Home Office Arrangement Ideas for Two

In 2021, sharing a home office is not uncommon. According to Upwork.com, 41.8% of American employees continue to work remotely which means more people may opt for sharing their home office with a partner or housemate. Should you decide to share your home office, you’ll want the perfect setup for two. 

The following shared home office arrangement ideas will keep you and your officemate creative, productive, and energy-efficient:

• A Two-Person Workstation 
• A Shared Common Area
• An Office Kitchenette 
  

When creating a home office for two, it’s all about harmony. You want to make sure that the office layout suits everyone’s needs. Read on to learn more about how to turn your shared home office into one, perfect workflow. 

You want to arrange your desks in a way that makes you and your officemate comfortable. Though desk arrangements may not sound like a big deal, the wrong setup can lead to unnecessary stress and conflict. The right desk placement will keep you and your officemate focused and relaxed throughout the workday. 

For those who don’t mind sharing a desk, the two-person workstation is great for saving space and keeping each other company. L and U-shaped desks will give your office a modern look while providing you and your officemate enough personal space. For additional privacy, consider setting up dividers. 

What if your shared office isn’t large enough for a two-person desk? What if your officemate would prefer not to share? Consider placing smaller desks on opposite sides of the room. That way, you and your coworker will have more privacy without taking up too much space. 

If you have the space, a shared common area can help you and your officemate thrive. Common areas are a great way to relax, mingle, and make others feel welcome.For those running their own business, a common area may be necessary. If you’re working full-time from home but need clients to visit the office, a common area is a wonderful feature to have.

Consider setting up a small, designated area in your shared office that includes a table and comfy chair. Reading materials and cups for tea and coffee is a must! If you don’t have the space, then try designating another area in your house for visitors. Just because you’re working from home, doesn’t mean you must close your doors to the outside world. 

Food and beverages are not just for guests! You and your officemate work hard and deserve breaks throughout the workday. A mini-fridge is a great addition! Stock your fridge with fun and healthy snacks to keep you focused and energized. 

For coffee lovers, consider installing a mini coffee bar. All you need is a coffee maker, a set of mugs, and a table of choice. If you’re worried about the coffee bar taking up too much space, consider installing a floating loft bar table with high chairs. That way you and your officemate can enjoy a coffee shop ambiance minus the added space.

Other Shared Home Office Must-Haves

You want your home office to be filled with natural light. Natural light can help improve your productivity, eating and sleeping patterns, and overall mental health. Ideally, your home office is a clean space that gets plenty of natural light throughout the day.

Depending on your situation, you may have to set up your home office in a space that does not receive a lot of natural lighting. Fortunately, there are easy, affordable ways to solve that problem.

According to thespruce.com, painting your walls or ceilings with white or other light colors, can help increase the light in any room. That’s because the right interior wall color will reflect natural light, leading to a brighter and more welcoming workspace.

Mirrors and glass tiles can help increase the natural lighting as well. They also add a personal, artistic touch depending on how you choose to arrange them. If you and your officemate would rather avoid painting and installations, consider investing in LED lights for that feel-good natural light setting.

Plants keep your home office looking and smelling amazing. In addition to boosting your mood and creativity, plants help remove toxins from the air. The right plants will keep you and your officemate healthy and happy.

Consider buying potted plants that require low to indirect light. Plants that can hold a lot of water are ideal for remote workers because they require very little maintenance. However, if caring for plants brings you joy, then you should fill your home office with as many different ones as you like. 

The right work-from-home technology can improve your comfort and productivity. When sharing a workspace, you don’t want to have to deal with a ton of cords and heavy equipment. Space is already limited, and the wrong equipment can turn your workday into a living nightmare.

To reduce space (and utility costs), consider investing in wireless technology. A laptop stand, wireless mouse, Bluetooth keyboard and speakers, and more are the perfect additions. You and your officemate might also want to consider investing in desk organizers to save space and keep your workspaces organized. 

Lastly, you’ll want to fill your home office with some personal flair. Just because you share a workspace doesn’t mean you can’t get creative. Decorate your side of the office, desk, kitchenette, etc. with art, photographs, posters, message boards, and more. If you work full-time, then your home office is where you’ll be spending the majority of the day. You want this space to feel comfy, safe, and inspirational, just like home.

Humans are creative, social creatures. Thus, it's only natural to work closely with one another, if not (literally) side by side! Whether you’ve been sharing your home office for years, or if you’re interested in giving co-working spaces a try, these arrangement ideas will help you create the perfect working environment for two.