Ready to make the move to a coworking space? The next step is to find a coworking space that’s not only convenient for you to get to, but also caters to all of your needs. Once you start searching, however, you may end up overwhelmed. Coworking spaces come in so many different shapes and sizes, so how are you meant to know which is right for you?
That’s where Circle Hub can help. Read on as we talk through eight different types of coworking spaces, making it easy for you to pick the perfect one.
1) Open-Plan Shared Workspaces
Open plan shared workspaces are at the heart of coworking. This is where the concept first began – professionals from various industries coming together in the same space and working harmoniously side by side. At Circle Hub, these spaces are known as Hot Spots. You turn up whenever you want, choose an available desk in our shared workspace, and start working. It couldn’t be simpler!
One of the biggest benefits of this setup is that it makes for easy collaboration and networking. The open-plan layout, along with the fact that you’ll likely be seated next to different individuals each time you turn up, facilitates impromptu conversations. Sure, a shared workspace where people are trying to concentrate isn’t the best place for an extended chat. However, this can always be picked up a little later when you’re taking a break in one of the downtime areas that most shared workspaces offer.
There’s also usually a great community atmosphere in these shared workspaces. Plus, thanks to the various daily interactions that people have, these coworking spaces have a reputation for being inspiring. Better yet, since the workspace, resources, and amenities are all being shared by a larger group of people, open-plan shared coworking spaces tend to be the most cost-effective of them all.
2) Private Offices
While the community aspect of a shared workspace is great, this is often not the best way forward for businesses that need privacy. If you’re working within an established team and need to work together on confidential tasks, a shared workspace isn’t going to be very conducive to this.
This is where private office coworking spaces come in. These spaces follow the traditional coworking model. However, instead of members working at individual desks, they’re aimed at teams who would have an enclosed private office to work from. This allows that team to then talk with each other as much as they want. They won’t have to worry about disturbing others. Phone calls, video conferences, and meetings can all easily take place in an enclosed office.
Why go for a private office coworking space instead of just leasing your own private office? Firstly, because of costs. You’ll find that a private office coworking space is much cheaper than leasing your own office. You won’t be tied in to a long-term contract either – most coworking spaces operate on a month-by-month basis. Plus, you’ll also have access to the various amenities available at that coworking space. These are all perks that you wouldn’t have had at your own private office.
3) Dedicated Desks
Like the idea of open-plan shared workspaces, but don’t like the idea of not being guaranteed your favorite desk each time you turn up? That’s why coworking spaces with dedicated desks were invented. The concept is very similar to an open-plan shared workspace, with the main difference being that rather than grabbing any available desk when you arrive, you’ll have a desk reserved just for you.
While some people enjoy working from a different desk each day, others prefer stability, which is exactly what these coworking spaces offer. With that said, you’ll also still be able to benefit from the various facilities offered by your coworking space, giving you plenty of flexibility too.
4) Hybrid
Hybrid coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular. Why? Because of how they combine the various elements offered by other types of coworking spaces. Circle Hub, for example, would be considered a hybrid coworking space because in addition to our open-plan shared workspaces, we also offer a Designated Desk service, as well as private offices.
Hybrid coworking spaces provide the utmost in flexibility. Rather than limiting yourself to one type of coworking space, you can flit around them all as and when needed. Seat yourself in a shared workspace when you could do with a creativity boost, but then move to a private office when you need some peace and isolation. This provides a great balance that suits a variety of working styles. At the same time, it still works out to be very cost-effective. This is especially the case when you take into account all of the different working areas on offer.
Hybrid coworking spaces are also known for having a very diverse membership base. They tend to attract professionals from a wide range of industries. This makes them very useful if you’re hoping to do lots of networking.
5) Industry-Specific
While some professionals enjoy surrounding themselves with diversity, others prefer to only mingle with those from a specific industry. This is why industry-specific coworking spaces were developed.
Industry-specific coworking spaces cater to a particular niche or sector. For example, one may be designed for people working in tech, while another might focus on artists and other creatives. By dong this, these coworking spaces are able to offer specialized, industry-specific resources that can’t be found at the more general coworking spaces. Be it specialized technology, industry-related workshops, mentorship programs, or anything else, these spaces are highly customized to the needs that professionals from a particular sector may have.
This can be great for boosting productivity. You’ll be surrounded by people who are tackling similar challenges as you. This can be extremely motivating.
The downside to this is that due to the need for specialized equipment, industry-specific coworking spaces can sometimes be quite costly. They’re also less common than other coworking spaces, due to how niche they are. This can make them harder to find in your locality, which could result in a longer commute for you.
6) Lifestyle Coworking
Many professionals struggle with establishing a healthy work-life balance. Coworking spaces in general can really help with this, but even more so if you opt for a lifestyle coworking space.
Lifestyle coworking spaces offer more than just a place to work. They’re usually kitted out with a range of amenities that make it much easier for you to fulfil your personal needs too. From social gatherings to wellness programs, these spaces cater to individuals who want to do their best work while also maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
With Circle Hub being a hybrid coworking space, we also offer several aspects of lifestyle coworking too. Our on-site fitness center, for example, encourages members to stay fit and healthy. If you don’t enjoy exercising with gym equipment, you can always turn up for one of our complimentary yoga sessions. They’re a great way to meet other members in a relaxed setting.
7) Virtual
Virtual coworking spaces are still a relatively new entrant into the world of coworking. These spaces make use of technology to replicate the coworking environment in the digital sphere.
These online environments allow for remote professionals to work together. They can connect and collaborate just as they would in a physical coworking space. The fact that these communities can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection means that their member bases tend to be extraordinarily diverse. Members are no longer limited by location. People from all over the world can come together at a virtual coworking space.
Although face-to-face interactions are very limited with this concept, virtual coworking spaces give professionals several options for working together. Between virtual meeting rooms, online networking events, shared digital resources, and professional chat channels, they’re a great way to work and engage with a professional community without having to physically commute to that space. Yes, they may not be able to offer all of the same benefits as a physical coworking space. However, they’re a great resource for those who can’t attend a physical coworking space for whatever reason.
8) High-End Luxury
Last but not least, let’s talk about the super high-end coworking spaces out there. There aren’t as many of these around, mainly because their premium nature makes them unaccessible to most. They tend to be much more expensive than other coworking spaces. This means that freelancers, startups, and small businesses are often excluded due to unrealistic membership fees. This results in a lack of diversity. You won’t be gaining the same exposure to other industries as you would at a regular coworking space.
However, if you choose to fork over for one of these spaces, you’ll be working in true opulence. With luxurious furnishings, state-of-the-art amenities, gourmet catering, and a range of personalized services, these coworking spaces go above and beyond to try to be as exclusive and decadent as possible.
High-end coworking spaces are also usually located at very prestigious addresses. They tend to be found in prime locations, often in landmark buildings. This can really give your credibility a boost, especially if you’re trying to establish a high-end reputation for your business.
Interestingly, many find that high-end coworking spaces often fail to evoke the community atmosphere that other coworking spaces are loved for. Instead, there’s often a more competitive edge. This goes against the collaborative nature that coworking spaces were originally created to foster.
Choosing the Right Coworking Space for You
As you can see, there are plenty of options out there when it comes to choosing a coworking space. If you’re still feeling confused about which to go for, our recommendation would be to try a hybrid space, like Circle Hub. This way, you can try out a few different coworking concepts, from open-plan shared workspaces to private offices. This will give you the opportunity to see which best suits the work that you do.
Want to check out Circle Hub’s coworking spaces for yourself? Click here to book a tour today!