The shared kitchen at uni is where culinary dreams and chaos collide. Whether you’re dodging a flatmate’s overflowing pot of pasta or bonding over late-night snack runs, sharing a kitchen at uni brings all sorts of experiences.
With overlapping cooking schedules and only a limited amount cupboard space, it can be hard to navigate the kitchen with your flatmates. Here are a few tips for sharing a kitchen and keeping things in order.
Divvy up space
Everyone needs their own space. But when you’re sharing a kitchen with roommates, you’ll need to decide where all your food, snacks and utensils will live.
Divide the cupboard space between your flatmates so everyone has enough room to keep their stuff. It’s worth giving the upper shelves to your taller flatmates to avoid shorter flatmates tiptoeing to reach for their things.
The fridge can also be a territorial hazard. Create individual shelf space for flatmates to store their food and drinks. If you have limited shelves, then arrange individual zones in the fridge instead. That way, everyone can keep track of their food and no-one’s treats get stolen.
Set up a cleaning rota
Sharing a kitchen at uni also means sharing cleaning chores. The kitchen is the heart of your student accommodation, after all, so you’ll need to combine your efforts to keep it tidy.
To establish a fair and consistent cleaning schedule, first work out daily, weekly and fortnightly cleaning tasks. Get everyone’s names down on a calendar or whiteboard with an assigned task – whether it’s wiping down countertops or mopping the floor. Then rotate these tasks every so often to ensure everyone takes turns.
That doesn’t mean letting your dishes pile up in the sink though. Being mindful of your flatmates means cleaning up after yourself if you’ve made a mess. If everyone does their part, there’ll be less to clean.
Respect personal belongings
Even if you’ve agreed on cupboard and fridge space, there’s still a chance someone might snag your favourite crisps or use your utensils by accident. Labelling your food and kitchen items can help to avoid confusion.
In the same way, you might think it’s harmless to pinch your flatmate’s milk for your tea. But it’s always better to ask than assume. Respecting each other’s belongings is the number one rule in shared student accommodation.
Invest in your own set of pots, cutlery and other uni kitchen essentials, and ensure they’re clearly marked if storage space is shared.
Keep the kitchen clean and tidy
Arguably one of the most important tips for sharing a kitchen at uni is to clean up after yourself. No one wants to come home to messy countertops, a cluttered sink or spills on the floor.
Cooking can be messy work, so it’s worth washing pots and dishes as soon as you’re done and wiping down surfaces as you go. Your flatmates will appreciate the spotless kitchen and it sets a great example for everyone else.
It’s even more important to wipe up any spills or get rid of food waste, as this can lead to unpleasant smells and even pests.
Be considerate of noise and space
The kitchen doubles as a social hub of student accommodation. It’s the space for pre-drinks, coffee catch-ups and so much more. But while one flatmate might be a socialite, another might prefer an introverted lifestyle.
Sharing a kitchen with roommates can bring some clashes of interest, so it’s important to be considerate of everyone else. Discussing each flatmate’s boundaries and how compromises can be met can ensure a harmonious space for everyone.
Establish some ‘quiet hours’ late at night or during study times. When cooking, try not to clatter pans about, and keep chatting at a friendly volume. If you’re prone to blasting music while cooking, use headphones or keep it low and mellow.
Communicate openly with flatmates
There’s nothing worse than preparing to cook a meal only to find everyone crowding around the stove at the same time. But this is more common than you think when sharing a kitchen at uni.
Packed kitchens can be a hazard, and you need as much room as possible when cooking. Avoid bumping elbows and tight squeezes by communicating with flatmates when you need to use the kitchen. They should offer you the same grace and coordinate accordingly.
Don’t let small annoyances build up until they become bigger arguments, or until you start to dislike your flatmate. If any kitchen issues arise, such as noise or (lack of) cleaning habits, speak up politely and try to find some common ground.
Be careful with food storage
It’s one thing to designate cupboard and fridge spaces, but it’s another to stick to those sacred spots and respect each other’s storage.
When sharing a kitchen at uni, be mindful of how much storage you have compared to your flatmates. That means not overloading shared cupboards or fridges with too much food.
Avoid letting items go out of date without throwing them away. If you spot your flatmate’s food spoiling, let them know. The last thing you need is a flat full of upset tummies. Regularly cleaning out the fridge can prevent unintentional science experiments – and food poisoning.
Plan occasional group meals
Sharing a kitchen with roommates can be a great way to bond – especially if you prepare meals together from time to time. Pick a day that works for everyone and share meal ideas in a group chat.
Group cooking can give you an insight into how each person handles the kitchen. Splitting food bills can also help with budgeting as a student, while assigning dishes can unite the household and allow everyone to contribute.
But it’s possible some flatmates don’t want to participate in group meals. In which case, always ask and organise before assuming.
Handle disagreements respectfully
Disagreements among uni flatmates happen – it’s how you handle it that matters. When tensions rise, try to approach the situation with kindness and a solution-oriented mindset.
Grab a coffee and chat about what’s bugging you. Sometimes a casual convo in private can clear things up. In other cases, a mediator might help to resolve things easier.
The last thing you want to do is leave passive-aggressive notes on the fridge or avoid flatmates altogether. Listen to each other’s perspectives and compromise. You’re all in this together, and a little patience goes a long way.
If all else fails and you can’t get to grips with sharing a kitchen at uni, you have other options. Check out our studio flats and find the right space to thrive without having to contend with someone else’s unwashed pans.
