How to Arrange a Home Office for Two People

The first step to organizing an office for two people is determining each person’s priorities and needs. Some people need more than one monitor to get things done, and some just want a quiet place to sit with their laptop and latte. You might prefer to work facing out with a view of the rest of the house, or perhaps you would rather be snug in a corner, away from all distractions. 

Evaluate your new office space by removing everything from that area and giving it a good cleaning. Decide on each person’s particular space and a neutral pathway. Once you figure out who will sit where it’s time to bring in the elements that will get you ready to work hard.

The Washington Post suggests using furniture like tables and couches to create separate work zones. Plants also purify the air, promote a feeling of well-being, and can be utilized to create the illusion of privacy. It’s also important to discuss in advance the things you will both need access to, like storage, printers, and bathrooms.

One of the fun advantages of working from home is being able to decorate your home office however you like. As long as you have a professional background for any video calls, the sky's the limit with the rest of your space. You can tastefully decorate your new work area to match the rest of your house, or you can show off your creativity to your heart’s content. 

Not being in a corporate setting also means you don’t have to rely on boring old office furniture anymore - perhaps a repurposed farmhouse table might be more suited for your needs. A vintage dinette set, a trendy new standing desk, or an antique escritoire - choose the one that makes you smile. Each person being comfortable in this space is key to establishing a peaceful work environment.

Another crucial ingredient for your new home office is adequate storage for all of your stuff. If your office is on the smaller side, you need to make the best use of what you have available so you won’t feel crowded. Utilize vertical possibilities like cabinetry and shelves from floor to ceiling. 

Drawer dividers can also organize smaller desk items, like pens, paper clips, and notepads. Commandeer some kitchen gear like cutlery caddies, serving trays, and wire baskets to hold office supplies you can’t live without. Better Homes & Gardens recommends using shelf risers typically found in a pantry to help you increase your available desktop space for the things you use every day.

Don’t get trapped in an uncomfortable and old-fashioned office chair - treat yourself to an ergonomic seat. Even if you’ve embraced the standing desk trend, it’s vital to have supportive seating in your home office. A combination of movements throughout the day like sitting, standing, and walking is the best routine for your back and will ensure that you keep any extra pounds away.

A comfy loveseat or overstuffed bean bag can also add a relaxing change of scenery to your home headquarters. If you have clients visiting from time to time, create a charming coffee corner with a cabaret table and chairs that will be perfect for a quick meeting.

Another crafty way to build a home office with enough room for two is to make sure you are using your wall space intelligently, and not letting any prime window-front real estate go to waste. Some co-workers do well with one long desk, floating down the length of an entire wall, which creates two distinct work zones while opening up a vast amount of floor space.

Perhaps in your house, extra room is at a premium and you need to get especially creative when staking out a new office. A long table placed at right-angles to a window can support two opposite-facing workstations and provides a relaxing view. Natural light is an important source of vitamin D and also helps people deal with seasonal depression.

You’ll need to be flexible when setting up a dual office, and you may not be able to have everything you want, at least at first. But there are a few things that you simply must have in order to share an office successfully:



• Noise-canceling headphones are a blessing. 
• Quality computers - don’t scrimp on technology. 
• The fastest possible internet speed so you don’t drive each other crazy.
• A good keyboard and mouse - using a laptop keyboard is bad for your wrists.
• Adequate lighting to brighten your work/ life balance.
• A sense of humor and patience.

Stock your new shared workspace with these required items and you’ll be on the way to building a home office for two that’s fun and functional.

Sharing your home office with someone else might seem like a drag at first, but you can definitely make it work. With some creativity and inspiration, you and your new office buddy can arrange a productive space that feels spacious and comfortable.