BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More

If Having Roommates Is Taking A Toll On You, These 26 Problem-Solving Products Are For You

Only so many passive aggressive texts should be sent within a week.

Posted on Oct 3, 2026 UTC

Facebook

Pinterest

by Curtis Teegardin BuzzFeed Contributor

I am a Shopping & Products contributor and former BuzzFeed Shopping fellow who covers tech, fashion, cleaning, beauty, and budget-friendly alternatives to cult-fave products.

1. A food lockbox if your roommates can't keep their hands to themselves when it comes to your food. You can place this on a shelf in the fridge, cabinet, or pantry — wherever your food goes missing the most! All you do is set a code (that's resettable!), put your things in, and lock it. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I got this because my roommate is a sleep-eater and was always stealing my leftover food that I keep in Pyrex glass 6-cup containers. You can stack two of these containers into the box with some extra room in front. I recommend this if you are trying to deter a lunch thief. Be aware that someone could easily break it if they were motivated to steal, its no substitute for a real safe for valuables." —Waldo

Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in six colors).

2. A mini white noise machine so slamming doors, banging pots, or opening new trash bags don't wake you as you slumber. It offers steady, non-looping sound and can help you stay asleep, despite chores that for some reason have to be done right when you're getting some shut-eye.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This lil' thing kept my roommate and me sane during our irregular sleep hours overseas. Protected her from my snoring, and kept us able to sleep despite the other person waking or etc." —Rachel

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+(available in 11 colors, two-packs, and with a travel case).

3. An over-the-door organizer to give yourself more room to store food in the kitchen or beauty products in the bathroom. Shared spaces usually mean less storage space to call your own, but this adds five baskets without taking up any precious floor or counter space. It even has hooks at the bottom for hanging towels, brushes, bags, or whatever else needs a designated home.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This product is sooo worth it! I got it for my tiny NYC apartment with no storage - put it on the back of my bathroom door and it fits so much. It also comes with little sticky pieces to make sure that it doesn’t wobble / move around and so far has done the trick. Would recommend!" —Faiza Imam

Get it from Amazon for $37.99+ (available in two sizes and five colors).

4. A magnetic dishwasher sign so you can avoid being that roommate who adds dirty dishes to a fully clean load because you had no idea they'd already been washed. Just flip the sign between "clean" and "dirty" to keep everyone on the same page, and attach it with the built-in magnets or included adhesive if your dishwasher isn't magnetic.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is the best buy I've made in a long time! Living with roommates, you can't always let them know if the dishwasher is clean or dirty. You know how busy life gets! This is a simple and easy way to tell if the dishes are clean or dirty! I recommend anyone with a dishwasher to buy this, and you won't be sorry!" —Zen

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in six styles).

5. A set of Loops earplugs for anyone who identifies as a light sleeper or gets annoyed at hearing someone else making noise while they're trying to focus. They're comfortable, flexible, and lightweight, so you won't feel anything tight or painful as you wear them. They still allow some noise through, but it makes a noticeable difference.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I literally have the loudest most inconsiderate roommates that never shut up and these have saved my sleep, blocks out all the noise and is definitely worth the money!" —Natalie Vicich

Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (available in four colors).

6. A three-tier rolling cart to store cleaning supplies, fruit, or anything else that's currently sitting in a pile on your kitchen table. It'll help keep your shared living areas a little neater and give everyone's stuff a designated home, so you can hopefully avoid the passive-aggressive "can you move your 💩?" text in the group chat.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "It is perfect for what I need. Like most I'm very particular about my hygiene products and I'm in a roommate situation where I don't want to leave my products in the bathroom. Everything fits! Just to it in, handle your business, roll it out perfect!!" —Kanikkia Lumishia Felton

Get it from Amazon for $37.97+ (available in 10 colors).

