Flex space has become quite a buzz word among freelancers and start-ups. What does flex space mean? In this post, we’ll fill you in!
Back in the day having an office space was pretty self-explanatory. There wasn’t a whole lot of wiggle room, and most of the time, one standard image of an office came to mind.
In this day and age having a workspace is more flexible than ever before. There are all sorts of ways to get everything that you need, as you need it, without all the extra overhead and other stuff that you don’t want.
Flex space is exactly like that.
It gives workers the amenities they need when they need them, with the ability to change things up whenever it’s necessary - all within the same building!
If you’ve been thinking about trying it out, check out this post for some tips.
The Origins of Flex Space
Flex space first took root when business owners began to convert old warehouses into offices. Companies and startups began to do this rather than renting traditional office spaces because it allowed for the overall square footage of the property to be used more efficiently.
Rather than paying for unnecessary square footage and being limited and restricted by predesigned office layouts, these converted builds and warehouses allowed for the space to be designed in a way that offered flexibility and improved flow between various types of tasks.
Many of these spaces began to rent out individual “spots” in these converted buildings for workers who just needed a space to use on occasion.
Renting out these office spaces on an as-needed basis had a massive economic benefit for both workers and flex space owners.
Workers could have space when they wanted it without having to pay for a permanent spot, and property owners could reduce the amount of “dead space” by making it available to those in need at a reasonable price.
This evolution of the “traditional” office is how coworking spaces, in general, came to be. That is why in environments like ours, you’ll not only find desks but a variety of other spaces and setups all designed to adapt to the needs of professionals across the board.
It’s important to note that flex space is no longer just for small businesses and freelancers. Large corporations are taking advantage of it too!
Flex Space Adds an Element of Comfort to the Work Environment
One of the big advantages that coworking spaces have over traditional office settings is that they tend to be more enjoyable to spend time in. It is typically the flex space that is responsible for bringing an element of warmth into the environment, as flex space typically offers a combination of comfortable seating, more unique and pleasant decor, and adaptable furniture that can be used for relaxation or casual meetings and workspaces.
Developments in Flexspace
As coworking grows in popularity, the ways in which workers and business owners are working with flex space has expanded and evolved In Manhattan alone, the amount of coworking and flex space being used has tripled since the year 2014. The rest of the United States has been following suit.
What started as a way to save cash on a traditional office has evolved into an incredibly desirable way to work. Most flex spaces offer lounges, kitchens, and even bars! The amenities offered within these spaces have come a long way and will likely continue to evolve as the demand increases - which it will!
Self-employment has steadily been on the rise for the past few years and is showing no signs of slowing down, which means that demand for flex space and coworking arrangements will continue to grow.
Why Ranch Office?
If you’re looking for flex space in Houston, the amenities offered here at Ranch Office are hard to beat. We have three different membership options all designed to suit the needs of entrepreneurs, traveling employees and just about everyone in between. We even offer virtual office solutions.
All of our in house membership options come with 24/7 access which allows for ultimate flexibility when determining your schedule.
Ready to learn more about what we bring to the table? Check out our membership options.