By Angela Butterfield

When finding the right roommate, your listing is your first impression—and it matters. Whether you’re renting out a private room or a shared space, potential roommates are scanning listings for more than just rent and location. They’re looking for a lifestyle fit, a vibe, and a place where expectations are clearly laid out.

A thoughtfully written Roommates.com profile helps your listing stand out in a crowded rental market and increases your chances of attracting the right match. Here’s what to include to make your listing as strong—and successful—as possible.

Make Sure Your Personality Stands Out

Roommates aren’t just choosing a room—they’re choosing you. While clear descriptions and great photos are essential, showing off your personality is just as important. That’s where Roommates.com’s profile badges come in.

Whether you're a night owl, a clean freak, an early riser, a gamer, or a pet lover, our personality badges help communicate who you are at a glance. They give potential roommates instant insight into your habits, lifestyle, and interests—making it easier to spark meaningful connections and avoid mismatches from the start.

Choose badges that reflect your true self. Not only do they add color to your profile, but they also help you stand out in a sea of listings and connect with people who actually get your vibe.

Spell Out Room Details

The most successful listings clearly describe the room itself. Don’t just say “nice bedroom”—help people picture the space. Is it private or shared? How big is it? Is it furnished? Is there a closet or storage area?

Providing room dimensions and highlighting comfort features like separate entrance, natural light, hardwood flooring, quiet location, or a large closet helps potential roommates visualize the space—and saves everyone time in the long run. Use Roommates.com's built-in checklist to indicate which features your room comes equipped with!

House Features: Include Bathroom Specifics

House features like bathroom access is one of the top concerns for renters. Be sure to state whether the room has its own private bathroom or if it’s shared with others in the home. Private bathrooms, while preferred by many, are not always the norm when it comes to shared living spaces.

Shared bathrooms can be appealing when you add helpful details like location, privacy, or features like a walk-in shower, recently remodeled, plenty of storage, or double vanity. Clarity here helps avoid confusion and can increase the appeal of your listing.

Highlight Common Areas and Amenities

Other house features that are important to the majority of room seekers on Roommates.com are things like alarm, attached garage, fireplace, A/C, and more! You can use our preset checklist to highlight important house features that set your place apart.

What makes your space livable beyond the bedroom? Renters want to know what’s included in the lifestyle:

1. Is there access to the living room or common spaces? Are there areas other than the room where the renter can relax and enjoy your space? Mention it in the listing!
2. Can they use the kitchen fully, or are there limits?
3. Is laundry available on-site or in-unit?
4. Are there perks like a patio, yard, gym, or pool? Mention it! These items are very important for someone who is assessing a new living situation.

Even smaller features like a coffee station, workspace nook, or smart TV are worth mentioning. These touches help someone picture what daily life in your home will feel like.

Set Expectations With House Rules

Every household has rules—being upfront helps ensure a better match. In your listing, be sure to include whether:

1. Smoking is allowed
2. Pets are welcome
3. Overnight guests are permitted
4. Quiet hours or noise expectations
5. Private vs. shared spaces

Clear house rules communicate your lifestyle and boundaries, making it easier for the right person to feel at home—and helping you avoid awkward situations down the road.

The Neighborhood: Describe the Location & Surroundings

The neighborhood and nearby amenities matter as much as what’s inside the home. Take a moment to describe:

1. Whether the home is in an urban, suburban, or quieter residential area
2. How close is it to public transportation, major roads, or bike paths
3. The overall vibe—is it lively, quiet, walkable? Share details about what makes your place unique!

Don’t forget to mention local highlights like nearby cafés, grocery stores, parks, or co-working spaces. These lifestyle extras often help seal the deal. Do you offer covered or off-street parking? Mention it in your listing!

They Say A Photograph is Worth A Thousand Words

Listings with high-quality photos consistently attract more views and interest. A few well-lit, accurate images can give potential roommates a strong sense of your home’s layout, vibe, and cleanliness.

Include shots of the room for rent, shared living spaces, kitchen, bathroom, and any standout features—like a balcony, home office nook, or cozy backyard.

Make sure your photos are recent, clutter-free, and taken during the day with natural light if possible. If the room is furnished, show it with minimal, tidy decor. If it's unfurnished, consider including a mock layout or measurements in the caption so potential roommates can better imagine the setup. A strong visual impression builds trust and sets expectations right away.

Why It All Matters

Strong, clear listings tend to attract more serious, compatible leads. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, putting time into your profile helps reduce confusion, filter out mismatches, and make the rental process smoother for everyone involved.

At Roommates.com, we’ve seen firsthand how good listings lead to great matches. A few thoughtful details can make a big difference.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

Whether you're listing your space or searching for a new one, Roommates.com makes it easy to find a living situation that fits your lifestyle. Use our filters to match based on preferences like location, habits, and personality. Then let your profile—and your place—do the talking.

Let’s find your Perfect Match™.