The perks of living solo

Industrial Bedroom by southwood
Author: Joanna Tovia

It’s too easy to fall into the trap of wishing you’d hurry up and meet Mr or Miss Right when, really, you could be just as happy and content being alone … for now. When you focus on them, the advantages of living on your own can even start to outweigh the cons. Happiness starts with gratitude for what you already have so, come on, let’s think of all the great things about living the single life.

You own the bed
Stretch out diagonally across the bed if you want to, hog the quilt to your heart’s content, and when you wake up in the morning, guess what? You get to choose whether you make the bed or not. Couples are rarely evenly matched in the messy or neat stakes, so enjoy being you without compromise while you can.

BONUS: Letting the dog snuggle in with you overnight is totally acceptable.

Bedroom design and decor ideas

You can be whoever you want to be
If you like having friends over for sundowners and canapés, rather than beers and a barbie, that’s your prerogative. Use your finest glasses, invite your quirkiest friends, and let your real personality emerge.

Raise your glass to home bars in all shapes and sizes

Your dream partner is still out there
Far from being stuck with someone with who you’re not entirely satisfied, your happily ever after could be just around the corner. It can be fun (and comforting) to know he or she is out there somewhere just waiting for you to walk into their life.

The bathroom is all yours
Want to have a long shower and take your time getting ready? Why not? No-one’s going to knock on the door to hurry you up and, better still, the only mess you make in the bathroom is your own.

BONUS: When you go to use your razor, you can rest assured it hasn’t been used on a face or legs that don’t belong to you.

Find dream bedroom decor and manchester

How you wake up is up to you
If you’re not a morning person, a cheery chat first thing is what you least feel like doing. Coffee first, conversation later.

BONUS: If you’re more a night person than a morning person, staying up late is easy – your music, movies and other noisy pursuits are not going to disturb anyone.

You don’t have to have real meals
Feel like nibbling on crackers and cheese with a good red wine instead of preparing dinner? Go for it. There are no-one else’s dining preferences to take into account. Tuning in to how you feel and what you want can be a gift to your mental health.

You’re in charge of the remote
Want to watch a rom-com, and then another one the following night? Cameron Diaz is always welcome at your house.

You get to choose the bedding
The bedroom is one of those rooms that, when you’re a couple, you usually have to collaborate with your partner over. Not when you’re single, though. Choose artwork, linen and accessories you love and, if you want to spend up big on a particular item, no-one’s going to frown on you for doing so.

You can see your friends whenever you want
When we partner up, we’ve always got company, so there’s less need to see your friends as often as you might. On top of that, one partner can be far more social than the other. Singletons get to call all the shots when it comes to seeing friends, however, so it’s time to make the most of it. Take advantage of your single status to deepen your friendships and make new ones – you can never have too many. Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet, after all.

You get all the wardrobe space
Forget about dividing the space into his and hers – the wardrobe is all yours to store and display your clothes just as you like them.

BONUS: If your wardrobe is looking a little empty after a recent break-up, you have just been granted the perfect excuse to go shopping.

Browse more inspirational wardrobe designs

Clothing is optional
You can be as uninhibited as you like when there’s no-one around but you. Revel in the freedom of this while you still can … unless you’re still living with your parents, that is.

WARNING: Housemates might also be a little shocked.

The toilet seat is not a bone of contention
Put it up, put it down, it’s up to you. And when it comes to the toilet paper, over or under is entirely your choice.