Schedule a Free Consultation: (910) 356-8441
With more people than ever working from home, many are struggling with accommodating more than one person in the same space. A shared home office design can be workable if you have enough space and access to the equipment needed to work comfortably.
Start creating your two-person home office by making sure that each of you has a reasonable workspace. You’ll also both need access to outlets and certain shared items, and be extra mindful of preventing clutter buildup. The more clutter, the more your space will feel cramped.
Ready to get started? Keep reading to learn more!
Desks: Separate or Together?
When you’re creating an office for two, you need to think about not just one desk, but two. The big question is, do you get two separate desks or a desk that the two of you can share?
The answer to this question depends on several factors:
- Room size
- How distractible each person is
- Each worker’s schedule
- Whether you collaborate
- Whether clients will visit your home office
- Privacy concerns
Consider a shared desk if the room is fairly small, and when you and your partner work differing hours and won’t spend much time in the office together. Another consideration is whether both of you work in the same field and collaborate together at least sometimes.
Opt for separate desks when you, your partner, or both are easily distracted, and when one or both of you will have clients who may want to speak privately visit. Also, if your work involves security concerns about private or proprietary materials, it's best to have a desk separate from your work buddy.
If you decide on a shared desk, choose something specifically designed to provide two workspaces. Look into something like a conference table – this is large enough to give both of you plenty of working room but could be cleared to double as a meeting room or serve a different function.
If you prefer separate desks, look for ones that can provide two functions in one. Desks that also include bookshelves or cabinets are often designed for those working with very minimal space. Shopping for these types will often benefit you in terms of storage space and a compact design that’s more practical for a room accommodating two work areas.
If you decide on separate desks, try to place them as far apart from each other as possible. Most of the reasons for using two desks also suggest that each worker needs their own space, so keep the workspaces in different parts of the room.
Access to Outlets
In modern offices, including home offices, access to electrical outlets is a must. Each desk should have its own outlets within easy reach, no matter how the desks are positioned.
If the room you’re using for a home office does not have enough outlet space, there may be some things you can do before calling in an electrician. The tech experts at CNET explain several ways to safely expand your access to electrical outlets, including how an outlet tap can help and when and where to use power strips and extension cords.
Another option is to install more outlets. According to Forbes, outlet installation ranges from a low of $100 to a high of $500, with the average falling around $175. If you’re planning on shared office space for the long-term, adding more outlets that are more convenient could be a wise investment.
Shared Office Equipment
One of the benefits of sharing a home office is that you don’t each need to buy all the equipment twice. Some office equipment can be easily shared. A printer is the most obvious shared piece of equipment.
You can choose an all-in-one printer that prints, scans, copies, and faxes and place it in the office for both people to use. If one person is likely to use it more than the other, position it closer to their desk. Otherwise, look for a spot near the middle.
Other shared office accessories include things like a paper shredder, trash bin, or coffee maker. You may also want to set up a communal spot for supplies that you’ll both use, like paper, writing utensils, and stamps.
Clutter Management
Keeping the clutter to a minimum is important in a home office even if it’s just you. Two people create even more clutter. Make sure that at the end of the workday you each clean off your desk spaces, check to be sure the trash is removed, and pick up anything left on the floor to prevent clutter from building up. It also allows the space to feel less cramped and more peaceful and relaxed.
Conclusion
A shared home office home office can be achieved with a few simple tools. With adequate workstations, access to outlets and materials, and mutual respect for each other and the shared space, both of you will thrive working from home.