Hey, look at you two! You and your bestie-now-roommate just signed the papers on a new downtown apartment. This new rental is fantastic and close to both of your work offices, area restaurants, and a large urban park that hosts music festivals. Lucky you!
Everything about the apartment is great – except for one teeny, tiny detail: it’s a small flex one-bedroom apartment…and there are two of you. What’s a flex apartment? It’s an apartment where there’s opportunity for an additional bedroom based on the floor plan design.
You’re excited to move in with your BFF, but how are you going to deal with the lack of privacy? Temporary walls are excellent solutions for creating private rooms. Without your own area of solitude, things can get awkward fast. Increase your peace and quiet in your space with these tips!
Temporary Walls to Create Your Own Space
Living in a small apartment with another person will make you crave seclusion once in a while. Before adding a temporary wall, remember to ask for permission from your landlord. Even if they agree to it, you may also need a city permit, so make sure you have that prior to building one out.
Pressurized Walls
Renters love pressurized walls because it provides them with total privacy. Also called a “flex” wall, this type of temporary wall is popular in cities with small spaces and high rents. Renters will often room with another person and combine their income for an affordable space. A pressurized wall doesn’t use any screws or nails (yay for your security deposit!) and can turn a one-bedroom into two.
Partial Walls
Adding a partial wall in an apartment doesn’t require any tools or screws. The wall generally stops a foot from the ceiling so there’s air space between rooms. Partial walls have an opening in lieu of a door. To create a closed-off space, adding curtains will enhance the privacy of your bedroom.
Bookshelf Walls
Are there any bookworms out there? A bookshelf wall will bring you joy in two ways. First, you’ll have additional storage for your impressive novel collection. Second, you’ll be happy to curl up and read in the privacy of your own bedroom.
Privacy is very important to renters such as yourself. Temporary walls can cost some serious dough to install – you could spend anywhere between a couple hundred dollars to $2,000 in some locations. Many renters go the temporary wall route. Make sure you get your landlord or property manager’s permission and a permit (if legally required) before you reach out to wall companies.
Temporary Wall Ideas You Can Do Yourself
Privacy can be achieved in more cost-effective ways. You won’t need a permit and they’re affordable, decorative home pieces. Always check your lease agreement to see what type of decorating you are allowed to do in your apartment.
1. Panel Room Divider
Room dividers are easy to set up and they create an individual space. While you may share a room or living area with another person, you can actually make your own room just by separating the two beds with a room divider. They’re relatively inexpensive and come in three to eight panel dividers!
2. Curtains
Living in a flex apartment means your apartment has the opportunity for another bedroom. These bedrooms have an opening but not necessarily a door. Hanging curtains in the entryway will create privacy.
3. Shelf Unit
Depending on its length, a shelf unit can add some sizeable privacy to your apartment. Stock the shelf with home décor pieces, picture frames, or plants that make you smile! You know, to fill the shelves and close the gaps!
Soundproofing Your Temporary Walls
Decorating your new apartment and your new room will be fun. If you’re worried about noise escaping or creeping in, learn to soundproof your wall. One way to start is by painting the wall with sound-reducing paint. (Yes, it’s a real thing!) Adding a splash of color serves as a focal point in the room and will keep noise out. Adding canvas paintings and tapestries can also do the soundproofing trick! Fabrics muffle or drown out the noise, providing you a soundproof apartment.
Privacy in a small home can be achieved with the right tips and guidance. Just because you share an apartment with a roommate doesn’t mean you have to live on top of each other. You gave your oath to share this space (signature on the lease agreement), so find creative ways to make it work! Two heads are better than one – get together with your roommate and come up with a (privacy) game plan! Operation privacy is a go.
