How to Work From Home While Sharing Space With Others

Tips for avoiding unwanted Zoom interruptions and more
A workspace in a home.
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Now that many nonessential businesses and organizations have moved online, many people find themselves newly living the remote lifestyle of WFH (also known as working from home) with no end in sight. While great for social distancing, WFH can pose new challenges when you are sharing a space with others. If you are living with multiple people—whether it is roommates or parents or kids—it can be quite a hassle to arrange a quiet space to work. The question is: When everyone is working from home, how do you manage? I mean the last thing you’d want is to have your kid call you or your partner loudly starting on lunch while you are speaking on a conference call.

I spoke to five experts on how to manage WFH while sharing a space with others. Here’s what they had to say.

Set a schedule

A key step to maintaining order in the household while working from home is establishing a joint schedule. “A visual schedule helps everyone in my household maintain a routine like we normally used to with work or school,” says Elisette Carlson, the founder of SMACK! Media, who has worked from home for 12 years. “It also ensures that there are no surprises with tasks and that everyone is mindful of what each other is doing. In my household, we keep our schedules pretty specific with timing and location of the activity,” she explains. Schedules also help forecast any upcoming plans you may have. For example, maybe organizing a virtual training session at a time when your partner is not on a conference call is your best bet. At the beginning of each week, create a visual schedule on the family fridge or share your virtual calendar so everyone in your living space can learn about your plans.

Alternate collective spaces

Your bedroom is not the best place to work because it can impact your productivity and sleep at night. However, if you live in a small space like I do, it can be hard not to step on everyone’s toes when working outside of the bedroom. Zak Garcia, the chief marketing officer of CBDCapitalGroup, advises schedule coordination to ensure everyone has an opportunity to sit at a desk-style workspace, whether it is a kitchen counter, a dining table, or in an office. However, if you have frequent conference calls, private areas may be the best move to avoid video and audio interruptions. “Alternating workspaces is also integral if there is only one private area to work from, such as a study or a bedroom, especially when holding calls,” he says. Ditch the bedroom when you can, and head over to a desk at least a few times during the workweek!

Create a list of boundaries

In addition to building a shared schedule, it is crucial to have a visual list of boundaries for everyone in the home to follow. Racheal Cook, M.B.A., an entrepreneur who has worked from home for 11 years, recommends a list of specific rules, explaining, “In my household, we have boundaries with my work schedule. One simple rule is if my office door is closed, I’m not to be disturbed.” Other boundaries include being sound conscious when a member of the household is on a conference call or being extra cognizant when someone is taking an online exam. Maintaining these rules around the home workplace is a super-helpful way to guarantee that everyone is respectful and compassionate with each other.

Share lunchtime

Working from home can get pretty busy, and if you have designated work hours, it may be hard to connect with others at home. A lunch break is essential to not only feed yourself, but also to check in with your roommates, partner, kids, and more. “Lunchtime is a good time to break away from a busy work routine and spend time with your loved ones, as you do not get an opportunity to do so at your traditional workplace,” says Shebani Sethi Dalai, M.D., M.S., the director of the Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic at Stanford Medical Center. She advises embracing lunchtime as an opportunity to nourish your brain and boost your energy: “Take the time to eat healthier home meals together with vital nutrients to build optimum brain health.” Grab a healthy meal and sit at the table to power up for the rest of your workday!

Take mental health breaks

During this global pandemic, it is normal to have stress and anxiety about the virus and any new adjustments you’ve had to make, including WFH. “It is important to take mental health breaks when working from home to allow your brain to reset and recharge. While living with others, consider spending some quality time with them during your mental health break, but also remember to take some solo time for self-care.” says Nekeshia Hammond, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist, author, and speaker. “Some activities that can be helpful during mental health breaks include journaling, exercise, or just doing something fun,” says Hammond. Simple acts from a short stroll to an impromptu karaoke session during breaks can truly brighten up your living space and optimize your well-being while you work from home during this tough time.