7 Tips for Working Remotely with Roommates or Family, From HubSpot Marketers

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced companies to go remote in 2020, many of us found ourselves suddenly sharing our living spaces with new "coworkers."

Significant others became office mates, dining room tables turned into shared desks, and video calls got a lot more entertaining with surprise cameos from kids, pets, and roommates.

Two years later, 58% of American workers now have the option to work remotely at least one day a week, while 35% can work from home full-time, according a McKinsey survey. For many, this means continuing to navigate the challenges of working in close quarters with roommates, family members, or significant others.

"Even when you get along great with the people you live with, trying to be productive in a shared space with a full house can make you want to pull your hair out some days," says Clint Fontanella, a Senior Blog Manager at HubSpot who worked remotely with his wife and two young kids for most of 2020.

While sharing your home workspace comes with perks like midday coffee chats and puppy cuddles between Zoom calls, it can also introduce unique stressors without proper communication and boundaries.

Distractions from your environment can eat into your productive work hours, while a lack of separation between your job and home life can make it tough to relax and recharge during your off time.

Thankfully, many of HubSpot‘s remote employees have found tactics that help them stay sane and productive while working from home with loved ones. Here are their top 7 tips for making remote work, well, work when you‘re cohabitating.

1. Create Separate Workspaces (Even in Small Spaces)

When you‘re sharing a home with other people during the workday, it‘s easy to get in each other‘s way — especially if there are multiple remote workers under one roof. That‘s why carving out dedicated workspaces is so crucial.

"My husband and I both transitioned to working remotely during the pandemic while living in a 650 square foot apartment," says Meg Prater, Senior Marketing Manager at HubSpot. "At first it felt impossible to focus with both of us taking calls and trying to collaborate at the kitchen table, so we got creative with our setup."

Prater and her husband ended up converting a large closet into a mini office where one of them could take calls. They also set up small folding desks in the bedroom and living room so they could alternate spaces throughout the day.

If you don‘t have a full room to dedicate as a home office, try these strategies for creating separation:

• Use room dividers or large furniture to section off part of a room as your workspace
• Set up a folding desk or table in an unused corner, like a breakfast nook or entryway
• Convert a closet into a "cloffice" by mounting a small desk and shelves inside
• Create privacy and block out distracting sounds with a white noise machine or fan

"I also can‘t stress enough how much of a game changer noise-canceling headphones are," adds Prater. "They help you get in the zone even if your ‘office‘ is just a TV tray in the corner of the bedroom."

2. Communicate Expectations and Schedules

Without clear communication about your work schedule and needs, it‘s tough for the people you live with to know when you‘re available and when you need to focus. That‘s why it‘s so important to discuss expectations upfront.

"My biggest piece of advice is to have a conversation with your roommates or family about what your work schedule and communication preferences look like," advises Rebecca White, a Junior Staff Writer on the HubSpot Blog team. "It can feel awkward to tell your roommates they can‘t watch TV in the living room during your weekly team meeting, but it‘s so much better than silently stewing about it and letting resentment build."

Some discussion topics to cover include:

• Your typical work hours and break times
• Upcoming meetings or presentations when you‘ll need extra quiet or privacy
• How you prefer to communicate during the day (chat, text, verbally, etc.)
• Guidelines for using/sharing common spaces like the kitchen table
• Preferences around noise levels and interruptions during work hours
• How you‘ll handle household chores and tasks during the workday

The key is to be upfront about your individual needs while also being open to compromising. You may need to test out a few different arrangements before you land on one that works for everyone.

3. Set Boundaries and Avoid Distractions

It‘s all too easy to get pulled into household tasks or non-work conversations when your office is just steps away from your laundry room or kitchen. In fact, 61% of remote workers say they struggle with domestic distractions during the workday, according to Apollo Technical.

The solution? Set physical and mental boundaries to communicate when you‘re in work mode and minimize interruptions.

"I establish ‘do not disturb‘ hours and communicate those clearly with my partner," says HubSpot Senior Product Marketing Manager Amanda Sibley. "During those hours, I keep my office door closed and my headphones on, so he knows not to interrupt me unless it‘s truly urgent."

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Some other tactics to try:

• Use time blocking or the Pomodoro technique to schedule uninterrupted work sessions
• Invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones to signal when you‘re heads down
• Put up a physical "do not disturb" sign on your desk or door
• Share your calendar with family/roommates so they know when you‘re free vs. busy
• Utilize tools like website blockers or productivity apps to avoid digital distractions

It‘s also important to communicate these boundaries kindly but firmly. Gently remind your roommates or family members of your schedule if interruptions happen, and be willing to have follow-up conversations to reset expectations.

