Gone are the days of the long commute to the stuffy office, where coworkers huddled into their cubicles to pound away at their day-to-day tasks. Technology, such as cloud computing and virtual phone systems, has opened so many doors in terms of making it possible to work anywhere, any time and as a result, more and more businesses are shifting from traditional to alternative offices. If you’re thinking of making this transition yourself, here are 4 creative options for you to consider.

Home Office – This is probably the most common set up for entrepreneurs because it doesn’t require a huge investment. All you really need is a computer, telephone, and a general place in which you can complete your work. Some people have a separate room or addition on their homes that serves as their home office; others simply sit at their desk or even kitchen table. The downsides to working out of your home, however, include managing your work with kids around and the lack of meeting space.

Co-working Spaces – These are the latest craze for alternative work spaces, because they’re a much more affordable option than renting traditional office space. They typically come fully furnished with office equipment and connectivity, and allow you to rent space for meetings or even just a cubicle, as needed or on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Some even come with other staff like a receptionist, which is shared by co-renters. This is ideal for those who wish to show a professional image for infrequent client meetings. The down size is, it’s shared so it’s not customizable.

Subleases – For those who don’t require the use of an entire office, subleasing part of a space is an option. Know someone else that’s in the same boat as you? You might consider co-leasing an office together, or you can lease out part of a business that is available. In today’s economy, businesses are looking for ways to defer cost, so it’s prime opportunity to find these types of arrangements. Sharing the cost and resources can be an upside for small businesses or entrepreneurs, however having a roommate can make it a challenge.

Go with the Flow – One of the greatest things about our mobile society is that it’s so easy to work from wherever you are at any given moment. These days you can bring your laptop and cell phone to your local coffee shop and hammer away at what you need to get done as you sip on your mocha latte. There are, of course, a few negatives to this approach, and they’re fairly obvious. With this type of work arrangement there is a lot of background noise and plenty of distractions.

The barriers that once held aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners back have been shattered, and people have the freedom to work whenever, wherever thanks, in part to technology. These four options provide the perfect alternatives to traditional work spaces, and allow you the freedom and flexibility to make your business a success.