Working from home is the greatest thing since the invention of the internet, right? Well, turns out the answer is yes and no.
There are certainly undeniable benefits to working from home. No rush-hour traffic, pajamas all day, private bathrooms, and all the free coffee you can drink. It’s all pretty fantastic. (Until it’s not.)
Working from home can have distinct disadvantages that can distract you from getting things done. Think: interrupting children (and pets), nagging chores, that Netflix show you’ve been binge watching and the occasional nap.
But not everyone can afford to rent an office space. And renting means you’ve got to provide the furniture and amenities and pay for things like water, electricity and internet, which can be as pricey as it is a hassle.
When it comes down to brass tacks, getting paid means getting things done in an environment that makes sense from both a productivity and an economic standpoint. And that’s why there’s been a massive uptick in people who are using coworking spaces.
Why Use Coworking Spaces?
Working from home is the greatest thing since the invention of the internet, right? Well, turns out the answer is yes and no.
There are certainly undeniable benefits to working from home. No rush-hour traffic, pajamas all day, private bathrooms, and all the free coffee you can drink. It’s all pretty fantastic. (Until it’s not.)
Working from home can have distinct disadvantages that can distract you from getting things done. Think: interrupting children (and pets), nagging chores, that Netflix show you’ve been binge watching and the occasional nap.
But not everyone can afford to rent an office space. And renting means you’ve got to provide the furniture and amenities and pay for things like water, electricity and internet, which can be as pricey as it is a hassle.
When it comes down to brass tacks, getting paid means getting things done in an environment that makes sense from both a productivity and an economic standpoint. And that’s why there’s been a massive uptick in people who are using coworking spaces.
What are some Positives and Negatives of Coworking Spaces?
Whether you’re a gig economy worker or a small team startup, coworking can be an excellent alternative to working from home or leasing an office space. But like anything else, there are pros and cons to this solution, and it’s important to consider them before signing an agreement.
Possible Disadvantages
- If the sound of someone else typing or talking on the phone drives you batty, coworking in an open-plan space may not be the right choice for you.
- If someone is just plain obnoxious, there’s no HR department to turn to and you’ll have to work it out or find another solution.
- Some coworking spaces are only open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., so if you’re a night owl or early riser, that may be a dealbreaker.
- If your team is scaling up rapidly, it may be time to consider signing a commercial lease unless your coworking space offers rentals by the floor.
- If your work involves highly confidential or sensitive data, you may not feel comfortable in a coworking space without robust security protocols in place.
Advantages to Coworking
- Traveling to a dedicated office space can create a routine and a mindset that’s conducive to productivity.
- If a sense of community and being able to socialize when you need a break is important to you, coworking spaces can offer what working from home cannot.
- You may find yourself working alongside other people with complementary skill sets, which could mean forming strategic alliances you wouldn’t otherwise have been able to take advantage of.
- Working in the company of other like-minded business owners could lead to more work if you offer services they’re looking for.
- Surrounding yourself with other business people can be a source of inspiration, and you may find you get a creativity boost from the group culture that coworking offers.
- If your coworking space is located in a metro area, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to walk to a gym, restaurant or other attractions.
- You’ll have a professional space to meet and greet new and existing clients.
What are some Positives and Negatives of Coworking Spaces?
Whether you’re a gig economy worker or a small team startup, coworking can be an excellent alternative to working from home or leasing an office space. But like anything else, there are pros and cons to this solution, and it’s important to consider them before signing an agreement.
Possible Disadvantages
- If the sound of someone else typing or talking on the phone drives you batty, coworking in an open-plan space may not be the right choice for you.
- If someone is just plain obnoxious, there’s no HR department to turn to and you’ll have to work it out or find another solution.
- Some coworking spaces are only open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., so if you’re a night owl or early riser, that may be a dealbreaker.
- If your team is scaling up rapidly, it may be time to consider signing a commercial lease unless your coworking space offers rentals by the floor.
- If your work involves highly confidential or sensitive data, you may not feel comfortable in a coworking space without robust security protocols in place.
Advantages to Coworking
- Traveling to a dedicated office space can create a routine and a mindset that’s conducive to productivity.
- If a sense of community and being able to socialize when you need a break is important to you, coworking spaces can offer what working from home cannot.
- You may find yourself working alongside other people with complementary skill sets, which could mean forming strategic alliances you wouldn’t otherwise have been able to take advantage of.
- Working in the company of other like-minded business owners could lead to more work if you offer services they’re looking for.
- Surrounding yourself with other business people can be a source of inspiration, and you may find you get a creativity boost from the group culture that coworking offers.
- If your coworking space is located in a metro area, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to walk to a gym, restaurant or other attractions.
- You’ll have a professional space to meet and greet new and existing clients.
What are the Benefits of Sharing Amenities?
It can be daunting to think about all the logistical pieces that come into play when you lease a commercial office space.
You’d have to furnish it with desks and computer equipment, preferably in a stylish, professional way.
You’d have to find storage solutions and, if you want to keep up with your competitors, offer other amenities like coffee, kitchens, conference rooms and dedicated break rooms.
