The pandemic has forced most employees to work from home. It has also boosted the stock of a new working setup called coworking spaces. And so, in this “new normal,” companies—especially startups—find themselves with a choice to make: Would it be coworking spaces or working from home for their employees?
Being able to work from the comfort of your home may seem like any employee’s dream come true. You don’t have to worry about traffic, you can take breaks whenever you want, and you can even wear pajamas the entire workday. However, working from home can have some serious drawbacks, such as too much isolation and distractions.
This is where coworking spaces can fill the gap. Because of the numerous advantages that these places provide, they are revolutionizing the conventional workplace. Being in a communal setting with people who share the same interests can inspire creativity and generate new ideas. Task completion is made simpler because you feel motivated and responsible for your work. Additionally, coworking spaces can be a quite comfortable place to accomplish tasks, have a fast Wi-Fi connection, as well as provide the freedom to customize.
Coworking in the Modern Workplace
With the constantly growing acceptability of remote work, numerous businesses and organizations are currently being forced to reconsider the traditional office setup to meet modern workplace requirements. The hybrid workplace of the future seems set to remain.
According to researchers who have spent years studying how employees thrive, those who stay in coworking spaces reported levels of thriving that are close to the average of 6 on a 7-point scale. So what makes coworking spaces, which are referred to as membership-based workspaces where various groups of independent professionals collaborate in a shared environment, quite successful?
Why Coworking Spaces Can Be Better
We’re here to provide you with further insights on why coworking spaces can be preferable to working from home. The following is a rundown of our top reasons.
You can maximize productivity.
Whether you’re working from home as a freelancer or remote employee, you probably have encountered distractions. Your attention can be diverted by your smartphone, family members, television, or pets, which makes it difficult to focus on your task and significantly reduces productivity.
However, the overall design of coworking spaces encourages concentration and productivity. There are people working on their projects all around you when you’re at a coworking space. This can encourage you to do your work and foster a sense of accountability.
Additionally, everyone must abide by the rules and restrictions in most coworking spaces. For instance, no loud phone conversations, no music without headphones, and so on. All of these factors contribute to keeping the shared office quiet and peaceful so that people may focus on their work.
You get a professional setup.
Sure, it may be relaxing to work from your bed or couch when you’re at home. While working in your pajamas is perfectly acceptable, it’s not considered professional.
When you are in a coworking space, you put yourself in a professional setting. The working environment can help you get in the correct frame of mind to accomplish your tasks and focus on your agenda.
Also, the majority of coworking spaces feature conference rooms that you may use if you ever need to meet with clients or do video calls. This way, you won’t have to stress about your home being unpresentable and messy which you certainly don’t want your clients to see.
You can socialize and network.
When you work from home, it’s easy to feel lonely and alone. In a coworking environment, you are surrounded by professionals who work hard, and maybe some of them even share your interests. It offers you a great chance to network and meet new people.
While you’re staying in a coworking space, you never know whom you could run into. You might get to know someone who can support you in running your company or help you find your next customer. Hence, coworking spaces are the way to go if you’re searching for a chance to network.
When working from home, there are very few opportunities to interact with various people of diverse cultures and perspectives. Even if you have neighbors, friends, or other members of the community, they won’t be much help to you in your career.
On the other hand, coworking spaces are overflowing with people of various backgrounds, each with their respective views and cultural traditions. You can learn new things and develop fresh ideas as a result of this diversity. Additionally, it might help you establish new friendships and connections that will be helpful to your career.
You can find customizable spaces.
At some point, you might be wondering if you can personalize coworking spaces. You’re probably thinking if you can still feel the same sense of warmth compared to when you’re at home. Fortunately, coworking spaces are getting more and more customizable.
Private offices are now accessible in coworking areas. You can design your own room specifically for your needs. Alternatively, you can choose dedicated desks and have a desk set aside just for you.
When it comes to personalization, coworking spaces can get the job done. This provides you with plenty of options as there are many possibilities available to you.
You manage your time and habits better.
Coworking spaces can also help you in setting your daily eating schedule. Many people who work from home get into the habit of snacking throughout the day. Experts say this is bad for your health. When it comes to a coworking environment, lunch and break hours are generally planned. As a result, you can be in better control of when and what you eat.
You also feel alert when you’re surrounded by busy professionals in a coworking space. Seeing them working hard also pushes you to finish your tasks on time and manage your working hours better as compared to when you’re working from home.
It contributes to your overall health.
Perhaps when you think about coworking spaces, this isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. But working in a communal setting can have some health advantages.
To begin with, you are more likely to take breaks and walk about when you are in a coworking environment. Your focus and concentration may be enhanced when you take pauses. It can also assist in lowering stress levels and enhancing your mood.
Your posture can also be improved by coworking spaces. It’s easy to slouch on the couch or sit in an awkward position while you’re working from home. In a coworking space, you will be conscious of your position when you work because of all the other professionals around you. The right work setting and arrangements might help you stand up straighter and have less back pain.
You can separate your home and work spaces.
To maintain the health of both surroundings, it is crucial to keep domestic and work spaces apart. Because there isn’t always enough space for a separate office, you can have your desk in your living room, kitchen, or bedroom.
According to psychologists, if you don’t have any other options, this may work in the short term, but over time, it may lead to mental health issues. Working from home, your mind never truly unwinds completely from work even when you call it a day. The presence of your laptop on your dressing table at night only serves to urge you to check your emails or, if you have trouble falling asleep, get a head start on the next day’s work. You’ll also be left contemplating any issues that come up during the day.
By using a coworking space, you may work until it’s time to go home, unwind, and relax, leaving you re-energized and ready to go the next day. It is essential to disconnect from work, providing you time to psychologically and physically recharge from the day’s pressures.
Final Thoughts
There are numerous benefits to coworking spaces over working from home. Today’s workers prefer coworking because of its multiple perks, which range from the chances for social interaction to improvements in overall health.
If you’re looking for a coworking space that is both flexible and customizable, you can check out Weremote’s private office spaces. Keep exploring the world of coworking spaces and learn about the hybrid setup that you can read here.
