The Benefits of Coworking—Why More Professionals Choose Shared Workspaces

 

Is there anything more tedious than the 9-to-5 grind, sitting at the same desk, in the same dull office, surrounded by the same people? Yes, in fact, there is. Sitting at home, alone, in such a daze that work ended two hours ago, you haven’t walked the dog, and you’re emailing people who have gone home. 

It doesn’t have to be that way. There are so many benefits of coworking spaces, and we will walk you through them. By the end of this article, you will wonder what you’ve been doing with your professional life and question why you haven’t been a member of a coworking space until now.

What is a coworking space?

A coworking space is a professional, community-oriented space that combines the perks of an office with the freedom to choose how and where you work.

In these shared workplaces, people from different companies and professions work alongside each other. It offers flexible seating options like hot desks, dedicated desks and private offices, along with amenities like Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and social areas.

They’re great because instead of being tied to a desk surrounded by the same people every day, you’re in a shared space with people from all kinds of backgrounds. One day you’re next to a freelance designer; the next day, you’re across from a tech start-up.

Gone are the days of being crammed into a stuffy office alongside people who are moaning about the lack of milk in the fridge or talking about the weather. Instead, you get to be surrounded by a community of motivated and like-minded people.

Why is coworking so popular?

In 2019 – the year before COVID shut the whole world down – there were just 19,421 coworking spaces in the world. Since then, coworking has taken off, with around 42,000 expected to be in operation by the end of 2024! But, why on earth are they so popular?

With remote working and hybrid working on the rise, people went in search of more suitable places to work than the sofa or spare bedroom. When working from home, people lost that human connection, they weren’t inspired, and the line between professional and personal life got blurred. 

On the hunt for meaningful connections, like-minded people, reliable wifi and good coffee (the most important part), people started flocking to coworking spaces. It offers all the benefits of an actual office without any overheads, and you don’t have to make your dining room table double as a meeting room. At coworking spaces, everything is done for you. You just have to turn up and work. 

The benefits of coworking spaces

Flexibility in where (and how) you work

Flexibility is the name of the game with coworking. If you’re someone who likes variety, coworking spaces give you options: 

• Hot desks for when you want to switch things up
• Dedicated desks if you like having your own spot
• Private offices for more privacy or to get your team together.

You can work somewhere new every day or stick to a desk that feels like yours – whatever suits you and your coworking productivity best.

This is one of the biggest benefits of coworking spaces, especially when you weigh up traditional office vs coworking space vs working from home. At home or in an office, usually, you’re in the same spot day in and day out. This can be tedious, especially when you know changing your environment would make you more productive and happier. But your boss thinks you aren’t working unless you’re tied to your desk from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

At a coworking space, you’re free to choose a desk and area that feels right for the kind of work you’re doing at the time. Maybe you want a quiet corner to go into full focus more. Or, perhaps, a more collaborative area to bounce some ideas around would be better – coworking spaces make it easy to work in the way that works for you.

Cheaper than renting your own office

Commercial real estate doesn’t come cheap in the UK, and renting a traditional office can be expensive. Plus, you have all the overheads that come with it. There’s the rent, utilities, furniture, maintenance, cleaning… it all adds up.

With coworking, you don’t have to worry about those extras. Most memberships cover all the basics like Wi-Fi, heating, lighting, and maybe even coffee and snacks. For small businesses, freelancers or start-ups, it’s an affordable way to have a professional space without the big price tag. Plus, there are no big contractual commitments and you only pay for what you need. So, if your team grows or shrinks, you can adjust your workspace with it too.

Building a community and tackling isolation

One of the standout advantages of a coworking space is the people you spend your time around. Almost everyone in the building is looking for the elusive coworking productivity. They’re actively seeking out an environment that makes them more creative and productive.

If you’ve ever worked from home, you know it can get a bit lonely. But in a coworking space, you’re part of a community. There are people around, friendly faces you’ll get to know and chances to connect with people you’d never have met otherwise. You get that sense of being with people without the office politics. It’s a huge plus for anyone who misses having colleagues around but also hates the office small-talk with the people you have nothing in common with.

Many coworking spaces also come with social areas, coffee shops or even gyms on-site. Some organise events and workshops, so you can meet people, build connections, and maybe make a friend or two along the way. It’s all part of the package, and it’s great for keeping a healthy work-life balance.

Why coworking has the edge over traditional offices

A lively, creative atmosphere

We’re gonna say it…traditional offices can feel a bit stale. The same faces, in the same seats, doing the same thing, having the same conversations – it gets boring fast. Coworking spaces, on the other hand, tend to be livelier and more creative. They’ve usually got open layouts, modern décor, and different types of people around. It’s not the same old thing every day, and that can make a big difference in how motivated you feel.

When you’re in a space where people are working on different things and you’re not surrounded by the same old routines, it sparks a bit of creativity. It’s refreshing and gives you a different vibe, which can be especially handy if you’re in a creative industry.

You end up learning something new every day, it broadens your perspectives which helps spark ideas for your own work. The energy of a coworking space is completely different to any traditional office.

Choose the desk that suits you best

When you start a new job in a traditional office, your new boss walks you over to the desk and chair that you will call home until you eventually get tired of this job and leave. You’re going to spend around eight hours a day sitting at this desk, and you have no say in it, apart from maybe adding a plant and a picture of your loved ones.

Another of the big benefits of coworking spaces is the freedom to pick the setup that works for you. Need a bit of variety? Go for a hot desk. Want a space that’s just yours? A dedicated desk might be more your style. Or, if you need more privacy, you can choose a private office.

Having these options lets you adjust your workspace as you go. It’s flexible, just like the rest of coworking, and it’s perfect for people who want a bit more control over their work environment.

More amenities than you’d expect

Coworking spaces often come with a load of extras you wouldn’t find in a standard office. High-speed Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, lounges, and kitchens are standard practice. However, some places go all out, adding wellness rooms, meditation pods, event spaces and on-site gyms. 

You might get these things if you work for a huge corporation, but really, how many SMBs have things like an on-site gym? You’re more likely to get a small discount at your local leisure centre as a “benefit”. That’s if the local council hasn’t already closed the gym.

Networking and making professional connections

One of the best things about coworking is the chance to meet people outside of your usual circles. You’re sharing a space with freelancers, start-up founders, creative types and all kinds of professionals. You never know who you might run into – someone with skills that complement yours, a potential client, or even a future business partner.

Coworking spaces often host networking events, so it’s easy to make connections. If you’re looking to grow your professional circle, coworking is ideal. You’re in an environment that encourages collaboration and relationship-building, which is hard to find in a regular office.

Try the benefits of coworking spaces for yourself

If you’re curious about coworking or want to try somewhere new, you can get a free Spacemade day pass. We’re a community-focussed company, with spaces across the UK, in London, Birmingham and Leeds. 

Come and experience what real coworking productivity feels like, find people just like you and get all the perks of being a fully-fledged Spacemade member.