Is a coworking space or a home office a better place to work? Well, that depends on your priorities, your goals and the space you have. 

You’ve probably heard the expression “My home is my sanctuary.” But no doubt very few ever said that their office is their sanctuary. Maybe you favor office attire that includes sweatpants, t-shirts, shorts, or even your PJs over productivity, a professional environment and work/life balance. But if rolling out of bed and over to your laptop on the living room couch isn’t for you, then keep your “home where your heart is.” Move your workspace to a coworking facility.

 Consider this:

  • 5.7 million employees or 4.1% of the U.S. employee workforce worked remotely either part-time or full time before the pandemic.  
  • 58.6% of the U.S. workforce worked remotely during the pandemic
  • 1 in 4 Americans, or over 26% of the U.S. workforce, worked remotely through 2021. Experts also estimate that 22% of the workforce (36.2 million Americans) will continue to work remotely through 2025, either in a coworking space or a home office. 
  • Over 5 million people are expected to be using coworking spaces on a global basis by the end of 2022.
  • The last two years have shown companies that many businesses can survive and even thrive with employees working remotely. Numerous companies have now given employees the option to work remotely on a permanent basis post pandemic, including Slack, Twitter, Spotify, Tata Steel, Microsoft and Meta.

Benefits of a Coworking Space:

Increased Productivity

According to a GCUC survey, 84% of coworkers say working in a coworking facility makes them more motivated. And 67% of people who use coworking facilities say they have experienced improved professional success.

In addition, a study by Stanford University found that remote work in coworking facilities led to an astounding productivity boost equal to a full day’s work. 

Networking Opportunities

It’s all about who you know! And when it comes to everyone within the walls of your home office space, that might be limited to your cat and your roommate.  Many who work from a home find it hard to stay focused and have less motivation than in a workplace. Others say they find it lonely and demotivating. In fact, 46.7% of people who work from home complain that isolation and loneliness are a major drawback.

The solution for this challenge is coworking. The ability to collaborate with other like-minded workers, industry resources and mentors increases worker productivity and growth opportunities. A recent survey by Smallbiz shows that 82% of respondents have expanded their professional network since joining a coworking office. You never know, at the nearby coworking space your coworker could be a talented social media freelancer that’s going to help you explode on Instagram. 

Cost Efficiency – Coworking Space or a Home Office?

Which do you think is the less expensive option, a coworking space or a home office? Think again. Many home workers report that the expenses related to setting up a home office are cost-prohibitive for them. Most coworking spaces provide more than just a desk. Many offer private offices, conference rooms, technology, and printing services. Contracts are on a month to month basis so small businesses and independent workers aren’t locked into long term leases. Paying for a space that gives you the right amount of space, utilities and even amenities, could make coworking more cost-effective than working from home.

Room – and the Right Tools – to Work

Many people are lucky to be able to create a comfortable and separate workspace in a spare bedroom or even a separate section of the house. But not everyone is typing away or taking calls in perfectly coordinated and teched-out spaces. Most people have to get creative to come up with work stations in their homes and apartments. Their home office set-up may include everything from ironing board desks, water bottle stands, the kitchen table, or even making phone calls in closets for privacy. A recent report from Steelcase found that 36% of workers lack a place free from distraction, 28% do not have a physically comfortable workspace, and 9% use their bed. 

Most coworking spaces offer a variety of furnished, flexible office and community spaces. You can choose one desk, a private office or a team space. And there are conference rooms available to meet with clients or team members. So there’s no need to share the kitchen table while the kids are doing their homework. And the family ironing board is free to be piled with the clothes there’s no time to iron. 

Work/Life Balance

Being in a coworking environment removes the distractions and constant interruptions you’d have in a home office. Kids, the dog, the latest Amazon delivery all fight for your time. But you have to concentrate on that report your boss wanted two hours ago. Many also find it’s important to keep home life and family life separate. If you’re always steps away from your office, its tempting to work when you should be spending time with family or getting some sleep! A Coworking Insights survey found that 46.98% of people working from home cited working too much as one of their major challenges.

Co-working spaces are excellent ways to keep work lives and personal lives separate. Last year, statistics showed that about 3.1 million people were using coworking spaces around the world. This number is expected to nearly double by the end of 2022.

Choose CoLab at 55 Merritt Boulevard in Trumbull, CT

CoLab offers coworking memberships in a safe, convenient, and cost effective environment among a community of  professionals like you. With a wide variety of office and shared spaces available to choose from, CoLab provides a wealth of networking opportunities. Contact us at 203-208-8488 for a tour or schedule a tour here!