Living With a Roommate? What to Store Offsite to Save Space

Shared apartments are great for splitting rent, especially for professionals working in cities like New York, Seattle, and Boston, where housing prices run high. But what’s already a tight space can become tighter when you’re sharing it with someone else.

Everyone’s got full wardrobes, work gear, gym bags, weekend hobbies, and nowhere to put the overflow. And when space runs out, frustration usually follows.

The good news? A few clever storage strategies plus a bit of off-site support can help restore order (and peace) in your shared space. In this guide, we’ll walk you through smart, low-conflict ways to make more room for life when you're living with roommates.

How Do Shared Apartments Get Crowded So Fast

Most apartments simply weren’t designed to accommodate multiple people with multiple versions of everything. There are only so many cabinets for cookware, only so much closet space for business wear, winter coats, and luggage. And without a clear system for shared storage, things end up piled in corners, stuffed under beds, or taking over the living room.

Then there’s also the invisible clutter: duplicate items, seasonal belongings, or “for now” pieces like an extra chair no one’s using.

Unfortunately, the impact of this clutter goes beyond appearances. Studies have found that clutter is linked to negative emotions like confusion, tension, and irritability. It can also increase stress and anxiety.

Additionally, shared clutter can also create subtle friction between roommates. Unspoken tensions build over whose things are in the way, who’s storing more than their share, or who last cleaned the overflowing entryway bench.

These aren’t just inconveniences. They’re disruptions to your daily rhythm, and over time, they can chip away at the peace and productivity you need at home.

How to Stay Organized With Roommates

Living with roommates as a professional means cramming two full adults' lives into one space. And while rent may be split, clutter and stress rarely are. That’s why proactivity is crucial. Here are some key strategies to get ahead of the roommate clutter.

Set clear zones for personal and shared items

Living with roommates can get chaotic when no one’s quite sure what belongs to whom or where anything’s supposed to go. So, designate areas for communal items (like cleaning supplies, kitchen tools, or the coffee machine), and clearly define what’s personal.

Some effective apartment roommate tips include:
- Using labeled bins for personal items that can easily get swapped when left out in the open
- Using color-coded containers for food, toiletries, and such
- Have communal cabinets and drawers
This creates structure in tight spaces and cuts down on miscommunication, a subtle but effective way to reduce tension.
Audit your stuff regularly together

One of the fastest ways to reclaim space is to do a quick, low-pressure audit of what’s actually being used.

Every couple of months, do a 10-minute sweep of shared areas with your roommate and determine which things you use regularly and which ones haven’t been touched in weeks. Then, agree on what’s essential to keep in the apartment and what can be moved out or even donated.
Create a “To Store” Zone

Even in a small apartment, setting aside a basket, drawer, or shelf as a “To Store” zone can work wonders. It becomes a holding space for things you’ve outgrown at the moment.

Once it fills up, take that as your cue to rotate those items into storage.
Talk about storage early on

The best time to set storage expectations is at the start of your lease. Make storage part of your regular roommate check-ins, even if it’s just a quick monthly pulse check.

That shared mindset helps avoid passive clutter buildup and ensures everyone feels like they’re contributing to a space that works.
Agree on what is “clutter”

What feels like a necessary bookshelf to one roommate might look like chaos to another. So, take time to agree on a shared definition of visual clutter and how you’ll handle items that fall into gray areas.
Use off-site storage strategically

Many people think of self storage as something you only turn to when you’re moving. But used strategically, it’s a long-term solution to the clutter that comes with sharing an apartment with a roommate.

Instead of cramming out-of-season coats, overflow décor, or backup furniture into corners or under beds, store them securely offsite and reclaim your square footage.

The best part is that established storage providers like Stuf Storage offer easily accessible, secure, and climate-controlled units to keep your items safe and secure, no matter the season, for affordable fees.

What to Store in Offsite Self-Storage when Living with Roommates

Even with strong organization habits, there comes a point where an apartment simply can’t hold everything, especially when you’re living with roommates. The trick isn’t to get rid of everything; it’s knowing which items don’t need to take up prime real estate in your home.

That’s why having a self-storage unit is such a good investment. When used thoughtfully, it can act like a second closet, a rotating seasonal garage, or just a smarter place to keep things that are valuable but not used every day.

Here are the items that most commonly overstay their welcome in shared apartments:

Professionals who work from home or in a hybrid setup may be familiar with some tech buildup This may come in the form of extra monitors, endless cords, unused printers, and backup equipment. While they may come in handy someday, keeping this in your shared apartment can turn productive spaces into clutter zones.

More importantly, researchers have found that clutter can make it difficult to focus on certain tasks. So, keeping this gear and tech in a safe and secure self-storage like Stuf Storage’s units may also help improve your productivity and focus. At Stuf, your items are protected by 24/7 surveillance, a complimentary padlock, and digital app access.

Pro tip: Make sure you or your roommate has insurance to cover your stored items. Reliable providers like Stuf Storage often have insurance policy add-ons you can avail to further protect your items from unexpected events.