In the final analysis, you’ll likely be facing logistical challenges as well as financial, which can place a huge burden on new and emerging businesses.
Which is one of the reasons why coworking spaces are so attractive. It’s a turnkey solution that offers all of these amenities for a fixed price each month, and because the expenses are spread over many different members, it’s cost effective as well.
Brix Coworking offers many of these amenities and more, including things like:
And because you pay a fixed monthly price, you don’t have to worry about facing a huge air conditioning bill in the summer or budgeting for coffee and toner. It’s all built into the monthly cost of renting a coworking space.
What are the Benefits of Sharing Amenities?
It can be daunting to think about all the logistical pieces that come into play when you lease a commercial office space.
You’d have to furnish it with desks and computer equipment, preferably in a stylish, professional way.
You’d have to find storage solutions and, if you want to keep up with your competitors, offer other amenities like coffee, kitchens, conference rooms and dedicated break rooms.
In the final analysis, you’ll likely be facing logistical challenges as well as financial, which can place a huge burden on new and emerging businesses.
Which is one of the reasons why coworking spaces are so attractive. It’s a turnkey solution that offers all of these amenities for a fixed price each month, and because the expenses are spread over many different members, it’s cost effective as well.
Brix Coworking offers many of these amenities and more, including things like:
And because you pay a fixed monthly price, you don’t have to worry about facing a huge air conditioning bill in the summer or budgeting for coffee and toner. It’s all built into the monthly cost of renting a coworking space.
Why is Collaboration with Other Members Healthy?
Coworking spaces can offer a collaborative atmosphere for single entrepreneurs or small teams that fosters creative thinking and resourcefulness. The surrounding energy can be inspiring and can drive you to want to accomplish more in your day.
One 2012 study showed that people who work outside an office often feel distracted, unsatisfied and cut off from networking opportunities, and they report a blurring of work and home life boundaries.
We understand that environment directly impacts the quality of work being produced and that a coworking space should be engineered to cultivate collaboration and creativity.
Why is Collaboration with Other Members Healthy?
Coworking spaces can offer a collaborative atmosphere for single entrepreneurs or small teams that fosters creative thinking and resourcefulness. The surrounding energy can be inspiring and can drive you to want to accomplish more in your day.
One 2012 study showed that people who work outside an office often feel distracted, unsatisfied and cut off from networking opportunities, and they report a blurring of work and home life boundaries.
We understand that environment directly impacts the quality of work being produced and that a coworking space should be engineered to cultivate collaboration and creativity.
Privacy—What’s Your Comfort Level?
How much privacy you require really depends on the type of work you’re doing as well as your own nature or work style. But you can promote privacy in a coworking space by being careful and setting yourself up for success.
Phone booths can be a useful tool for sensitive conversations that require privacy, as are dedicated conference rooms.
And you always can step away from where everyone else is working to have a discreet conversation or use headphones to keep the other side of a phone call private. And it’s obviously a good idea to be in the habit of closing or locking your laptop if you have to step away from your desk.
Privacy—What’s Your Comfort Level?
How much privacy you require really depends on the type of work you’re doing as well as your own nature or work style. But you can promote privacy in a coworking space by being careful and setting yourself up for success.
Phone booths can be a useful tool for sensitive conversations that require privacy, as are dedicated conference rooms.
And you always can step away from where everyone else is working to have a discreet conversation or use headphones to keep the other side of a phone call private. And it’s obviously a good idea to be in the habit of closing or locking your laptop if you have to step away from your desk.
Solid Walls or Glass Walls?
Solid and glass walls are two very different ways to partition an office space, and each offers its own unique benefits. But at the end of the day, how the room is used will determine which is best for any given situation.
Removing physical barriers can promote inclusivity and collaboration and even improve morale, but it’s not always practical, which is why glass walls can be an excellent trade-off. They offer a degree of privacy while people can see in and out of rooms and visual communication isn’t compromised.
Solid walls offer even more privacy, which can be conducive to creating quiet as well as more secure work environments.
Solid Walls or Glass Walls?
Solid and glass walls are two very different ways to partition an office space, and each offers its own unique benefits. But at the end of the day, how the room is used will determine which is best for any given situation.
Removing physical barriers can promote inclusivity and collaboration and even improve morale, but it’s not always practical, which is why glass walls can be an excellent trade-off. They offer a degree of privacy while people can see in and out of rooms and visual communication isn’t compromised.
Solid walls offer even more privacy, which can be conducive to creating quiet as well as more secure work environments.
Which Is Best? Private Office vs. Open Work Area
Working in an open-plan area can bring tons of energy to your day and provides a sense of community many people find stimulating. Perhaps a snippet of overheard conversation sparks a new creative idea or just the buzz of activity in the room motivates you to get more done.
If your work requires heavy concentration or a lot of confidentiality, though, a private office may be the best option for you.
Happily, having a private workspace doesn’t have to mean isolation and eating lunch alone at your desk every day. In many ways, private offices in coworking spaces offer the best of both worlds. You can close the door when necessary but also enjoy a conversation over lunch in a shared breakroom.
