Updated for 2026. If you’re one of the roughly 70 million-plus Americans who did freelance work in the past year (per Upwork’s Freelance Forward research), there’s a very good probability that you work from home. And, that can be both good and bad for business. For starters, you don’t have to worry about the dreaded daily commute to and from work so you can spend more time working. And, you get to stay in your pajamas all day working in a spot that you designed specifically to increase your productivity.
On the other hand, it can get lonely sitting in your home all day. Other challenges include getting easily distracted and finding the motivation to get started since there’s no clock or boss doing that for you.
Because of the pros and cons of working from home, every freelancer needs to break-out from time-to-time to socialize and break-up the monotony.
1. Local Library
The peace and quiet that libraries provide make them a favorite location for freelancers. Besides the ambience, local libraries provide a number of various seating options from cozy chairs to open desks to private rooms, as well as a reliable internet connection. And, you’re surrounded by books which means you can walk around and look for additional resources, as opposed to sitting behind your computer screen all day.
The only cost involved is getting your library card. And, that’s free to local residents.
2. Bookstores
If you enjoy the vibe that a library offers, but don’t enjoy the complete silence, then consider working at a bookstore. Many bookstores have free Wifi and a comfortable area for people to read, and also work. Unlike libraries, you can enjoy some snacks or a cup of coffee since cafes are usually present in bookstores. Some bookstores, such as the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in New York, has a cafe that also serves beer and wine!
3. Coffee Shops
The local coffee shop is probably the go-to location for freelancers to work. Besides the Wifi, coffee shops have a unique vibe that can actually make people more productive and creative. Also, since coffee shops are frequented by so many other freelancers, it’s a great place to network.
If you do work at a coffee shop, try to avoid setting up shop during busy business hours, such as breakfast or lunch. Also, make sure that you purchase at least a fresh cup of coffee every hour so and share your table with other freelancers if the place is crowded.
4. Neighborhood Bar
I wouldn’t recommend going here during happy hour or during the weekend. But, your favorite watering hole can be a great option if you want to get out of the house for a little bit. Most bars have Wifi and are rather quiet during non-peak hours. Of course, this isn’t an excuse for you to start drinking – you’ll never get any work completed. You could have some lunch, order one drink, and work for a couple of hours in the afternoon.
5. Diners/Restaurants
Another non-conventional workplace, is you favorite diner or restaurant. Like many other businesses, they have Wifi and you may be able to set up in a large booth so that you have some privacy and decent sized workplace. Just as with coffee shops or bars, you should only use diner or restaurants as a workplace during non-peak hours.
The biggest downside with diners and restaurants is that you can’t use up the table all day. You can work while waiting for your meal and during your cup of coffee afterwards, but not too much longer after that.
6. Hotels
If you’re traveling and need to get some work done, hotels are a great option. There’s Wifi access and most hotels are equipped with business centers. Even if you’re not traveling, hotels can still be an alternative to your home. Maya Angelou actually rented a hotel room in her hometown on a monthly basis where she could write in peace.
If you don’t want to splurge on a room for a night or two, you can always hand out in the lobby for a bit to take advantage of the comfortable seating and free Wifi that some hotels provide.
7. Grocery Stores
This may seem a bit off the wall, but if you live near a newer grocery store you probably noticed that there’s usually a cafe or other eating options accompanied next to a seating area. It’s kind of like a food court. Combine that with some free internet access and you have a workplace that you can visit next time you’re out grocery shopping.
8. Local Park
Getting outside is one of the best ways to boost your productivity. And, thanks to parks, we all have access to the great outdoors. While it is possible to tap into free Wifi access, not all parks have complimentary Wifi. If that’s the case, you may have to bring your own hotspot.
My favorite thing about working in a park is that there’s no time limit for you to be there. You could work there all day if you wanted, depending on the weather and your laptop’s battery life.
9. Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces were constructed with freelancers in mind. There’s reliable Wifi and all the amenities that a typical office would include, such as conference rooms that you could use when meeting with clients. Prices vary depending on your needs and location, but there’s also some free coworking spaces like the Wix Lounge or the affordable Makeshift Community.
One of the best perks about coworking spaces is that it’s great place to meet your fellow freelancers so that you can network and exchange ideas.