Here’s a quick checklist you can use:
- Extra monitors or laptops
- Backup keyboards, mice, and chargers
- Ring lights, webcams, mic stands
- Spare office chairs or standing desk converters
- Old paperwork, binders, or reference materials
- Filing boxes with tax records, contracts, or certifications
- Presentation supplies (easels, samples, models)
- Trade show or conference materials
Off-season wardrobe
In apartment listings on sites like Zillow, two-bedroom rentals in cities like New York or Boston regularly exceed $4,000/month. Sometimes, this doesn’t even include full-sized wardrobes for each room. So, when there are two or more of you cramming your four seasons' worth of jackets, boots, and event attire into one apartment, something’s got to give.

The smartest solution? Rotate. Move bulky and out-of-season items like winter coats or
formalwear into off-site storage. You can even do this alongside your spring decluttering.

This way, your closet only holds what you’ll actually wear this season, you get dressed faster, stay more organized, and avoid the cycle of rotating piles on chairs or under-bed bins.

Pro tip: Take note of your clothing’s materials and make sure to pack and store them properly so they remain fresh even in storage.

Here’s a quick checklist you can use:
- Winter coats and rain jackets
- Summer dresses or beachwear
- Formalwear and event outfits
- Seasonal shoes and boots
- Hats, scarves, gloves, and other accessories
- Extra handbags, totes, and luggage
- Shoe racks and closet organizers
Appliance and kitchenware duplicates
Roommates often bring fully stocked kitchens into a shared space. Instead of letting duplicates pile up in cabinets or clutter countertops, consider storing the extras. These items still hold value, especially if you or your roommate ever moves out, but they don’t need to live in your apartment full-time.

Here’s a quick checklist you can use:
- Extra pots, pans, or baking sheets
- Second coffee makers, blenders, or microwaves
- Specialty appliances (slow cookers, air fryers, waffle irons)
- Duplicate utensils or cutlery sets
- Excess dishware, mugs, glasses, or serving bowls
- Water filters or dispensers not in use
- Large cooking gadgets used infrequently (turkey roaster, fondue set)
Here are a few other household items you can also put in storage if you have duplicates:
- Vacuums, mops, steamers not regularly used
- Bulk household goods (toilet paper, paper towels, detergent)
- Specialty appliances (slow cookers, air fryers, waffle irons)
- Extra storage bins or organizers
- Toolkits or home improvement supplies
- Extension cords, lightbulbs, batteries in bulk
Fitness gear and hobby equipment
From yoga mats and kettlebells to guitar amps and golf clubs, personal gear tends to take up a lot of physical (and visual) space. And when you're co-living, even one person's gear can feel like a lot for a shared hallway or living room.

However, in terms of storing these items, it’s important to communicate openly with your roommate, especially since they are highly personal items. If these items can’t be stored off-site, agree on how to store them. You can also touch on creating organizational rules for the house.

Here’s a quick checklist you can use:
- Dumbbells, kettlebells, yoga mats, resistance bands
- Foam rollers, jump ropes, workout benches
- Bikes, skateboards, scooters
- Camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, cookware)
- Musical instruments and amplifiers
- Art supplies, easels, canvases
- Sewing machines, fabric, or crafting materials
- Photography or videography kits
Guest and hosting materials
Having friends or family stay over is part of adult life, especially if you're living in a city where hotels are expensive or out-of-towners are frequent. But, most of the time, that air mattress, the spare duvet, those extra sets of towels and pillows just end up taking valuable closet or under-bed space.

When living with roommates, this kind of “just in case” storage can quickly become contentious. One roommate’s guest stash might be another’s lost shelf. The smarter move is to shift guest bedding and supplies into storage, keeping them clean, out of the way, and easy to retrieve when someone’s crashing for the weekend.

Pro tip: Keep these in accessible and clearly labeled boxes so when you do have guests over, it’ll be easy to grab them out of storage.

Here’s a quick checklist you can use:
- Air mattresses or rollaway beds
- Guest pillows, comforters, and sheets
- Extra towels and toiletries
- Folding chairs or tables
- Extra dishware and cutlery for guests
- Board games or party games
- Reusable decorations or themed party supplies

Why Offsite Storage Is the Roommate Hack You Didn’t Know You Needed

Of all the challenges living with roommates has, your physical space is something you can control. But you don’t have to wait for your storage hacks and tips to run out before you opt for a more sustainable solution like self-storage.

Offsite self-storage creates an extension of your living space, one that you and your roommate can manage, rotate, and access as needed, without disrupting anyone else’s flow. This is especially valuable for professionals who already have a full plate to manage in their daily lives.

However, it’s also crucial to choose the right storage provider to keep your things safe, secure, and as they should be, which is where Stuf Storage excels.

Here’s what you can expect with Stuf:

24/7 access via mobile app: No need to sync schedules with your roommate. Grab what you need, when you need it.
Climate-controlled units: Ideal for sensitive items like electronics, clothing, or documents.
Modern, clean, and well-lit spaces: No dusty garages or sketchy warehouse vibes.
No long-term commitment: Month-to-month flexibility means you can rent a unit just for moving season, a new job, or a temporary lifestyle shift.
Complimentary padlocks + on-site security: Peace of mind matters when you're storing your work gear or personal archives.
Multiple access: The unit’s owner can authorize multiple people to open the unit so you or your roommates can grab what you need when you need it without disrupting each other’s schedules.