Personal Workspace Vs Shared Workspace - Pros and Cons

The environment you work in (your workspace) has a significant effect on your day-to-day productivity. If you are not comfortable in your workspace or experience things that distract you, it can be hard to get things done.

But for every individual, the concept of an “ideal workspace” varies. Where some prefer a quiet, private workspace with large desk space, others may opt for a shared workspace with their colleagues.

This is up to each individual what environment boosts their motivation.

Personal Workspace vs Shared Workspace: A Breakdown

With both being drastically different concepts, let’s dive into the pros and cons of each type of workspace.

What is a Personal Workspace?

A personal workspace can be a private office or just a dedicated desk and chair that belongs solely to you. A personal workspace can be built inside an individual’s residence (home offices) or can be rented at various locations such as private offices.

Personal Workspace: Pros

A lot of people prefer personal workspaces over shared workspaces. It is a comparatively older concept that many have adopted and stuck with.

• It allows you to work in peace without any distractions.
• You do not have to share your space with anyone meaning you can easily customize the workspace like with office clocks.
• As no one else uses it, you never have to worry about things being moved around or out of place.
• If you’re working at home, you can come and go as you please.
• No workplace disputes as only one individual are working there.
• Much quieter for those who prefer to work without unnecessary noise.
• Easier to work on confidential or private projects.
• Easier decision-making and exclusivity.
• Private storage space.

Personal Workspace: Cons

There are drawbacks when it comes to working in a personal workspace.

• Lack of human interaction can decrease productivity in some individuals.
• Lower productivity if punctuality is not maintained.
• Easier to lose focus on the task and procrastinate.
• More expensive as compared to shared workspaces.
• Harder to conduct meetings as no designated meeting space. Must be done virtually or outside the workplace.

Personal workspaces may be suitable for many individuals but that doesn’t mean it is everyone’s cup of tea. For those that prefer a shared workspace, let’s jump onto it.

What is a Shared Workspace?

A shared workspace is a workspace where multiple individuals are working simultaneously. It is not necessary that all of them are from the same organization or working on the same project.

Rather, many internet cafes now offer spaces for rent. You can rent out a workspace for as long as you need and not have to worry about losing your spot!

Shared workspaces can also be used amongst companies lending unused space to startups requiring cheap office space.

Shared Workspace: Pros

Shared workspaces can be extremely beneficial for startups, freelancers, consultants, and even mobile workers.

• Companies can rent workstations cheaply to generate passive income and assist startups in low-rent office spaces.
• The utility bills are split amongst a large group of people, cutting down the per head share.
• Allows individuals to commute together, cutting down transportation costs. It also opens new opportunities to afford accessories such as break rooms or leisure areas.
• Short-term rentals may offer lower prices compared to office leases.
• Wide-ranging networking opportunities await those working in shared spaces. Mingle and share your ideas with your fellow freelancers and see where it takes you.
• Creates a dynamic, social environment that is beneficial for the mental health of many individuals and decreases loneliness.
• Better amenities, such as internet and security, become affordable as many people can pool in money.
• Helps individuals focus better when everyone around them is already hard at work.
• Minimizes chances of procrastination as people are constantly observing you. In company-shared workspaces, your peers or managers may view your progress from time to time.

Shared Workspace: Cons

Shared workspaces can have a variety of drawbacks just like personal workspaces.

• Can lead to hostile work environments if there are disputes between co-workers.
• Non-customizable as other people may use the workspace after you leave.
• A lot more distractions compared to personal workspaces due to an increased number of people
• Minimal privacy. Difficult to work on sensitive projects with others loitering around.
• Not always allocated to a comfortable desk and chair.
• Constant noise and increased chances of idle talk lead to lower productivity.
• Sharing of utilities may lead to a rise in conflicts.
• You should have a good idea of what both types of workspaces can offer. Each individual is different and you should think about which workspace can increase your efficiency and allow you to get more work done.

More Jobs, Less Workspace

As there is a constant rise in jobs, it can lead to a decrease in personal workspaces. Companies may look to fit more than one individual in each workspace to reduce rent costs.

This also means many utilities are shared and each individual may not always receive their fair share. It will also mean that the prices of personal workspaces will go up gradually.

This is something many company owners and freelancers/ remote workers alike should think about as they will have to adjust to the changing dynamics.

Field-Based Workplace Requirement

Another factor that plays a role in deciding the ideal workspace is the field you are in. Many fields such as medicine or magazine writers require shared workspaces to share ideas or update each other on the progress of their tasks.

Other fields such as software engineering or business salesmen may not require shared workspaces. Personal workspaces would work much better for them as they can think in peace.

The Takeaway

Personal workspaces and shared workspaces are both great picks in optimal conditions. It depends on the individual which workspace they feel more comfortable in and would like to opt for.

Keep in mind these general pros and cons that come along with each workspace as they can drastically affect your productivity.

If you’re looking for good furniture for any type of workspace, be sure to check us out on our website and get amazing furniture at competitive prices!

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