How to Designate Workspaces When You and Your Adult Child Work from Home

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The shift to remote work has been a game-changer for many families, but it also brings its own set of challenges—especially when multiple people are working from home. For parents and adult children living together, the concept of personal space becomes increasingly important. When you’re both balancing the demands of your jobs, finding ways to designate workspaces is essential to maintaining productivity, reducing distractions, and preserving your relationships.

If you're figuring out how to carve out designated workspaces at home, here’s a guide to help you make the most of your space, enhance your productivity, and keep the peace.

1. Assess Your Home’s Layout and Available Space

Before you start designating workspaces, take a good look at your home’s layout and available space. Consider how much room you have and where you can create quiet, functional areas for both you and your adult child to work. Are there unused rooms that can be turned into offices? Can a corner of the living room, kitchen, or dining area be re-purposed as a workspace?

It’s important to make the most of the space you have. If you have separate rooms, that’s ideal, but if you’re working with shared spaces, be creative. Look for corners, nooks, or even repurposed furniture that can help define personal work zones.

2. Establish Clear Boundaries for Each Workspace

Once you've assessed your available space, the next step is to establish clear boundaries for each workspace. If you're sharing a room or open area, make sure both you and your adult child have defined areas for work. Use physical boundaries such as bookshelves, room dividers, or even different furniture setups to distinguish each person’s space.

For example, if the dining room doubles as a work area, you could place a partition or set up a table for each person. It helps psychologically to know that when you’re in your space, it’s time to work—just like when you're in an office setting.

3. Create Work Zones Based on Work Needs

Different jobs come with different workspace needs. When designating spaces, take into consideration the specific requirements of each person’s work. Does your adult child need a space for video conferencing, or is their work more hands-on and requires plenty of materials? Do you need a quiet, distraction-free zone for calls and focus time?

When assigning spaces, think about:

• Privacy: If video calls are a big part of your job, it’s crucial to find a space that ensures privacy.
• Noise levels: If one person requires complete silence, try to position them away from areas with high foot traffic or background noise.
• Ergonomics: Make sure both spaces have appropriate furniture (desks, chairs) to promote comfort and productivity. This is especially important if both of you will be working for long hours each day.

4. Define a “Do Not Disturb” Signal

In a shared workspace, it’s important to respect each other’s time and focus. When one of you is in a meeting or needs deep focus, it’s essential to avoid unnecessary interruptions. Create a simple, visual “do not disturb” signal to let the other person know when you need uninterrupted time.

This could be as simple as:

• A closed door (if applicable)
• Headphones in or a specific signal like a “busy” sign on the desk or a specific color flag on a shared noticeboard
• A verbal agreement on hours when meetings or focus time are expected to prevent distractions

5. Take Advantage of Technology for Virtual Boundaries

If you both rely on technology for work, it’s helpful to set up virtual boundaries to prevent overlap during virtual meetings or conference calls. For example:

• Coordinate meeting schedules so that you don’t have two Zoom meetings happening at the same time in adjacent spaces.
• Use noise-cancelling headphones for video calls to block out background noise.
• Set “meeting times” in your shared digital calendar, so both of you know when the other will need quiet.

Technology can play a crucial role in making your home office arrangement more efficient and respectful of each person’s need for uninterrupted work time.

6. Organize Shared Resources

In addition to creating designated workspaces, it’s essential to organize shared resources such as office supplies, printers, or communal areas like the kitchen and living room. Work from home means more shared tools and space, and setting up a system for who uses what and when can reduce conflict.

For example, you might have a communal printer or filing cabinet. If it’s something that both you and your adult child need to access, make sure you establish clear usage times or create a way to organize documents so no one’s items get mixed up.

7. Rotate Common Areas for Breaks

It’s not all about work—when you’re both working from home, you’ll need time to recharge and relax. Designate common areas for breaks, but keep in mind that these should be separate from your actual workspace. For example, if the living room is shared, set times when both of you can use it for a break, but avoid using it during the workday as a relaxation zone for extended periods.

Consider setting aside specific hours or days to switch from your workspace to a communal space for breaks. This allows you to recharge and decompress without having to leave the house, and it gives the other person a chance to utilize that space as well.

8. Consider Flexible Work Hours

Not every person’s work schedule will align perfectly with someone else’s, especially when both you and your adult child are working from home. One way to ease tension and make the most of your space is by staggering work hours. This might not always be possible, but if your work schedules are flexible, try to coordinate when each person is in their designated workspace.

For example, if you have back-to-back meetings and your adult child prefers to work quietly in the morning, you might consider rearranging your hours to work around each other’s needs. This makes the shared environment less crowded and gives everyone more flexibility.

9. Designate Family Time

Work from home can blur the lines between professional and personal time. It’s important to make sure you and your adult child carve out time to relax and reconnect, especially in the same space. Even though your work areas are designated, plan for moments of family time—whether it’s having lunch together, watching a movie, or doing an activity as a family.

Designating times when both of you can relax and disconnect from work will help prevent burnout and maintain a strong family bond, especially when living under the same roof.

10. Review and Adjust Regularly

Living and working under one roof with your adult child is an ongoing adjustment. Your work needs, space, and priorities may change over time. Review the workspace arrangement regularly to ensure it’s still working for everyone. If conflicts arise or space feels too cramped, sit down together and make adjustments as necessary.

Open, honest conversations about how the space is working (or not working) for both parties will keep things harmonious and productive. Flexibility and communication are key to making your shared workspace arrangement a long-term success.

Final Thoughts:

Designating workspaces when you and your adult child are working from home can help create a more organized, productive, and harmonious environment. By clearly defining spaces, respecting each other’s work needs, and using smart strategies to stay organized, you can balance both your professional and personal lives while still maintaining a strong family relationship.

Remember, the goal is to make your living and working situation work for everyone, fostering respect, focus, and productivity without sacrificing your connection as a family. With thoughtful planning and open communication, you can enjoy the benefits of working from home together.