Coworking Spaces: What Are They and How Do You Choose One?
Learn what a shared workspace or coworking space is, its types and benefits, and how to choose the right one for you in Riyadh, with a quick checklist.
In brief: A coworking space is an equipped workplace you share with others. You book it by the hour, day, or month instead of renting a traditional office and furnishing it yourself. In this article we explain what it means, its types, and how to choose the right one for you.
What Is a Coworking Space?
A coworking space (also called a shared workspace) is a ready-made work environment with desks, internet, meeting rooms, and a hospitality area, used by different people and companies in the same place. The idea is that you pay only for the space and time you need, with no long contract and no furnishing or utility costs.
Types of Spaces Within a Coworking Space
- Shared desk (open work area): A seat in an open space, suitable for freelancers, students, and remote workers.
- Private office: A closed room for one person or a small team, with access to the coworking space's services.
- Meeting room: Booked by the hour for a client meeting, an interview, or a team session.
- Hour packages: A monthly number of hours you use whenever you need them.
Benefits of a Coworking Space
- Lower cost: No furnishing costs and no separate internet or electricity bills.
- Flexibility: Start with an hour and grow into a monthly package or a private office as you need.
- Better focus: An environment dedicated to work, away from the distractions of home and cafés.
- Professional image: Welcome your clients in an equipped meeting room.
- Professional connections: Work alongside entrepreneurs and freelancers from different fields.
How Do You Choose the Right Coworking Space?
- Define your need: Do you need an hourly seat, a private office, or a meeting room?
- Location: Is it close to your home or your clients, and easy to reach?
- The real price: Does the price include internet and services with no hidden fees?
- Facilities: Internet speed, display screens, and comfortable seating.
- Flexibility: Can you book by the hour and easily upgrade to a larger package?
- Try before you commit: Book an hour or a day and see the atmosphere for yourself.
Coworking at Hayez in North Riyadh
At Hayez you can book an hourly shared desk starting from 15 SAR, a private office for rent monthly or yearly, or a meeting room for 4 or 7 people starting from 49 SAR per hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a coworking space and a traditional office? A coworking space is ready, flexible, and you pay based on your usage, while a traditional office requires a long contract, furnishing, and bills.
Are coworking spaces suitable for companies? Yes, especially startups and small teams, through the private offices inside the space.
Can I book just one hour? Yes, most coworking spaces allow hourly booking, and at Hayez you can book directly from the website.