Private office or open space: which coworking format is right for you?
Oct 16, 2025
Open-space or closed office?
Private office or open-plan coworking space: the choice of your workspace is crucial to your productivity and well-being. Each option caters to different needs: privacy, budget, atmosphere, and flexibility. This article will help you identify which option offers the best working conditions—whether you’re a freelancer, a startup, or an SME.
Understanding both formats
The private office is a closed space reserved for one or more people from the same company. It guarantees calm, confidentiality and a sense of belonging.
Anopen-plan office, on the other hand, favors conviviality and exchanges. You share a large space with other professionals, often with common areas, acoustic bubbles and shared meeting rooms.
Comparison chart: private office vs. open space
| Criteria | Private office | Open space |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | High: closed door, confidential discussions possible | Average: shared space, need to use a phonebox for calls |
| Concentration | Excellent, quiet environment | Variable, depending on the number of visitors, any passing traffic and ambient noise |
| Budget | Higher per shift for small offices (2 to 4 shifts), more competitive for large offices (8 to 10 shifts or more). | More economical for one or two workstations |
| Team spirit | Strong within the same company | A dynamic business-to-business environment conducive to networking |
| Professional image | Enhances brand value and stability | Reflects a youthful, collaborative image |
| Flexibility | Usually 3 months' notice, adaptable to the size of the team | More flexible: one month's notice |
| Ideal for | SMEs, growing start-ups, legal and accounting professions | Freelancers, creatives, consultants, IT developers, small businesses |
How to choose?
Whether you choose a private office or an open-plan coworking space depends mainly on your work style and your company’s culture.
- If your day involves a lot of confidential meetings or customer calls, opt for a private office.
- If you like group emulation and want to reduce your fixed costs,open-space will be more suitable.
- Some coworking spaces, such as Coworkea in Vanves or Issy-les-MoulineauxSome coworking spaces, such as Coworkea in Vanves or Issy-les-Moulineaux, offer a mix of both: shared workstations combined with closed offices for alternating concentration and collaboration. Other spaces offer only closed offices, such as Coworkea in Meudon-la-Forêt / Velizy
In a nutshell
The right choice is one that allows you to be productive, relaxed, and connected to a professional community. Modern coworking no longer imposes a one-size-fits-all model: it offers the freedom to switch between different formats depending on your needs. To learn more, check out our resources on coworking in France
The Benefits of a Private Office in a Coworking Space
Choosing a private office in a coworking space means getting the best of both worlds. You get a private space that’s tailored to your needs, while still having access to common areas, meeting rooms, and the community. This is a popular choice among small and medium-sized businesses, law and accounting firms, and teams that need privacy without completely isolating themselves.
Open-plan coworking spaces: Who are they for?
Open-plan coworking spaces are particularly well-suited for freelancers, creatives, and consultants looking to break out of the isolation of remote work. Sharing a large space with other professionals fosters creativity, networking, and motivation. It’s also the most cost-effective solution for one or two workstations, offering maximum flexibility: just one month’s notice. Some spaces even offer daily or weekly memberships, ideal for digital nomads.
Why choose a coworking space instead
Whether it’s a private office or an open-plan coworking space, coworking spaces offer many advantages over traditional offices: lower costs, no long-term commitment, access to high-quality facilities (fiber internet, meeting rooms, kitchenettes), and a stimulating professional community. They allow businesses to remain agile and adapt quickly to their growth without the constraints of a traditional commercial lease.