Having the flexibility of where you can do your work comes with a lot of benefits. But with so much choice, it can be pretty hard to decide on what the best option is. And so, in this article, we will take a look at working from home and compare it to working from a coworking space and find out which is the best option.
Before we do that - it’s best to mention that each option has its own benefits that you must be aware of before making the decision. Picking the wrong option blindly just because it might seem like a good idea can severely impact your focus and productivity, which is never a good thing.
Working from Home vs. Co-Working Spaces: A Closer Look
Both of these working environments come with their own set of benefits. In fact, if you’re fully committed to a remote working setup, then we recommend switching between the two regularly. That way, you give yourself a lot of variety and flexibility to change things up when necessary.
But if you had to choose just one, it’s best to figure out the better setup for your personality and work style. So, let’s get into the details of the benefits and drawbacks of working from home vs. a co-working space.
The Cost
One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing to work from home or a co-working space is the cost. In practice, working from home is free whereas working from a co-working space usually means that you have to pay a monthly subscription - which is quite affordable but still isn’t zero.
The benefit of paying for a co-working space is the amenities that often come with your membership - which often include a kitchen, snacks, free Wi-Fi, and so on.
Time
Another advantage of working from home is that you save on time. Since you don’t have to commute to a co-working space, you give yourself a couple of extra minutes in the morning to get yourself in the zone. On top of that, you get to choose when you can take breaks and leave the workstation for a bit.
With a co-working space, you need to consider the travel time to the location. Additionally, you need to look at their operating hours and adjust around them.. Another thing is that you won’t be able to leave the workstation as freely as when working from home because someone can take it unless you’ve booked it.
So, when you work from home, you have more control over your time.
Productivity
This is the one area where the jury is split. Most people can testify that they’re much more productive when they work from home. However, others say that staying in an environment where others are working like a coworking space suits them better as it makes them more focused and productive.
So, you need to figure out which environment you find yourself most productive in. To do this, we recommend trying out a couple of days working from home and a couple of days working from a coworking space and decide for yourself.
Socialisation
Socialising while working from home can be pretty tough. And because that, that’s one of the biggest advantages of choosing a co-working space. When you’re at a co-working space, you get to socialize with other professionals from different fields. Even if you aren’t directly conversing with them, simply being around people is enough to help you feel like you’re part of a group.
Remember, humans, are social beings. So, staying at home alone for most days may not be that healthy. So, if you feel like you need other people around you from time to time, then you might prefer working out of a co-working space.
For many people, talking to others while working is a great way to help them throughout the workday. And if you’re one of these people, we highly recommend trying out a co-working space.
Conclusion: Where Should You Take Your Work?
Both working from home and co-working spaces are great options. At the end of the day, you need to figure out which one works best for you. And if that means trying out both options, then feel free to do so.
Just remember that you don’t have to stick to one choice forever. If you feel like you need a change of pace, you can always alternate between co-working spaces and working from home, which offers even more flexibility and freedom.
