Have you ever wondered why coworking spaces are so popular? Well, the coworking concept offers flexible, shared workspaces that support various ways of working. Whether you often travel for your business or prefer to work in a professional environment rather than at home. In this article, we will explore the rise of coworking, its key benefits and why it is the solution for your professional needs.
In this article, you will read:
- Coworking: a definition
- What is a coworking space?
- A short history lesson of coworking
- Other modern working solutions
- What is the purpose of a coworking space?
- 4 different types of coworking spaces
- How does the coworking space concept work?
- Who uses coworking spaces?
- The most common available coworking facilities
- The pros and cons of a coworking office space
- Is a coworking space right for you?
- Where can you find coworking spaces? Our tips
- Book your coworking day pass at Wezoo
Coworking: a definition
Coworking is a modern working model where people from different professional backgrounds share a common workspace managed by a third party. Coworking encourages collaboration, flexibility, and a sense of community. At its core, coworking is about creating a supportive work environment that meets the changing needs of today’s workers.
What is a coworking space?
A coworking space is a flexible office solution where different kinds of professionals work in the same space. Coworking spaces offer flexible working options, such as hot desks, private offices, meeting rooms, and dedicated desks. You can also use shared amenities such as high-speed internet and communal areas.
Coworking spaces were created to address the need for a flexible work solution. As remote work became more common, professionals sought flexible, affordable work environments that offered more than just a home office. Traditional offices, with their high costs and long-term leases, often didn’t meet these needs. Coworking spaces combine the benefits of a professional workspace with the community and networking opportunities typically missing from working from home or a hotel.
A short history lesson of coworking
The concept of coworking spaces started in 1995 when a group of hackers in Berlin created the first hackerspace, a shared space for like-minded people. They wanted a space to work on projects, exchange ideas, and innovate together rather than working in isolation. This early model laid the groundwork for the contemporary coworking movement.
The San Francisco coworking space
The coworking movement began in the early 2000s as a response to the growing number of remote workers seeking a flexible work environment. The concept was founded by software engineer Brad Neuberg, who established the first coworking space in San Francisco in 2005. Neuberg aimed to create a space that combined the freedom of remote work with the social interaction and structure of a traditional office.
Today, coworking has become quite popular because the way of working has changed. More people are now employed by international companies or working flexibly from various locations around the globe. As a result, this model has thrived. To give you an example, the number of coworking spaces worldwide skyrocketed from just 310 in 2009 to a staggering 7,800 by 2015. These days, you can find coworking spaces worldwide, from London to Amsterdam. Tip: read our article about the 17 best coworking spaces in Amsterdam.
From a private office to a hot desk: flexible working solutions
A coworking space offers various flexible working solutions. Such as a private office space. A private office is suitable for professionals who want a personal room to work from without hiring a traditional office for several years. Instead, you can rent a private office for several months to a year, providing a flexible option to cancel the contract if needed. A hot desk is a flexible solution you can rent for a day. You can choose any available one when they arrive at the location. A dedicated desk is reserved exclusively for one person, allowing you to leave work materials in the same spot. Typically, a dedicated desk is available for rental on a monthly basis. Meeting rooms offer a private space for people to discuss, collaborate, and conduct business, typically bookable from an hour onwards.
What is the purpose of a coworking space?
The purpose of a coworking space is to provide a flexible, professional, and fully equipped space to work. You can find and use all the amenities you need, for example, high-speed internet, printing services, and shared kitchens. You can stay productive without being tied to a hotel room, home office, or café. Coworking spaces can also provide you with networking opportunities and meet with other professionals. Later in this article, we will discuss all the benefits of coworking spaces.
4 different types of coworking spaces
Coworking spaces come in all shapes and sizes to suit different professional needs, from more traditional coworking spaces to private communities. Let’s have a look at four different types of coworking spaces.
