Double Desk Workstations for Shared Home Offices
By Robert David Orr / Last updated: Nov 16, 2022
With so many of us working from home, it’s not uncommon to see couples and family members sharing home offices these days. It’s important to design a shared home office space with plenty of space for each person. Creating a home office with a double office desk home office design can do wonders for your productivity and general sanity and everyone can get stuff done!
A shared home office can feature two separate desks or one desk that is designed for two people. A two-person office desk features plenty of surface space and plenty of legroom for each person. Any shared office must have plenty of space for each person to work.
Living and working together can get old quickly if your office is in a cramped, compact space unsuitable for sharing. Fortunately, there are ways you can ensure your double desk home office is comfortable for two, even if you don’t have many feet of floor space you have to work with.
Real quick before we get too far into this: if you want to get more great ideas for your home office and connect with other home office hackers to make your space the best join my free private Facebook group, Home Office Hacks here.
Double Workstations for Shared Home Offices
There are all kinds of office designs with two-person desks or two-person workspaces. Office ideas for two must have the following items:
- Desk space for both people
- Chairs for both people
- Room to move for both people
- Computers for both people
- Storage space for both people
How you go about implementing those items into the space is up to you and your office partner.
Whether these workspaces are built-in to the wall, convertible desks, homemade desks, collapsible tabletops, or shared basic desks built for two, the key is having adequate space and storage for each person.
A great example of a shared home office for two is Lisa Linh’s Ikea desk hack shown here:
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/506021708141210945/
With long countertops and sturdy cabinets, a beautiful double desk is easy to create. Additionally, the perks of DIYing your own desk out of separate pieces is that you have total control over the aesthetic and you can create a double desk that you and your partner both love.
- A couple of long tabletops can sit side-by-side to create a desktop for two.
- Cabinets can be used to hold up a sturdy tabletop instead of desk legs. These will add additional storage space for both people using the home office.
- Cabinets should be as deep as the tabletop is wide to ensure complete support.
Another IKEA example by Forever Amber can be seen below:
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/434527064049806882/
L-Shaped Double Desks
Maybe you don't want to sit right next to the person with whom you share your home office. L-shaped desks are perfect if you have enough feet of floor space to spare. With L-shaped shared desks, both parties should have enough room to get move around in their chairs.
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/12173861484307734/
A large L-shaped office desk set up against a corner can fit two people who might want to work back-to-back, rather than side-by-side. If the two sides of the L are long enough, swivel chairs can roll in and out of the desk space with ease.
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/75646468732785743/
A different take on the L-shaped desk is what's called a T-shaped desk. A t-shaped desk looks like two L-shaped desks placed next to one another, but really, it's its own shape entirely.
A T-shaped desk is like one long desktop with a protruding perpendicular tabletop in the middle. It acts as a shared horizontal workspace for both people in the office. It can also act as extra space for storage, such as for a basket of office supplies, or as a display space.
T-shaped desks are easy to DIY. You can simply add a separate table to the middle of your long desktops, such as a console table or a dining table, or you can build a perpendicular tabletop into your shared desk design.
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/6473993203487880/
Design options for this are endless. You can get creative with storage cabinets and office furniture, depending on how you and your counterpart want to utilize the center tabletop.
Quick facts: Jerry & Maggie – Desktop Organizer Office Storage Rack Adjustable Wood Display Shelf | Birthday Gifts – Toy – Home Decor | – Free Style Rotation Display – True Natural Stand Shelf White Wood Tone
- Material of natural wood , definitely no pungent scent – non-toxic | green healthy life style | sturdy board
- Composition of two main parts – the position and the distance between two parts can be adjusted and rotated to best fit your needs – a great decoration at home or office
Quick facts: Jerry & Maggie – Desktop Organizer Office Storage Rack Adjustable Wood Display Shelf | Birthday Gifts – Toy – Home Decor | – Free Style Rotation Display – True Natural Stand Shelf White Wood Tone
- Material of natural wood , definitely no pungent scent – non-toxic | green healthy life style | sturdy board
- Composition of two main parts – the position and the distance between two parts can be adjusted and rotated to best fit your needs – a great decoration at home or office
Quick facts: Safco Products 3244BL Onyx Mounted Under-Desk Hanging Storage, Convenient Organization, Ideal for Sit-Stand Workstations, Black, “10.25””w x 12.37″”d x 7.25″”h”
- INSPIRED STORAGE. Ideal for use with sit-stand workstations and standing desks, the Onyx Mounted Under-Desk Storage Unit hangs below your desktop to help keep essential items within easy reach and reduce work surface clutter.
- QUALITY BUILD. With a lightweight but sturdy steel wire and mesh construction and scratch-resistant black powder coat finish, the Onyx Mounted Under-Desk Storage Unit offers long-lasting durability in a variety of active office environments.
