The Bigger Bedroom: Four Solutions

By Lev Novak

In apartment hunting, especially in New York, there can be a conundrum to face. Oftentimes, when living with friends, you prepare to split things evenly; even rent, even rooms, even good times. But occasionally, you’ll find yourself in an uneven apartment.

Mainly, one bedroom is bigger.

Maybe this is metaphorical, or one room doesn’t have windows, or the room facing away from the street is noticeably quieter. Whatever it is, you’re going to have to come up with a peaceable solution.

1. The Capitalist

The capitalist approach to do is start a bidding war on the bigger or better room. Whoever wants to live in it will bid a certain amount of money, and all parties will approve the price. The extra money that they spend will have the added advantage of bringing down the rent for everyone else. So even if you don’t have the money to afford the bigger bedroom, you at least have the advantage of a slightly cheaper rent every month.

The capitalist approach can be seen as the fairest approach, but it’s biased towards those willing to spend and can provoke jealousy or resentment, so be careful.

2. The Meritocracy/Lady Luck

It might just be easier to ignore the bigger bedroom, and let the chips fall where they may. Did one person do the leg-work for the apartment, move in first, and set the place up? Give them first pick of rooms. Simple as that.

Or, especially if the differences aren’t that major between bedrooms, letting a “first-come, first-serve” approach happen can reduce arguments instantly. All’s fair in love, war, and apartment hunting.

3. Team-Work Living

Another option of course is working together. If one bedroom is larger- especially in an apartment without much space, and only in an apartment full of friends- you might consider a team-based approach.

For example; if one room is much larger, bring in a small couch. Set up a T.V. and ta-dah! It’s a living-room-room. Of course they have a lock and privacy like they normally would, but if you’re all close, using that extra space for communal good is another approach to believe in.

4. Democracy

This only works if all rooms have pros and cons, but if you’re not sure, have people vote on their favorite rooms. Who knows? This worked at my last apartment, where the biggest room was also the nosiest; that went to Scott, who had to wake up early for baseball anyway. I had a small room quiet room with plenty of windows, which was fine since I liked to sleep late and liked light (when I wasn’t sleeping.) Someone else might have been unhappy with a smaller room, or a louder room, but since we talked about it and picked them ourselves, everything worked out fine.

Well, almost fine. Seth’s room was kind of crummy.

Share this article: