Private Office vs Home Office Vs Shared Office: Which Is Right For You?

Should you rent out a private office? Should you work from home? Or should you share an office with other professionals? Each of these office models has its benefits and drawbacks. By weighing up these pros and cons, you can choose the perfect solution for you. This post delves more into the three different options.

Private office

Renting out a private office gives you a separate space away from your home to use for your needs. You can fully personalise the furniture and decor – making the space as practical as you need it to be, while also determining the image you want to portray to clients. If you run a business and want to hire employees, a private office could give you a space where you and your team can work together. You can also invite clients, investors or suppliers here for meetings.

Unfortunately, renting a private office isn’t cheap. You will need to be able to cover not just the rent, but also energy bills and maintenance costs. Buying office space is even more expensive as this guide at Forbes.com explores. Private office spaces can vary in cost – however to find somewhere relatively cheap, you’ll need to choose somewhere very small in a less attractive location. 

Home office

Working from home is the most affordable option as you don’t have to pay any added costs. It’s ideal if you’ve got a spare room in your house that you can convert into a dedicated office, however even if you don’t, it may be possible to work from a living room or bedroom.  Not having to commute can save you time and money, and you can potentially spend more time with family or friends. Plus, you can style your home office how you want (check out this guide at britishstylesociety.co.uk for inspiration). 

Of course, many people don’t want to invite clients or employees into their home. You may be able to meet clients for coffee or hire virtual employees who you communicate with via Zoom, however this may not always be suitable for certain types of businesses. Working from home can also make some people feel housebound, and there may not feel like there is a clear division between work life and home life. And while some people concentrate better at home, others may find it more distracting or less motivating – you may have kids interrupting you, or you may be tempted to get up and start work later.

Shared office

Shared offices can serve as a happy medium between a home office and a private office. These are spaces used by lots of different companies and freelancers where you can rent out your own desk or room. It’s considerably cheaper than a private office, and you get to leave the house and work around people. You can use sites like thebrew.co.uk to compare local shared office space. 

The downside of a shared office? Unlike a private office, you are unable to decorate the space to meet your needs and desires, because it is used by other companies and individuals. You may also not be able to secure the same room or desk every day and may need to book out desks/rooms in advance. 

Which is right for you?

Generally speaking, large companies are better off working from private offices, while employees and low-cost startups are better off working from home. Shared offices can meanwhile benefit a range of professionals from freelancers to small business owners looking to network.

It’s important to consider your budget, your motivation triggers and your space needs. Some people may find that a hybrid system works best. This could include working from home and occasionally renting a desk at a shared office, giving you the benefits of both workplace environments when you need them. 

Top image: Unsplash