What to Expect from a Furnished Office

If you’re tired of making compromises when it comes to office space, a furnished office might be an ideal alternative to a standard setup. Offering unrivalled levels of convenience, flexibility, and affordability, they’re the future of flex office space, making an ideal base of operations for freelancers, remote teams, and startups alike.

Renting an office can be time-consuming and expensive, with many locations coming with eye-watering costs and restrictive leasing terms. Furnished offices are far more cost-effective, while granting tenants incredible levels of freedom, unbound from throttling lease agreements and hidden costs.

Interested in learning more about why a furnished office is the best choice for your business? Below, we’ll take a closer look at exactly what a furnished office is, the benefits of using one, and what to consider when choosing the perfect space for your needs. 

What is a Furnished Office?

Sometimes called a serviced office, a furnished office is a type of commercial premises that comes ready loaded with all the furniture and equipment you need to start operations. Utilities are also provided, meaning you can commence work immediately without any delay. Unlike traditional office leases, these ready-to-use offices are generally managed by a third party.

These third-party providers typically handle everyday operations, covering everything from cleaning to maintenance. Furnished offices are also typically more flexible than traditional office leases, allowing companies to adjust their space requirements as their needs change. This level of scalability just isn’t possible with a conventional office lease. What’s more, furnished offices may include access to shared facilities, such as meeting rooms and conference rooms.

Generally speaking, furnished offices are a cost-effective alternative to the standard office setup. General rents are comparable to traditional offices, but there are fewer utilities, upfront fees, and hidden costs to contend with.

Because of the reduced upfront costs of a furnished office, they’re a good fit with startups and smaller businesses. They’re also well suited to companies with an eye on growth, presenting a scalable solution. However, any business looking to broadcast a more professional image or operate within a limited budget can benefit from such a space.

What’s Included in a Furnished Office?

Wondering what falls under the scope of a furnished office? When you opt for a serviced office setup, you can expect more than simple furniture and other office essentials included in the price.

Essential Office Furniture & Equipment

As the name suggests, furnished offices come fully equipped with furniture. In a typical serviced office, you can expect to find desks, workstations, and chairs, with the best venues offering ergonomic furniture. Additional items include storage units, filing cabinets, and other essential pieces of furniture.

Technology & IT Infrastructure

Setting up an IT infrastructure in an office can be costly and time-consuming. When you opt for a furnished office, all of this is ready and in place before your arrival. High-speed internet and Wi-Fi come as standard, while other technologies like printers, copiers, phone systems, and servers may all be included.

Meeting & Collaboration Spaces

Shared spaces are a particular highlight of furnished offices. Access to shared amenities like conference rooms and breakout areas is common, while kitchens and lounges may also be included as part of a furnished office lease agreement.

Utilities & Maintenance Services

Arranging utility providers takes time and can be a costly endeavour. With a furnished office, electricity, water, and HVAC systems are all part and parcel. Furnished office leases also generally include cleaning and maintenance systems as standard.

Benefits of Renting a Furnished Office

Furnished offices offer many advantages over standard office leases. Need more convincing that a serviced office is right for you? Below are a few of the biggest benefits.

Cost Savings & Convenience

If you’re looking for a new base of operations or need to relocate on a budget, a furnished office is a cost-effective choice. For starters, no upfront costs are involved in purchasing things like furniture. Furthermore, you don’t have to set up costly utilities contracts with third-party providers. You also avoid the usual hidden costs associated with traditional offices, while you’re not bound to an expensive long-term lease commitment.

Flexibility & Scalability

Nothing beats a furnished office when it comes to flexibility. Along with providing you a truly short-term rental option, you have the option to customize your requirements as and when required. Need to upgrade your space quickly? Furnished offices are usually scalable, allowing you to expand to accommodate a growing headcount quickly. Need to downsize? Not a problem. With a serviced office, you can rethink your office requirements and choose a smaller space without having to sign complicated new leases or assign a big relocation budget.

Professional Image & Ready-to-Use Setup

When you’re just starting, it’s important to make a solid first impression with clients. Sadly, this isn’t always possible if you’ve had to make cash-conscious compromises when it comes to your office setup. Fortunately, with a furnished office, it’s easy to strike the right note with clients from the office. You get to hit the ground running, with immediate moving-in capability you don’t get from a regular office lease. With a fully equipped office at your disposal, you’re good to go from day one, while any visiting clients will see you for the professional operation you are.

