PodShare co-living space offers beds that convert to desks by day

DO YOU spend so much time at work that you wonder why you bother going home? Then the PodShare co-living space is for you.

FANCY a work space with a bed that converts to a desk by day?

It certainly would come in handy for those of us that dread the daily commute to and from work.

Well, the dream is over. The concept is real.

PodShare, a co-working space with desks that double-up as beds, has three locations in Los Angeles.

And it’s popular with travellers and temporary or mobile workers living on a budget.

Entrepreneur Elvina Beck and her father opened the first PodShare accommodation in 2012.

Ms Beck said unlike a hostel that has 100 beds under one roof, PodShare is a “co-living space” with 10 to 30 beds, which turn into desks by day.

It’s not for everyone but with rent as cheap as US$35 to US$50 a night it’s no wonder the nifty idea has taken off.

“PodShare makes life more affordable because there is no security deposit or cost of furnishings and we provide flexible living,” Beck said in an interview with Motherboard.

“Pod life is the future for singles which are not looking to settle down, but focus on their start-ups and experience something new.”

Beck told Motherboard she hoped to end a world of loneliness with a global network of PodShares, which will allow more co-living.

“I started it to cure my own loneliness,” said Beck, “so I never had a night without friends.”

There is one let-down however: sex is not allowed.

But judging by guest reviews, that’s just a small luxury they are happy to go without.

“Dropped in and annexed the vocal booth for an afternoon and had a great time! Everyone was super mellow and pleasant. Got a lot of work done. Will likely be back in a couple days!,” David Kirsch said on the PodShare Facebook page.

Similarly Franci Mcloughlin wrote: “Podshare is a really friendly amazing space, your pod is your own space, and it is super chilled to hang out and come and go whenever you want, definitely would come back”.

Andrew Westrope described PodShare “like a casual hide-out in a hectic town”.

“PodShare is less an overcrowded hostel than a hidden crash pad for friendly passers-by. I was in good company with these folk,” he said in his review.