Some couples get along well in all aspects of their lives together except for one: sharing a home office. One spouse may like keeping papers in files, while the other likes piling papers on the floor. Still one spouse may be fine with one or two work surfaces, while the other needs as many surfaces as possible to store “stuff.”
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t work with your spouse — and I know many people who work together perfectly. Yet some couples say that the reason their business is thriving is because they work in separate home offices.
Consider these questions before you share a home office with your spouse.
- Do you have compatible work styles? Your spouse may like a messy desk while you like to have a clear space to work. Use separate desks to solve or avoid that problem.
- Are your internal clocks synchronized? If you’re a morning person and your spouse likes to stay up late, you may run into problems — including being kept awake by a noisy printer or phone calls. Invest in earplugs, add a door to close off your office (if possible), or convince your spouse to print in the morning.
- Does your home office have to be quiet for you to be productive, while your spouse needs background noise to work? Get him or her a set of headphones. While he or she is enjoying music, you can enjoy a quiet office.
Sharing a home office with your spouse may be the perfect solution for your business, or a bad idea. It’s important to keep in mind that what happens in the bedroom doesn’t necessarily dictate what happens in the boardroom — even if both rooms are in the same house.
Do you share a home office with someone?
My partner and I kinda share an office (our dining room) but it’s big enough that we have enough space for ourselves. We also work different hours, so we don’t bump into each other much and there isn’t much phone work – at least talking. It works for us but I can see how it could be rough! Great insight!
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You have the perfect arrangement and you’re using my favorite space for a home office. So many dining rooms are empty most of the year and are the ideal space for a home office. Thanks for your comment.
Lisa recently posted..Could You and Your Spouse Share a Home Office?
When we first started our business 6 years ago, my wife and I shared a single 10×10 spare bedroom. It worked, but she likes to have music going and I enjoy silence. Then we had one of those ‘duh’ moments and asked why we were sharing the same bedroom when we live in a 4 bedroom house and there are just 2 of us.
Now we each have our own office and it works out great! So while we do share the same office space (our house), we are in different areas that give each of us the space we need. And it beats working in a corporate office!
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I wouldn’t be surprised is your comment inspires others to do the same. Thanks for sharing your story.
Lisa recently posted..Could You and Your Spouse Share a Home Office?
Hi Lisa,
my wife and I work together in our home office in perfect harmony. We have two computers so it isn’t an issue at all even though our internal clocks are not synchronized.
I know that there are people who can’t work with their spouses (at least they say so). I am wondering why they even got married
Thanks for sharing your insights.
Be blessed
Oliver
Oliver Tausend recently posted..How To Promote Your MLM Blog Successfully Part 1
I think that’s a topic for another blog post.
I’m glad you and your wife work well together. For some people, it definitely takes skill and patience.
Lisa recently posted..Could You and Your Spouse Share a Home Office?
My desk is downstairs and my husband has his desk upstairs. We are as far apart as possible! I am a morning person and he is a night owl. My desk tends to be messy and his is neat. I think it is best for us to stay in different spaces.
Thank you for these creative suggestions!
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I agree, Janette. It takes the pressure off each spouse when you don’t have to clean up a mess or put up with one.
Lisa recently posted..Could You and Your Spouse Share a Home Office?
Hi Lisa,
Both my husband and I share an office. We have 2 separate computers and desks at each end of the room, we are both the opposite when it comes to work personalities. John likes to file his papers on the floor and every possible work space he can find, while I’m the neat and tidy one. John is the night owl – I’m the early-bird. John likes noise – I like quiet, while it is sort of working at the moment, we have added a second office in our new house plans
Sue
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Great idea! As I always say, “Two home offices are better than one!”
Lisa recently posted..Could You and Your Spouse Share a Home Office?
When I was married, we never shared office spaces. (And, in our conventional- and home- offices, we were separated by three floors.) I like it loud- she liked it quiet. It made no difference if there were piles or order…
Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. @Cerebrations.biz recently posted..Silence is golden? Not when it comes to creativity!
It definitely makes it easier to live and work in the same house when you have your own home office. You can work when you want and the way you want.
Lisa recently posted..Could You and Your Spouse Share a Home Office?
We have such different styles but we love working together but each of us have our own space. He has his messy office and I have the rest of the house
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You’ve found the secret to a lasting marriage and business partnership…separate spaces. Congrats!
Lisa recently posted..Could You and Your Spouse Share a Home Office?
My husband and I do share a home office, however, he works outside the home. So it works out really nice. When he has paperwork to do, he works at his desk and we are both respectful of each others space. So I have to say, so far so good!!
Lynn Brown recently posted..Taking Action Why You Need to Take the Plunge NOW
Hi Lynn- You have the perfect arrangement! The key word in your comment is respect. More people would be able to share a home office if they respected each other’s space.
Lisa recently posted..Could You and Your Spouse Share a Home Office?
My husband and I shared an office until my grandson was born. He has taken over the office for a nursery (even though he doesn’t live here) and now hubby and I share the kitchen.
We have separate computers, files and responsibilities within the business, though.
What matters is that you’re still able to be productive. I know that my parents make the grandkids their priority so I understand about your grandson taking over your home office.
Lisa recently posted..Could You and Your Spouse Share a Home Office?
My husband and I shared our home office for several months. It took me some getting used to but we soon started enjoying overhearing the other one’s phone calls!
The office turned into a family hangout with our son sitting in the big chair chatting with us.
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You seem to have created the idea work-from-home situation. I love those types of stories!
Lisa recently posted..Could You and Your Spouse Share a Home Office?
My wife works from home full time and I am only part time stay home –I spend half of my work time outdoors. We share the same home office but she is in total control since she spends more time on it. I wonder what would happen in the future since I am planning going full time home worker. I will take your pieces of advice very seriously.
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If you can work together well in the same office and there’s room, add another desk. If not, find a room in your home that you don’t use often (dining room and formal living room) and set up your home office in there. Another option is to work in the office at separate times, if possible.
Lisa recently posted..How to Create a Client-Ready Home Office
It can be tricky to find the right space for separate working. I helped a client to transform a seldom used spare bedroom into a study by replacing double bed with futon… The effect was wonderful and they’d never considered doing it that way!
That’s a great idea. Sometimes the perfect space for a home office is the least obvious place. The room can still do double-duty but no doubt it’s used more often than before.
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