Home Office Arrangement Ideas for Two
Setting up a home office for one person is hard enough. Setting up an office for two is next level. Whether the second person is your spouse or roommate, finding the optimal working arrangement is key to a successful home office layout.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ideas you can employ to share this space:
- Find the right area for your office
- Figure out your desk situation (two desks, shared desk, etc..)
- Make the most out of small spaces
- Give each other a sense of privacy
- Consider each worker's needs
Arranging a home office for two people doesn't have to be as tedious as your weekly expense reports - just utilize the ideas below!
Find The Right Area for Your Office
Start your arrangement plan by finding the right area in your house to accommodate two workers. Unlike a home office for one person, this space needs to have all the right elements, including enough elbow room and a sense of privacy. In that regard, spaces with corners make for a great two-person home office arrangement since both workers can complete their tasks on either side.
One often overlooked option is to convert an unused room into a home office. For example, that dining room where your family rarely ever eat meals could easily be converted into an office. The dining room table can serve as one long desk for two people. Setting up each other's workspaces at opposite ends of the table allows for a better sense of separation, while also still having the option of chatting with your partner throughout the day.
Figure Out Your Desk Situation
Your desk situation is the biggest decision to make when arranging a home office for two people. You have several options, but finding the best one may require some trial and error. Most professionals require their own desk, so adding two desks to the room is probably your best bet. But how do you arrange those desks?
If your room is big enough and you want more privacy, you can place the desks in opposite corners, allowing for the maximum space apart. If your room won't allow it, then you may opt to place the desks back to back in the center of the room, although that'll mean facing your partner while you're working - so you better like their face!
If you and your partner have staggered work hours, you could share one desk. However, this only works if you finish working before the other person starts. If this particular situation suites you, then keep the desk as minimal as possible. As Oprah Daily points out, you don't want clutter from your work spilling over to your partner's work.
Make The Most Out of Small Spaces
Working with a small home office space? Well, make that space work for both of you! Start by opting for desks and chairs with a light, open base which will help reduce the visual clutter of the room. Also, consider getting matching desks and chairs to streamline the look of your office space.
Fortunately, most modern offices don't need much in the way of storage. With computers serving as work platforms and hard drives for important documents, all you'll need are a set of cabinets and maybe a couple of shelves. Just stick to the essentials, especially if space is limited.
Give Each Other a Sense of Privacy
No matter how close you are with the other person, you will both need moments of privacy throughout the workday. Whether it's to take an important phone call or the need to focus on a project, privacy in a home office for two is a must!
Depending on your layout, achieving a sense of privacy may be easier than you think. Setting up your desks on opposite sides of the room can offer that much needed privacy; however, not all home office spaces will allow for such a layout. In those situations, you may want to opt for a curtain divider in the middle of the room. While it won't stop sounds from traveling from the other side, it can still go a long way in helping to develop that sense of privacy.
Consider Each Worker's Needs
Perhaps the most important aspect of arranging a home office for two people is to consider each worker's needs. While you may need a workspace with multiple monitors, your partner may need a workspace with enough light for their numerous video calls throughout the day.
As Forbes points out, it's always a good idea to create a list of your needs and the same goes for your workspace partner. Make sure to thoroughly discuss those needs before moving forward with a new arrangement.
Conclusion
Finding ways to better share a home office for two people may require some trial and error. First, you must find the right space in your house to serve as your home office. After that, you'll need to figure out your desk arrangement, make the most out of any small spaces, and put forth the effort to develop a sense of privacy. Above all else, the most important thing you and your partner need to consider is each other's personal work needs.