Home Office Advice

How to Successfully Plan a Home Office for Two

How to Successfully Plan a Home Office for Two
Remote jobs are becoming increasingly popular among a large number of businesses across the globe. A study by Ladders shows that 25% of professionals in North America will be working from home by the end of 2022. These numbers will further increase in the coming years.
Whether running a private business from home or remotely working for a company, you must design and build a suitable home office. It is the one with all the essential qualities of a highly productive workspace. Below, we discuss the basics of planning a home office that can effectively accommodate two people.

Choosing the right location

The office location should be a serious consideration and must be sorted before anything else. You must analyse the requirements of your work, such as the nature of your business or the minimum space required for optimum operational capacity. Also, the following are some essential qualities you should consider before deciding on the preferred location for your home office for two.

Away from distractions

Dealing with distractions is probably the most challenging part of working from home. These can be anything, such as interruptions caused by family members, outside noises, or the sudden arrival of visitors.

You should choose a location that minimises such distractions and ensure that your productivity isn’t adversely affected by the poor selection of office locations.

Enough space

The two-person home office will undoubtedly need to accommodate furniture essential for work and other fixtures, fittings, and appliances. You must ensure that your preference’s location has enough space to address such requirements.

Protects privacy

Remote working often requires security and privacy due to the nature of the work. You may have to access and manage sensitive data and applications. Therefore, you must choose a home office location that protects your privacy and isn’t accessible for unauthorised usage.

Adequate lit up

Any workplace that you choose for remote work must be adequately lit up. The right lighting conditions can save you from eye strain, fatigue, headaches, and stress. You can also select a location that provides natural light to your workspace.

Investing in the right furniture

Office furniture plays a critical role in your home office’s optimum design and operations. It adds comfort, pleasure, and attraction to your workplace, boosts productivity, and includes computer desks, chairs, file cabinets, and tables.

Following are a few key points you should consider while selecting office furniture for your home office for two.

Functional design

The office furniture should have a design that resonates with the nature of your business and increases your work engagement.

Provides value for money

The most expensive furniture isn’t always the most effective. You should select the furnishings that provide excellent value for money and are highly durable and functional.

The right size

Office furniture is generally selected based on the dimensions of the available workspace. Remember that you may need to accommodate other hardware such as fixtures, fittings, and electrical equipment into your office.

Therefore, choosing the right size for the furniture is just as important as its style, functionality, and comfort. It would be a good idea to look for customisable furniture that allows adjustments according to the varying needs of its user.

The most popular desks for home office

Dual Desks

Dual desks are the most common two-person desks. They are simple and functional and are generally available in two variations. One type allows users to work and interact while facing each other. The other type will enable users to work side by side.

L-Shaped Desks

L-Shaped desks are usually placed in room corners to save space. Both users face different sides while still working nearby. These desks may have separate or shared storage compartments.

Cubicle Dual Desks

Cubicle desks are commonly used in commercial places, but these can also be an excellent choice for remote users. If you share an office with another person but want privacy with your work, then these desks are the perfect fit for your office.

They come with a built-in partition that isolates the workspace of both users.

Built-in Workstations

Built-in workstations are All-In-One office furniture. They are equipped with important fixtures and fittings, so you don’t have to purchase and install them separately.

The most popular chairs for home office

Ergonomic chairs

Ergonomic chairs are designed and built for a specific purpose; to encourage a healthy and neutral body posture. If you work long hours, you should invest in an ergonomic chair for your home office.

Mesh chairs

Mesh chairs have a unique breathable design as the backrest is composed of special net-like fibre. It suits those who sweat a lot and have lower back problems.

Executive chairs

Executive chairs are considered premium in their respective category. These chairs have plenty of cushions and are composed of high-quality wood and leather. If you want to give your home office a more formal look, these chairs can be a decent choice for you.

Gaming chairs

As their name suggests, gaming chairs are built primarily for professional gamers. These chairs are highly comfortable and customisable to support long gaming sessions of their users. Also, these chairs are a bit more durable than those mentioned above.

Fixtures, fittings, and other essential equipment for your home office

All offices, whether commercial or remote, require fixtures, fittings, and other equipment to increase their operating capacity, productivity, and effectiveness. Office fixtures commonly include:

Office fittings include:

  • Desk lamp
  • Telephone stand
  • Waste paper basket

Electrical equipment that is commonly needed in an office includes:

  • Desktop computers
  • Laptops
  • Monitors
  • Printers
  • Fax machines
  • Scanners
  • Copiers
  • Telephones
  • Wireless internet routers
  • Bluetooth speakers

Furthermore, there are lots of office supplies and innovative gadgets that can completely transform the way you work in a home office. The most popular office supplies include:

  • Desk pads
  • Mug holders/ Mug warmers
  • Desk organiser
  • Cable management system
  • Smart pens
  • Footrests
  • Outlet tower

Conclusion

There are several creative ways to set up a home office. A perfect home office for two people fits the needs of both of its users and enables maximum productivity. This article gives you the general guidelines that assist you in making intelligent decisions with your home office. You can add more personalisations and try different outlooks as there’s always room for improvement.

Note that implementing your plan will take time and capital resources. Therefore don’t rush with the investment. It would be wise to rank your work requirements first and then invest accordingly.