Honestly, the best way is to make it a shared-home upgrade, not a favor you’re asking for. I’d start by choosing a calm moment and saying something like, “I’ve been thinking about the balcony or patio—it’s a space we both use, and it feels pretty unfinished. I found a few affordable urban outdoor furniture options. Would you be open to splitting something small so we both get more use out of it?” That frames it around mutual benefit and keeps the tone collaborative.
Then do the homework before the conversation. Bring two or three options with total prices, tax, delivery, and the exact split. Don’t just say “it’ll be nice.” Show what you’re asking: “These two chairs and a small table are $240 total, so $120 each. If that’s too much, here’s a $120 set, so $60 each.” People are much more likely to agree when the number is concrete and they have choices.
Ask about their priorities, too. Maybe they care more about storage, durability, or not blocking the walkway. If they’re worried about weather, suggest covers or a storage bench. If they’re worried about money, suggest a phased approach: start with a small table or two chairs and add later. You can also offer to handle delivery, assembly, or selling it if you move. That makes the split feel fair, not random.
Be clear about ownership and use. If you’re splitting evenly, say, “If we both pay half, we both own half and can decide together before selling or giving it away.” If one person pays more, write that down. A simple text or note is enough: “We’re splitting the $240 patio set 50/50. If we move out, we’ll decide together whether to sell it and split the money.” This prevents awkwardness later.
If your roommate still says no, don’t push. Try a smaller compromise: “Would you be okay splitting just the table, and I’ll cover the chairs?” Or ask if they’d rather trade off—maybe you pay for furniture and they cover a different shared upgrade. If they truly don’t want to spend money, buy something you’re happy to own yourself, and make that clear. The goal is a better shared space, not a forced transaction.