Finally, U-shaped desks are similar to both L-shaped and T-shaped desks. U-shaped desks are like two corner desks that meet. They tend to take up quite a bit of space, but they offer room for two people to move around without one another's office furniture getting in the way.
For a U-shaped desk to work, you'll need to have a whole lot of room to spare. U-shaped desks basically require a dedicated room, like a guest bedroom, especially when they are going to be used for multiple people. A one-person U-shaped desk can be small and compact, but a two-person U-shaped desk requires length and width to contend with the unusual traffic that comes along with multiple chairs rolling around.
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/389631805245762695/
Since the scale these two-person desks require is quite large, you will likely find yourself DIYing such an expansive workspace, rather than buying the perfect U-shaped desk for two.
Two-Person Desk Options
If DIY isn't your thing, or if you need a dual workstation desk sooner rather than later, you're in luck. Just because there are millions of creative people on Pinterest doesn't mean you have to pull out your table saw and get to building your very own desk from scratch.
You'll find an easy-to-assemble, multipurpose desk option without much trouble. Popular options are those by Tribesigns:
Quick facts: Tribesigns Two Person Desk with Storage Shelves
- GREAT TWO PERSON DESK DESIGN – Choosing the right two person desk for your office or home office can be pretty challenging, but Tribesigns double workstation computer desk will be a great solution for you and your partner, the 94.5 Inch – Length size allows 2 person to work side by side without compromising on space , the simple modern style and spacious side-by-side workspace that makes it’s space-saving and much more effective.
- POWERFUL STORAGE FUNCTION – A large desktop surface with a storage cabinet and two CPU stand shelves will provide ample storage space to hold books, your laptop or desktop PC and all of your office accessories confidently, keeps your things organized and easily accessible. It also could work as computer desk,computer table,writing desk,office desk, training table, dining table, meeting table, exhibition table etc just like you want.
Quick facts: Tribesigns Two Person Desk with Hutch
- This two person computer desk is the perfect choice to share the same workspace and working resources side by side with your partner; Works-paces are nicely separated, divided by a convenient middle shelves, great for preventing distractions or excessive work sharing
- This double workstation computer desk is a combination of two desks, monitor stand and storage shelf, construct a comfort at home workstation; Perfect for children’s bedrooms, classrooms, study carrels, office and crowded works paces, can be served as a computer table, office workstation, study table, writing desk or gaming desk
Quick facts: Tribesigns Two Person Desk with Bookshelf
- Choosing the right two person desk for your office or home office can be pretty challenging, but Tribesigns double workstation computer desk will be a great solution for you and your partner. There are three installation ways to create different uses: extra large two person desk, double face to face workstation, single face to face desk with bookshelf.
- The 90 Inch – Length size and three different installation allow 2 person to work side by side without compromising on space or you can sit face to face with your partner at the both side or the same side of bookshelf; The unique bookshelf design provide spacious space for storage while create two non-interference independent workspace that makes it’s space-saving and much more effective.
Many double desk options, like the Bestier L-Shaped Desk, are convertible so you have a say in how your desk looks, even if you don’t build it yourself.
Quick facts: Bestier L-Shaped Desk
- The dimension of the L shaped desk is 60″x 55″x30″(L*W*H), which can accommodate up to 2-3 computer monitors, printers, books, and papers. It will be an ideal workstation for a home office or a space-saving union table for working and studying.
- Spacious home office desk for 1 person but works for 2 without interference when in the vertical form! L-shaped design helps make full use of corners in a room. You can switch the cabinet to either of two sides as your wish, making sure your home office activities are efficient and convenient.
Two Separate Desks in One Home Office
Now that I've covered multiple variations of desks that feature double workstations, I want to go over other options for two people who want to work in the same home office. It's also simple to create a home office for two by using two separate desks in the same office space.
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/22166223156934969/
If you have many feet of floor space to use as your home office, such as an entire dedicated home office room, your double workstation desk options are pretty much endless. You can have dual spaces, both outfitted with beautiful desks and plenty of storage space.
Some couples choose to have their chairs back-to-back, while others choose to have their desks pushed together with their monitors back-to-back. Both of these options are conducive to solitude and privacy, provided that each person uses a desktop computer rather than a laptop.
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/109141990960079511/
Notice how Pinterest user Jolimanoli's double workstation desk is actually two desks pushed together. Each side has its own IKEA Alex cabinet for storage and you can see more storage shelves in the background.
Additionally, both desks have access to a large window for natural light. Natural light is crucial for a pleasant home office space, regardless of how many people plan to use it.
When you go with the two-desks-in-one-room option, you can choose whatever desks you want! If you prefer symmetry, you and your officemate can get the same desk, of course. But, if you don't mind a bit of mixing and matching, you can even go with different desks.
Whether your desks are pushed up against one another, spaced far apart, or even floating on the wall, using two separate desks often gives you more leeway when it comes to saving space in your office environment.