7. A Euhomy mini fridge so your delicious drinks don't take up valuable real estate in the shared fridge. It can hold up to 128 cans, giving you plenty of room to stock up on all your favorites without having to fight your roommates for shelf space. It also features 360-degree cooling for even temperature distribution and an adjustable temperature setting so your drinks are always chilled just the way you like them.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This has been a fantastic bargain mini fridge!!!! I needed extra space for my drinks when sharing a fridge with a roommate, and this did the job nicely! At the coldest setting it keeps drinks icy cold, has plenty of space, and doesn’t take up too much room! It runs fairly quiet, minus the odd - apparently normal - cracking noise when the motor is running, but otherwise it’s quiet as can be the rest of the time. I previously bought an Euhomy ice maker and it’s good to know the fridges are just as good a buy!" —Jenn

Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in seven styles and two colors).

8. A pack of disposable shower hair catchers to avoid doing the dreaded toilet-paper-grab-and-yank. These mesh stickers cling to your drain for up to three weeks (or until they're full of hair), snatching up pretty much every strand before it sneaks down the pipes. When it's full, just peel it off and toss it. Perfect if you wanted a TubShroom, but your drain wasn't compatible.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I just had to pay $150 for a grumpy Plummer to snake my shower. My roommate has long long black hair. Needless to say these work great at catching her hair!!" —Deanna

Get a 25-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two sizes and as a 50-pack or 100-pack).

9. A six-pack of extra-large moving bags, so when you move in or out, the process can be a little more streamlined. Stuff these to the brim with your belongings, zip 'em up, and they're ready to be carried to your new place without having to deal with a million cardboard boxes. Each bag can hold up to 100 pounds, fully opens for easy loading, and has triple-layer stitching to help keep everything intact during the move.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Hands-down our best purchase for college move in. Roommate's parents asked where we got them so they could buy them for move out. SO easy to pack and move. They are very durable - she packed them heavy and it didn't tear a bit." —Amazon Customer

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $13.46+ (available in nine colors and various packs).

10. A quiet Levoit air purifier to make your home smell better if your roomie is dirty, has a pet, or loves to make salmon. This can help trap dust, reducing the amount that builds up on surfaces — reviewers say they've seen a significant reduction! It'll make your home smell so fresh and help filter out any allergens that could also make you sneeze uncontrollably — and you *don't* want that as you scroll on the couch. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Within 30 minutes of turning this on in my son's extremely small dorm room with two other guys, one of the roommates came in and said - whoa did someone put in a new fan or air freshener or something - it feels so much better in here. I mean for a teenage guy to notice and say something - that is huge. The three of them have specifically thanked me for this item!" —Oscar D. Vasquez

Get it from Amazon for $84.98+ (available in black and white and various other styles).

11. And, a plug-in Febreze air freshener if your place stinks and it's all thanks to your roommate. 😐 This kit comes with a scent warmer and four refills that smell like Gain's original scent, so you can keep shared spaces smelling fresh without constantly spraying something around. Each refill can last up to 50 days, depending on the scent level you choose, meaning you can plug it in and let it handle the rest.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This thing is hands down the best plug-in I’ve ever used. My apartment constantly has a weird smell coming from one side of it (don’t want to point fingers but it’s my roommates side, if you’re reading this Alex I’m sorry for putting you on blast in an Amazon review). I used to use three different plug in air wicks to try and make it smell nice when you walk in the place and just one of these has made it smell like it’s clean af in here. Thank you Febreze." —didikessler

Get a full set from Amazon for $5.94+ (available in a smaller set and various packs of refills).

12. A set of shower shelves to keep everyone's bottles from building up around the edges of your tub and leaving behind a grimy mess over time. Each shelf can hold up to 40 pounds, so there'll be plenty of room for everyone's shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and whatever other products have invaded the shower. Plus, they're rustproof and waterproof, so once they're up, they'll be there for as long as you want.`

www.amazon.com

Make sure to leave the adhesive on the wall for 24 hours before attaching shelves and placing any products on them!!

Promising review: "Sturdy and aesthetically pleasing! I live alone so I didn’t need the extra basket and soap holder so I gifted them to my best friend, but if you have a roommate, a spouse, or kids this caddy is perfect to hold everyone’s things and keep your shower tidy. Highly recommend!" —New York Nadia

Get it from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in eight colors).

