Design an office for two

The increase in self-employed professionals or freelancers and the shift towards remote work have facilitated work-life balance in many households, but it has also led to conflicts when organising the workspace, as it is not uncommon for more than one family member to work from home. Do you experience something similar with your partner or your business partner? In this case, take note of our tips at Officechair365 on how to design a home office for two.

How to design a home office for two?

To have such a home office, the first thing you should consider is whether you have enough space that allows you to work or study comfortably and professionally with a person by your side.

When designing this space, it is important to consider how you can place desks and office chairs to better plan the whole layout. Additionally, you should think about what elements you will need because, for example, the recommended depth of the desk is different if you work with a computer on it.

Width is also an important factor because it is not comfortable to work ‘elbow to elbow’ with someone literally, nor is it comfortable without enough space to get up or open a drawer. All of this must be kept in mind.

Furthermore, it is important to design our home office in such a way that we can separate it from other areas, meaning if this space is within the bedroom, it is necessary to make it ‘clear’ which area is for work and which is for rest; or, if the office is in the living room, the visual separation from the sofa and the television should be well defined if we do not want to increase our stress levels.

Essential furniture at home office for two

The layout of your home office for two can vary, but it is always important to consider what furniture is essential for both of you to work properly. What do you need?

• Office desks. You can use a desk for two people or two individual desks. That will depend on the space you have, the layout you choose, your budget, etc.
• Office chairs. Make sure they are ergonomic and if possible, have wheels, adjustable height, and support for arms and head.
• Storage. You may need drawers, shelves, and other storage systems, order and organisation that allow you to keep your work materials handy. Each of you should have your own!
• Supplies. The computer, planner, pens, post-its, paper, etc. are essential to work, and you should have enough space to keep them accessible and organised.
• Lighting. In addition to taking advantage of natural light, you should have a good source of general and individual light. A lamp or desk light for each person is basic in any office.

Office ideas for two

When designing a workspace for two people, it is important to optimise this space. You should plan it together to know what each person needs to carry out their daily tasks and seek comfort and functionality for both.

The work environment should be pleasant for both and have the appropriate layout, as well as include spaces that encourage collaboration. Here are some ideas:

• T-shaped layout. If you separate both spaces in a T-shape, you can both work with the desks facing the window and sit facing each other when you need to discuss something. This means having office chairs with wheels, which are more versatile and allow greater freedom of movement.
• Adjacent positions. This layout allows both of you to take advantage of natural light by orienting both desks towards the window. To limit each person's space you can use a central drawer unit if needed.
• Facing positions. This way, you will have more privacy and work more comfortably on your individual tasks. Additionally, it allows you to communicate at all times. Bench desks are ideal for this layout.
• Against the wall. Sometimes, the dimensions of the space available for your office force you to place the desks aligned with the chairs facing the wall. Some people get distracted from their work if they have a window in front of them, so this type of layout would work. In this case, it is best to take advantage of the longest wall space in the room.

You can design a home office for two in many ways, but always keep in mind the needs of you and your partner, as well as the available space, lighting, and, of course, the budget. Above all, both of you should be able to work comfortably, efficiently, and with full concentration.