Coworking vs working from home: what’s best for you?
It wasn’t too long ago that most of us thought it was quite normal to get up early every morning, shower and breakfast, and then ‘go’ to work. We unquestioningly factored in the time and money costs of a commute, train tickets and parking, lunches and coffees, even our work wardrobes.
Before Covid hit us all in 2020, it was the lucky few who could opt out of the office-based way of life. Even then, the reality of that so-called luxury often just meant camping out on a slightly sticky café sofa, making use of patchy Wi-Fi, all the while wondering just how long you might reasonably drag out your chai latte and panini before the barista started asking questions.
We happily said goodbye to the commute
Almost overnight, the pandemic changed all that. Embracing the work-from-home ethos was certainly a pleasant change if you already had a bespoke garden room to use as an office. There was no stressful commuting, a very relaxed dress code (let’s face it, we all did a few Zoom calls in our PJs, didn’t we?) and banana bread on tap. Then there’s the free parking, the ease of going out for a run or a bike ride and jumping straight in the shower afterwards, and the enjoyable freedom of not feeling tied to your desk - what’s not to like?
Eventually, the reality of WFH wears thin
The flip side of working from home, though, more commonly meant competing for cramped space on the kitchen table with home-schooling kids, alongside interruptions from family, pets, and Amazon delivery drivers, none of which really helped anyone’s focus and productivity.
Even the zen garden office users, unhampered by bad backs from dining room chairs, eventually felt isolated from their colleagues and missed the natural daily social patterns, connections, and motivation of office life.
Coworking offers a good compromise supporting connection and productivity.
As a result, it’s not surprising that we’re now seeing coworking office spaces springing up around the country, offering all the best bits of home and the convenience and facilities we are used to finding at the office.
When we asked some of our regulars at The Residence what they like best about coming to work here instead of at home, they told us:
A well designed, organised, hi-spec professional space conducive to productivity.
A friendly, inviting community that inspires creativity and networking.
It’s cost-effective, with everything included, you can just turn up, plug in your laptop, and start work.
Quiet space and meeting rooms for when you need privacy.
Opportunities for social and recreational events.
Fresh coffee, cake and fruit.
There are good facilities like a gym, physio, and café within a stone’s throw.
The beautiful countryside location conveniently accessible by road and rail makes it easy to take time out during the day for a walk, run or cycle in the fresh air.
The pandemic has eased, but the cultural shift away from commuting to a central office five days a week is here to stay. But, don’t just take our word for it, though; There have been numerous studies and research done on the positive impact of hybrid work models, including the Microsoft 2021 Work Trends Index and Google’s hybrid work-study with The Economist Group. Their studies highlight an overwhelmingly enthusiastic attitude to flexible work options.
As Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says: “over the past year, no area has undergone more rapid transformation than the way we work. Employee expectations are changing, and we will need to define productivity more broadly… with flexibility in when, where and how people work.”
Discovering a Happy Balance
Ultimately, the practical and people-centred constraints of fully remote working mean few of us would be happy with full-time working from home, whether as employees or employers. As humans, we need in-person interactions with like-minded people to stimulate creativity and open up opportunities for collaboration. Plus, it’s good for our mental health to keep some boundaries between our work and family, preventing burnout and maintaining a healthy balance in our personal life. No-one wants to be living at work!
Perhaps the most inspirational and effective option for many is a hybrid pattern that blends days between home, corporate HQs and coworking spaces. Taking advantage of the best of all worlds, you can find a balance that works well for you, your employer, or your business, helping you thrive and grow in a positive work environment.