Sharing A Home Office: Tips For Success

Sharing a home office with a spouse, family member, or roommate can be challenging, but with some planning and compromise, it's definitely doable. Here are some tips to make it work:

- Create separate spaces: If possible, have two desks facing different directions to give each person their own space and privacy. This helps reduce distractions and provides a sense of having separate offices within the shared space.

- Establish ground rules: Agree on rules such as wearing headphones when listening to audio, stepping out for video calls, respecting each other's work styles and schedules, and keeping the shared space organised and clutter-free.

- Use noise-cancelling headphones: Invest in a good pair of headphones for each person to block out background noise and minimise distractions.

- Alternate phone call schedules: Plan ahead and communicate about phone calls or video conferences to ensure you both have the quiet space you need.

- Designate living space: Arrange your furniture so that the office space doesn't dominate the room, especially if it's a shared living or dining area. This helps maintain boundaries and gives a sense of separation between work and leisure.

- Consider different desk options: Depending on your space and needs, you can explore options like standing desks, collapsible desks, or dual workstations to maximise space and comfort.

- Prioritise convertibility: In small spaces, look for furniture that can serve multiple functions, such as a collapsible bed for guests or a fold-out desk that can be easily stored when not in use.

- Use room dividers: Room dividers can help create a physical separation between your work and living areas, improving privacy and reducing distractions.

- Share a calendar: Use a shared calendar to plan your work schedules, especially if you have meetings or calls that require quiet time. This helps you plan ahead and avoid overlapping too much.

- Communicate and compromise: Open communication and willingness to compromise are key to making the shared office work. Discuss each other's needs, preferences, and quirks to find solutions that work for both of you.

Create separate spaces

Creating separate spaces in a shared home office is essential for maintaining privacy and focus. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

Choose the Right Space

Start by selecting an appropriate area for your shared office. This could be an unused loft, a spacious corner, a guest bedroom, or even a cosy nook. Be creative and brainstorm to find the best option for your needs.

Efficient Layout

Once you've chosen your space, ensure walkways are clear and easily accessible. Avoid blocking people into corners and minimise clutter by only including necessary furniture.

Separate Desks

Consider opting for separate desks to provide each person with their own dedicated workspace. This could be as simple as a compact small desk or a more flexible standing desk. Facing desks away from each other or into separate corners can also help create a sense of separation.

Dividers and Storage

If you prefer to have a shared desk, you can still create a sense of separation by using dividers such as bookshelves, file cabinets, or even a custom-built wall. This provides a visual and physical barrier between workstations. Additionally, ensure there is ample storage space for each person's belongings, such as drawers, shelves, or cabinets.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones for each person. This will help minimise distractions and allow everyone to focus on their own tasks without disturbing others.

Personalise Your Space

Add personal touches to your individual workstations, such as artwork, photos, or trinkets. This not only makes the space feel more like your own but can also inspire and motivate you throughout the workday.

Use noise-cancelling headphones

Noise-cancelling headphones are a must-have when sharing a home office. They are an essential tool to help you focus and signal to others that you are in "focus mode".

When sharing a home office, it is important to be mindful of the noise you make, especially when on calls or video conferences. Noise-cancelling headphones can help to reduce the amount of sound that travels and disturbs others in the home. They are also useful for blocking out any unwanted noise coming from others in your household.

It is a good idea to communicate your schedule with those you share a space with, so they know when to keep noise to a minimum. This can be done by sharing your calendar or simply letting them know when you have a meeting.

If you are taking a call, it is considerate to move to another area of the home if possible. This will help to reduce any noise distractions for others and give you some privacy.

Additionally, if you are working in a shared space, it is important to be mindful of your surroundings and keep the volume on your headphones at a reasonable level. This will help to ensure that you are not disturbing others with any noise leakage from your headphones.

By using noise-cancelling headphones and being mindful of others, you can create a more peaceful and productive environment when sharing a home office.

Set up a shared calendar

Sharing a home office with your partner can be challenging, but setting up a shared calendar can help you stay on the same page and avoid conflicts. Here are some tips for setting up a shared calendar:

Choose a Calendar Platform

Select a calendar platform that works for both of you. Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar are popular options that integrate well with your email and offer features like notifications and reminders. You can also try apps designed specifically for couples, such as Cupla, which offers additional features like date planners, countdown timers, and private chat.

