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Between clashing routines, different cleanliness standards, and that one person who always “forgets” to take the bins out, keeping a shared household running smoothly – whether that’s family or flatmates – isn’t easy.
After years of living in flat-shares, I’ve picked up a few tricks which, in my experience, make the home setup – whatever form that takes – smoother. From fridge organisers to shoe storage that stops your hallway from feeling like an obstacle course, here are 21 ways to cut down on communal living confusion, dread and passive-aggressive Post-it notes.
Home organisation ideas
Nothing breeds resentment faster than mixed-up plans and miscommunication. A wall calendar or shared planner can save a lot of crossed wires. When everyone can see birthdays, bin days and friends’ visits in one place, there’s less chance of clashing commitments. In one of my old flat-shares, the calendar prevented awkward “oh, I didn’t know your parents were visiting” moments. Families can use it to keep on top of school trips, after-school activities and appointments; housemates for rent days and rotas.
Typographic A3 calendar
Monthly undated A3 wall planner
2026 wall planner
Colour-coded towels
In the house I grew up in, towel ownership was a mystery until my mum introduced a simple-but-effective fix: a colour-coded system. Beige was mine, orange was my brother’s, and arguments about soggy towels left on the floor disappeared overnight. It’s one of those ideas that’s stuck – and works just as well in shared flats.
Egyptian cotton bath towel
Cotton terry bath sheet
Luxury Egyptian cotton bath towel
Bathroom caddies
If your bathroom shelves are overflowing with shampoos, body washes and almost identical-looking toothbrushes, a grab-and-go caddy is a gamechanger. Everyone gets their own basket for toiletries, which can help keep the shared space clear of clutter (and arguments over who used their conditioner). If there’s no space to keep them in the bathroom, you can just carry your basket in and out. Plastic is best, just in case it gets wet. For a very streamlined system, you could even match the basket to your designated shade of towel.
Upprämen storage basket
Storage caddy
Hay stackable crate
Clutter collector by the door
Few things cause more morning chaos than a missing item. A bowl or tray by the door can solve this, giving you a “leaving the house” station to drop essentials such as loose change and headphones the moment you get home and grab them again on the way out. It also stops clutter spreading across worktops and side tables.
Glass scallop tray
Round jute storage basket
Earplugs and noise-cancelling headphones
Living with others can be noisy, whether it’s someone on a work call or the rumble of a 7am smoothie-maker. A decent pair of noise-cancelling headphones or a few pairs of earplugs, even simple foam ones, can make a huge difference. Sometimes the easiest way to keep the peace is to block out the noise.
Soft silicone earplugs, pack of three
Sony WH-CH720 noise-cancelling headphones
Loop Quiet 2 earplugs
Shoe rack
Multiple people mean multiple pairs of shoes, and a hallway that looks like a car-boot sale. A simple shoe rack keeps things in order and saves you from tripping over someone else’s trainers. Go for a narrow design if space is limited, or stackable tiers for bigger households. It can also double as a hallway console.
Grejig shoe rack
Jorn six-tier shoe rack
Three-tier slot-handle shoe cabinet
Speaker or radio
A speaker or radio is ideal for shared dinners, weekend cleaning or just filling the quiet when everyone’s in their own room. Smart versions can double as timers or weather forecasters, and for new housemates, it can be a low-effort way to get to know each other via your favourite music.
JBL Go 4 portable Bluetooth speaker
Amazon Echo Pop
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker
Fridge organisers
A well-organised fridge helps everyone know what’s theirs and what’s shared, and stops food getting lost at the back until it’s unrecognisable. It’s hard to keep the peace when no one knows who the hummus belongs to, so this small tweak can save on both money and arguments.
Klippkaktus fridge storage box
Fridge storage container
Clear fridge storage container
Foldable drying rack
Compact enough for small flats and essential for bigger households, a foldable drying rack keeps clothes washing under control. It saves chairs, door frames and radiators from becoming impromptu clothes horses, and folds away neatly when not in use. Not glamorous, but far better than weaving through a maze of damp socks to reach the kettle. The only challenge? Getting everyone to put their washing away.
Addis three-tier airer
Three-tier airer
Communal laundry basket
If you share cleaning cloths, tea towels or bath mats, someone still has to wash them. A communal laundry basket keeps everything in one place and makes it easier to share the load. Keep it near the washing machine so whoever’s putting on a wash can add the shared bits.