13. A mini dishwasher for your countertop if your home doesn't have one and you're sick of hand-washing everyone's dishes. Despite its compact size, it can hold up to 40 items at once, making it especially handy when you're sharing a kitchen with several people. It has five cleaning modes, including normal, speed, glass, baby care, and fruit, plus a built-in 5-liter water tank so you don't need a permanent water hookup.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is a great dishwasher!!! I can't believe I didn't purchase one before. Doesn't take much water, electricity or detergent. It is small but it's great for an apartment or house with a smaller kitchen." —Rich

Get it from Amazon for $339.99(available in three colors).

14. A motion-sensor trash can so throwing things away is even easier, meaning there's truly no excuse for why your roommate filled a bag of trash and left it sitting next to the can. The lid automatically opens with the wave of your hand and quietly closes once you're done. Plus, the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel helps keep it looking clean, while the liner-free design gives you more room before someone inevitably has to take the trash out.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I had another brand of touchless trash can for about 5-6 years, and I thought it was just fine. Now that I have had this one for a few weeks, I can't say enough about it. First, it is so quiet. The battery compartment is easy to open, and the lid is structured in such a way that if there is a reason to clean the inside, it has no nooks and crannies to make it hard. The sensor is great. You can walk past the can and it won't open until you wave your hand across the top of it. No more uncalled for opening and closing. Finally they give you some complimentary trash bags. They are sturdy and terrific." —Claire L.

Get a 50 liter size from Amazon for $89.99 (available in various styles and colors).

15. A strip of adhesive silicone to help keep out air and reduce noise coming from outside your bedroom. If your door has that annoying little gap underneath, you've probably felt like you're basically in the same room as your roommate even when you're not. Stick this along the bottom to help make your bedroom feel a little more like your own separate space.

Amazon

Promising review: "Truly love these things. Apartment living brings uneven doors that lead to drafts and bugs! I have these on two of my doors (I had to buy two packs), and they are easy to assemble. I’ve had one up for about six months, and no issue with it losing its stickiness." —Brooke P.

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in five sizes and four colors).

16. A doorknob lock if your roommate has sticky fingers while you're away and likes to help themselves to a private gallery tour of your bedroom. Set a four- to eight-digit code for keyless entry, or use one of the two included physical keys if that's more your speed. Now you'll have some extra peace of mind knowing your room is secure while you're at work, running errands, or out with friends.

www.amazon.com

You can also reset the code at any time or even set one time codes if you need your roommate to get in. It also works off four AA batteries which are *not* included.

Promising review: "Totally love this lock. I moved in with some roommates and I don’t like people going in my room when I’m not there. It does require a long pass code but I like it! Easy to install too." —Roxanne Moreno

Get it from Amazon for $49.99.

17. A motion-activated toilet night-light so you can use the potty at night without turning on that intense, over-the-top bathroom light that'll make you squint and potentially wake up your roommates. It has 16 colors and five brightness levels to choose from, meaning you can set the exact vibe you want to see in the loo at 4:32 a.m. before stumbling your way back to bed.

www.amazon.com

This is powered by three AA batteries which are *not* included. 

Promising review: "This is great if you have to pee at night and don't want to turn the light on and wake anyone or yourself up! Comes on when you get close and adjustable light color and brightness." —Cory

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $13.78.

18. A rotating beauty product organizer to avoid being the person who takes up the entirety of the limited counter space in your shared bathroom. It gives you two tiers to neatly corral your skincare, makeup, and other daily essentials while taking up less precious counter real estate. So yes, you can justify buying another serum because you do technically have the space for it now, and not at your roommate's expense, no less!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Absolutely love! It took all the mess of various products to one convenient place. After buying, I bought one for my granddaughter in college that shares a bathroom with a roommate. Worked perfect for them." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $16.98+ (available in two styles, two- or three-level tiers, and four colors).

19. A grease splatter screen if you're tired of the cleanup job that comes right after your roommate fries up some eggs, potstickers, or any other oil-splattering foods. Just have them place the stainless steel splash guard over the pan to help keep grease from ending up all over the shared stovetop and counters. And once they're done cooking, they can flip it over and rest it on the built-in legs so the oily screen isn't sitting directly on the counter they just saved themselves from cleaning.

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "These splatter screens are great! Much more sturdy than my old one. Love the little resting feet to keep the counter clean." —Doug

Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (also available in a three-pack with three various sizes).