Set Up the Calendar

Create a shared calendar that includes both your work and personal commitments. Add pre-existing obligations, standing appointments, and regular events like social plans and doctor's appointments. You can also colour-code the calendar to make it more organised and visually appealing.

Use the Calendar Effectively

• Write down commitments as soon as you make them to avoid double-booking.
• Check the calendar before asking about upcoming plans.
• Communicate with your partner about any overlapping commitments and decide how to handle them together.
• Avoid overbooking your schedule and leave some time for spontaneity.
• Schedule dedicated time for each other, like date nights.

Benefits of a Shared Calendar

A shared calendar helps you avoid scheduling conflicts and know when your partner is having a busy week. It improves organisation, reduces stress, and ensures you're prepared for the week ahead. It also strengthens your relationship by improving communication and helping you support each other during busy periods.

By following these steps, you can effectively set up and use a shared calendar to improve your shared home office experience and enhance your relationship.

Respect each other's work styles

Sharing a home office with your partner can be challenging, especially if you are used to having your own space. However, it can also be rewarding and strengthen your relationship. Here are some tips to respect each other's work styles:

Understand Each Other's Preferences

One person might prefer complete silence, while the other might prefer background noise. Try to accommodate both preferences as much as possible. If one of you is a night owl and the other an early bird, respect each other's sleep schedules.

Create Ground Rules

Decide on some basic guidelines for sharing the space, such as how often you need "alone time" in the office, what hours are off-limits for work-related conversations, and establish a policy for social media and internet use during work hours.

Communicate and Compromise

Keep the lines of communication open. Check in with each other daily and let your partner know if you need a break or are feeling overwhelmed. Be considerate and offer moral support or practical suggestions if your partner is having difficulties.

Use Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones to block out distractions and signal to your partner that you are in focus mode.

Take Breaks Together

Schedule breaks throughout the day to take a walk, grab a coffee, or simply chat with each other. This can help you relax and unwind during stressful days.

Respect Each Other's Space

Try to keep your side of the workspace clean and organised. Use labels or coloured tape to mark your belongings, and use storage solutions such as baskets or wall-mounted shelves to keep the area clutter-free.

Plan "Office Hours"

Establish work hours when your partner is not at home to minimise distractions and give you peace to focus.

Be Considerate of Each Other's Time

If your partner is on a call, take phone calls in another room or keep the volume down on any music or television. Respect each other's work schedules and designated office hours.

Help With Chores

Since you are both spending more time at home, pitch in with household chores such as cooking and cleaning.

Remember, sharing a home office is all about communication, compromise, and respecting each other's needs and preferences. With a little planning and patience, you can make it a positive and enjoyable experience.

Designate living space aside from office space

When sharing a home office, it is important to designate living space separate from office space. This can be achieved in several ways, depending on the layout of your home and your personal preferences.

One option is to create a physical barrier between the living and office spaces. This can be done by placing a bookshelf, console table, or other piece of furniture between the two areas. Another idea is to use a room divider, such as a chic divider or a gallery wall of artwork and textiles, to create a visual separation between the spaces.

If you have the space, you can also designate a specific area of your home as the living space, such as a cosy corner with a sofa and armchairs, or a separate room entirely. This will help to create a clear boundary between your work and personal life.

In addition to these general tips, there are also some specific ways to designate living space in a shared home office:

• Use different desks to suit your needs: If one person prefers a standing desk, they can opt for a sturdy adjustable desk. Meanwhile, the other person can choose a compact or writing desk that suits their needs.
• Position your desks in a way that maximises privacy: Face your desks away from each other or towards separate areas of the room to create a sense of separation.
• Create separate zones: If you are sharing a single room, try to create distinct zones for each person. This can be done by using a low credenza or other furniture to divide the space and allow each person to personalise their area.
• Use headphones: Invest in noise-cancelling headphones to block out distractions and signal to others that you are in focus mode.
• Step out for calls: Agree to move to another area of the home when taking video or phone calls to minimise interruptions.
• Respect each other's work styles: If one person prefers a quiet work environment and the other enjoys socialising, find a compromise such as taking breaks together while keeping in-office conversations work-related.
• Set up separate rooms: If sharing a space becomes challenging, consider setting up your offices in different rooms to give each person their own space to focus.

Frequently asked questions