Moving Into The Future— Why Startups Should Embrace Flexible Working Spaces

As the remote and hybrid work revolution continues to take root, flexible working spaces continue to appeal to business owners. These office spaces rival traditional working spaces in costs and flexibility. So, let’s review why you should consider flexible working spaces for your startup.

What are flexible working spaces?

A “flexible working space” is a term that refers to any working space that provides creative desk layouts. Instead of the traditional model of assigning a fixed desk space to an individual worker, flexible working spaces allow employees to choose different work locations within an office and scale up or down on space depending on their needs.

Flexible working spaces also refer to office leases with flexible payment terms, including monthly rolling contracts or daily charges depending on use. You can book these shared working spaces without worrying about long-term leases.

Usually, flexible working spaces combine the following features.

Hot desks

Hot desks are fully equipped desks that you can plug into at different times and start working. These desk arrangements allow workers to use desk space on an ad hoc basis. The goal is to reduce redundant working space, especially when some workers operate remotely, outside the office. Workers can operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but employers can also use room booking systems to help workers pre-book desk spaces when needed, and prevent double-booking.

Dynamic open-plan office designs

Dynamic open-plan office designs minimize walls and partitions to create large, fluid spaces that are easily re-assembled to suit your needs. By reducing cubicles, you create a more collaborative physical space that encourages communication and reduces dependency on artificial light in some instances.

Focus zones

Since an open-plan office increases ambient noise, quiet zones are required for people to focus as needed or take crucial phone calls without distractions.

Adaptable workspaces

While ergonomic work desks are critical, adding a variety of furniture can help boost productivity by changing moods and encouraging relaxation. Lounge chairs, bean bags, swinging seats, and standing desks are common in flexible working spaces.

Shared spaces

Besides office essentials such as power and internet, most flexible workspaces also come with shared amenities such as break rooms, kitchens, meeting rooms, and terraces, accessible depending on the agreed payment plan.

Overall, flexible working spaces support better collaboration due to open designs and shared desk spaces. They also reduce overall office rental costs by providing flexible payment models where you can pay for the features you need and avoid unnecessary or redundant costs. Lastly, flexible working spaces maintain your startup’s agility by helping you adjust according to your needs.