20. A Bluetooth label maker to make it very clear where things belong when it comes to kitchen supplies, bathroom shelves, or any other shared spaces. The accompanying app has 600+ fonts, 1,500+ borders, 2,800+ templates, and 3,800+ symbols so you can customize labels for basically anything in your home. It'll make your apartment so stinking organized that keeping it that way might actually feel doable.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I looooove this label maker. It's super easy to connect to your phone. You get to choose what font you want. I use it to literally label anything. From labeling my toddlers' drawers, kitchen organization, to my supplies from work. Definitely makes organization easier." —Emerald121

Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in three colors and with one or three label tapes).

21. An acrylic chore chart that's also magnetic so you can stick it right on the communal fridge and make it crystal clear who's responsible for what. Dividing up the chores means less work falling on one person, and tackling three assigned tasks feels a whole lot more manageable than realizing there are 10 things that need to get done. It'll also hopefully save everyone from the awkward “you don't do enough around here” conversation.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "That is really good to keep my roommates in track of their duties. I made a rotation schedule for cleaning and it's working perfectly. Also the pens are great, I can see a lot even in the gray fridge. Strong color! The material is very resistant and fits the size to see it from far. Worth the price!!" —Beatriz

Get it from Amazon for $13.89 (available in six styles and multi-packs).

22. A shower timer if you all have somewhere to be at the same time, but everyone needs to shower first. It'll keep everyone aware of how much time they've actually spent in the bathroom, so there are no more accidental 45-minute spa days that leave everyone else late and rushing out the door.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Functions really well. It is easy to set and you can hear it going off without it going overboard. You can see the timer clearly and I like that it has a magnet to it if you want to use it. I would recommend it." —BeeP

Get it from Amazon for $13.89.

23. A microwave splatter cover to avoid feeling like a jerk when you heat up chili in the microwave and leave a mess. It'll keep your microwave spotless and still allow proper ventilation thanks to its genius design. It's BPA-free, made of heat-resistant and food-grade silicone, and dishwasher-safe to make clean up a breeze!

www.amazon.com

You can also use it to wash fruits and veggies, too!

Promising review: "Bought this for my boyfriend cause his roommate is a freak who loves letting marinara sauce and other things explode in the microwave for me to clean. Bought my parents one which they love cause they don't have to do that whole wet paper towel thing anymore." —Sam

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes, three colors, and a three-pack with all three sizes).

24. An armrest caddy if you're sick and tired of searching high and low for the remote that always seems to go missing. It'll give the remote a designated home so everyone knows exactly where to put it, meaning you can sit down and get straight to streaming instead of launching a search party between the couch cushions. It's designed to sit right over the armrest of your chair, couch, or loveseat and tuck securely into the cushions so it won't budge.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I wasn’t sure what to expect, however, I was pleasantly surprised with this Joywell Armchair Caddy!! It’s spacious and has deep pockets. The cloth is LONG so it can be tucked under the cushion. This allows for a lot of weight in the caddy. I’ve got 3 remote controls, my glasses, a large puzzle book, pens and a bag of candy! It has been perfect. Excellent quality. Makes all my things accessible. PLUS it looks good." —Jonesy

Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in 33 colors).

25. A toilet paper stand to give everyone a visual reminder that you're running dangerously low on TP. Instead of using the scraps of a roll only to realize there isn't another one in sight, you can keep up to four backups right there and know exactly when it's time to restock. It's made of stainless steel, too, so it'll hold up through plenty of roommate rotations.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Super great item for cheap! We purchased two of these of our bathrooms. Each holder holds about five rolls." —Hannah B

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two colors).

26. A pack of Wi-Fi smart plugs if your roommate always leaves the TV, lights, or fan on and forgets to turn them off. So annoying, I know. These let you control whatever's plugged into them right from the app, meaning you don't even have to get out of bed to shut something off. You can also set timers and schedules to make your shared home a little more energy-efficient and easier to manage.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I love these plugs. They are easy to set up, almost plug and play. Easy to connect to my Wi-Fi and works great. I can turn it on and off with my phone app or set a schedule to operate in manually by the button on the side. I don't think you'll be disappointed with this product." —wsmith9

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $27.99 (also available in one- or two-packs packs)

Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.