Quick facts: CubiCubi Study Computer Desk 47″ Home Office Writing Small Desk, Modern Simple Style PC Table, Black Metal Frame, Rustic Brown
- Meet more needs：Storage bag and hook are added based on the basic computer desk
- Sturdy and Durable：Use triangle iron and diagonal scaffold braces to connect the frame
Quick facts: soges Home Office Desk 55 inches Computer Desk,Morden Style Desk with Shelves Worksation Desk, Storage Desk Black DZ012-140-H
- With a 2-layer open shelf on each side of the 55 inch computer desk, you can place accessories like headphone, books, file pocket etc. This modern storage desk could make your things well organized, keep your desktop clean and tidy.
- Overall size of this craft table: L55 x W23.6 x H29.5 inch, it’s the perfect size for your PC or Laptop. Modern and contemporary looking perfectly blends in your home office.
Quick facts: Giantex Wall Mounted Desk Floating Computer Desk, Writing Study Table W/3 Storage Shelves, Laptop PC Table for Living Room, Bedroom, Office (Black)
- Space-Saving & Concise Design◇ This working desk with smart design can be mounted on the wall to save space. Without too much elaborate ornamentation, the desk is in a concise and contemporary style. Not only it can provide more space in a room but also suitable for your office, study, bedroom or living room.
- Labor-Saving & Prevent Hurting◇ You can mount this cabinet at any height with metal accessories. Once it is hung up, you don’t need to clean the desk around by bending or crouching. Two legs of this desk are in tilting design to prevent bumping into furniture legs effectively.
Quick facts: Milano 47 Inch Home & Office Computer Desk with 3 Detachable Locked Drawers – Cass Walnut/Black
- This is a great office desk that is minimal and simple, with strong, clean lines and without a hint of excess, a perfect choice for someone who wants to create a serene work environment in their home office. Dimensions: 47” L x 23.5” W x 29.5” H
- The versatility and functional use are endless with this modern desk. Whether situated in the home office space, study, bedroom, living room area, entryway or dorm room the options are limitless.
Quick facts: Bush Furniture Key West 60W L Shaped Desk, Washed Gray
- Durable work surface offers plenty of room to spread out with a computer, paperwork and more
- Fully finished back allows your office desk to look great facing any direction
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/8303580548168526/
Storage Solutions for Two-Person Home Offices
If you choose a desk with drawers, you might think you have enough storage. But, you’re probably going to realize that your home office for two lacks organization if you don’t have other storage solutions you can both use. That’s especially true if you opt for desks that don’t even include shelves.
So, consider adding plenty of shelving into your shared home office. Standalone bookshelves, floating shelves, filing cabinets, or a modular cubby space suitable for your storage needs can all do the trick.
If you don’t have a ton of room to spare, don’t be hesitant to go vertical with shared storage rather than taking up a bunch of feet of floor space and creating a cramped, claustrophobic home office that might make you and your partner both a bit miserable.
Hombazaar Modern Industrial Bookshelf: Placing an open bookshelf in between your two desks can give you both easy access to the items on the shelves.
Quick facts: Hombazaar Modern Industrial Bookshelf
- Give a touch of modernism to your contemporary space with the addition of our industrial bookshelf. The wood grain panel and black metal frame creates a striking visual contrast, showing a minimalist style. Geometric carved decorations are simple and elegant, making your living room full of art.
- This bookshelf with storage shelves can provide enough space to meet your daily storage needs. The 5-tier open shelves make full use of the space for you to display books, CDs, collectibles, family portraits, toys, crafts,books. Both decoration and storage functions make your room elegant, concise, and organized.
GWH Industrial Pipe Shelving: Wall-mounted shelving keeps floor space free.
Quick facts: GWH Industrial Pipe Shelving
- Iron&wood
- 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐃 𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐃: The Industrial Pipe Shelvings are entirely made of natural wood. We never use MDF, PB, or composite wood. 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐥 – Increases the pipe’s durability, scratch resistance, and rust and oxidation resistance. It can be used both indoors and outdoors.
INVIE Lateral File Cabinet: You might be able to share a filing cabinet, or you can get two and place them side by side or throughout the room.
Quick facts: INVIE Lateral File Cabinet
- Attention: This product is shipped in 2 boxes. Deep and spacious 3 drawers on full-extension ball-bearing slides with side-to-side hang rails. The hanger rod can be moved and adjusted, thus this filing cabinet can accommodate Legal size ,Letter size, A4 folders flexibly
- White office drawer is made of metal construction for long lasting durability. The office lateral cabinet top bears up to 330lbs And every drawer weight capacity is around 110lbs. 28.1”L x 17.7”W surface can hold your printer, files, documents, decorations. The locking cabinet provides plenty of storage space for home office supplies
However you decide to design your home office for two, use each inch of space wisely. Be sure that each person using the home office has enough space to work comfortably without feeling cramped or crowded.
Next Steps
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