4. Invest in the Right Gear

Not everyone has the luxury of a private home office, but small investments in the right equipment can make a world of difference in your productivity and professionalism.

"Upgraded tech has been a lifesaver for me," says HubSpot Content Marketing Manager Kayla Carmicheal. "I got a ring light, microphone, and laptop stand to boost my video and audio quality on calls, which makes me feel more confident and helps me communicate more effectively with my remote team."

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Some other remote work must-haves:

• Ergonomic chair to prevent back pain and injuries
• Second monitor to expand your digital workspace
• Wireless mouse and keyboard so you can adjust positioning easily
• Laptop stand to bring your screen to eye level
• Portable charger or power bank to avoid battery emergencies
• Planner or task management app to keep you organized

If your company offers a stipend for home office supplies, take advantage of it. It‘s in their best interest to set you up for remote work success too.

5. Schedule Social Time (Both With Coworkers and Roommates)

One of the biggest struggles of remote work is the lack of casual social interactions that happen organically in an office, whether that‘s catching up in the break room or grabbing lunch with a work friend. In fact, 19% of remote employees say loneliness is their biggest challenge, according to Buffer.

When you‘re working from home with loved ones, though, you have built-in socialization to boost your mood and help you feel connected.

"When my roommates and I first started working from home, we made an effort to eat lunch together a few times a week," says HubSpot Blog Staff Writer Jay Fuchs. "Getting that face-to-face interaction and laughing together gave me an energy boost to power through the afternoon."

Just be sure to schedule social time for when it won‘t interfere with work, like a coffee break, lunchtime, or after clocking out for the day. You could also try:

• Going for a walk together on your break
• Having regular roommate dinners or game nights
• Planning weekend activities to look forward to
• Celebrating work wins together with a fun activity or treat

It‘s also important to stay connected with your coworkers virtually. Schedule casual catch-ups over Zoom, participate actively in Slack discussions, and don‘t hesitate to pick up the phone for a quick chat if you‘re feeling isolated.

6. Prioritize Self-Care and Breaks

When you don‘t have a physical separation between your workspace and living space, work tasks can easily bleed into your personal time if you‘re not intentional about disconnecting.

"It‘s so tempting to work through lunch or log back on after dinner when your computer is right there," says Kelly Hendrickson, a Social Media Marketing Manager at HubSpot. "But that‘s a recipe for burnout. I‘ve learned I‘m much more productive overall when I force myself to take breaks and prioritize activities that recharge me."

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Some self-care ideas:

• Take a lunch break away from your desk, ideally with your roommates if schedules allow
• Use a focus app to remind you to take regular screen breaks
• Get some fresh air with a walk around the block
• Do a quick meditation or stretch routine between meetings
• Plan an after-work activity you enjoy like reading, crafting, or working out
• Have an end-of-day ritual that signals it‘s time to log off, like closing your laptop or changing your clothes

Most importantly, remember to take vacation days regularly. It can be tough to unplug if your living space and workspace are one and the same, but taking real time off is critical for avoiding work-from-home burnout.

7. Embrace the Chaos

Even with the best communication and boundaries, there will be days when your work life and home life collide in entertaining ways. Maybe your cat makes a surprise appearance on your video call, or your roommate accidentally interrupts your presentation thinking you‘re on mute.

"While those moments can be stressful in the moment, I try to have a good sense of humor about it," says Annabel Maw, Director of Communications at HubSpot. "Some of my favorite memories from the pandemic are the silly interruptions that reminded me my coworkers are human too. Like the time my boss had to leave a meeting abruptly because her dog got a chocolate bar out of the pantry."

The reality is, remote work is highly inconsistent for most people and each day brings new challenges when you‘re cohabitating. Rather than aiming for perfection, focus on progress.

With good communication, firm boundaries, and a willingness to laugh off the inevitable distractions, you can make working from home with roommates not just manageable, but actually enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

Working remotely with roommates or family is an ongoing learning process that requires equal parts creativity, empathy, and flexibility. While there‘s no one-size-fits all approach, implementing these tips from HubSpot‘s remote work experts can help you stay focused and maintain positive relationships with your housemates.

By communicating openly, setting clear expectations, and prioritizing your mental health, you‘ll be able to capitalize on the perks of working from home without letting the challenges derail your productivity.

It may take some trial and error to find the right rhythms and routines, and there will undoubtedly be some humorous hiccups along the way. But with a good attitude and some strategic boundaries, you can make working remotely work for you—no matter how many "coworkers" you‘re sharing your space with.