Dorm Room Etiquette: Living Successfully with Others

Whether you’re living with your best friend or a total stranger, moving into a dorm means sharing a small space, and that takes some adjusting. You might be used to having your own room, your own routines, or your own fridge shelf at home. But now, someone else is brushing their teeth next to you, waking up at a different time, and maybe even doing laundry at midnight.

It doesn’t have to be awkward or stressful. A little awareness and respect go a long way. Here are some simple dorm room etiquette tips that can help you and your roommate(s) live together more peacefully.

1. Respect Quiet Time

This might sound obvious, but not everyone defines “quiet” the same way. What feels like a reasonable volume to you could be way too loud for someone trying to nap, study, or decompress after a long day.
Invest in headphones. Keep late-night FaceTimes or TikToks at a low volume, or better yet, save them for another time. If your sleep and study schedules don’t line up, talk about it early on. Setting expectations up front helps avoid future frustrations.

2. Clean Up After Yourself

No one wants to live in a space that feels messy or chaotic. Try to keep your belongings contained to your side of the room, and be mindful about how your habits affect the shared environment.
Even though each roommate usually has their own garbage bin, make sure you’re emptying it regularly, especially if you’re tossing food wrappers or anything that might smell. Avoid leaving laundry on the floor for days or letting crumbs pile up on your desk.

You don’t have to be a neat freak, but being tidy and respectful helps create a space you both actually want to come back to at the end of the day. 

3. Communicate—Before There’s a Problem

One of the biggest causes of roommate tension? Letting little annoyances pile up instead of talking about them. If something is bothering you, whether it’s noise, messiness, or the thermostat setting, bring it up calmly and early.

Use “I” statements to keep things from feeling like an attack. For example: “I’ve been having a hard time sleeping with the lights on” works a lot better than “You always leave the lights on and it’s annoying.”
You don’t have to be best friends to have a respectful, functional living situation, but honest communication can make things much smoother.

4. Be Mindful of Guests

Dorms are small. That means when you invite people over, your roommate is affected too. Give them a heads up if someone’s coming by, especially if it’s a group or a late-night guest.

Talk about boundaries around overnight visitors, shared space, and alone time. Respect their schedule. If they have a test the next morning, it’s probably not the best night to host a movie night.

5. Don’t Assume Something’s Shared

Your roommate’s food, phone charger, body wash, or cereal bowl may look accessible, but that doesn’t mean it’s fair game. Even if they seem super chill, it’s best to ask first. You can avoid a lot of weird tension by simply respecting personal items. Want to prevent any confusion? Label your things and consider making a few “house rules” together at the start of the semester.

6. Fridge and Food Etiquette

Speaking of personal items, shared mini-fridges require some basic courtesy. Stick to your section, clean out old food regularly, and avoid “borrowing” your roommate’s leftovers (no matter how good they smell).
If you’re sharing snacks or appliances, have a quick conversation about how it’s going to work. A little organization can help you avoid passive-aggressive notes on your yogurt container.

Bonus: Handling Conflict Gracefully

Even with the best intentions, misunderstandings and differences will come up. That’s totally normal. The key is how you handle them.
If something’s bothering you, try talking one-on-one before involving others. Be honest, not hostile. If things really aren’t working, you can always reach out to your RA (Resident Advisor) for support or mediation.

Final Thoughts: Be a Roommate You’d Want to Have

Dorm life is a crash course in sharing space, communicating, and adjusting to new people. You don’t have to get everything right from day one, but if you make an effort to be respectful, clean, and kind, you’ll already be ahead of the game.

Sometimes, the best roommate tip is simple: treat others how you’d want to be treated. And when in doubt, just ask.