A shared office works for different kinds of setups. Some siblings work from home and want to turn an extra room into a home office. Sometimes, couples who are starting want a cost-efficient home office and decide to share a working area.
Creating a conducive workspace requires careful planning and consideration of the preferences of the persons involved in the shared office. Both parties must be willing to compromise so that they can get the best out of their collaborative workspace.
This blog post will share tips on how to develop your co-working space, the must-have elements and shared desks from Agile Office Furniture that can help you achieve the work of your dreams.
Table of Contents
5 Practical Tips in Developing a Shared Home Office
3 Collaborative Workspace Designs to Try
Finest Shared Desk Solutions in New Zealand
Conclusion
5 Practical Tips in Developing a Shared Home Office
Designing a collaborative workspace is not too complicated a task that you have to hire an interior designer for. But you will need to spend a considerable amount of time conceptualising what furniture will work best for your space and the best arrangement for them.
Apart from that, you will also have to consider other elements such as lighting and storage. Here are 5 tips to guide you in setting up your joint home workspace.
Divide your work area into zones
Having distinct zones is a great way to set boundaries and differentiate personal spaces. Don’t take it literally, though. You don’t need to separate your areas with painted lines or physical partitions.
This can be agreed on mutually depending on how you divide the desk, storage area and other fixtures. Suppose one of you only needs a laptop and printer while the other one needs to work using a desktop. That means a larger space is needed for the one working on the desktop.
This first step is essential in determining what things you are willing to compromise so you can set up a joint working area.
Maintain the distinction between personal and work stuff
Sustaining focus and productivity while working at home can be challenging since the presence of personal comfort is just within reach. Additionally, seeing your work supplies all over the house can make you feel disorganised and will make it difficult for you to unplug after work hours.
Using proper storage units such as shelves, drawers and mobile cabinets will help you keep your work supplies and equipment from being scattered in other areas of your home. Your work will be mainly confined inside your office and you will have a proper space to unwind after your log out.
Make sure outlets and cable lines are within reach
When working from home, we always need an outlet near us since laptops or phones need to be charged. One thing we are all trying to avoid is to be disconnected in the middle of a virtual meeting because our laptop’s battery died!
We also need to ensure that the outlet is at an optimal position that will not cause cords and cable wires to stretch out beyond its maximum capacity. Having individual access to these fixtures will also mean you will not disturb your partner while both of you are working.
Invest in noise-reduction items
Work noise can come in different forms - phone calls, meetings, keyboard clicks. Even though it is part of our work routine, these sounds can become noise if unregulated and may have a negative impact on people who are in the shared space.
To lessen the disturbance that your work noise makes to each other, it would be a good idea to use noise-canceling headphones so you will not be easily distracted when one of you has a meeting.
You may also want to consider soundproof partitions that also double as a divider.
Ensure that your work furniture is ergonomic
Working in a shared space already means that both your spaces are limited. In some cases, there will be inadequate room to move around.
Hence, it’s essential to use ergonomic furniture like standing desks, shared desks, and chairs with lumbar support. Consider using quality standing desks that can be adjusted to different heights. These desks allow you to switch between sitting and standing positions throughout the day.
When choosing shared desks, opt for ones that provide ample workspace and legroom for both you and your co-worker. Also, adjustable chairs with armrests can further enhance your sitting posture and reduce strain on your shoulders.
Regularly assess and adjust your workspace setup to ensure it continues to meet your ergonomic needs and support your well-being as you collaborate in a shared workspace.
3 Collaborative Workspace Designs to Try
As remote work redefines our daily routines, cultivating an environment that caters to collaboration while respecting personal boundaries has become paramount. In the quest to strike this balance, exploring innovative workspace designs proves to be rewarding.
Sit/Stand Workstation
Using an adjustable shared desk means that both of you are free to adjust the desk to a sitting or standing height depending on your preferences. There is also enough distance between a shared desk so that you don’t overlap with each other’s personal work area.
Furthermore, many adjustable shared desks come with a silent motor so this feature lessens the additional noise that may distract both parties.
Dual Panoramic Style
A clever idea for your shared home workspace is setting up two wide views, which helps bring in lots of natural light and reduce annoying screen reflections. This setup is conducive for couples working together from home.
Also, it's important to mention that this arrangement works well in small spaces.
Maximizing the Apartment Loft
If your living space features a loft area, it can be transformed into a functional and inspiring collaborative workspace.
Lofts often offer an elevated vantage point within your home, providing a sense of separation from the rest of the living areas. This natural division can help create a distinct work environment, enhancing focus and productivity.
Finest Shared Desk Solutions in New Zealand
As the work landscape evolves, finding the perfect balance between teamwork and individual productivity becomes paramount. Our curated collection showcases the most exceptional and adaptable shared desk solutions, each carefully designed to enhance efficiency, foster collaboration, and elevate the overall work experience.
Cubit Double Sided Desk 2 Person
This open-plan system is modular, easy to install, and adaptable to various workplace layouts.
With a straightforward frame structure featuring cantilever centre legs, the system allows for effortless expansion by adding desks in pairs following the initial purchase.
The worktops are made from sturdy 25mm scalloped material finished in white melamine, complemented by a 2mm PVC edge for durability and aesthetics.
Anvil Double Sided Desk 2 Person
Our versatile modular desk system is tailor-made for open-plan workspaces, offering flexible configurations to accommodate 2, 4, 6, or more individuals. Opt for the ideal fit with two worktop sizes: 1500x800mm or 1800x800mm. The straightforward frame design, featuring cantilever center legs, facilitates seamless expansion by adding desks in pairs.
The worktops themselves boast commercial-grade 25mm scalloped panels in white melamine, complete with a durable 2mm PVC edge. For enhanced organization, optional under-desk cable baskets are also at your disposal.
Summit II Fixed Height Back-to-Back Desk
A sleek 720mm fixed-height desk featuring a NZ-made top with a matching PVC edge. Its recyclable rectangular frame, powder-coated for durability, includes cable access via a scallop in the top and an integrated cable tray.
Summit II Electric Back-to-Back Desk
With an expansive height range of 620-1270mm, this desk accommodates a wide spectrum of preferences. Equipped with two robust motors, it effortlessly adjusts at a swift and silent pace of 30mm per second. The convenience of three programmable height settings, accessible through an LCD, empowers you to personalize your workspace perfectly.
Conclusion
The concept of a shared home office presents a versatile solution to various working arrangements, whether siblings turning an extra room into a collaborative workspace or couples seeking a cost-effective yet efficient working area. Crafting a productive shared workspace necessitates thoughtful planning and a willingness to compromise, creating an environment where both parties can thrive.
