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Original poster

Am I unreasonable to resent my husband's work from home desk taking space?

87 replies

TwinkleTwinkleX · 21/09/2026 16:52

I live in a 3 bed flat with husband, 5 year old and 1 year old daughter. We have a big bedroom and 2 other rooms that are fairly small. The plan was for my girls to share a room initially (can fit two beds or bunks) and leave the other room for a play room / dressing room for them. If them sharing doesn’t work out we’ were going to move baby into own room. My husband recently got a new job and annoyingly it’s mainly hybrid (turns out he’ll be working from home most the time)
it’s good because he’ll be able to do school pick ups etc more but he needs a big desk for 2 monitors+ laptop. Am I being unreasonable to find it annoying? I am just not keen on all his work stuff taking over our flat and him not being able to switch off as easily. Also would it be better to put big desk in our bedroom or cram into kids playroom do you think? We spend most the time in lounge so don’t want it there. Any tips for making wfh feel less intrusive and desk that keep things organised but don’t take up so much room/ look nice?

OP posts:
StarPyjamas · 21/09/2026 17:21

Your kids don't need a playroom so the spare bedroom should be the office.

Doggymummar · 21/09/2026 17:17

We have two of the pith and stem ones, one in the office and one in the front room as we both WFH. OH had three monitors on his and I have two on mine

Original poster
TwinkleTwinkleX · 21/09/2026 17:16

That’s true- we are lucky he can do that! That looks like a good option.. never seen those! X

OP posts:
Original poster
TwinkleTwinkleX · 21/09/2026 17:15

He was led to believe there would be more opportunity to use the office but turns out there’s not enough space so they all have to rotate. I am also wondering if our bedroom might be best also because if we have play dates / guests then they are less likely to be in our room..

OP posts:
Kalanthe · 21/09/2026 17:14

No point resenting the job if it allows school pick ups! Flexible working is great if you need to do school/nursery runs.

I'd definitely put the desk in the master bedroom. Have you thought of something like this? It fits two screens

https://pithandstem.com/product-info-droptop-duo-24-light/

DropTop duo 24 Light

DropTop Duo 24 Light | Product Information

DropTop Duo 24 Light gives you the dual-monitor home office setup with the freedom to install your own screens and tech.

https://pithandstem.com/product-info-droptop-duo-24-light

Mosaic80 · 21/09/2026 17:05

Can you get a cupboard type desk where you can close the doors to shut it all away? I’d put it in your bedroom preferably so the rest of the rooms can be used as normal.

this is crazy expensive but along these lines: https://www.paintedfurnitureco.co.uk/amberley-complete-hideaway-workstation-desk?source=googlebase&optionid=4568%2C4569&optionvalueid=21886%2C21895&kw=&ci=47929648788&network=g&pm=&cid=281834748&aid=9969733308&tid=pla-327533573682&dev=m&mt=&lim=&lpm=9264060&pos=&dm=&fid=&mid=9676743&pid=2354-21886-21895&country=GB&source=google&gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=281834748&gbraid=0AAAAADxhq8wgcdLwLAkmUVRP1SCLrhY&gclid=CjwKCAjwq8PVBhAKEiwA2i3SHWFOzoE8TOkZIbDylXuOd8lsGSFmGFr0pWTM6dtRMZAPC1IuKMtzxoCVsEQAvDBwE

or maybe a pretty or useful screen to hide it so that you aren’t constantly looking at monitors etc: https://www.wayfair.co.uk/furniture/pdp/alpen-home-4-panel-pegboard-display-170cm-folding-room-divider-privacy-screen-u110749401.html

eta if you google “home office in a wardrobe” a few options pop up. I’ve screened off a little bit of my hall using an ikea kallax and that works quite well if you have a nook anywhere. I then have a fold down writing desk like this but without the handy cupboard above! You can get them for reasonably little and could paint up nicely www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4502167152/antique-georgian-writing-bureau-bookcase?ref=elp_anchor_listing&frs=1&cns=1

stripeymonster · 21/09/2026 16:59

We have a shared playroom / study . But it doesn't really work because often dh is working from home when the kids want to get stuff from the playroom. I would put his desk in your room and give the kids their own rooms.

Morecoffeeneedef · 21/09/2026 16:57

Sounds inconvenient but didn't you realise when he accepted the job?

BushyDreamer · 21/09/2026 16:55

I think that's too big of an age gap to share. Unless you're going to move soon-ish I'd give each child a bedroom and put husband's desk in your bedroom. Unless you're prone to having a lie in?

fiveyo · 21/09/2026 16:55

When you say you resent it - what would you like him to do (genuinely)? Get another job?

ETA if you have a big bedroom I'd put the desk in there.

greyss · 21/09/2026 16:55

It will be very intrusive. He needs to go into a bedroom with his big ass desk. I had children those exact ages in this set up and it ended in divorce.

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