Home offices for two – design tips for double-duty working

Working from home is fast becoming the new normal. With more and more people working in the digital space, there is a greater degree of flexibility in terms of where people work. This means that there are now many households that work entirely from home, making the most of the lack of commuting and all the creature comforts their houses offer during their workday.

In theory, this sounds ideal – but what happens when both you and your partner or housemate are both working from home?

Having two people working in the same space throws up its own unique challenges – not least the fact that the home/work divide starts to become a little bit blurred. However, having the right home office design can do wonders for your productivity and wellbeing – as well as reduce arguments.

So what do you need to know about creating a home office space that is suitable for two people?

Create a layout that works

When it comes to setting the layout of your office, you’ve got a few options. The layout that’s right for you and your partner will depend on the size and shape of your room, the way you like to work and - possibly most importantly - what kind of proximity you and your partner think you can cope with day-in, day-out.

If you have the option for creating a home office in its own dedicated room, this is always a good idea. Not only are you more likely to be able to set out your office in a way that gives you and your partner more space, you’ll also be able to shut your work day away outside of office hours. This divide in itself can help you and your partner work better in close proximity.

If you don’t have a dedicated office space in your house, it’s a good idea to try and create one rather than you each taking one end of the sofa. Find the best place for an actual desk and storage to go so you can pack everything up at the end of the day.

The single table or desk

Working at either side of a single table or large desk is the simplest option – and can be a space-efficient option for couples who might want to collaborate on projects together or who have minimal available space.

Though great for saving space, the downside of a single table is the lack of personal space and storage. Realistically, this option is only really suitable for those who don’t need a lot of equipment to complete their jobs or who don’t work from home at all times.

If you do need to opt for just one desk or table between two, you might want to set up some divides – even if it is just a masking tape line down the middle of the desk – to ensure that each of you has you own set side.

Separate spaces

If you and your partner prefer a your own space and you have a larger room, then individual desks on opposite sides of the room can provide a good degree of separation – as well as being a great way to combat those grumpy morning arguments!

This layout is also ideal if you are doing a different type of work or separate job from your partner, though one of the potential downsides of this layout is that it takes up a lot of space, so you’ll need a decent size room.

If this sounds like the option for you, choosing a compact desk is definitely the best option. Smaller desks can still provide you with plenty of room – especially if you only really need your laptop – and mean you’ll still have enough space within your home.

If you can get a compact desk with added storage – such as those included in our Home Work range – it will make life even easier.

Face to face desks

If you like the idea of being close to your partner, but need your own dedicated desk, then back-to-back desks are the best of both worlds. Whether you’re looking for a minimalist design or you’re a hoarder of paperwork, twin desks can provide a whole range of storage options based around your needs.

These desks also mean you can benefit from storage options like under desk pedestals, which will keep both desks nice and tidy, allow you to secure any paperwork and ensure you can implement a home/work divide.

Side by side

If you’re short on space, then this is the perfect layout. Placing slimline bench desks side-to-side means you can turn a single wall in your home into a comfortable workspace for two.

With careful planning, you may even be able to transform wasted space in hallways or entrance ways into a dedicated office area. Using Home Work desks with built in storage can help you to make better use of every inch of space, while putting up extra shelving can ensure you’re able to personalise your home office.

The drawback with working side by side is that you may feel a bit cramped. This layout tends to work best for people who work part-time or spend a fair amount of their working life outside of the office.

Corner to corner

Working on a desk around the corner from your partner can provide a great balance between space-efficiency, separation and practicality. You’ll get a better sense of personal space than in a side-by-side configuration, but it doesn’t require as large a room as back-to-back working.

It also mirrors the layout of many professional offices so can help ensure you’re both in the right frame of mind when your work day starts.

Final thoughts

Having the right desks, chairs and storage solutions is really important and will help to ensure you get the most out of your chosen layout – as well as avoid as many arguments with your partner as possible.

At Bluespot Furniture, we have a fab range of office furniture that is suitable for your home, no matter how many of you are working from home. Our dedicated Home Work range will provide you with compact home office solutions while our Carbon office furniture will allow you to create a chic and stylish workspace.

Whichever office layout you choose, we’re here to help. Next Day Delivery is available for most of our products and the majority of our ranges benefit from a 10-year guarantee.

For further information on any of our products or services, call a friendly member of our experienced sales team on 0800 8044 760, or email help@bluespotfurniture.com today.