Choosing a Home for Two People Working from Home: Is One Desk Enough?

If two people are working from home, simply having space for two desks may not be enough. Meetings at the same times, different working patterns and plans for using shared spaces all have an impact. Before you start looking for a property, write down what a typical working day looks like for you.

Meeting times

If two people are speaking at the same time, visually separate corners may not be sufficient in terms of acoustics. Assess the door, room layout and shared walls. Remember that a brief, quiet walk-through does not accurately represent actual working hours. Consider seeking an expert assessment for critical acoustic requirements.

Desk placement

Screen glare, the background visible to the camera and doorways are important. Leave space for chair movement and access to cupboards. Does the workspace become part of the home’s main circulation route? The suitability of the same desk for two different work set-ups should be assessed separately.

Connectivity

Confirm with your internet provider what connection can be set up. The location of the modem and the connections reaching the rooms are separate issues. Do not assume that the wireless network will perform equally well in every room. If your work is highly dependent on the internet, plan for an alternative connection arrangement as well.

Electricity and equipment

Make a note of the socket locations. Do not treat plugging multiple devices into extension leads haphazardly as a permanent solution. Have a qualified electrician assess the necessary infrastructure. Include space for a printer, headphones and document storage in your plan. Do not treat electrical safety as merely a matter of décor.

Home after work

If the desk encroaches on the dining area, consider the evening layout. Can one person work whilst the other relaxes? Every household has different boundaries. Write down your priorities regardless of the number of rooms.

Decision exercise: Visualise two simultaneous meetings, a lunch break and an evening rest separately. Sharing these scenarios with Buy Best Villa creates a more concrete need than simply saying ‘we need a study’.

Further reading

You can find further information on this topic in the guide Internet and fibre broadband subscriptions: how to transfer your connection when moving house?.