Everything falls into place when you find the right office space. But what makes an office space right? As you might expect, there’s no one-size-fits-all, or at least, not anymore. We’re all familiar with the traditional office layout with cubicles, meeting rooms, and different departments occupying different segments of the space. But this uniform approach is becoming a thing of the past.
Companies and employees now take their unique needs into consideration when searching for the best office space, and luckily, the workspaces themselves are also better equipped to accommodate them. From dedicated or hot desks for solo entrepreneurs to private and full-floor offices for teams of all sizes, today’s market offers something for everyone. Carefully researching your options before committing to a workspace will be worth your while – after all, this will be the place where you’ll spend around 8 hours each day, so it might as well tick off all the items on your wish list.
Private office – what’s in it for you?
The ideal office space makes workers feel comfortable, boosts productivity, and leaves a positive impression on customers and new hires alike. The latter is especially true for private offices, which can more easily set businesses apart from other companies, resulting in a clearer and stronger brand image. In addition to this, they offer a secluded and quiet environment where you can focus without distractions as well as handle sensitive and confidential information more securely. If you’re on the hunt for private office space for rent but are not sure what to look for, our list of tips is a great place to start.
- Assess your space needs
Private offices are a hot commodity among individuals and small businesses who want to reap the benefits of a well-delineated office that exudes professionalism. That being said, one of the first things you need to consider when choosing your private workspace is its size. Ask yourself: will you rent it alone or do you need an office for your entire team? How many people will be frequenting the office every day? These should help you figure out the number of desks you’ll need as well as the ideal layout of the space. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to allow for around 70 square feet per person.
- Set a budget
Another thing that quickly narrows down your search for a private office is the price range. Figuring out exactly how much you’re willing to spend every month will help you look for spaces that are within your budget.
- Choose a convenient location
Location could be a dealbreaker for many, especially in bigger cities where commuters may feel like they waste valuable time on their way to work. With this in mind, it helps to look at private offices that are easily accessible for both you and your team – ideally, it should be steps away from parking or public transportation options, with shopping and dining destinations also close by.
More than this, having a prestigious business address will attract high-quality clients and employees.
- Evaluate the amenities and services
Many private offices have an extensive amenity package that can range from basic business supplies to sophisticated services. Make sure that they cover your and your team’s needs, with a few extra perks on the side to boost the employee experience. For starters, you could consider access to meeting rooms, kitchens, breakout areas, event spaces, or even onsite fitness centers.
- Check the lease terms
Whether you’re ready to commit to a long-term contract or you prefer the flexibility that a month-to-month lease offers, make sure that you carefully review the lease agreement and its clauses.
- Consider flexibility
You may already have your eye on a private office that is right in the heart of the city, fits your budget, and has all the amenities you need to work comfortably. You find out, however, that there wouldn’t be much flexibility when it comes to scaling up or down. This aspect shouldn’t be neglected, either. Your workforce may double in size within a year, in which case you would be forced to look for a new space altogether in order to fit everyone.
The benefits of renting a private office in a coworking space
One last thing to consider is where you prefer the private office to be, and this time, this has less to do with the actual location. Initially, traditional private offices were completely separated from other businesses until coworking spaces with private offices emerged. The latter offers a cost-effective alternative, usually with a more attractive amenity package, and more flexibility in terms of scalability and lease terms.
A WeWork private office, for instance, lets you choose between monthly or annual memberships and various layouts that can accommodate anyone from solo professionals to teams of 100+ people. You’ll also have plenty of room to grow or scale down as your business needs change. These furnished, move-in-ready offices will offer you the privacy and separation you seek from other companies, all while connecting you to the rest of the coworking community when you wish to grow your network or just socialize during your breaks. Besides networking opportunities, you’ll enjoy access to a bevy of desirable amenities that may include meeting rooms, phone booths, pantries, lounges, and then some. Last but not least, you’ll find most WeWork buildings in highly sought-after locations with fast access to public transportation and every noteworthy landmark in town.
To sum up, the optimal private office all comes down to your business needs and preferences. You’ll likely come across the workspace that fits you best when you research the market with your space requirements, lease term expectations, budget, and ideal location in mind.
