Master Bedroom Allocation: Strategies For Fair Distribution

Deciding who gets the master bedroom can be a tricky situation when moving in with a roommate. There are several factors to consider, such as the amount and size of furniture each person has, their social life and personal preferences, and their financial situation. One way to determine who gets the larger room is by considering who has the most or largest furniture, as they will require more space to store their belongings. Another factor to consider is each roommate's social life; a person who prefers peace and quiet might prefer the master bedroom for its added privacy, while a social butterfly might be content with the smaller room due to its proximity to common areas. Ultimately, the decision may come down to finances, with the roommate who can afford it and agrees to pay more getting the larger room.

Paying per square foot

If you and your roommates are struggling to decide who gets the master bedroom, one pragmatic approach is to assign rooms based on square footage. This method ensures that each roommate pays for the precise amount of space they occupy.

To implement this method, calculate the monthly rent per square foot for the entire property, excluding common areas such as the kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and hallways. The master bedroom occupant will pay a proportionately higher amount for their larger space, while the remaining roommates will pay a correspondingly lower amount for their smaller rooms.

For example, consider a property with a total rent of $2,000 per month and a total area of 1,000 square feet, of which 200 square feet is the master bedroom. The cost per square foot for the entire property would be $2,000 / 1,000 square feet = $2 per square foot. Thus, the master bedroom would cost $2 x 200 square feet = $400 per month, with the remaining $1,600 divided among the other rooms.

This approach is fair and straightforward, ensuring that each roommate pays for the space they occupy. However, it may not account for other factors such as furniture size, social preferences, or the inclusion of a private bathroom. In cases where multiple roommates can afford the larger space, additional methods, such as bidding or random chance, may be necessary to determine the final room assignments.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the cost of adding a primary bedroom and bathroom to a home can vary depending on room size, features, and material quality. The average cost per square foot for these additions typically ranges from $80 to $220, with the average U.S. homeowner spending around $103,300 for a bedroom and bathroom addition.

Who has the most furniture?

When deciding who gets the master bedroom, one of the first ways to determine who gets the larger room is by figuring out who has more or bigger furniture. The person with the most furniture will naturally need more space to store it.

If one roommate has a lot of furniture, they may need the extra space that the master bedroom provides. This is especially true if they have large or bulky items that may not fit in a smaller room. On the other hand, if one roommate has very little furniture, they may be content with a smaller room.

In addition to the amount of furniture, other factors such as social life and financial position should be considered. For example, a person who prefers peace and quiet may want the master bedroom for more privacy, while a social butterfly might prefer the smaller room that is closer to the common areas. Additionally, if one roommate is on a tight budget, they may opt for the smaller room to save money.

Ultimately, the decision of who gets the master bedroom should be based on a compromise that takes into account the needs and preferences of all roommates. Open communication and flexibility are key to ensuring that everyone is happy with the living arrangement.

Who can afford it?

Deciding who gets the master bedroom can be tricky, especially when multiple people want it. One way to determine who gets the master bedroom is to consider who can afford it. This can be done in a few ways:

Firstly, you can decide that whoever gets the master bedroom pays a little extra in rent. This way, the person who is willing to pay more can have the larger room. This is a straightforward method that ties the value of the room to its cost.

Secondly, you can assign a cost to each room based on square footage. Calculate the total square footage of the bedrooms, then divide the rent by this number to get the cost per square foot. Finally, multiply the cost per square foot by the total square footage of each room, and the occupant of that room pays this amount. This method can be a little complex, especially if you're not a maths whizz, so be sure to write everything down carefully.

Thirdly, if you're moving in with a roommate, you might consider compromising on the rent. For example, if the rent is $1200, it wouldn't be fair for the person with the master bedroom to pay most of the rent, as you'd both be competing for the smaller room. Instead, agree on an amount that seems reasonable for the larger room, perhaps $700 for the master bedroom and $500 for the smaller room, with utilities split 50/50.

Finally, if no one wants to pay more rent and you're happy to split the rent evenly, you could consider switching rooms every six months. This way, you both get to experience the master bedroom.

While these methods can help decide who gets the master bedroom, it's important to remember that communal living comes with challenges. Be sure to keep the process light-hearted and consider the preferences of all involved.

Social life considerations

When deciding who gets the master bedroom, it's important to consider your social life and how this will interact with your living situation.

If you are a person who prefers peace and quiet, you may want to opt for the master bedroom as it offers more privacy and is usually further away from common areas like the living room and kitchen, where guests often gather. On the other hand, if you are a social butterfly who frequently hosts guests, you might prefer a smaller room that is closer to the common areas, making it easier to interact with your friends.

Another aspect to consider is the bathroom situation. If the master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, the person in the smaller room will have to share the main bathroom with any guests. This may result in more frequent cleaning and the need to replenish consumables like toilet paper and hand soap.

Additionally, you might want to discuss with your roommates how often you plan to have guests over and set some ground rules that work for everyone. For example, you could agree on designated days or times when guests are allowed, or establish a maximum number of guests at a time to ensure everyone's comfort and privacy.

If you are someone who values your alone time and prefers a quieter living environment, you may want to communicate this to your roommates and come to an understanding together. It's important to find a balance that respects everyone's social needs and personal boundaries.

Lastly, if you and your roommates have similar social lifestyles and preferences, you might consider choosing an apartment or rental home with similarly-sized rooms to avoid any disputes. This way, everyone has an equal amount of space and privacy, and no one feels like they are missing out on the perks of a larger room.

Random chance

Leaving the decision of who gets the master bedroom to random chance can be an effective way to resolve the issue without causing too much strife between the parties involved.

One way to do this is to use a random decision-making tool, such as an online generator. This involves posing the question ("Who gets the master bedroom?") and then listing the names of the people who are in the running for the room. The generator will then randomly select one of the names, and the decision is made. This method is quick, easy, and fair, as it relies purely on chance.

Another option is to flip a coin, draw straws, or pick a number. These methods are simple and can be done without any special tools. For example, if there are two people vying for the master bedroom, they can each choose a number between 1 and 10, or 1 and 100, and then a number is randomly generated within that range. The person whose number is chosen gets the room.

Leaving the decision to random chance can be a fun way to resolve the issue and can add an element of excitement to the process. It can also help to reduce the need for further information-gathering and analysis, which can sometimes hinder the decision-making process and lead to delays.

While random chance may not be the best method for every situation, in some cases, it can be a useful way to move past a dead end and get unstuck, especially when the decision is causing strife between the parties involved.

Frequently asked questions