10. Desk Rental
Get in touch with local agencies in your industry and ask if they have any spare desks that you could rent out. You can also turn to sites like Deskcamping, ShareDesk, or Breather to find available desks in your area. Like coworking spaces, desk rental give you access to office amenities and a chance to network.
11. Someone Else’s Home
If you have any friends, family, or colleagues who also work at home, why not see if you can come over to do a little work. Doing work in someone else’s home is still work away form home. I’ve done these plenty of times. You would think that it would be unproductive. But, my colleague and I always end up having great brainstorming sessions that fill up an entire whiteboard. We also exchange ideas and offer advice on each other’s projects.
Another benefit is that you’ll motivate each other to complete a project. I doubt the homeowner is going to sit back and binge watch Netflix while over their house working. And, if you need to get motivated, the go-getting attitude of the homeowner could get your inspired.
If you don’t know anyone where you can work for a bit without feeling like a freeloader, you can always rent a place on Airbnb if you need to get out of your home.
12. Colleges/Universities
This may not be the case for all colleges and universities, but you can also go back to your Alma mater’s campus work in the library or computer lab. This is actually a service that is offered by pretty much every university to alumni. Not only are these quiet locations containing most of the resources that you need, the enthusiastic energy from current students could give you a boost of energy.
If you don’t leave near your Alma mater, you can pick up a class or two at a university near you. Besides learning a new skill that could advance your freelance career, you’ll now be granted access to workstations reserved for students.
How to Choose the Best Place to Work Remotely
The best places to work remotely all share four things: reliable Wi-Fi, a noise level that fits the task, a seat you can occupy without overstaying your welcome, and a cost that makes sense for how often you go. A quiet library is perfect for heads-down writing, a coffee shop suits creative brainstorming, and a coworking space or rented desk is the right call when you need to take client calls or spread out for the day. Knowing where to work on your laptop is really about matching the venue to the work in front of you.
Match the spot to the task
For deep focus with no interruptions, a library, a park, or a campus computer lab is hard to beat. For energy and a change of scenery, a coffee shop or a grocery-store cafe keeps you around other people without the pressure of an office. When you simply need a push, our roundup of places freelancers can go for a motivation boost is a good starting point, and if you are weighing a paid membership, see whether coworking is worth a second look for your routine.
Mind the etiquette and the budget
Anywhere that sells food or coffee, the unwritten rule is simple: buy something, sit during off-peak hours, and do not hog a table all day. Free spots like libraries and parks cost nothing, while coworking spaces and desk rentals trade a monthly fee for amenities and networking, so decide first whether you really need to rent office space as a freelancer. Working outside the home also helps with the very real challenges of working from home, from isolation to constant distractions. To compare real coworking options near you, the global directory at Coworker.com lists thousands of spaces with reviews and day-pass pricing.
Key Takeaways
- The best place to work remotely depends on the task: libraries and parks for focus, coffee shops for energy, coworking for calls and meetings.
- Free options include libraries, parks, bookstores, and your alma mater’s campus; paid options buy amenities and networking.
- Respect the venue: buy something, work off-peak, and do not occupy a table for an entire day.
- Carry a mobile hotspot as a backup so spotty public Wi-Fi never derails your day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go to work on my laptop besides home?
Popular places to work on a laptop include local libraries, coffee shops, bookstores, grocery-store cafes, hotel lobbies, public parks, coworking spaces, and college libraries open to alumni. Each offers Wi-Fi and seating; the right choice depends on whether you need silence, energy, or room to take calls.
What is the best place to work remotely for deep focus?
For deep, uninterrupted focus, a public library or a quiet campus library is usually the best place to work remotely because the environment is built for concentration and the Wi-Fi is free. A park can work well too when the weather cooperates, as long as you bring a hotspot and keep an eye on your laptop battery.
How do I stay productive working from a coffee shop?
Arrive outside the breakfast and lunch rushes, buy a drink roughly every hour, use headphones to control the noise, and sit near an outlet so battery life never limits you. If you travel often, our guide for digital nomads balancing work, travel, and productivity has more on staying focused on the road.
Related Reading: Market your services on the go with Snapchat for freelancers.
Related Reading: Working remotely? Sharpen your good client pitch to land more freelance work.
Related Reading: Not sure how to describe your work? Here is how to choose the right freelancer job title.
