How often should you work in a coffee shop versus your home office?
Working in a coffee shop can be an enjoyable and fruitful experience. The feeling of smashing work out of the park with the smell of ground coffee and a hubbub of chatter is a wonderful feeling. If you close your eyes you can place yourself there.
However, one question often goes unasked: how often should you work in a coffee shop?
Now, of course, this will be a very personal decision. My aim here isn’t to give you a definitive answer—but to explore the subject and help you come to your own conclusion.
The Benefits of Working in a Coffee Shop
There are lots of superb reasons to work from a coffee shop, including:
- Access to coffee (obviously)
- Access to lovely, sweet treats
- Ambient background noise
- A relaxed environment
- The opportunity to get to know the staff (as a regular)
- A physical and mental break from the office
- A great setting for certain types of work
The Downsides
Of course, it’s not all lattes and lovely chats. Some of the drawbacks include:
- Easy access to too much coffee and sugar (afternoon jitters!)
- Background noise that can become distracting
- The relaxed atmosphere might reduce motivation
- Being away from the office (or home) for too long
- Not all work can be done effectively in a coffee shop
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why working in a coffee shop can be both brilliant and problematic.
Much of it depends on your circumstances, and how you personally respond to the environment.
My Perspective
So, what’s the optimal amount of time in a coffee shop?
Speaking as someone who has worked in offices, factories, warehouses, co-working spaces, and from a home office—I’ve come to a simple realisation: I need a work environment that’s both stable and varied.
100% in an office? Not for me.
100% at home? Not for me.
100% in a co-working space? Also, not for me.
I need variety and a change of pace to keep my brain working at full capacity—and to stay motivated. Coffee shops are part of that mix. For me, 7 or 8 days a month works well.
I’m currently splitting my time between home and a co-working space attached to a coffee shop. It gives me a good balance: in and out of the house, with enough change to keep things fresh.
What Approach Should You Take?
There are a few vital factors to think about:
- Availability of nearby coffee shops
- The type of work and responsibilities you have
- Your personal environmental motivators
Let’s break those down a little:
1. Availability of Coffee Shops
This is fundamental. If you don’t have good coffee shops nearby—or at least within a short drive—it becomes much harder to build a routine around them. You want a spot that has great coffee, decent seating, reliable Wi-Fi, and the right atmosphere.
2. Type of Work You Do
Not every task is well-suited to a coffee shop. Depending on your role, you may not be able to spend the whole day there—or even part of it. Think about what aspects of your job can be done in that setting.
3. Environmental Motivators
Some people thrive in a change of environment. Others find it draining. Ask yourself: does the setting inspire you, or does it distract you?
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Bringing It All Together
Try answering these questions:
- Do you find that changing your environment boosts your motivation?
- What parts of your job can be done from a coffee shop?
- What can’t be done there?
- Is your employer okay with you working in a public space?
- Are there suitable coffee shops nearby?
- What’s your budget for drinks and snacks?
- How long does it take you to get there?
Write your answers down.
Then, email them to yourself and read them one week later. Seeing your thoughts with a bit of distance can really help clarify your thinking.
Deciding Your Schedule
You’ve got a few options:
Full days at the coffee shop Mornings or afternoons only A split-week approach
Personally, I divide my week into ten half-day slots (mornings and afternoons). That way, I can plan coffee shop sessions without it dominating my schedule.
This helps me to keep ahead of the curve when it comes to preparing the tasks I need to manage.
Experiment
The only way to know what works is to try. Test different patterns. See how you feel after a few sessions. Adjust throughout the year and according to your own workloads. Nothing is ever set in stone or needed.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, how often you work in a coffee shop needs to be a flexible decision. Life and work are constantly shifting. Your routine should shift with them.
Be mindful.
Be adaptable.
And above all—enjoy your coffee.
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