1. ‘Traditional’ coworking
Traditional coworking spaces have open-plan layouts with shared areas and basic shared amenities, such as kitchens and printing facilities. These places are great for working together, and you can choose from hot desks, dedicated desks, meeting rooms, or private offices.
2. Coworking cafés
Coworking cafés are more casual spaces, offering you a cosy seat in a dynamic, flexible area. You don’t book a desk; instead, you typically pay for food and drinks while you work. These cafés provide a vibrant setting for productivity and networking, blending social interaction with the ability to work.
3. Industry-specific coworking space
Industry-specific coworking spaces are designed for professionals in a particular sector, offering the kind of amenities and resources that meet their specific needs. One example is Makerversity in London, a coworking space for designers, craftsmen and start-ups. They can access all the tools and machines they require, such as 3D printers and CNC cutters.
4. Private community coworking space
Private community coworking spaces provide an exclusive environment for members. These spaces often offer luxurious facilities such as a private gym, relaxing spa, fresh in-house food from top chefs and various after-work events. This is a place where you can focus, collaborate with like-minded people and thrive in a sophisticated environment.
Tip: The coworking market is constantly evolving. Are you curious about the latest trends? Check out our article about trends to watch.
How does the coworking space concept work?
The coworking space concept works very simply. Below, we explain step by step how it works:
- Choose a coworking space that fits your needs based on location and amenities.
- Book your desired solution, for example, a hot desk or meeting room. You can book both very easily at Wezoo.
- Pack your work essentials, such as a laptop and charger, headphones, a notebook, and a mouse and keyboard, in your bag.
- You can reach the location by train, bus, car, or bike, or you can also walk.
- Set up your equipment and connect with the Wi-Fi to start your day.
- Take a break by using the available amenities, such as the shared kitchen or breakout room.
- At the end of your work session, log off, and you are ready to go.
Who uses coworking spaces?
Different groups of professionals can use coworking spaces. A study by the Eindhoven University of Technology has discovered that nearly 90% of Dutch coworkers are highly educated, with many holding bachelor’s, master’s, or even PhD degrees. Coworking spaces seem to attract a particular crowd: freelancers, self-employed individuals, and entrepreneurs. However, not exclusively. Let’s have a closer look at the different groups.
Freelancers
Coworking spaces give freelancers a structured environment with the flexibility to choose their own schedules. The spaces are great for networking, allowing freelancers to connect and learn from each other, which helps them grow both personally and professionally.
Remote workers
Remote workers benefit from coworking spaces, especially in terms of social interaction, flexibility, and collaboration opportunities. These spaces give remote workers a professional environment and the essential resources they need to get more done and stay engaged. For more information, read our article about the benefits of coworking spaces for remote work.
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs can surround themselves with creative minds that inspire fresh ideas. Vibrant coworking spaces encourage teamwork and creativity, offering the perfect setting for entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and stay ahead of the curve in their industries.
Startups and small businesses
Through significant cost savings and a collaborative environment, startups and small businesses benefit from coworking spaces. These spaces also allow you to meet investors and partners who can help you grow.
Enterprises
Larger enterprises use coworking spaces for their flexibility and scalability. These spaces let companies adapt to changing needs quickly to avoid unused office space, especially when thousands of employees work worldwide. Coworking spaces are great for growing teams and project-based work.
Business travellers
Business travellers often use coworking spaces to maintain productivity while on the move, allowing them to work efficiently without being confined to hotels, home offices or noisy cafés. Coworking spaces are also ideal for those needing a reliable workspace during brief stays in different cities.
The most common available coworking facilities
Many coworking spaces are designed to provide everything you require for a productive working day. Here’s a list of the most common facilities:
- High-speed internet to keep you connected and efficient
- Flexible workspaces: hot desks, dedicated desks, meeting rooms and private offices
- Refreshments: (Free) coffee, tea, snacks, and on-site cafés
- Printing services: Printers, scanners, and photocopiers
- Private phone booths: A quiet space for important calls
- Communal areas: Kitchens, breakout rooms and more
- Lockers/storage: Personal lockers for storing belongings securely
Some exclusive membership coworking spaces can offer full-service amenities, such as unlimited access to their gym, so you can work out without leaving the location. Childcare facilities make it easier for parents to balance work and family life. If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly way to get to work, you’ll often find bike storage places. Last but not least, mail handling services ensure you never miss an important delivery, which is a great way to make your working day even more convenient.
