Single vs Double Dorm Reddit Verdict: Which to Pick
The single vs double dorm Reddit verdict, after reading the threads, comes down to this: pick a single if you need privacy, sleep lightly or recharge alone; pick a double if you're on a budget, want an easy built-in friend, or worry about being lonely. Students in singles mostly complain about isolation, and students in doubles mostly complain about space and schedules. Neither is "better" for everyone.
Whichever room you land in, RoomMaxx scores it out of 100 for tidy, light and vibe, so you know exactly what to fix first: Scan my room.
The quick verdict
| You should get... | If you... |
|---|---|
| A single | Are a light sleeper, introvert, night owl, or have a strict study routine |
| A double | Are on a budget, want company, are new to the area, or get homesick |
| Either | Will join clubs, keep your door open, and keep the room tidy |
Searching "should I get a double or single dorm"? Ask yourself one question: after a long day, do I want silence or someone to talk to? Your honest answer is most of the decision.
What students love about singles
The recurring themes in single dorm room threads:
- Privacy. Change, call your family, cry after a bad exam, all without an audience.
- Your schedule. Lights off at 11 or 3 a.m. Nobody's alarm but yours.
- Guests. No negotiating.
- Decorating your way. Your room, your aesthetic, no compromises on the duvet color.
- Studying. Fewer distractions when midterms (or revision season, in the UK) hit.
The downside students mention
Is a single dorm lonely? It can be, especially in a single dorm freshman year. You miss the default chat at midnight and the "want to get food?" that roommates throw at each other. You have to put in more effort to meet people.
What students love about doubles
Pros of having a roommate, according to the people living it:
- A built-in friend (sometimes a best friend, sometimes just a friendly face).
- Cheaper. A real deal-breaker for many.
- Safety net. Someone notices if you're sick or haven't left bed in a while.
- Social momentum. Their friends become your friends.
- Shared stuff. One mini fridge, one rug, one microwave.
The downside students mention
Space and schedules. Two people's stuff in one room fills up fast, and if one of you is an early bird and the other a night owl, someone's sleep suffers. Clashes over cleanliness come up constantly; a roommate chore chart template settles a lot of that.
Cost and space compared
Are single dorms more expensive? At most colleges, yes. Singles usually cost more per person than doubles in the same building, sometimes by a lot. Check your housing site's rates page; prices vary so much between schools that any general number would be a guess.
Space-wise:
- Single: less total floor space than a double room, but all of it is yours.
- Double: more total floor, but each person's share is usually smaller than a single.
In single room vs double room college comparisons, many students say the single feels bigger even if it isn't, simply because there's half the stuff.
UK and Canada note
In UK halls, almost everyone gets a single room (often with an ensuite or shared bathroom), so "single vs shared room uni" is rarely a choice unless you go for a cheaper shared room. In Canadian residence, singles and doubles are both common, similar to the US.
Who should pick which
Get a single if:
- You have a medical or sleep reason to need your own space (talk to housing about accommodation)
- You already have friends on campus
- You're a confident joiner of clubs, teams or societies
Get a double if:
- Money is tight
- You're moving far from home
- You want the classic first-year experience
- You'll actually try to make the roommate thing work
Wondering about suites as a middle ground? See suite style dorm vs traditional.
How to make a single feel less lonely
- Keep your door open when you're in and not working. It's the dorm signal for "come say hi."
- Study in shared spaces a few times a week instead of always at your desk.
- Say yes to floor events for the first month, even if they're awkward.
- Make your room a place people want to hang out. Warm light, somewhere to sit besides the bed, a clear floor.
- Set a weekly call with a friend from home.
That fourth point is underrated. A room that looks cozy invites people in. A room with a harsh ceiling light and a floor full of laundry doesn't.
Thing is, when you live alone in a room, it's hard to tell if it looks inviting or just looks like your room. RoomMaxx judges it for you: one photo gets a Room Score out of 100 across tidy, light and vibe, and you get one small fix a day for whichever is lowest. Scan my room
How to make a double feel less cramped
- Loft or bunk the beds if your school allows it. We compare options in bunk bed vs loft bed.
- Clear the floor completely. Under-bed bins for everything.
- Pick a shared color palette so two people's stuff looks like one room, not two.
- Turn off the overhead light and use two lamps, one per side.
- Agree on a 10-minute weekly reset together.
- Use vertical space: over-door hooks, shelves above desks if allowed.
Double dorm layout ideas
- Mirror layout: each side identical. Clean and fair.
- L-shape: beds on adjacent walls, desks opposite. Opens up the middle.
- Bunked or lofted: beds stacked or raised, desks underneath. Most floor space.
Single vs double dorm, Reddit or not: score your room either way
The single vs double dorm Reddit debate ends once you move in; then it's about making your room work. RoomMaxx scores one photo out of 100 across tidy, light and vibe (the photo is never saved) and gives you one small, free or cheap fix a day aimed at your lowest score. One payment, nothing to cancel.
FAQ
Is a single or double dorm better for freshman year?
Many students say a double is better for freshman year because it's cheaper and gives you an instant social connection. A single is better if you strongly need privacy or quiet to sleep and study.
Are single dorms more expensive than doubles?
Usually, yes. Most colleges charge more per person for a single. Check your school's housing rates for exact prices.
Is a single dorm lonely?
It can be, especially in first year, because you lose the easy daily contact a roommate gives you. Keeping your door open, studying in shared spaces and joining clubs make a big difference.
Single room vs double room college: which has more space?
A double is usually a bigger room overall, but each person's share is often smaller than a single. Many students say a single feels roomier because it holds half as much stuff.
What does Reddit say about single vs double dorms?
Threads mostly say: singles for privacy and sleep, doubles for money and friendship. The most common regret in singles is loneliness; in doubles, it's clashing schedules or a messy roommate.