More and more professionals are kicking the home office in favor of a desk at a coworking space. No wonder: It’s a great way to access modern & comfortable workspace on-demand, plus awesome perks like free coffee and snacks.
But there are more benefits to coworking than just what meets the eye. Read on to find six insiders-only perks of working at a coworking space: Once you know, you’ll never be able to go back to the home office again.
1. Save on gas
Commuting is a part of everyday life: Whether you’re in the city or the suburbs, odds are you have a long drive tacked on to your already-tiring workday. In fact, the average commute is nearly half an hour each way, according to the 2021 census.
Whether your commute is long or short, by bus or by car, it’s probably not your favorite part of the day. But there is a solution: Coworking spaces are often located closer to where you live, letting you skip the commute and get to work (and back home) a lot faster.
Not only that, but you can make use of nearby/onsite amenities like restaurants and gyms during breaks: even more reason to kick the car and can your commute for good. Your wallet—and the planet—will thank you.
2. Make new connections
Coworking spaces provide more than just a desk: You’ll also gain access to an awesome community of like-minded local professionals. Enjoy water-cooler conversations with students, artists, and entrepreneurs alike as you connect across industry lines. It’s the ultimate networking opportunity.
Coworking spaces usually offer either fixed desk rental or ‘hot desking,’ where you pick a new seat each day: either setup provides a good chance of getting to know your desk-neighbor.
Even if you aren’t interested in a full membership, check out your local coworking space’s event calendar and see what’s new. These spaces often function like community centers, offering networking events, seminars, and meet and greets with local industry leaders. That’s in addition to work-break events like meditation, group lunches, or happy hour.
3. Win at work-life balance
Work-life balance is always a struggle, and doubly so for those working from home. You might not have a professional background available when it’s time to turn on the camera, or your neighbor might start mowing in the middle of your big presentation. Or maybe your internet speeds are less-than-ideal: Nothing beats lagging out and disconnecting from your annual performance review.
If you’re struggling with keeping the line through “work/life” in your home office, it might be time to give coworking a try. You’ll have lightning-fast internet connection and ready-made professional environment for conference calls. Want to get back into your in-person groove? Coworking spaces usually offer rentable meeting spaces that are sure to impress even the most stalwart of clients.
Either way, coworking gives you the freedom dress however you like. Wear whatever’s comfortable and rock your workday with one less thing to worry about.
4. Skip the suit and tie
Pressed pants? Matching tie? Polished shoes? Working in an office with a strict dress code can be difficult. Make the move to coworking, and workplace-attire worries will be a thing of the past. Coworking spaces are meant to be casual, comfortable ‘home away from home’ work environments, so don’t sweat the slacks and come to work as you are.
Work-from-homers, we haven’t forgotten you: Getting up and heading to your coworking office can be just the nudge you need to ditch the pajama pants and dust off your favorite blazer. If business casual is your style, a trip to the coworking office is the perfect excuse to rock it!
Either way, coworking gives you the freedom dress however you like. Wear whatever’s comfortable and rock your workday with one less thing to worry about.
5. Be more flexible
Whether you’re currently in-office or working from home, there are limits on how you can work. Coworking, on the other hand, lets you work whenever you want, however you want.
Want to clock in super early? Go for it. Want to burn the midnight oil and put in some overtime? Totally up to you. Depending on your coworking space’s policies, you can have 24 hour access to facilities and perks.
The good news doesn’t end there. Coworking lets you set your own schedule from the ground up: you can check out for a quick walk, take an extra-long lunch, or call it a half-day and head home early—all on your own terms. When it’s time to put in the hours, you can choose to work all day without any interruption.
Whether you’re a coworking veteran or just thinking of trying it out, there’s always something new to learn about this exciting way to work. At DSTATION CreativeSpace, we offer coworking opportunities that provide all these benefits and more. Looking to rework your workday? Check out our main site, or visit our socials for an up-close look at Chattanooga’s coolest coworking spot.