Ah, the joys of the house share. Living with mates has many upsides (impromptu weeknight parties, having people to moan to when you’ve had a shitty day), but a few downsides as well (how ever much you try, that laundry drying rack is never going to be empty for longer than five minutes). The fact that it’s the only affordable way to live in London means that you can expect to live in a house or flat share at some point. But you don’t have to live student halls-style. You’re going to be sharing for a while, so you may as well make it ‘nice’, after all.
It’s the little details that are the telltale signs of a grown-up household. You know, like not having to drink wine from a mug because there are no proper glasses left (that last ‘dinner party’ went a bit off-course). So, invest in a few small changes at home and you’ll feel like you’ve made it into the land of the grown-ups. Your mum would be so proud.
If the mass of cutlery at the bottom of the sink is anything to go by, there isn’t a matching fork or spoon in the house. Investing in a decent set of cutlery will make your meals feel that little bit more together – even if you do still eat Crunchy Nut Cornflakes on the sofa, at least you have a good spoon to shovel it down with. Habitat’s Aspra 24-piece set is a steal for £50.
Nothing says ‘house share’ like a pile-up of coats, scarves and bags at the bottom of the stairs. Eradicate this problem and make more space with a wall-mounted coat hook, such as Cox & Cox’s elegant Grand Café-inspired Swinging Coat Hooks, £40.
While we’re not at the pelmet and tieback life-stage just yet, we’re old enough to know that curtains are one of life’s essentials. They’ll help a space look more ‘finished’ and homely (and stop on-lookers across the street). You can’t go wrong with a pair of chic, wafty white sheers, like these Chloe Ivory Gauze Curtains from Urban Outfitters, £35.
Shared household resources such as tea, coffee and sugar are often bought in bulk to last longer – mainly so that there’s less chance of waking up with a stonking hangover on Saturday morning and discovering there’s no coffee left. But that jumbo box of Lidl’s own brand tea on the kitchen worktop? Not pretty (not to mention not grown-up). Decant essential supplies to canisters such as these retro-styled ones from Unique and Unity, £5 each.
Stark overhead lighting is far from flattering – and besides, that paper Ikea lampshade and energy-efficient bulb just won’t cut it if you’re aspiring to a more grown-up look and feel. Instead, a few well-placed floor and table lamps will give your living areas an ambient, upmarket glow. The on-trend Ned Table Lamp by BHS looks high-end, but will only set you back a mere £35.
We know what you’re thinking. A diffuser, seriously? Yes, because when sharing a house or flat with a number of people, smells, unfortunately, are inevitable. Your mother (a bona fide grown-up) wouldn’t put up with these aromas would she? Mask cooking or any other unwanted scents with Muji’s Aroma Diffuser, £45, and you’ll instantly feel like an adult. One day you’ll be able to afford Diptyque candles (and actually burn them), but for now, this will do the job nicely.
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