So, you’re trying to set up a small home office for two people? Ha. Welcome to the club, my friend. I’ve been there—my partner and I once tried to cram two full work setups into a 10×10 room. There were wires everywhere, we had dueling Zoom calls, and yes, someone got passive-aggressive about keyboard noise (okay, it was me).
But here’s the good news: it’s totally possible to create a shared home office that doesn’t feel like a cramped cubicle from 1997. You just need a little creativity, some planning, and a dash of patience (plus maybe noise-canceling headphones 😅).
Let’s talk about how to make your dual home office setup actually work—without wanting to murder each other halfway through your morning coffee.
Pick the Right Spot (Even If It’s Tiny)
Alright, first things first. You can’t build a shared office if you don’t know where it’s going. And no, the dining table doesn’t count (unless you love packing up every night like it’s the end of a craft fair).
Ideal Spots to Consider:
- Spare bedroom – Obvious, but it gives you a door, which is gold.
- Large hallway or landing – Weirdly overlooked, but can work with slim desks.
- Nook under stairs – Shoutout to all the Harry Potters working from home.
- Split a guest room – Dual-purpose rooms can work if you’re not hosting every other weekend.
Pro tip: If you’re both working remotely long-term, treat this as an essential investment, not a temporary fix. Your sanity depends on it.
Use Dual Desks (No, Sharing One Is Not Cute)
Look, I get it. One big desk sounds romantic. But so does sharing a blanket on the couch—and that never works past the 30-minute mark.
You need separate desks. Full stop.
Best Layouts for Small Spaces:
- Side-by-side desks – Good for easy chatting but can lead to “Why are you chewing like that?” moments.
- L-shaped corner desks – Great for maximizing space and keeping your screens out of each other’s view.
- Back-to-back desks – My personal fave. You both get space, and it limits eye contact during stressful emails 😅.
Whatever you choose, measure your space first. Don’t eyeball it. Trust me. You’ll save yourself an IKEA return trip and some relationship drama.
Storage = Sanity
If your office doesn’t have solid storage, it will 100% turn into a paper tornado by week two.
Storage Must-Haves:
- Wall shelves – Keep the floor clear and use vertical space like a pro.
- Under-desk rolling carts – Slide ’em in, slide ’em out. Boom—extra storage.
- Shared filing cabinet – Label your stuff or prepare for daily treasure hunts.
FYI: Agree ahead of time who gets what storage. One of you will have more “essential” items. Accept it. I hoard notebooks, my partner collects cables like he’s preparing for the tech apocalypse. We’ve made peace with it.
Think “Double Function” Furniture
You don’t need two of everything. In fact, you probably shouldn’t. Your space can only handle so much.
Multi-Tasking Pieces to Look For:
- Folding wall desks – Pop it down when you need it, fold it up when you don’t.
- Storage ottomans – Great for hiding mess and doubling as extra seating.
- Monitor risers with drawers – Get that vertical space working for you.
Bold move: Install a murphy desk if you’re working in a guest room. It folds up and says “I am a tidy, organized adult,” even if your browser has 37 tabs open.
Light It Up (Without Blinding Each Other)
Lighting is one of those things you don’t think about until you’re squinting at your screen and slowly going mad.
Lighting Tips That Actually Work:
- Task lighting – Desk lamps with adjustable brightness are lifesavers.
- Natural light – Position desks near windows if possible. Just beware of glare.
- Smart bulbs – IMO, these are underrated. Adjust brightness and color temp based on your mood (or Zoom lighting needs).
Rhetorical question: Have you ever tried to focus under those harsh overhead lights? Exactly. Fix your lighting—it’s a game-changer.
Noise Control = Conflict Control
Unless you’re both completely silent (and if so, are you even human?), noise WILL become a thing.
Tools That Can Save Your Sanity:
- Noise-canceling headphones – Worth every penny. Get a comfy pair.
- White noise machine – Especially helpful if one of you talks to clients all day.
- Acoustic panels – Cheap ones look cool and reduce echo. Bonus points if they match your aesthetic.
One day, you’ll thank me when you’re not hearing your partner’s every breath while they type a Slack message.
Set Boundaries (For Real)
This one’s more about mental space than physical. If you want to stay friends and co-workers, you need rules.
Boundaries That Help:
- “Do not disturb” signals – A desk lamp, a sticky note, or the classic headphones-on = leave me alone.
- Defined hours – Respect each other’s schedule. Don’t start vacuuming while they’re on a call. (Yes, this happened. No, we don’t talk about it.)
- Break spaces – Take breaks away from the office. Your couch misses you.
Real talk: You’re not coworkers in a real office, so you can’t just roll your eyes across the cubicle. Be clear, be kind, and maybe don’t schedule back-to-back Zooms. 🙂
Make It Yours (Both of You)
The vibe of your space totally affects how productive—and happy—you’ll be.
Personalizing Your Office Without Fighting Over Aesthetic:
- Choose a shared color palette – Keep it cohesive, but let each of you personalize your desk space.
- Plants – They make the room feel alive (and slightly less like a command center).
- Art and inspiration boards – Just make sure yours doesn’t offend the other. Some of us are sensitive to motivational quotes, okay?
My desk? All neutral tones and cozy textures. My partner’s? RGB keyboard and a giant gaming mousepad. We coexist, somehow.
Optimize Tech Like a Boss
In a dual home office, bad tech setups = chaos. You’ll need to invest in some solid gear.
Essentials for a Smooth Setup:
- Power strips with USB – Because outlet wars are real.
- Wi-Fi booster – Nothing kills productivity like “Can you hear me now?”
- Cable management tools – Velcro ties, cable boxes, or even binder clips can clean up the chaos.
- Shared printer/scanner – Just don’t put it in someone’s legroom. Learned that one the hard way.
Honestly, half the battle is just keeping the cords from forming their own civilization under your desk.
Don’t Forget Comfort
You’re gonna spend hours in this room—don’t treat your chair like an afterthought.
Comfort Upgrades Worth Every Penny:
- Adjustable ergonomic chairs – No, your dining chair is not good enough.
- Footrests – Weirdly underrated. Keeps your posture in check.
- Wrist supports – If you type a lot, your future self will thank you.
Also, throw in a cozy blanket and maybe a mini heater/fan depending on who controls the thermostat. Office temperature wars are very real.
Final Thoughts: Can Two People Really Share a Small Home Office?
Short answer? Yes.
Long answer? Yes—but only if you plan it right, communicate often, and remember that personal space is sacred, even in 100 square feet.
You’ll probably bicker about who stole the last pen. You’ll absolutely need to adjust your setup over time. But you can create a functional, beautiful, and (mostly) peaceful office together.
And hey—if it all goes south, there’s always the backyard shed, right? 😉
Now it’s your turn.
Have a killer small home office setup for two? Or a horror story of sharing a desk with your partner? Drop it in the comments or share a pic—I promise I’ll be both supportive and mildly nosy.
Happy co-working, friend. 💻🪴