Imagine bright and vibrant workspaces adorned with office plants, kombucha on tap and a wide collection of professionals and working in lounges, hot desks, or kitchen bench seats. The workday’s new look is best captured in coworking spaces, and the growth of shared offices in urban areas and cities has no sign of slowing.
In 2021, the number of coworking space in the United Kingdom increased by 16 percent, while the number of flexible workspaces in other countries than the UK jumped 36 percent. The growth is predicted to continue, with estimates for the future showing that the number of coworking spaces to increase every year by 6 percent in the UK up to 2025 and by 13 percent all over the world.
More than a trend this phenomenon is driven by – and also helps drive–changes in work and work culture. Flexible work and remote working are becoming more prevalent because technology is improving and the business world becomes more modern. Coworking areas aren’t just the realm of entrepreneurs and freelancers. they’re now a flourishing ecosystem of remote teams of enterprise established companies with private offices, young startups in brainstorming spaces as well as a wide range of freelancers and gig economy workers.
We look at the diverse (and, in some cases, surprising) advantages of coworking spaces.
Rethinking your workspace?
1. Networking and community events
One of the most often touted benefits of coworking is the possibility of connecting with individuals you wouldn’t otherwise get to know. This is partly due to working with new people each day, however, elements of a social network are included in workspace solutions.
Monthly networking events are a good means to meet new collaborators and exercise your networking expertise, and the program of classes, yoga classes, lunches catered by a caterer and markets that are seasonal help you turn your introductions into lasting relationships–and possibly the start of a new business.
2. Increase connection; reduce loneliness
When the alternative is working from home, co-working in Finsbury Park will surround you with a community of professionals and can reduce the loneliness that is often associated with working at your home.
Recent research highlights the importance of these seemingly unimportant interactions on our sense of belonging. A casual chat with the barista the postman, or your neighbor can boost your happiness. These interactions are the glue that binds coworking communities together, and everyone–from those who greet you when you get there, to the colleague who is sitting at your desk across from you–helps to build this feeling of belonging. Outside of the scheduled community events, you’ll find that the energy of inspiration is flowing in an energetic atmosphere brimming with colleagues.
3. Access to private and shared spaces
In terms of design, coworking spaces are much superior to your average office. There’s no cubicles here. Between expansive lounges, convenient hot desks, glass-walled private office spaces, and even write-on-the wall conference rooms, there’s plenty of space for collaboration when teams get together. Privacy and heads-down productivity is also possible with the ability to book meeting rooms that can be booked and stylish private office spaces.
4. Flexibility and cost savings
Whether you’re a freelancer looking for a drop-in space or a seasoned team seeking a dedicated desk or private office, coworking solutions allow you to pay for only the space you use. Additionally, flexible agreements let you grow at your own speed, without the pressure or rigidity of long-term traditional leases. Flexibility is crucial to expanding businesses.
Additionally additional amenities, such as front-desk and cleaning staff print services, web connectivity, as well as bathroom and kitchen amenities reduce the cost of overheads usually associated with opening an office space that is yours.
5. Remote access
Coworking spaces are popping up in cities across the globe, the ability to plug in at any moment and from any location is an important benefit for professionals who work in coworking. Traveling while working is much more feasible when you’re aware that there’s WiFi and a comfy place to work and office necessities like coffee and printing simply swipe away your card. Plus, employers can choose to employ the most talented employees regardless of where they are, without relocation costs or the worry of employees who work from home feeling isolated.
6. Increased productivity
From the morning meeting flurry to three p.m. slump Your energy and focus levels vary throughout the day. And your workspace should accommodate this. The majority of coworking spaces combine several workspaces to meet various work styles. With more options than a traditional office however, with more structure to working at home, coworking spaces are specifically designed to increase productivity. Progress comes easy in intentionally constructed spaces. While intangibles such as background lighting, music and cool temperatures will keep you motivated and stimulated.
Additionally, coworking addresses an issue that is often related to working from home, which is linked to the theory of equity. In an office environment it is possible to observe the work of your coworkers–how they’re performing, as well as when they’re on the clock, and this serves as a reference point for evaluating your own performance. When this is eliminated in a workplace at home it’s difficult to remain productive, and the problem of “Is this enough?” is a constant nag. In a group setting, you can push you to concentrate, and also allows you to take a break when you stop for coffee or walking outside.
7. The courage to step out of your familiar zone
If you’re not used to open, buzzing office plans or the social side that comes with coworking ever-changing workplace can be a challenge initially. However, by stepping out of your comfortable zone, interacting with new people and working in different settings every day, you’re expected to stay innovative and creative when faced with uncertainty. These are traits similar to those needed in growing a startup.
According to a clinical psychotherapist and author Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, stepping outside from your comfortable zone to try new things and look at different perspectives helps fuel innovation and entrepreneurship. The challenge keeps you agile and this, in turn can lead to greater results in your personal and professional lives.
8. Balance of work and personal life
Working out during the day has been proven to increase productivity and enhanced cognitive capacity, and activities like meditation and yoga can improve focus and drive creativity. Coworking spaces usually have design elements such as internal staircases or large lounges inside that promote movement during the workday. Many locations are also built into larger areas which gives access to gyms as well as exercise studios. Some also provide spaces for meditation and yoga classes for the community as well as showers in the premises that are ideal after workouts.
9. Give structure to your day
The day at home office can go by in a blur with little structure and no an opportunity to commute in order to separate working and home obligations. Because of this, your schedule can have you working long past the time you should be catching up on your emails at night, or reading through project plans prior to your morning cup of coffee. Coworking spaces offer structure to your day, providing an area to come in every morning and leave once the work is done. Whenever you choose to start working each day you’ll discover that this structure helps prevent the unintentional encroachment of work time into the time you spend with your family.
The benefits of coworking space depend on your business needs
There are many reasons why coworking spaces can be applied to you personally–you might be looking into the benefits of remote teams or employing talent elsewhere. Whatever your needs in the workplace flexibility is the very heart of coworking and you can tailor the experience work for your team, company, clients or even your creative pursuits.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for investors, a creative seeking collaborators, or a well-established team looking for new clients coworking spaces are incubators for new opportunities. These vibrant coworking spaces aid in increasing productivity and create new connections. In addition, they offer the flexibility to work whenever you’d like, at the place you prefer, and to scale your operations according to your needs.