There are obvious benefits to working from home, including more time to do your chores and working in comfy clothes.
But the downsides like isolation, distractions, and monotony push many professionals to seek alternatives to working from home.
Whether your productivity is waning at your home office or you just want a change of scenery, here are the 11 best alternatives to working from home as well as the pros and cons for each, ranked, from AirBNBs to coworking spaces.
11 Alternatives to Working from Home
If you find the appeal of WFH life waning, you’re not alone. Many professionals are feeling isolated or struggling to maintain a work-life balance while working from home.
So if your home office just isn’t cutting it for you anymore, we’re counting down the 11 best alternatives to working from home—ending with our top pick for you to try out.
11. Airbnbs
If you’re working on a creative project or anticipate putting in more hours than usual, why not opt for an Airbnb as an alternative to working from home? You can choose an inspiring and engaging space for a day or couple of days and really buckle down. Some creative professionals might also use unique Airbnbs for their projects (i.e., photo shoot).
Pros:
- Unique environment to boost creativity and innovation
- Option to get away for longer periods of time for large projects
Cons:
- Expensive
- Isolating and lack of access to professional connections
Many professionals are grateful for the flexibility and freedom WFH life offers. But, your home office isn’t always the most productive or enjoyable place to be.
Solopreneurs and remote workers often find themselves wanting more social interaction and a change of scenery throughout the week. Mixing it up with one of these alternatives to working from home might be exactly what you need.
10. Museums and Galleries
Equipped with WiFi, on-site cafes, and inspiring art or history, museums and galleries can be a great place to work during the day. They’re often quiet during the week, so you can set up where you’d like. And when you need some inspiration, just take a break and walk around!
Pros:
- Memberships can be an affordable option to access the space
- Access to WiFi and comfortable seating
- Inspiring environment
Cons:
- Some places may not allow laptops or restrict the time you can stay there
- May not have many outlets for your computer
- Can be busy and distracting with tourists or guests
9. Parks
It may be unconventional, but there’s no reason you always have to work indoors! Public parks and greenspaces are great places to work and gain inspiration from the natural environment.
Just remember to have a fully charged laptop and queue up some offline work if you won’t have access to the internet. Or, take walking meetings and phone calls while outside to shake things up and get out of your home office.
Pros:
- Increased well-being and mental health from time outside.
- Creativity boost
Cons:
- Lack of access to WiFi, outlets, or other tools you may need
- Less comfortable seating options
- Unpredictable natural elements
8. Bookstores
Bookstores are quiet and peaceful environments, often equipped with areas for people to read and relax in. Some even have cafes where you can grab a hot coffee and get to work.
Pros:
- Quiet and focused work environment
- Access to WiFi and comfortable seating
Cons:
- Limit to how long you can stay there
- Some bookstores may not allow patrons to work on a laptop (i.e., reading area only)
7. College or University Campuses
Time to visit your alma mater! Or, if you didn’t go to university in the area, check out local options near you. Most institutions are open to the public and offer guest pass options to use the library or log onto the WiFi network.
Pros:
- Access to WiFi and comfortable seating
- Productive work environment alongside students and academics who are working hard
- Free
Cons:
- Some institutions may not allow visitors to access spaces or resources
- Can be distracting with so many other people around
- May feel “out of place” around students instead of other professionals
6. Someone’s House
Friends, family members, colleagues… someone else’s house might be an effective alternative to working from home. It’s not your home so it may be just what you need to shake things up, enjoy some new scenery, and be more productive. Plus, you can take your breaks with someone and get in some socialization!
Pros:
- Free option
- Opportunity to connect with other people
- Comfortable environment with access to WiFi
Cons:
- May not be a dedicated workspace available to you
- Can be distracting to work with friends or people you know well
5. Restaurants and Bars
Similar to working from a coffee shop, restaurants or bars offer another alternative to working from home. You can choose from a range of options and pick something that fits your vibe—a trendy brewpub might get the creativity flowing, whereas an upscale restaurant is a good option for a client meeting.
Pros:
- Usually have good WiFi and comfortable seating
- Great food and drink
- Nice atmosphere
Cons:
- Can be expensive to purchase a full meal or drinks
- May be noisy with other patrons
- Limit to how long you can work there
4. Hotels
If you’re working while traveling, this is a no-brainer. But even if you’re in your own hometown, hotels are an alternative to working from home. You can either work from your room if you’ve checked in, or guests and visitors alike can make use of the hotel lobby, bar, or restaurant. Some hotels even allow people to use their conference rooms as a type of coworking space.
Pros:
- Comfortable, clean environment with a nice atmosphere
- Usually good WiFi and comfortable seating
- Options for food, coffee, or drinks
- May be other professionals to connect with
Cons:
- Can be expensive to book space in a hotel
- May not be permitted to sit for a long time in the common areas
3. Library
The library is one of the only alternatives to working from home that costs you nothing. Libraries offer free workspaces, internet access, and often even printers or scanners for any member of the public. They’re also guaranteed to be a quiet, focused environment to get work done!
Pros:
- Free public space to use for as long as you want
- Typically have a good internet connection and other resources you might need
- Quiet, clean, and focused environment
Cons:
- Open access to the public means it is less secure to leave your computer or equipment
- Usually cannot bring food or drinks into the library space
2. Coffee Shop
Coffee shops and cafes are often a go-to alternative to working from home for many professionals. They’ve got coffee, WiFi, and tables and chairs to sit at. Coffee shops also often have nice decor and music, creating a comfortable and aesthetic environment.
Pros:
- Comfortable environment
- Great coffee, snacks, or meal options
- Usually good WiFi and comfortable seating
Cons:
- Public environment that can be noisy and distracting—they often don’t cut it for professional meetings or phone calls
- Limit on how long you can stay there
- Lack of opportunities to connect with other professionals
1. Coworking Spaces
Call us biased, but we believe coworking spaces are the best alternative to working from home. They’re designed for your productivity and focus so you can get your best work done.
More than that, coworking spaces offer opportunities to connect with a community of like-minded professionals, something that many remote workers or solopreneurs lack. Interpersonal connection is so important for overall well-being, and it’s a big reason coworking spaces offer such a beneficial alternative to working from home.
Pros:
- Flexible membership options and terms
- Professional community and social opportunities
- Productive workspaces and spatial diversity to suit your needs; options include coworking, dedicated desks, and private offices
- Amenities like coffee, tea, kitchen space, on-site staff, and more
- Bookable meeting rooms for meetings and presentations
- Excellent WiFi and access to printers, scanners, and other tools you need
Cons:
- Need to commute to the coworking space
- Membership fees; coworking has a cost, although it covers everything you need to successfully run your workday
While many of these alternatives to working from home can help increase productivity and do your best work, we believe coworking is the full package. The Post is designed for professionals like you, so you receive access to everything you need to work plus a professional community of like-minded people. There’s no limit on how long you can stay there, and memberships are flexible to suit your needs.
If you want to put the coworking space vs. working from home debate to rest, we’d love to invite you to check us out and see how a coworking space like The Post might elevate your work life. Contact us today to book a tour and come see what we have to offer.