How to Share a Home Office

With more people leaving the workforce to start their own home businesses, many couples are finding the need to share office space in their home. While it may not be the ideal situation, there are several ways to make it work so that both of you get the work done.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. If at all possible, have separate desks. This will give each one of you the opportunity to be in the office working at the same time. If you must use a shared desk, make sure you have plenty of separate storage space so paperwork, files, books, equipment and supplies don't get intermingled.

2. Depending on the type of work being done, you might need to make arrangements to be in the office at different times. If you need quiet to concentrate on your computer work and your spouse spends all his office time on the phone, you should schedule your time accordingly. Maybe you spend mornings in the office and your spouse spends afternoons.

3. Agree on what type of equipment you will be using. If you are going to share a printer, for example, make sure it is the type of printer that will suit both of your needs. If one person prints lots of graphics and the other does mostly written documents, the printer should be able to handle both tasks equally.

4. Keep your files separate with separate filing cabinets or at least separate drawers. You should never have to wonder where your file is and you should never have to look through the other person's desk or files to find your things.

Tips & Warnings

• Working together and sharing space is not easy. If things get a little tense, you both need to make adjustments and compromises. Remember that working from home can be profitable. Just don't let it add to the stress.