As the gig economy grows and remote working becomes the norm, more and more people are now working away from the traditional office setting. However, whether you’re a freelancer, startup founder, or a digital nomad, this whole process doesn’t need to take place in a vacuum.

In Ireland, there are already about 216,000 people working from home. While it can help people find a better work-life balance, it can quickly turn into an isolating experience.

In fact, you will miss out on the social aspect of working in an office. You’ll also lose multiple opportunities to observe and learn from colleagues who share the same values.

If you’ve ever worked in a socially conscious and culturally acceptable co-working space, you might have experienced the magic that (almost) always there. But if you haven’t, here’s a list of what you have been missing out on.

1. Enhanced Productivity

If you choose to work from home, you can easily get distracted by pets, family, or even the TV. On the other hand, co-working spaces can offer more structure to help you stay focused.

A co-working environment with like-minded individuals can boost your motivation and make you more productive. Even the simple act of just getting out of your pajamas and leaving the house can have a positive impact your work.

According to research, co-working spaces made 90% of people working in them more confident, 68% more focused, and 64% more productive.

As much as 70% of the workers surveyed also stated that they felt a lot healthier when compared to the time they worked out of a traditional office. As much as 60% also felt more relaxed at home after working in a co-working space.

2. Networking and Collaboration

You will meet all sorts of people in a co-working environment that are great at different things. So if you ever get stuck on a project, you can easily tap into some deep insights by just talking to the people around you.

Working in close proximity to someone with a completely different skill set can breath new life into the creative process and lead to a whole new set of ideas.

As this environment values relationships, it’s quite normal to see people helping each other out while still being productive. Sometimes, it can also lead to collaboration on a project or even the creation of a new business.

In fact, the following tech startups were born out of co-working spaces:

ZipRecruiter
Fullscreen
Friendbuy
Heal
HopSkipDrive
Science

3. Professional Meeting Space

Co-working spaces also offer facilities like meeting spaces and conference rooms. This is a far better option than attending a client meeting at a busy cafe.

When it comes to maintaining a professional personal brand image, conducting client meetings in a professional environment can also set you apart from the competition that might be working from home.

It’s also a professional setting that your potential clients are already accustomed to, so it can go a long way to help you close the deal.

4. Maintain an Address for Receiving Packages and Mail

If you’re a startup, it will be important to maintain an address in a great location to regularly receive your packages and mail (on time). Co-working spaces provide this option and provide your business with a physical presence/address.

I mean think about it. If you’re working on important projects with corporate clients, would you really want to provide your home address?

In short, that approach won’t do much for your professional image!

5. Community Events

At the end of the day, co-working spaces build strong communities by supporting each other. They nurture a healthy environment (for you to thrive in) by hosting free events for members that often include guest speakers from the area that help coworkers connect and grow.

Sometimes it can be just a casual gathering with drinks to help you unwind after a hectic week. For those who have been too busy to get to know everyone working out of a co-working space, this will be an ideal situation to finally strike up a conversation.

There are many more benefits to working in a co-working environment, but ultimately, it’s a great place to get things done in a productive atmosphere that’s buzzing with fresh and innovative ideas.