Networking & Collaboration Opportunities

Another premium perk of a furnished office is access to shared environments and workspace. As well as providing you with access to first-rate facilities that might have normally been out of your price range, this benefit provides you with plenty of networking and collaboration opportunities. Shared office spaces foster business connections, making it easy to seize upon ventures. You’ll also be able to enjoy exciting coworking community events, helping you establish your business and secure lucrative partnerships.

Potential Downsides of a Furnished Office

Furnished offices aren’t for everyone, and there are many potential downsides to consider. Some users find them too limited when it comes to customization options, while the overall monthly cost of a serviced office can be high when compared to unfurnished spaces. Meanwhile, while shared workspaces have many benefits, there’s always a concern when it comes to security and privacy.

How to Choose the Right Furnished Office

Have you decided that a furnished office is the right choice for you? Not every serviced office is created equal, so you’ll want to consider your requirements when selecting the perfect space.

Location & Accessibility

Location is arguably the most important thing to bear in mind when selecting a new office space. You’ll want a fairly central location that’s either in close proximity to clients or accessible via convenient public transport links. You’ll also need to secure a space that’s within easy reach of your employees. In this case, a so-called hyperlocal space might be an ideal alternative.

Pricing & Lease Terms

Furnished offices can be cost-effective, but you’ll still need to consider your options carefully. Generally speaking, a furnished office is slightly more expensive per month than a standard one, but this doesn’t tell the whole story. Provided your furnished office lease agreement includes things like utilities and doesn’t come with any hidden fees, it can actually work out cheaper than a regular office.

Office Size & Layout

While the convenience of being able to pitch up in a furnished office is hard to deny, you’ll still need to have a space that’s large enough for your needs, with a layout that works for your team. Consider your requirements carefully before securing a furnished office lease, determining the bare minimum you’ll need to start operations. Do you anticipate growth? Make sure you’re selecting a provider that offers scalable solutions that can expand as your team does.

Amenities & Additional Services

Most furnished offices come with a wide variety of additional features, but these aren’t shared unanimously by every provider. For convenience, look for extras like on-site parking,  round-the-clock security, 24/7 access, and reception services.

Who Should Consider a Furnished Office?

Furnished offices can benefit anyone from freelancers to small businesses. If you’re just starting with a limited headcount, a furnished private office makes a good starting base. If you’re operating a remote team, a dedicated team suite is a good idea. Meanwhile, digital nomads and freelancers are well served by furnished offices, with hotelling and hot-desking options a cost-effective solution.

Find the Perfect Furnished Office with Mindspace

If traditional office leases are too expensive and restrictive for your liking, it’s time to wake up to the appeal of the furnished office. Scoring top marks for convenience, cost-effectiveness, and scalability, furnished offices are the only choice for professionals and companies looking to get down to business immediately. Offering premium perks and first-class facilities, furnished offices can be readily customized to your requirements and grow to meet the demands of your business.

Are you searching for an affordable alternative to expensive office leases? With utilities included and no hidden costs, furnished offices can work out considerably cheaper than standard office leases, while the freedom to scale your premises to meet growth demands saves you even more money. What’s more, with access to unbeatable shared amenities, you’ll get far more out of a furnished office than you would from a standard setup.

If you’re in the market for a hot desk or a furnished office for a growing team, you’ve come to the right place. At Mindspace, we offer co-working spaces and furnished offices in some of the biggest cities on the planet, offering first-rate facilities, affordable prices, and convenient locations within easy reach of public transport connections.

Eager to discover more? Why not learn more about our flexible office solutions online today or book a tour of one of our locations? 

FAQs

What’s the difference between a serviced office and a furnished office?

Although these two terms are often used interchangeably, a serviced office generally includes a furnished office space, along with additional services like a reception, internet access, and other utilities. A furnished office comes with furniture and basic amenities, but may not include these extra facilities.

Can I customize a furnished office?

Yes, many providers allow you to customize a furnished office to accommodate your requirements. Many workspaces are also scalable, meaning your office can grow as your headcount does.

How much does a furnished office typically cost?

Costs for furnished offices in the USA can vary wildly, with some providers charging as much as $23 per square foot. However, the overall cost depends on a number of factors.

Are furnished offices available for short-term leases?

Yes, furnished offices are available on a short-term basis. Generally speaking, they’re far more flexible than traditional office leases.