Laundry hamper
Laundry basket
Slibb laundry basket
As with the calendar, a shared list lets everyone know what is running low and needs replenishing. Stick it somewhere obvious, like on the fridge or by the front door. If you add your name next to the item, it lets others know not to double up or assume someone else will get it.
Shopping list notepad
Magnetic shopping list
Kitchen sink organiser
After a long day, the last thing you want to find by the sink is a wet, stagnant sponge or washcloth. A simple sink organiser keeps everything in its place – cloths, brushes, washing-up liquid – and lets them dry properly between uses.
Sink-side organiser
Sink-side organiser
Caddy kitchen sink organiser
At some point, every household needs one, whether it’s to tighten a wobbly chair leg, hang a picture or tackle yet another bit of flatpack. A small, basic tool kit saves rummaging through drawers for a single screwdriver or buying bits for each project. Look for one with the essentials: hammer, screwdrivers, tape measure and pliers. It may not get used every day, but when you need it, you’ll be glad it’s there.
16-piece toolkit
Trixig 15-piece tool set
Forge steel 22-piece toolkit
Houseplants
A shared plant gives everyone something to keep alive – or at least try to. Go for a hardy variety, such as a snake plant or pothos, that doesn’t mind the occasional forgotten watering. It adds a bit of life to the room, even if it’s mostly just surviving on neglect. If you have children, this is a good way to introduce some shared responsibility.
Susie snake plant
Large monstera plant
Unkillable plant bundle
Diffuser or candle
Smells can be surprisingly political in a shared home. One person’s idea of a freshly cooked dinner is another’s worst nightmare. A small diffuser, candle or air purifier in shared spaces can help keep things neutral. Pick a light, inoffensive, unisex scent – ideally one everyone agrees on. No one wants to fall out over a candle.
Sea salt candle
For more, read our guide to the best scented candles
Electric aroma diffuser
Sea salt & vetiver reed diffuser, 200ml
For more, read our guide to the best diffusers
Timer
An hourglass can work wonders if you struggle with a morning bathroom rush. It stops anyone from monopolising it and helps keep the peace between teens and housemates. It’s a small reminder that everyone else has somewhere to be too. Just be sure to pick a length of time that everyone feels is fair.
Hightide Penco hourglass timer
Mesquite glass sand 15-minute timer
Games
Games are an easy way to bring everyone together for some organised fun. Keep a few easy classics, such as playing cards and Uno, and one that takes all evening, for when you’re all getting on. They’re great for rainy nights, post-dinner plans or quiet weekends when no one can face going out.
Uno card game
Playing cards
Monopoly
For more inspo, see our guide to the best board games
Lighting
Good lighting can change the whole mood of a shared space. While bright overhead bulbs can make everyone feel as if they’re sitting in a waiting room, a warm lamp instantly makes things cosier and calmer – encouraging people to linger a bit longer.
Neiko paper table lamp
Harry floor lamp
Varmblixt table/wall lamp
Smart plugs and bulbs
If someone’s always leaving the lights or TV on, smart plugs or bulbs can help – and save on the bills, too. You can switch off lamps or appliances from your phone, or set them on timers by connecting to the wifi, so nothing’s left running when no one’s home. It’s a small investment that cuts energy use and irritation.
Tapo smart plugs, pack of four
Philips Hue smart bulb, E27
WiZ smart plug
Overdoor hooks
When space is tight in the hallway or living room, extra coats and bags can quickly pile up. Giving each person overdoor hooks keeps things organised (or not) in their rooms instead of spilling into shared spaces. It’s an easy, renter-friendly way to free up floor space – and avoids the daily hunt for missing jackets or bags.
Coat rack for door
Tjusig hanger for door/wall
Label maker
There’s something oddly satisfying about labelling things, especially in a shared home where ownership boundaries can blur. A label-maker helps keep cupboards, spices and storage boxes in order. It’s neat, mildly addictive and surprisingly effective at making everything feel more under control.
Brother handheld label printer
Dymo label-maker
For more, read how to update your rental home on a budget and space-saving tricks to make small rooms feel bigger
Do you live in a shared household? What are your tips for living with others smoothly? Whether you’re sharing your home with teens, parents or flatmates, how do you navigate the pitfalls? Please let us know by emailing [email protected]
Mabel Banfield-Nwachi is a consumer journalist, serial hobbyist and inveterate traveller. At twentysomething, she is fluent in viral trends, and her work has made her adept at putting them to the test. She has learned more from shared houses and passive-aggressive group chats than in any nine to five
