Discover the Ultimate Private Office Space!

An office rental is an investment in the future of your business. It provides you with a professional space to invite your clients, put your head down, build a team, and even expand your network. While moving to a private office space is exciting, it’s also a major decision for your business — so it’s essential to get it right the first time!

Guide to Choosing Your Private Office Space

Whether you’re looking for a private office to take calls in peace (finally!) or a shared workspace to boost team collaboration, here are nine considerations to help you find the best office solution for your business needs.

1. Estimate how much space you’ll need.

One of the most important considerations when searching for the perfect private office space is how much space you’ll need to effectively run your business. Think about how large your current team is, as a team of ten and a team of 100 have entirely different needs! 

In addition to personnel, figure out the footprint of your inventory and equipment. You may not need much space if you’re just bringing in a few desks and a shared printer, but specialty machines and extensive product inventories should be included if those are in your plans.
As you’re looking at options, be mindful that a private office space should grow with your business. If you intend to expand your team or increase inventory, plan accordingly.

2. Weigh the value of included amenities.

Many private office spaces include access to shared amenities in the building, such as meeting rooms, coffee stations, kitchenettes, parking garages, and onsite gyms. While certain features may or may not appeal to you, remember that your team members might appreciate the added value of going into an office with extra perks.

Beyond comfort amenities (which are certainly worth it!), consider what you need to do business. Will you need daily access to a conference room with a projector to meet with clients? Is secure Wi-Fi a must? Do you expect frequent cleaning services? 

Don’t settle for a private office space that doesn’t check off all of your needs. Otherwise, you’ll likely need to hunt for a new private office before you know it, which you won’t want to invest time or energy into when business is booming!

3. Determine the best office style for your needs.

Every business has different needs, so finding the right style of workspace is essential for productivity and well-being. For instance, a private office is perfect for solopreneurs and small teams that prefer to keep their heads down every day. But if you and your team thrive on social interactions, a shared coworking space would offer a more open environment for collaborating and networking with others.

You’ll also want to consider whether you want to rent a furnished private office space or bring in your own equipment. Many of our patrons opt for a furnished office, as it tends to be a more cost-effective option. However, if you’re moving from another private office space, you may already have all the furniture you need!

Since every business is unique, look for an office space provider with custom solutions and flexible terms.

4. Get familiar with the neighborhood.

You and your team will spend a lot of time in your new office rental, so make sure you are comfortable with its location. Does it feel safe and secure to walk around? It’s worth driving by at night to scope out the neighborhood as well, especially if you’ll have team members accessing the office 24/7.

Beyond safety, you may also want to consider what else is located nearby. Are there fun restaurants for team bonding lunches? Would a neighborhood grocery store make everyone’s life easier? Do you prefer having parks and green spaces within walking distance? A hip and trendy neighborhood may not be essential, but it can add value and energy to your (and your team’s) workdays.

5. Be mindful of your budget.

Of course, the best private office space is one you can afford. Renting a workspace that eat up your bottom line isn’t going to help you grow your business, so get clear on your financials and how much you can afford to spend each month. Once you have a number in mind, you’ll have a better idea of which options are worth the investment.

As your company (and your profit margins) grows, you can connect with your office space provider about upgrading to a larger space or adding more amenities. But when you’re new to office rentals, it’s wise to start small and grow from there!

6. Ask about flexible terms.

Entrepreneurship is unpredictable, so it’s safer to rent a private office space with flexible terms. Long-term leases are always available, but they can lock you into an arrangement that doesn’t scale with your business. Look for providers that offer month-to-month and short-term options so you can feel confident in your decision without worrying about what will happen next year.

Likewise, you’ll want flexibility with your private office space as well. Whether you want to bring in your own furniture, install new equipment, or cut costs with remote workdays, a great office space provider is willing to create a custom solution for your needs.

7. Make the space your own.

If you’re spending 40-plus hours in your office rental each week, you’ll want the workspace to make you feel confident, engaged, and inspired. A stuffy, cookie-cutter office isn’t going to cut it! 

Look for the potential to freshen up a space with comfortable and inviting features, like your top-of-the-line espresso machine or a compact treadmill to pair with your standing desk. If your ideas involve minor renovations (like putting up wallpaper or installing a new lighting fixture), confirm these updates are allowed before signing a lease.

8. Inquire about building security and maintenance features.

Nobody wants to show up on a Monday morning to find their broken office door wasn’t fixed over the weekend. Or worse, that someone found their way into your office and made themselves comfortable! Ideally, you won’t have to interact with the building’s security and maintenance teams regularly, but it’s best to know your bases are covered.

Security features like keycard access, secured networks, surveillance cameras, and onsite security ensure you and your business are safe and protected from intruders, hackers, and other threats. A central maintenance team is also great to have, as they’ll be on-call to fix problems like a faulty thermostat or a spotty WiFi network. 

9. Note how others use the shared amenities.

When you move into an office building, you have to coexist with others — even if you have a private workspace. Shared facilities like restrooms, kitchens, and meeting rooms are valuable perks, but only if they are respected and well-maintained by your neighbors.

Consider the cleanliness of common spaces, looking for signs that show whether tenants are respectful of the community. Notice usage as well. Is the conference room full every time you’ve seen it? Are there people mingling in the coworking space at any given time? 

Think about whether you can see yourself working among those office neighbors. Even if the building enforces security measures and keeps up with custodial and maintenance duties, you should feel comfortable and confident sharing common spaces with others.

Conclusion

A great private office space can support business growth, but you first need to get clear on your preferences. If you’re ready to find your perfect workspace, Metro Offices is here to help! 

We provide entrepreneurs and small businesses with office solutions customized to their needs, including private offices, shared coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and virtual office services for the WFH folks out there! Get in touch with our support team and let’s put you in a private office space you’ll never want to leave.

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Women-owned and locally-focused, Metro Offices has been a catalyst for workspace innovation since 1989 and continues to be the premier provider of virtual and in-person office space in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Serving over 30,000 businesses, our high-touch services and solutions are designed to help entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs scale their businesses and optimize their professional reputations.