If you are still in the process of choosing the best roommate(s) to live with you and split costs in your apartment, you may find that it can be a stressful process with many aspects to consider. It can be difficult to start out on life “on your own” if this is your very first apartment, and costs can pile up, which is why it can be a smart move to choose a roommate – but you want to be sure that this roommate meets all of your expectations and is somebody you can rely on. This is why it is always important to plan ahead when you are seeking a roommate so you have enough time to look over the fine details and make considerations before it’s too late. Today we want to share some tips with you on how to survive life with your newest roommate(s) to make life easier on everyone!

How to Keep the Peace With Your Roommate

Doing Research on a Prospective Roommate: When it comes to meeting somebody that you could be spending a lot of time with in your apartment, you want to do your research – especially when this is not a long-time friend or family member. You may think that, just because somebody shares some of the same interests, you will instantly click. However, this is not always the case. Be prepared by looking ahead and asking questions about the person to those who know them, as well as past experience with their living situations. 

Setting Initial Ground Rules: This rule applies to all apartments, especially those on-campus at college. You may not be a fan of rules but it is important to have them as a way to come to agreements on specific issues that may arise, such as when “quiet” times take place in your apartment or who cleans what. You don’t want to wait until you have a mess to clean up – get these problems sorted out from the very start, and you will be thankful later.

Good Housekeeping: You may argue over cleaning at times. This is why it is important to manage the cleaning in your household by making a schedule that works for you. Take everybody’s opinions into consideration on these matters.

Balancing Social Lives: You may enjoy having friends over at times, but not all the time. You never want to make every day a disturbance to your roommates and likewise for you, so make sure that you always ask friends before a major event or if somebody wants to spend the night. Coming to an agreement can avoid a fight. 

Having a Backup Plan: You never know when a roommate is going to back out of the lease or return home when the lease must be renewed. As a result, it is always wise to have a backup plan full of potential choices, or being able to manage an apartment on your own. This will keep you feeling safe and secure in the long run for major decisions that could have a lasting impact.

Each morning when you wake up and at night when you head to bed chances are you flip a switch. Lighting is a staple in any home that most of us don’t even notice. However if utilized correctly, it can draw the eye to certain elements of design in a room. Lighting can also serve as the focal point by which you base your design. When deciding what lighting to incorporate in your living space, opt for fixtures that add a level of comfort and are energy efficient. Electronics, lighting and other appliances account for 30 percent of a home’s energy use according to the U.S. Energy  Information Administration. For this reason, more and more people are choosing to go with light bulbs that save energy and last longer.

There are four different types of lighting you can work with when designing a well lit home. The first is ambient lighting which highlights undefined space in your home with a soft level of brightness. Next there is task lighting which is brighter light that illuminates a specific area such as the kitchen counter for food preparation. You also have accent lighting which can be used to feature a piece of art in a room or architectural element. All three of these lighting forms can be utilized as decorative lighting to create the look you are trying to accomplish.

Use a Variety of Lighting Fixtures

To effectively light a room, you want to decorate with a number of different types of lighting fixtures. You want them to be at different heights and locations throughout the room. Mix up your lighting with table lamps, floor lamps, and lamps placed on shelving. This will create an even glow throughout the room. It also gives you more options for which areas to highlight at different times of day.

Identify Focal Points to Balance the Room with Light

Place lighting where you feel it is most needed. The best way to create balance in a room is to layer the light that shines throughout. Identify focal points in the room where you will likely need a light source such as a reading chair. The brightest layer of light should aim for that area of focus. You will then want to add a middle layer of light that is visually attractive but does not take away from your focal point. Lastly, you will want to have a background layer of light to complete the space.

Use Lighting to Create the Illusion of a Larger Space

The direction you point the lighting in your home can impact how spacious rooms appear. If you have low ceilings, bounce light from up light fixtures. This will serve to visually raise the ceiling. Some older homes will have ceilings with unattractive surfaces. The best way to distract the eye from zeroing on these points is to use only down lighting such as a chandelier to hide the unsightly areas. If you want to emphasize the height of the room, you can implement long pendant hanging lighting. It will draw the eye up rather than to the ground if the room is smaller in size. You can also make the room seem bigger by choosing light paint colors and soft colored rugs which don’t absorb light like darker colors.

Install Dimmer Switches

Lighting can dramatize and highlight the room according to the mood of the homeowner. The best way you can exert some control over the level of brightness is by installing dimmers. Dimmers help you avoid the mistake of overlighting a room which can create unattractive glares throughout the room.

Stick with a Consistent Bulb Color

Don’t assume that all bulbs will emit the same color white light. Bulbs come in a spectrum of colors from bluish white to yellow white. Take note of the bulb’s Kelvin Color Temperature and choose bulbs with a similar rating. When you go to purchase a lightbulb, chose either halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), or light emitting diodes (LEDs). While they will cost you more upfront, they will save you money in the long term because they are energy efficient.

While lighting your home won’t be the most expensive item on you decor list, you must give it the proper attention so other items such as art and furniture look there best. Lighting can create the overall mood of a room and add to the design aesthetic. If you don’t take note of how light is diffused in your home, you may notice there are unsightly glares or overly bright rooms that detract from your decor.