Let’s be real – there are plenty of co-working spaces out there that are pretty average. Sure, they may give you some desk space when you need to knuckle down and get some work done, but other than that, there’s not much to them.
However, what exactly is it that makes a co-working space great? What should you be on the lookout for if you want a space that’s going to be truly conducive to all of your working needs? Read on as Circle Hub shares the key attributes that exceptional co-working spaces offer.
A Variety of Seating Arrangements
Just about every co-working space will offer regular desks with standard office chairs. After all, this is what people are used to seeing in a traditional workplace.
However, what separates the good co-working spaces from the great ones is the option of other seating arrangements. Not everyone experiences the same feeling of productivity when sitting rigidly at a desk. Some do better at more casual communal tables, while others prefer sprawling out on beanbags or cushions. Therefore, a great co-working space will offer all of that plus more.
At Circle Hub, we have a selection of different areas in which you can work. In addition to traditional desks, you can also choose from sofas, high tables with bar-like stools, beanbags, cafe-style tables, and so much more. You don’t have to stick to just one, either. Simply moving from a standing desk to a comfortable sofa can help to refresh your brain and release new ideas, making this feature particularly appreciated by creatives.
The Option to Prebook a Workspace
For many, the beauty of a co-working space is that you can simply turn up whenever you want and get to work, without having to pre-book a desk.
At Circle Hub, you can do this at our Hot Spots. Also referred to as hot desking, this is the concept that made co-working so popular. It gives a person complete flexibility while also contributing to a unique environment each day.
However, hot desking isn’t for everyone. Turn up at a particularly busy time and you may not get your preferred choice of workspace. Even worse, you might have to wait until an occupied desk becomes available, which isn’t going to do much for your productivity.
That’s why, at Circle Hub, we also offer the option of Designated Desks. With this system, you can pre-book a desk of your choice to ensure that it’s available for when you need it. Just like with hot desking, there isn’t any long-term commitment involved. You can simply book it for the days or weeks that you need it, while making use of our hot desks at all other times.
An Inspiring Atmosphere
In order for a co-working space to be considered great, it needs to have an inspiring and productive atmosphere. Unlike desks and amenities, an inspiring atmosphere isn’t something that a co-working space can simply buy and add in. Instead, it needs to be cultivated through a vibrant sense of community, and not all co-working spaces have managed to do that.
The best way to learn more about the atmosphere at a co-working space that you’re considering is to pay it a visit for yourself. Ideally, do this more than once so that you can really get a feel for the place. Plan your visits for different times on different days, since there will always be times when a co-working space is quieter or louder than usual.
Of course, in addition to visiting the space for yourself, it would also be worth asking the people that are working there about the atmosphere. You can direct your questions to the community manager too – the more opinions you can learn from, the better the decision you’ll make.
An Easy-to-Access Location
Location is everything when it comes to a great co-working space. This doesn’t necessarily mean that a co-working space can only be great if it’s centrally located in a big city. There are plenty of successful co-working spaces in quieter areas too – what makes them work is the fact that their location is easy to access by the people that need it.
After all, one of the biggest benefits that come from using a co-working space is the total control that you have over your working hours. When planned well, this should theoretically mean that you’re able to improve your work/life balance since you won’t be tied to the nine-to-five grind. Having to spend an hour or two stuck in traffic while commuting to your co-working space each day is definitely not going to help with this, so find a space that’s in a location that’s convenient to you.
If you choose to work at Circle Hub, we have two locations for you to pick from. The first is in Northridge, California, just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of the Northridge Fashion Center. A few minutes on the road will take you to three different freeways. This makes it so easy to access this location from surrounding areas.
Alternatively, you could stop by at our Ventura location instead. If you’re a beachgoer, then you’ll love how this location is just ten minutes away from Ventura Beach and Harbor Cove Beach. There are also several other state beaches not too far away. Even better, our Ventura location has plenty of available parking directly in front of the building. This helps to ensure a stress-free commute, even if you visit during the busiest times of the day.
Access to Meeting Rooms and Private Offices
A variety of different seating arrangements and desk options is important when looking for a great co-working space. However, there will likely be times when you need some extra privacy. Whether you’re working on something confidential or you need to meet with a partner or a client in a quiet space, communal co-working areas aren’t always the answer.
That’s why, at Circle Hub, we also offer access to private office spaces and meeting rooms. Just like our Designated Desks, these can be booked on an as-needed basis, with no long-term commitment.
Our private office suites are ideal for when you need to work in isolation. They come in various sizes too. So, whether you need a small office with one desk just for you, or a slightly larger space that can accommodate a team of five, with a desk for each person, you’ll find it at Circle Hub.
Need to host a meeting? That’s where our conference rooms come in. These are available at both of our locations, although there are three to choose from at Circle Hub Ventura. Our smallest has a six-person capacity, while the largest can hold up to 16, giving you plenty of options depending on the size of your meeting. Each conference room is glass-enclosed and comes with a few amenities, including a flat-screen TV and a whiteboard, to help to ensure that your meeting runs smoothly.
The Right Amenities
The right amenities can go a long way in boosting productivity. This is why all great co-working spaces will offer a good amenity selection.
Some of the no-brainers include high-speed WiFi and on-site printing services. These are a must for just about every modern-day work project. Pretty much every co-working space will provide these – if yours doesn’t, it may be time to look for somewhere else!
However, in addition to the basics, a great co-working space will also support you with a range of other important amenities. Take Circle Hub’s kitchen and break room, for example. This will save you a fair bit of time in your workday as you won’t have to make the journey to a nearby cafe if you’re in need of a caffeine fix or something to eat. In fact, you’ll be able to enjoy complimentary refreshments in our kitchen, which will save you some money too!
We also strongly believe that high productivity needs to be matched with appropriate downtime. All work and no play will quickly lead to burnout, making it crucial to give your brain regular breaks.
So, in addition to providing comfortable common areas where you can sit back and relax for a while, we also have a gaming room that you can use to de-stress. Alternatively, if physical activity is more your thing, check out our on-site fitness center. It will save you from having to trek to your regular gym after a long day of work, and it’s also ideal for when you need to release some pent-up energy midday.
Networking Opportunities and Curated Events
Co-working and networking go hand-in-hand together. In fact, when you work at a co-working space, networking almost becomes second nature. Even just a quick chat with the person who happens to be sitting next to you could lead to some amazing opportunities for your business.
That’s something that you’ll be able to enjoy at pretty much every co-working space. However, some spaces, like Circle Hub, take things to the next level by also giving you the option to attend curated events.
Our events calendar is packed with different activities that you can attend for no extra cost. Whether you want to socialize over a free breakfast or attend a yoga session to meet other like-minded people, our diverse selection of events is absolutely perfect for informal networking. With people from such a wide range of industries choosing to work at Circle Hub, you never know who you’ll end up meeting!
You Deserve a Great Co-Working Space
With the concept of co-working rising so rapidly in popularity, there is now such a huge choice of different co-working spaces out there, and some are definitely far better than others. If you’ve been struggling to distinguish between the good and the exceptional, keep all of the above advice in mind. A great co-working space won’t just meet your basic needs – it will go above and beyond to ensure that it provides everything that you could possibly need to be your most productive self.
Want to know more about the co-working spaces available at Circle Hub? Click here to contact us today and book yourself in for a tour!