I admire couples that can work from home together and not strangle each other by the end of the day. It’s not that I’m unreasonable, bitchy or territorial (at least not all of the time), but there’s no way I could stand to share an office with a spouse. Period.
Part of the reason is that I’m from a family of five kids which makes me want my own space, my own supplies and as much privacy as possible. I like working by myself in a quiet home office.
The other part is that too much of a good thing can be bad. You may adore your spouse, but if you spend every day and night with him or her, you may drain the fun out of your business and your relationship.
If you’re still willing to work with your spouse, there are a few ways to keep the peace so no one considers hiring a hit man by the end of the day.
Buy duplicate supplies.
No one likes to reach for a stapler and realize it’s on someone else’s desk or in another room. Get creative and buy two sets of office supplies in different colors. While you’re buying extra supplies for your spouse, pick up more sets for the rest of your family.
Use separate equipment.
There’s nothing wrong with cutting costs, but sharing a computer will cost you more than money. It can affect your working relationship, and more importantly, your productivity. Whether you use a desktop and your spouse uses a laptop, each of you should have your own equipment. If one of you prints more often than the other, you may want to have two printers. Otherwise, share one.
Leave the room when you need to take a call.
Unless you can talk quietly and not bother your spouse while he or she is in the office, leave the room during a call. Another option is to use a headset and of course, talk quieter. It’s a good idea to leave your desk throughout the day anyway, so why not leave during a call?
Use separate workspaces.
Whether you use two desks, or install a long counter with enough room for two people to work, keep your workspaces separate. This is especially true if you have two different working styles. Someone who is a packrat will drive a perfectionist crazy with piles of paper, cups of coffee and the leftovers from his or her last snack. The perfectionist will do the same thing by complaining about the mess and throwing things away without asking.
Compromise on the temperature.
You may like the office to be as cold as a meat locker, but not everyone likes to wear three sweaters, a hat, and gloves to work. Consider using a fan for your side of the room and keep the thermostat at a reasonable temperature.
Working with a spouse can be the perfect arrangement for some couples and a recipe for disaster for others. In fact, I’m a firm believer in everyone working together, but not always in the same space.
My partner and I have both worked at home for more years than I care to remember, but we have always had our own spaces and often spend hours working separately. But we make each other coffee and lunch – actually, it’s usually me because I get hungry sooner, and if I waited for Andy I’d be gnawing the chair leg before it arrived!
But even so we still sometimes think we’re both at home too much, and this is an additional reason to go out and work elsewhere. Then we have news to share when we get back and appreciate each other more
Judy Heminsley recently posted..Managing emotions when home working
You have the perfect arrangement! Not only do you have a great working relationship, the small things you do for each other — having someone make lunch is the best — make a difference in your personal relationship too. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who has an internal lunch clock.
Lisa recently posted..Working With a Spouse While Working From Home
Not only have I never shared an office space (with anyone, I might add), we actually worked on different levels. I like things COLD. She (when there was a she) liked things HOT.
I love the radios on (yes, two of them, to different stations). She loves things quiet.
That alone should explain it!
RAAckerman @ Cerebrations.biz recently posted..Stem Cell Hopes
Yes, Roy, that explains it all.
Plus, you’re definitely not alone. It’s hard to adjust to working the way someone else likes to work, especially when it’s opposite of your way. I like things quiet, organized and warm, so I’d make a bad office mate too.
You have an amazing way of concentrating, considering you can listen to two stations at one time. That’s a special skill.
Lisa recently posted..Working With a Spouse While Working From Home
Actually, three is perfect- because, then, I can only spend time with the material in front of me… (My limit in time slicing is 3; give me 4 and one has go away… If it’s three separate vocal discussions, then I tune them all out!)
RAAckerman @ Cerebrations.biz recently posted..Rates and Image
That’s still an incredible skill. Sometimes I can work with the TV on, but only if I’m doing mundane work, not writing.
Lisa recently posted..Working With a Spouse While Working From Home
Temperature. Compromise. Right. I’ll make a note of that. Brrrrrr.
David Leonhardt recently posted..Children of Connecticut (lyrics)
Compromise definitely ranks #1.
Lisa recently posted..Working With a Spouse While Working From Home
My husband has an outside-the-home office and I work part-time there as his personal assistant. On days when we don’t feel like seeing each other, I simply stay home and be a virtual assistant. Works great!
And yes, I should buy a new calculator for him now.
Cham recently posted..The Davao Readers Circle XMas ParTea 2012
I love your arrangement! I think more marriages would stay together if others followed your lead. There’s nothing wrong with being a virtual assistant and working from home, especially when it’s freezing outside.
Lisa recently posted..Working With a Spouse While Working From Home
And thank goodness he doesn’t really bring home work. Otherwise we’ll be fighting over the best working table in the house. Hahaha
Cham recently posted..The Davao Readers Circle XMas ParTea 2012
Good point! The best working table is definitely the most valuable part of any home.
Lisa recently posted..Working With a Spouse While Working From Home
two computers goes without say. I would even insist on having two completely separate rooms, where you cannot even hear each other. Any decent level manager has his own office in the traditional workplace, why wouldn’t you want that when you are working from home too? Not to mention the fact, that you see your spouse after work anyway, why would you even want to be around them 24/7? I don’t think that’s healthy.
Joseph D. Shiller recently posted..Boston Red Sox Baseball Warner Bros Bugs Bunny Looney Tunes Sports Collectible
I couldn’t agree more on all your points. As much as I enjoy spending time with my spouse, too much of a good thing is too much. Good comparison with a manager. Thinking back to my corporate days, I can’t imagine having to share a small office with co-workers!
Lisa recently posted..Working With a Spouse While Working From Home
We have worked from the same office on rare occasions. It really doesn’t work for us because I like background noise and he likes quiet. Sooooooooooo, right off the bat, we are at odds
Martha Giffen recently posted..Join Hands and Ride the HugTrainUSA
I have the reverse situation. If there’s background noise while I’m trying to work, I can’t focus. Two home offices are better than one.
Lisa recently posted..Make Room for the New Year