Which Is Best? Private Office vs. Open Work Area
Working in an open-plan area can bring tons of energy to your day and provides a sense of community many people find stimulating. Perhaps a snippet of overheard conversation sparks a new creative idea or just the buzz of activity in the room motivates you to get more done.
If your work requires heavy concentration or a lot of confidentiality, though, a private office may be the best option for you.
Happily, having a private workspace doesn’t have to mean isolation and eating lunch alone at your desk every day. In many ways, private offices in coworking spaces offer the best of both worlds. You can close the door when necessary but also enjoy a conversation over lunch in a shared breakroom.
Noise Levels—Library Quiet? White Noise? Or Grand Central Station?
This ultimately comes down to the type of work you’re doing and your natural work style.
Some people love the buzz of a busy office space and can tune out with earbuds or noise-canceling headphones when necessary. Others need complete silence and visual calm in order to concentrate on their work. Still others might be able to treat the murmur of conversation like white noise.
With private office options and open-plan workspaces, our coworking spaces can accommodate those who need library-quiet environments as well as those for whom the buzz of conversation is energizing.
Noise Levels—Library Quiet? White Noise? Or Grand Central Station?
This ultimately comes down to the type of work you’re doing and your natural work style.
Some people love the buzz of a busy office space and can tune out with earbuds or noise-canceling headphones when necessary. Others need complete silence and visual calm in order to concentrate on their work. Still others might be able to treat the murmur of conversation like white noise.
With private office options and open-plan workspaces, our coworking spaces can accommodate those who need library-quiet environments as well as those for whom the buzz of conversation is energizing.
Why Not Coffee Shops?
You’re on a first-name basis with your barista and getting out of the house has some value, but that doesn’t make your local coffee shop an ideal space to get work done.
You may be one of several solopreneurs set up to work at any given time, but because it’s a public place, people gather socially as well, which can turn up the volume and create big distractions. It also means you may have a hard time just finding a table to sit at.
That and the noise associated with brewing coffee drinks make it difficult to have a conversation on the phone, and stepping outside means you’ve got to pack up your laptop and other personal items if you’re worried about security.
And speaking of security, while the Wi-Fi may be free as long as you’re buying (expensive) coffee drinks, that doesn’t mean it won’t be spotty. And don’t forget that because it’s public, it’s not very secure.
Why Not Coffee Shops?
You’re on a first-name basis with your barista and getting out of the house has some value, but that doesn’t make your local coffee shop an ideal space to get work done.
You may be one of several solopreneurs set up to work at any given time, but because it’s a public place, people gather socially as well, which can turn up the volume and create big distractions. It also means you may have a hard time just finding a table to sit at.
That and the noise associated with brewing coffee drinks make it difficult to have a conversation on the phone, and stepping outside means you’ve got to pack up your laptop and other personal items if you’re worried about security.
And speaking of security, while the Wi-Fi may be free as long as you’re buying (expensive) coffee drinks, that doesn’t mean it won’t be spotty. And don’t forget that because it’s public, it’s not very secure.
Are Coworking Spaces Beneficial During Difficult Times?
Coworking can be an excellent solution, especially in uncertain times. Instead of committing to a traditional long-term lease with steep monthly payments, you can rent coworking spaces on a month-to-month, 1-year, or 2-year basis. Even if you’ve rented a private office for yourself in a coworking space, you can rent reasonably priced add-on seats for employees at an open table workspace.
And working alongside other entrepreneurs when things get bumpy can be great since someone in your coworking space may have encountered similar challenges and can provide you with valuable advice.
Are Coworking Spaces Beneficial During Difficult Times?
Coworking can be an excellent solution, especially in uncertain times. Instead of committing to a traditional long-term lease with steep monthly payments, you can rent coworking spaces on a month-to-month, 1-year, or 2-year basis. Even if you’ve rented a private office for yourself in a coworking space, you can rent reasonably priced add-on seats for employees at an open table workspace.
And working alongside other entrepreneurs when things get bumpy can be great since someone in your coworking space may have encountered similar challenges and can provide you with valuable advice.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
At Brix Coworking, our goal is to help people work to live—not just live to work.
We’ve designed our coworking space with an energizing and inspiring atmosphere to attract and engage a growing community of like-minded, driven professionals. Our shared amenities make coming to work a pleasure, and our flexible month-to-month, 1-year or 2-year membership options make it easy and affordable to invest in yourself, your career and the success of your business.
We invite you to try out our space, located in downtown Madison, for one week free of charge to see if coworking is the right fit for you. Come see what all the buzz is about!
Work Smarter, Not Harder
At Brix Coworking, our goal is to help people work to live—not just live to work.
We’ve designed our coworking space with an energizing and inspiring atmosphere to attract and engage a growing community of like-minded, driven professionals. Our shared amenities make coming to work a pleasure, and our flexible month-to-month, 1-year or 2-year membership options make it easy and affordable to invest in yourself, your career and the success of your business.
We invite you to try out our space, located in downtown Madison, for one week free of charge to see if coworking is the right fit for you. Come see what all the buzz is about!