We all wish that we could make others see things our way sometimes, especially when we have a roommate whose decorative skills are about as coordinated and graceful as my ice-skating skills (Take it from me. It’s not a pretty picture).
So what should we do, or how should we feel when our roommate has decorated our living space with something less than easy on the eyes?
It’s important to remember that you’re sharing a space, meaning that your roommate has as much right to decorate the place as you do. You’re both paying rent and you’re both calling this spot home. Both of you should have the right to personalize the living space as much as you want to. However, when your roommate’s decoration choices aren’t sitting well with you, there’s a few different options for you, each depending on the reason for your problem with the
So what should we do, or how should we feel when our roommate has decorated our living space with something less than easy on the eyes?
It’s important to remember that you’re sharing a space, meaning that your roommate has as much right to decorate the place as you do. You’re both paying rent and you’re both calling this spot home. Both of you should have the right to personalize the living space as much as you want to. However, when your roommate’s decoration choices aren’t sitting well with you, there’s a few different options for you, each depending on the reason for your problem with the
If it conflicts with your decorations …
This would be especially complicated if your roommate and you were sharing a one bedroom apartment or dorm. This also emphasizes the importance of retaining personal space. Encourage your roommate to customize her living space as much as they want … on their side. Don’t be afraid to have an open talk with your roommate about your thoughts. Explain the look that you’re trying to create with your room and explain that their decorations are conflicting with it. Rearrange the furniture within the living space so each of you can share a room, but have your own space at the same time. This is a win-win situation and you can both decorate your sides as much as you want!
If it offends you …
The beauty of the world is the amount of diverse and unique things within it. Unfortunately, not all of those things are friendly or positive. Your roommate very well may have views differing than yours and may have tangible decor to show it off. Again, honesty is truly the best policy here. If your roommate is displaying something in your room that has a racist, sexist, ableist, or any other offensive, negative sentiment, tell them your feelings on the matter right away to avoid future conflicts down the road.
If the discussion goes down a negative path, contact your RA or some other bystander to discuss the matter with the two of you and find a reasonable solution. Remember: you have every right to feel comfortable and safe in your own space. Nobody should take that away from you and you should never feel the need to sacrifice your comfort for peace.
If it’s just unattractive …
Have you ever heard the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”? It certainly comes into play here. If you find yourself detesting your roommate’s decor choices just on account of their physical aesthetic, you have two choices:
One, you can have an honest and kind intervention with them about how you’re suffering as a result of their lack of decorative power. Emphasis on kind.
Two, you can accept your roommate’s lack of decorative power and simply move on with your life, making up for it by decorating all other aspects of the living space to your liking.
This would be especially complicated if your roommate and you were sharing a one bedroom apartment or dorm. This also emphasizes the importance of retaining personal space. Encourage your roommate to customize her living space as much as they want … on their side. Don’t be afraid to have an open talk with your roommate about your thoughts. Explain the look that you’re trying to create with your room and explain that their decorations are conflicting with it. Rearrange the furniture within the living space so each of you can share a room, but have your own space at the same time. This is a win-win situation and you can both decorate your sides as much as you want!
If it offends you …
The beauty of the world is the amount of diverse and unique things within it. Unfortunately, not all of those things are friendly or positive. Your roommate very well may have views differing than yours and may have tangible decor to show it off. Again, honesty is truly the best policy here. If your roommate is displaying something in your room that has a racist, sexist, ableist, or any other offensive, negative sentiment, tell them your feelings on the matter right away to avoid future conflicts down the road.
If the discussion goes down a negative path, contact your RA or some other bystander to discuss the matter with the two of you and find a reasonable solution. Remember: you have every right to feel comfortable and safe in your own space. Nobody should take that away from you and you should never feel the need to sacrifice your comfort for peace.
If it’s just unattractive …
Have you ever heard the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”? It certainly comes into play here. If you find yourself detesting your roommate’s decor choices just on account of their physical aesthetic, you have two choices:
One, you can have an honest and kind intervention with them about how you’re suffering as a result of their lack of decorative power. Emphasis on kind.
Two, you can accept your roommate’s lack of decorative power and simply move on with your life, making up for it by decorating all other aspects of the living space to your liking.
However, when you get down to the root of the problem, the best solution for any roommate predicament is a simple term known as “compromise.”
Your roommate just might find your decorative skills to be just as detestable as you find theirs. So, if neither of you can reach a happy medium with your decoration choices, the next best thing you can do is go shopping together and find decorations that you both agree on. Respect their decorative choices and have an open mind. Like I said in the beginning of the article, this is a shared space and you both have the right to express yourselves freely.
Accept that your roommate may not be totally supportive of your decorative choices in the same way that you’re not supportive of theirs. This could possibly take longer than an afternoon at the mall or a few scrolls through Amazon, but the time and effort put into this decorative compromise will be worth it.
Shopping together and taking note of each other’s individual interests will make it easier to reach a common ground. For instance, you might like the idea of hanging a tapestry in the living room, but your roommate doesn’t. Your roommate might want to hang something with an elephant on it in the living room, while you may not. The solution: a tapestry with an elephant on it!
The bottom line is this. Whether you’re in a dorm or an apartment, you’ll only be sharing this space with a roommate for a short amount of time. After being used to having your own space to decorate however you so pleased, it will be difficult to see things any other way. However, use this time to open your mind and branch out from what you once found to be acceptable and aesthetically pleasing. After all, you may discover a new love for an aesthetic you may not have even considered before
Your roommate just might find your decorative skills to be just as detestable as you find theirs. So, if neither of you can reach a happy medium with your decoration choices, the next best thing you can do is go shopping together and find decorations that you both agree on. Respect their decorative choices and have an open mind. Like I said in the beginning of the article, this is a shared space and you both have the right to express yourselves freely.
Accept that your roommate may not be totally supportive of your decorative choices in the same way that you’re not supportive of theirs. This could possibly take longer than an afternoon at the mall or a few scrolls through Amazon, but the time and effort put into this decorative compromise will be worth it.
Shopping together and taking note of each other’s individual interests will make it easier to reach a common ground. For instance, you might like the idea of hanging a tapestry in the living room, but your roommate doesn’t. Your roommate might want to hang something with an elephant on it in the living room, while you may not. The solution: a tapestry with an elephant on it!
The bottom line is this. Whether you’re in a dorm or an apartment, you’ll only be sharing this space with a roommate for a short amount of time. After being used to having your own space to decorate however you so pleased, it will be difficult to see things any other way. However, use this time to open your mind and branch out from what you once found to be acceptable and aesthetically pleasing. After all, you may discover a new love for an aesthetic you may not have even considered before
Resource: http://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/203437/How-To-Cope-With-Your-Roommates-Poor-Decor-Choices