The pros and cons of a coworking office space
Coworking spaces are popular among professionals for a reason. After all, these workspaces offer you many benefits. We will discuss them below.
The advantages of a coworking space
- Flexibility: Coworking spaces offer flexibility. You can work where and when you want and choose different solutions (meeting room, dedicated desk, hot desk, private office).
- Convenient locations: Coworking spaces are often situated in central business districts or near public transport for easy access.
- Professional amenities: You can use the shared amenities such as high-speed internet, meeting rooms and printer facilities.
- Comfortable work environment: Another benefit is the comfortable work environment, which includes ergonomic seats, desks and much more to promote focus and productivity.
- Minimal setup time: You have immediate access to a fully equipped workspace, so you don’t have to buy or arrange anything yourself.
- Work-life balance: Coworking promotes a healthier work-life balance by providing a structured work environment and encouraging set working hours. This prevents burnout and enhances overall well-being.
- Affordable: Traditional office spaces can be financially out of reach. Coworking spaces provide a more affordable alternative, offering flexible lease terms.
Coworking spaces can also create a sense of community through networking events, but this is not the primary focus.
The disadvantages of a coworking space
- Limited customisation: One of the main downsides is that you can’t personalise your workspace. Unlike a traditional office, where you can design your environment to suit your preferences, shared workspaces often restrict what changes you can make.
- Noise levels: Depending on the space and the time of day, noise from other members can be disruptive. A voice-cancelling headphone can be a good solution.
- Availability: Finding a suitable workspace can be challenging during peak times or in busy locations. At Wezoo, you can see the live availability of meeting rooms.
- Less privacy: With open-plan layouts and communal areas, finding a quiet spot for confidential conversations or focused work can be challenging. A solution is to hold confidential conversations in a phone booth, meeting room or private office.
Is a coworking space right for you?
You may be wondering: is a coworking space the right fit for you? As a professional, your time during business hours is valuable, so a ready-to-use solution is what you are looking for. Coworking spaces offer you this. They combine flexibility with essential amenities designed for today’s mobile workforce. With a coworking space almost always near you, you can work anytime, anywhere in a professional environment. In conclusion, in our opinion, a coworking space is a great solution for every professional.
Where can you find coworking spaces? Our tips
Finding your ideal coworking space can be challenging. But no need to worry — we’re here to help with some tips.
1. Location
The location is key and can make a difference. Choose a coworking space near you that’s easily accessible, ideally close to public transport or within a reasonable commuting distance, for example, in business centres.
2. Budget
Coworking spaces come in various price ranges. At Wezoo, you can find various meeting rooms and hot desking options that fit into your budget. Do you need inspiration? We collected the 10 cheapest coworking spaces in London for you.
3. Online reviews
Look into online reviews and ratings of co-working spaces to gather insights from other users. This feedback can highlight common issues or positive aspects. At Wezoo, we have added helpful reviews for each venue so you can make the right decision.
4. Amenities
Lastly, the amenities. Look for essential facilities like high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and kitchen areas. Other perks like free coffee, ergonomic furniture, and recreational areas can also add value.
Book your coworking day pass at Wezoo
Coworking spaces offer flexible work environments for professionals, providing various options like hot desks, dedicated desks, private offices, and meeting rooms with all the amenities you need for optimal focus and productivity.
Are you looking for a coworking space near where you stay? For example, when you work remotely for an enterprise or need to travel for business? Wezoo is the best platform for finding the option that fits your needs. Secure your day pass now and enjoy instant online booking with free cancellation (up to 24 hours) and the lowest price guaranteed.
