Though my husband and I each run our own separate businesses, our home is small, so we end up sharing the same office space. It’s tough to share a small office space with someone else – especially when their work is unrelated to yours, so there’s no collaboration. Here are some tips that we found really helpful in making a 
space that works for both of us.
1. Have two work surfaces in the room. Even though our office is small, we managed to have two smallish desks in the room. Mine is a secretary desk and my husband uses a rolltop desk. The best thing about secretary desks and rolltop desks is that they both have small footprints (they don’t take up a whole lot of space) and they also both have a lot of built in organizational units that help us keep our belongings separate. And that brings me to tip number 2.
2. Have two of everything. Okay, maybe not everything. While it may not make sense to have two separate printers and fax machines, you can both have your own separate file cabinets (at least separate file drawers). Having separate stashes of pens, pencils, even scissors and staplers goes a long way into creating a feeling for both people of ownership in their space. Plus, since you both have your own desks, when you have separate supplies and filing systems it means that neither person has to submit to the organizational structure of the other, which solves many fights before they can happen.
3. Go wireless. As much as possible, using wireless devices is going to make your office feel bigger. You can take a call and walk outside the office to complete it. This helps to keep the call private as well as respects the quiet work environment of your office mate. Laptops allow the flexibility to work elsewhere for an afternoon, and wireless printers that mean you won’t constantly be tripping over cords all contribute to the little things that help keep some sanity in your workplace. Going wireless also helps you to…
4. Keep it clean. A clean space is going to help everyone accomplish more. From removing excess wires to having courtesy to throw out food containers (or eat that Chinese takeout elsewhere), a clean environment is going to help you keep your work focused so that you can get the most out of that shared office.