Working from home sounds wonderful, doesn't it?
No commute. No office politics. No need to change out of your slippers. And unlimited access to the biscuit cupboard.
What's not to love?
Well, quite a lot, actually, once the novelty wears off!
Don't get us wrong. Working from home has its perks, and for some people, it works brilliantly. But for others, the kitchen table slowly becomes a permanent office, the washing machine becomes a surprisingly tempting distraction, and the only colleague you speak to all day has four legs and an unhealthy obsession with tennis balls.
Sound familiar?
If you're starting to wonder whether it's time for a change of scenery, here are five signs that you might have outgrown your home office.
1. Your Kitchen Table Has Officially Become Your Desk
Remember when your kitchen table was somewhere you actually ate dinner?
Now it's home to your laptop, three notebooks, a collection of charging cables and at least four coffee mugs.
Every evening involves packing away your entire working life just so you can sit down for a meal. Or worse, you've stopped bothering and now eat dinner next to your printer.
The trouble with working from home is that work has a habit of spreading into every corner of your life.
Having somewhere separate to work can make a huge difference. A proper desk, a comfortable chair and somewhere you can leave work behind at the end of the day.
And the best part? Nobody expects you to clear your desk so they can eat their spaghetti.
2. You're Starting to Miss Actual Human Conversation
There's only so much conversation you can have with the dog.
And while they're excellent listeners, they're not particularly helpful when you need a second opinion on a business idea.
One of the things people often miss about working from home is the everyday interaction with other people.
Not necessarily big meetings or lengthy conversations. Just the little things.
Saying good morning. Having a chat while making coffee. Sharing a funny story. Asking someone what they think about something you've been working on.
At OfficeTribe, these moments happen naturally.
Our coworking spaces are home to a lovely mix of freelancers, small business owners and professionals, all doing their own thing but enjoying the company of others.
You can get your head down when you need to, but there's always someone around when you fancy a chat.
And unlike your dog, they might even have some useful business advice.
3. Everything at Home Has Suddenly Become More Interesting Than Work
You've got a deadline approaching.
You sit down at your laptop, ready for a productive morning.
But then you notice the dishwasher needs emptying.
And perhaps you should put a wash on.
Oh, and the fridge could really do with a clean.
Before you know it, you've reorganised the kitchen cupboards, watered every plant in the house and somehow it's lunchtime.
Working from home requires a surprising amount of discipline, particularly when your home is full of things demanding your attention.
Sometimes, simply changing your environment is enough to make you feel more focused.
At OfficeTribe, you can arrive, grab a coffee, find your desk and get straight to work.
No washing machine calling your name. No parcels arriving every ten minutes.
Just a comfortable, welcoming workspace where you can concentrate on what actually needs doing.
Although we can't promise you won't be distracted by someone bringing in cake.
4. You're Holding Important Meetings in Your Living Room
There's nothing quite like starting a professional video call and realising there's a pile of laundry behind you.
Or trying to explain to a client why someone has just walked through the room asking what's for dinner.
We've all been there.
But as your business grows, having access to a professional workspace can make life considerably easier.
Whether you're meeting clients face-to-face, holding a team meeting or simply need somewhere quiet for an important call, it's nice to have a space that feels a little more businesslike.
At OfficeTribe, we have meeting rooms, phone booths and comfortable coworking areas across our two central Tunbridge Wells locations.
Our Neon Meeting Room is particularly popular for team meetings, workshops and those occasions when you need a little more space.
And the coffee is considerably better than most meeting room vending machines!
5. Your Business Is Growing, but You're Not Quite Ready for a Traditional Office
Perhaps you started your business from the spare bedroom.
Then you took on your first employee.
Now there are two or three of you trying to coordinate everything remotely, and you're beginning to think that having everyone in the same place might make life a little easier.
But taking on a traditional office can feel like a big commitment.
There's rent, business rates, utilities, broadband, furniture, cleaning and all the other expenses that come with running your own premises.
Not to mention the time spent organising it all.
That's where flexible coworking spaces really come into their own.
At OfficeTribe, we offer everything from hotdesking and dedicated desks to fully serviced private offices for small teams.
You get a professional workspace, excellent facilities and a fantastic community, without the hassle of managing an entire office yourself.
And because we're all about flexibility, you can choose the arrangement that works for your business.
So, Is It Time to Find Your Tribe?
If you've been nodding along to a few of these, perhaps it's time to give coworking a try.
And no, that doesn't mean you have to abandon working from home completely.
One of the lovely things about flexible coworking is that you can find a balance that works for you.
Perhaps you want to work from home a couple of days a week and spend the rest surrounded by other people.
Maybe you just need somewhere to escape to when the house gets a little too distracting.
Or perhaps you're ready for your very own office.
Whatever your working week looks like, we'd love to help.
Affordable, Flexible Coworking in Tunbridge Wells
At OfficeTribe, we have two friendly coworking spaces in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, at London Road and Mount Pleasant Road.
We offer:
Hotdesk day passes from £20 + VAT – perfect for a change of scenery whenever you need one.
Unlimited hotdesking for £135 + VAT per month – ideal if you want somewhere to work regularly.
Dedicated desks – your own spot to settle into.
Private offices – great for individuals and growing teams.
Meeting rooms – for client meetings, workshops and team get-togethers.
Virtual office services from £30 + VAT per month – a professional business address without needing a physical desk.
You'll also enjoy superfast Wi-Fi, complimentary tea and coffee, comfortable breakout areas and a wonderful community of local businesses.
We're dog-friendly too, so your four-legged colleague doesn't have to miss out!
And because we believe work should be enjoyable, we love bringing our members together through lunches, book clubs, coffee mornings and the occasional hot chocolate extravaganza.
We're not just somewhere to sit with your laptop. We're somewhere to feel part of something.
Come and See What All the Fuss Is About!
If you're looking for a coworking space in Tunbridge Wells, why not come and have a look?
We'll happily show you around, introduce you to the spaces and make you a coffee.
You might discover that a change of scenery is exactly what your working week has been missing.
And don't worry, you can still wear your slippers when you're working from home.
OfficeTribe – More than a workspace. Find your Tribe!