Quick Answer: Here is why a 1.5 bath townhome layout works for roommates: each person gets a private bedroom, and the half bath keeps one bathroom from becoming a bottleneck. You also split rent on a bigger home than a solo one-bedroom. That mix of separation and savings is what lets a shared lease last.
Splitting a lease in Sherman, Texas, takes more than agreeing on rent. The District at Sherman has 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and townhomes, and its townhome floor plans include layouts with 1.5 baths. Here's what to check before you and a roommate pick one.
What to look for in roommate friendly apartments
Roommate friendly apartments share four traits: two bedrooms of similar size, bedroom doors that don't face each other, more than one place to wash up, and a living area big enough for two people's things. A two-story townhome can meet most of that list without the price of a second full bath.
Roommate living is now a money decision
The numbers explain the demand. As of July 2026, a StorageCafe report estimated that renters save about $6,700 a year by splitting a two-bedroom instead of renting a one-bedroom alone. SpareRoom's February 2026 survey of 491 U.S. roommates found that 42% called their rent unaffordable. Those are national figures, so your own savings will differ.
Space matters too. SpareRoom's analysis of 2025 listings found that about a quarter of shared rentals came with no living room access at all. A townhome with a real living area avoids that trap.
The same StorageCafe report notes that extra space lets roommates keep bikes and boxes out of the living room. It sounds small. After six months of tripping over a roommate's gear, it isn't.
A split bedroom layout protects privacy
A true split bedroom layout puts the living area between the two bedrooms, so neither door opens toward the other. Angi's guide to split floor plans calls the design a good fit for roommates because it keeps personal spaces far apart. In a townhome, stairs and walls can create a similar buffer. It depends on the plan, so read the drawing, not just the bedroom count. Bring a tape measure to the tour. Stand in each bedroom doorway and note what you can see and hear from the other one.
How 1.5 baths work for a shared household
A 1.5 bath home has one full bath and one half bath. The half bath is a toilet and a sink with no shower. For a shared household, that extra sink and toilet matter most at 7:30 a.m. and after guests leave. It isn't a second shower, though. If you both leave at the same time, you'll still take turns.
Roommate style apartments vs a 1.5 bath plan
Roommate style apartments usually give each bedroom its own full bath. A 1.5 bath townhome is a cost compromise instead. You give up a private shower and get a bigger home with a lower rent per person. The trade works best when your schedules differ. If one of you showers at night and the other in the morning, one full bath is plenty.
How big is the average bedroom size in a townhome?
Most U.S. bedrooms run about 132 square feet, roughly 11 by 12 feet. Design guides put townhome bedrooms a bit higher, around 120 to 150 square feet, and apartment bedrooms nearer 100 to 120. Those are rules of thumb, so measure the actual rooms on the floor plan before you sign.
Furniture is the real test. This Old House puts a queen bed at about 5 by 6 feet and an average desk at roughly 30 by 20 inches. In a 100 square foot room, those two pieces take up a lot of the floor, and there's still a closet door to open.
Apt size numbers worth knowing
| Benchmark | Typical size | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to count as a bedroom | About 70 sq ft | This Old House |
| Apartment bedroom | 100 to 120 sq ft | Design guide estimate |
| Townhome bedroom | 120 to 150 sq ft | Design guide estimate |
| Average U.S. one-bedroom, 2024 | 735 sq ft | RentCafe |
| Average U.S. two-bedroom, 2024 | 1,097 sq ft | RentCafe |
| Share per roommate in an average two-bedroom | About 548 sq ft | Calculated from RentCafe |
The last row is the useful one. Each roommate gets about 548 square feet, which is less than the 735 a solo renter gets in the average one-bedroom. The rent splits two ways, though, and the extra bedroom means nobody sleeps in the living room. Check each plan's square footage and bedroom dimensions before you tour, because published averages hide a wide range.
Why townhome living fits roommates
Townhome living gives roommates vertical separation. Bedrooms can sit a floor away from the kitchen and living room, so a late snack or an early alarm travels less. Many townhome plans also have their own entry. Confirm that detail for the exact plan you tour.
Townhomes aren't perfect for everyone. Stairs can wear on you with groceries or a sore knee, and sound can carry through a shared wall or floor. Ask for the drawing of the exact townhome layout and walk it with your roommate. Count the steps between the bedroom doors and the kitchen, and ask which rooms share a wall with a neighbor.
On site, the community's amenities page lists a laundry facility, a dog park, on-site management and online rent payments. Apartment features listed include a balcony, a bathtub, a vanity and kitchen cabinets. Ask the leasing office which of these come with the plan you like.
Sherman is also growing. The Census Bureau QuickFacts for Sherman put the population at 52,417 in July 2025, up 20.0% from the April 2020 base. Median gross rent was $1,324 for 2020 to 2024. At that median, two roommates would each cover about $662. That's an illustration, not a quote for any plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a 1.5 bath townhome enough for two roommates?
Yes, for most pairs. One full bath and one half bath handle overlapping mornings better than a single bath does. It's less private than two full baths, so it suits roommates whose schedules differ or who don't mind sharing the shower. Ask yourselves how often you leave the house at the same time.
2. What size should each bedroom be?
Aim for rooms close enough in size that rent can split evenly. Look for these:
- At least 100 square feet, the low end of typical apartment bedrooms
- A window and a closet in each room
- Space for a queen bed, about 5 by 6 feet
- Similar dimensions, so neither roommate feels shortchanged
3. What does a half bath include?
A half bath has a toilet and a sink and no tub or shower. In a 1.5 bath townhome it often sits near the living area, which helps when guests visit. Roommates still share the single full bath for showers, so agree on a simple morning order.
4. How do roommates split rent when one bedroom is bigger?
Many pairs charge a bit more for the larger room or the one closer to the bathroom. Others split evenly and swap rooms at renewal. Pick a rule before you apply, write it down, and agree on it before move-in so nobody argues about it later.
5. Where can I see townhome plans in Sherman?
Start with the floor plan listings, then use the map and directions page to find the community. Plans and pricing change, so call the leasing office to confirm which townhomes are open before you tour.
Conclusion
Pick the plan that matches your schedules, not just your budget. Measure each bedroom, count the baths, and check where the stairs and doors fall. The District at Sherman's home page links to every plan and to the leasing team in Sherman, Texas. Treat the numbers above as a starting point, then verify them against the plan you tour. Do that and you'll see why a 1.5 bath townhome layout works for roommates who want privacy and a lower share of the rent.
