What is a Private Office: Your Ultimate Guide

Looking for the perfect office space without the headaches of long-term leases and endless overhead costs? Enter private serviced offices – the ultimate solution for many.

Whether you’re a startup seeking your first HQ, a small team looking for a stylish place to meet up weekly, or an entrepreneur aiming for a prestigious address, private serviced offices offer the perfect blend of convenience and flexibility. Get ready to discover how these modern, hassle-free workspaces can transform your business operations and elevate your workday to new heights. With more remote and hybrid working than ever before, meeting spaces and flexible working options are very much in demand, and that includes private offices.

In this blog, we’ll explore private offices, the different types available, their list of benefits, who they’re perfect for, what they cost, and how to pick the best one for you. Yup, we’ve got your back.

The Evolution of Workspaces

Office layouts have come a long way from the days of tiny cubicles. Now, in our quest for the perfect workspace, private offices are gaining popularity. People are craving spaces where they can concentrate, make private calls, and maybe even have a plant or two without them mysteriously disappearing. Weirder things have happened… There’s also a strong desire for community and networking, which we’ll get into as well.

Types of Private Offices

While the term ‘private office’ is pretty self-explanatory, there are still a few variations of them, but don’t worry – we won’t test you. Maybe. 

1. Non-serviced Offices: These are the kinds of offices where you have to take care of everything. The bills on top of rent, the furniture, the cleaning, extra amenities you want, all of that falls on you. Forget about coffee being available if you forgot to buy any yourself or all the admin being taken care of. A non-serviced office means exactly that; no services are done for you. Ouch.
2. Serviced Offices: Think of these offices as the deluxe options: fully furnished, with all the amenities you could ask for, including reception services, internet, and maintenance. You can simply move in, add extra decor if you wish, and get on with what you do best: running your company. The cleaning and all that other nitty gritty is fully taken care of. Endless coffee or tea without having to add it to your personal grocery list? Done. Daily, mundane office admin? Not your problem anymore. How great is that?
3. Coworking Spaces: We mentioned the growing desire for community. In a post-lockdown world where so many teams have turned to a hybrid approach, that need for face-time and networking is obvious. Coworking spaces offer that, alongside the flexibility of being able to choose when and where you meet your team.

Benefits of Private Offices

Obviously there are pros to private offices, which makes sense. If there were only cons, we wouldn’t be here putting this guide together for you. You can thank us later.

1. Productivity: When meeting with your team or getting on with work in a space designed to help you thrive, you can rest assured your productivity will soar. Sometimes having a reason to get out of your pyjamas and walk more than a few feet from your bed to your laptop is enough to maximise your focus and output.
2. Less Overhead Costs: Unlike with a traditional/non-serviced office lease, a serviced office typically equipped with all the goods and gadgets you’d need to run your business efficiently. Imagine, one monthly fee to pay instead of surprising costs popping up as they would in a non-serviced office. Talk about stress you don’t need.
3. Professional Image: Hosting clients in a dedicated office space makes a much better impression than squeezing them into a noisy cafe. It’s just not the one.
4. Improved Well-being: Having that opportunity to connect with your team, clients, and like-minded professionals in an office setting can be a huge boost to your overall well-being. Sometimes you need to step away from the screen and collaborate in-person.

Who Benefits from Private Offices?

Private offices can have many benefits for so many different people, working in hugely different industries. It really depends on how you like to work and where you thrive most.

1. Startups and Small Teams: Perfect for when you need a space for your team without committing to a long-term lease. Talk about reduced pressure. For small teams or startups, serviced offices or coworking spaces truly offer that flexibility that’ll help you put your focus where it needs to be.
2. Remote Workers: Tired of working from home in your pyjamas? Change up your environment with a space that’s designed with your accomplishments in mind.
3. Freelancers and entrepreneurs: Maybe you’re just starting out with your next big idea, or you’ve got a handful of clients but no coworkers really, and crave to be surrounded by some people. In this instance, a coworking space is so perfect. With the flexibility and reduced cost, you’ll be able to get that coworker feeling without letting go of your freelance/entrepreneurial status.
4. Established Companies: Ideal for project-based teams, offering flexibility without the fuss.

Cost Considerations

Several factors influence the cost of private offices, like location, size, amenities, and lease terms. Let’s break it down:

Serviced-offices vs. non-serviced office leases: Sure, serviced offices might seem pricier upfront, but they include utilities, internet, coffee, focus spaces, furniture, and maintenance, making them a savvy choice in the long run. Plus, you don’t have that long-term lease weighing on your shoulders. They’re more flexible too, so you could easily change up your location if necessary and only make use of them according to a schedule that suits you; part-time, on-demand, or even full-time if that’s your jam. The ability to focus on your business and its growth is the only weight you’ll bear (and truthfully, that’s enough!) 

Non-serviced offices often require long-term leases and on top of that, all the other expenses fall on you too. Additionally, you won’t be able to chop and change your location as you please. That sounds kind of boring…

Coworking Spaces: Coworking spaces give you a mix of community and solitude, often at a competitive price. If you’re someone who enjoys networking and that community feel, this is the perfect mix of both worlds.

How to Choose the Right Private Office

Depending on the type of business you run, your team, how you prefer to work, and what kind of non-negotiables you have, you’ll have to consider a few things before choosing your perfect private office.

1. Assess Your Needs: Think about the size, budget, location, and amenities that are must-haves for you.
2. Tour Potential Spaces: Seeing is believing. Visit potential offices to get a real feel for the environment. Seeing a space online won’t give you the exact understanding of the atmosphere, and it could be completely different to what you expected.
3. Read Reviews: Online feedback from other users can give you the inside scoop on the quality and management of the space. 
4. Negotiate the Lease: Don’t be shy. Ask for better terms or additional perks to make the deal even sweeter.

Hint hint: FlowSpace can help you find the *perfect* space for you. Just send us your brief and we can get you options the same day!

Conclusion

Private, serviced offices are where it’s at in our opinion. Ain’t nobody got time for dealing with office management duties and admin tasks these days!

If anything, going this route means you’ll have more time to be productive, brainstorm with your team, network, produce your best work yet, and still manage to enjoy the after-work events (which might even take place at your office location!)

Dive into the world of private office options and discover a workspace that works for you.

And remember, you’re not alone. Get in touch and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for. We kind of *really* like having your back.