Many of us work from home, if only on a part-time basis. You might be a traditional office worker, currently operating on a hybrid working pattern following the national coronavirus lock-downs. Alternatively, you might be a professional freelancer, working away at your computer in the corner of your bedroom or on the kitchen table.
And that’s the problem. Few of us are lucky enough to have our own dedicated office at home. Sure, we might have our patch of the living room with a folding chair and desk, which we have designated as our work space, but it hardly gives a positive impression. If you’re in a Zoom meeting, on a phone call, or just trying to complete a project, you don’t want people – even your family! – walking past you to pop the kettle on.
In this article, we’re going to discuss the very real benefits of hiring out your own office space. Many storage facilities and business centres have small offices available for 1 or 2 person operations. It usually comprises a desk, a chair, Wi-Fi and a phone line, though some places offer other amenities such as reception staff, mail-handling, meeting rooms, and so on. At Weston Centre there is also a great business community, with the opportunity to network, do business with and grow in a thriving centre with other entrepreneurs.
Here are the advantages
No interruptions
One of the key advantages of having a small office to yourself is just that – you have it all to yourself. You don’t need to worry about your children barging in or the doorbell suddenly ringing, or any one of a hundred other distractions that currently make up your day while working from home.
More professional
Not only do you appear more professional to prospective customers and business partners when working in an office that you sit on the couch, but you feel more professional too. The simple act of getting changed for work (however casual you dress – remember, you’re still the boss!), driving to your private office, and getting sat behind a desk can get you pumped up for work and make you more productive.
Separation of home and work life
This is a big one for a lot of people. During the pandemic (and since) those of us who work from home have seen the boundary between work and home become foggier with each passing month. We wake up, work, eat, and sleep in the same building, every day. Can we ever truly feel like we’re off the clock? By setting up in a one-person office you can begin to separate the two parts of your life again.
Tax-deductible
If you’re a self-employed freelancer, then renting your own office space counts as a legitimate business expense and can be deducted from your end of year tax return. This means that having a rental office can help you reduce your tax burden. While you can claim some heating and lighting expenses when working at home, these are negligible at best.
Here at the Weston Centre Business Hub we have a range of office suites available to rent on flexible terms, from 1-2 person spaces up to larger suites to accommodate 10+ desks. Please call us on 01270 250 022 or email hello@westoncentre.co.uk to discuss your requirements or to arrange a viewing.