A coworking space offers access to excellent facilities like high-speed internet, private meeting rooms, and comfortable furniture. It provides a conducive environment for productivity and collaboration among professionals from diverse sectors.
Entrepreneurs usually need more funds to get their own working space when starting a new business. Due to this, many opt to work from home initially to save expenses while the company gets off the ground.
Work from home (WFH) was the exception, not the norm before 2020. Not surprisingly, according to a 2020 Labour Market Survey (LMS), 57.2% of people living in London did some work at home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, as lockdowns ease and people gingerly return to pre-pandemic ways of living, work-life doesn’t look ready to revert to the pre-2020 state. Indeed, COVID-19 and the ensuing restrictions reshaped work life and workplaces, effecting irrevocable changes that are here to stay. But while the future of permanently working from home in the U.K. in 2022 appears slightly unclear, the relatively new trend of “hybrid working” appears to have caught on.
According to a 2021 Vox survey, more than 70% of UK employees would prefer a hybrid model of work that allows them the flexibility of working at the office on certain days of the week and working from home on others. Given the burgeoning popularity of this new work culture, employers are increasingly veering towards co-working spaces.
Meanwhile, others choose co-working spaces that are comparatively more affordable than dedicated offices. So, what are co-working spaces, and why are they best suited to meet the requirements of a hybrid working force?
Work from home (WFH) is a flexible working arrangement where employees perform their job duties from their residence instead of commuting to a traditional office. This setup allows individuals to use digital tools and communication technologies to stay connected with their team and manage tasks remotely. WFH offers benefits such as reduced commuting time, increased work-life balance, and the ability to create a personalized and comfortable work environment. It has become increasingly popular, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as companies adapt to new ways of operating.
Post-COVID-19, working from home is a popular choice among businesses and freelancers. Despite the availability of premium coworking spaces, working remotely comes with its own bag of advantages and disadvantages.
Working in a coworking space involves sharing an office environment with other professionals from various companies and industries. These spaces provide a collaborative and flexible setting, often featuring open desks, private offices, meeting rooms, and communal areas. Coworking spaces are designed to foster networking, creativity, and productivity by bringing together individuals with diverse skills and backgrounds. They typically offer amenities such as high-speed internet, printing services, and kitchen facilities, making them ideal for freelancers, startups, and small businesses seeking a cost-effective and inspiring work environment.
A co-working space comes with a few distinct advantages. These are as follows:
While coworking spaces offer many benefits, there are also some disadvantages to consider:
While employees are increasingly being offered the opportunity to work remotely, many organisations are realising that their workers can be more productive if they enjoy flexibility with regard to their location. Here’s a table comparing the features of the two modes of working.
| Working from home | Working in a Co-working Space |
| It saves time and money spent on commutes. | There is no saving of money or time on office-working days. |
| There are high chances of getting distracted by household chores. | a peaceful and professional environment conducive to work. |
| Can get lonely and exhausting. | Great for networking, collaborating, and discovering new opportunities. |
| Work could be affected as a result of poor internet connection, uncomfortable chairs, limited lighting, and so on. | All amenities are present, including private meeting rooms, printing facilities, adequate lighting, fast internet, and all-day refreshments, among others. |
A co-working space is designed to harmoniously accommodate workers from different organizations, providing convenience and cost savings through shared infrastructure and utilities. Post-COVID, these spaces have gained popularity as many companies adopt hybrid work models, reducing the need for a full-time office presence. Co-working spaces offer flexibility, allowing employees from various locations to collaborate in person occasionally and providing a social environment that combats the isolation of remote work. This setup is particularly beneficial for small and medium businesses, offering a cost-effective solution while they refine their office plans.
Not only do coworking spaces help in removing social boundaries, but they also help in building a community of connections. Moreover, working in a place with like-minded people can further increase energy.
A coworking space usually has several businesses from different sectors in the same room. Thus, the networking opportunities are even higher. It can also result in better collaboration while allowing a free flow of ideas.
Working from a coworking space also allows employees to have a healthy demarcation between work and their homes. It can reduce the chances of blurring lines between personal lives and work and thus reduce burnout.
Coworking offices provide access to best-in-class facilities, which ensures employee well-being. Employees can work in peace with the latest amenities around them. They get shared or private desks, high-speed internet, great furniture, meeting rooms, and other facilities.
To make an informed decision, you must ask yourself the following questions:
The clear answer is that coworking in London can provide all the perks and amenities of a fully functional private office. And what’s better is that coworking offices come at a fractional cost, including furnished space and other facilities. Moreover, it allows people to connect within an ecosystem of different entrepreneurs while socialising with like-minded people.
Coworking space in London is comparatively less expensive than in private offices. Coworking space providers like Go Bermondsey provide fully serviced office spaces and meeting rooms. Choosing managed office spaces is always an option if you believe they get crowded and have an intrusive environment.
Compared to working from home, coworking offices have many advantages. Many premium coworking spaces also provide flexible memberships, so one doesn’t have to book the space for a long time and can choose it based on their timetable. Moreover, it helps keep the workers flexible, as they can adapt to the changing environment.
Choosing between working from home and coworking in London can take time and effort. While it can vary for people, coworking spaces indeed make the work environment more conducive while also increasing the scope for better collaboration. One can look at the available options and gauge them against the requirements in combination with one’s personality to choose the best option.
Garden Office Bermondsey is one of the best places if the requirement is for professional office spaces in London in a prosperous environment. It provides a highly conducive environment for business and a peaceful workplace. The beautifully designed premium coworking space allows you to choose between private offices and meeting rooms. So, what are you waiting for? Get your team to experience the combination of heritage and contemporary style.
