could be a friend, family member, or even a neighbour. They would be responsible for evaluating each submission or performance and selecting a winner.

While this method may be more time-consuming than other options, it adds an element of fun to the decision-making process and allows each roommate to advocate for themselves and their interests. It also sets a creative tone for the new living arrangement, encouraging open communication and expression.

So, if you're looking for a unique way to decide who gets the master bedroom, consider a creative contest. It's a great way to kick off your new living situation with a bit of fun and friendly competition!

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