If you have ever worked remotely or know others who have, you might have heard about coworking spaces - shared offices where two or more remote workers can work side by side.
But, you just left the office. Why would you want to go to a new one? You might be surprised by the benefits co-working spaces offer remote workers. Like any modern working environment though, there are also some negatives too. So, let's take a look at what those positives and negatives are, and how to make the most of a coworking space.
What Are Coworking Spaces?
Coworking spaces are where two or more remote workers come together in a neutral place to work on different projects. They are usually rented rooms with all the conveniences of a normal office but everybody works for a different company.
Specially designed coworking offices with short-term rental agreements are mostly what people mean when they talk about coworking spaces, but it's not the only way to "cowork". Some remote workers choose to work in quiet cafes or libraries, and others share their homes with a small group or one other remote worker. These alternatives have their disadvantages though, usually including more distractions, less amenities, and in the case of using a home, one remote worker has no separation between work and home.
The Benefits of Coworking Spaces
Many people have enjoyed modern remote working, away from a busy office, and with none of the usual travel time. But, after a few years of working from home, a lot of us have realized we miss some of the connectedness and convenience of an office environment. That's why coworking spaces have become so popular. So, let's look at the benefits of using coworking spaces when working remotely:
Increased Productivity
Coworking spaces are distraction-free when compared to working from home. The structured office environment with focused coworkers encourages concentration and productivity, and the separation of work and home prevents us from wasting time with housework or another episode of our favorite TV show.
Networking Opportunities
Most coworking spaces provide regular networking events to introduce you to other remote workers from a wide variety of different career fields. It's surprising how many collaboration opportunities can come from these.
Office Amenities
there's no need to invest in high-speed internet, top-of-the-range laser printers, and photocopiers because coworking spaces provide everything you can expect in a regular office. You can expect shared drink and snack points and even professional meeting rooms for your clients.
Flexible and Cost-Effective
With daily, weekly, or monthly membership plans and no extra maintenance costs, coworking spaces offer a lot of flexibility for generally affordable prices. Standard office rentals are usually substantially more expensive and lock you into long-term leases or rental periods.
Work-Life Balance
Coworking spaces make separating work and home life easy because of the physical separation and travel times. Physical separation helps our brains get into "personal life mode" at home and prevents us from taking work home with us. Specific opening times and traveling away from our homes also encourage us to maintain a healthy daily routine.
The Disadvantages of Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces aren't just about great wifi and coffee stations though, there are disadvantages that keep some remote workers at home. Let's take a look at the negatives so we can make informed decisions:
Extra Costs
Leaving a home office for a coworking space adds additional expenses to our working routines, as well as travel costs. Packed lunches or canteen meals, fuel for travel or train tickets, and membership fees all need to be considered when using a coworking space. In popular areas like financial centers and capital cities membership fees can also be quite expensive.
Potential for Distractions
You can't control the noise levels in coworking spaces without some awkward conversations with coworkers. Some roles involve a lot of energetic telephone calls which can be distracting. There is also reduced privacy in any shared space, so it might be challenging to work with confidential information.
Inconsistent Availability
There are hard limits to the number of people that can share a coworking space and usually no guarantee that there is a space for you every working day. You might find that there are peak hours when spaces are often fully booked or have premium pricing. The convenience of sleeping in the room next to your office is also lost if you switch from home to a coworking space.
Lack of Personalization
Some people work well in neutrally decorated hotdesks, but others work best when surrounded by comforting plants and cute ornaments. There's no personalization available in coworking spaces and anyone who needs specific ergonomic chairs or other specialized equipment for their work can find that they aren't commonly available.
How to Make the Most Out of Coworking Spaces
So, you've decided to look for a coworking space? Here are some things to look out for when choosing the right space for you and some tips on making your coworking space the best it can be:
Trial and Evaluate Different Coworking Spaces
The four main things to look for are a location you can easily reach, all the amenities you need, an active co-working community, and affordable membership prices. Everyone's personal circumstances will create different priorities, but make sure you always try coworking spaces with trial periods first. It can be difficult to spot issues with spaces until you have really used them.
Set Boundaries
One of the major benefits of using a coworking space is the structure it brings back to your working days. Make the most of this opportunity by being boundaried with your routines, and avoid over socializing during working hours.
Use the Networking Opportunities
Coworking spaces aren't just about reducing distractions and getting you in the right mood for productive work, they also give you opportunities to network and meet valuable contacts. Even though your regular Thursday coworking group might seem like a strange mix of professionals, it's surprising how useful it can be to have a trusted contact in many fields. These networks can open doors to unique future opportunities.
Wrap Up
Coworking Spaces are a modern solution to the disadvantages of remote working and provide excellent value and opportunities if a membership is within your budget. You are likely to see an increase in your productivity and better work-life balance, as well as having access to useful office technology, and a wide range of professional coworkers to connect with.
It's not all high-quality photocopiers and good coffee though, membership plans for coworking spaces can be expensive, and each space can have an entirely different atmosphere. Coworkers are human too, and they might have tasks that require them to be loud and energetic, or frequently walk around the office causing distractions.
Whether a coworking space is good for you is based on your personal working style, your home commitments, your budget, the technology you need, and more. That's why it's so important to try coworking spaces with trial periods. Find out what you are signing up for before you commit. Coworking spaces are ultimately an excellent service for many remote workers, but you will need a trial period to safely discover if you are one of them.
Helpful Links
15 Best Tips for How to Choose a Coworking Space - a detailed article to help you through each step of choosing the right coworking space for you.
Tips for Choosing the Best Co-working Space - LinkedIn's 4-minute guide to finding a good coworking space.