Over the last few years, there has been a noticeable shift in the concept of the traditional office. While many companies have adapted to a hybrid working format, others have decided to completely eliminate their formal office spaces and shift to shared coworking offices. These types of workspaces allow individuals to share tools, services, and facilities to create a more positive working environment while encouraging social interaction, engagement, and productivity.

What is a coworking office space?
A coworking space is essentially a shared office space that does not have one set employer. Entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals, and workers from any organization can set up their work desks here based on a rental agreement (which could be as short as a day).

Benefits of a coworking office space

1. Flexibility
Coworking spaces provide a high level of adaptability, allowing for various office and desk layouts and flexible rental agreements. Most of these shared working spaces have a variety of meeting rooms and desk spaces that one can reserve based on their own or their team’s needs. This reservation can be upscaled or downsized to accommodate fluctuating requirements depending on the requirements. This is a great solution for those with a small budget who cannot keep up with the growing demands of conventional office space.

Moreover, most coworking spaces are part of larger networks with multiple locations. So, companies allow their employees to choose where they want to work from. This makes it easier for employees to work as they travel or for companies to hire remote employees without the fear of having them feel disconnected.

2. Cost-effectiveness
One of the biggest advantages of a coworking space is its economic factors. Since the hiring and maintenance of an office are outsourced entirely, this goes a long way in reducing overhead costs. These spaces tend to provide access to shared resources such as reception services, printers, internet, desks, computers, break rooms, cafeterias, and more. The cost of these services is typically included in the initial fees, making them a rather economical option for small businesses and self-employed professionals.

3. Networking opportunities
Since shared working spaces bring together people from various backgrounds and offices, they provide stellar opportunities for professionals and aspirants to network beyond their immediate teams. This helps build creativity, improve engagement, build new partnerships, and find new clients.

4. Amenities and services
Shared coworking spaces are already built with the convenience of employees in mind. As a result, they already feature top-notch amenities and services that one requires to boost productivity and translate it into desired results. These include meeting rooms, break/rest rooms, calling booths, printing facilities, high-speed internet, kitchen facilities, recreational areas, and a whole lot more. These facilities are already included in the cost of the space rental so that one can use them to their heart’s content. Several larger coworking spaces also offer access to gyms and exercise studios, along with wellness rooms and onsite showers, to encourage fitness among the employees.

When it comes to design these spaces are built to be more inclusive. Unlike traditional offices, coworking spaces do not rely on cubicles and closed-off work environments. Instead, they break down the traditional walls and opt for a more open office layout, incorporating elements such as lounge chairs, glass-walled private offices, meeting rooms, conference rooms, as well as long desks. This further improves the chances of collaboration between teams and companies.

5. Professional environment
With so many people from different offices working together, one thing that does not dip in a coworking space is professionalism. These workspaces are a great way to create a professional setting without investing extra time or resources. Fostering this type of environment is a stellar catalyst for innovation, new ideas, and growth of a company.

6. Increased productivity
These spaces have been designed with the intent to improve productivity. Features like ergonomic seating, natural lighting, and access to amenities help improve employee creativity and productivity and offer work satisfaction. Additionally, coworking spaces also help build a sense of community, which would be difficult to achieve while working from home or in a traditional office setup. This chance to connect with like-minded people can work wonders in yielding desired outcomes and providing employees with a better work experience.

7. Access to events and resources
Last but certainly not least, many coworking spaces host regular events such as training sessions, workshops, networking events, catered lunches, seasonal markets, and even food stalls, which provide an added perk to employees and allow them to network with other industry professionals and experts.

Even though not all coworking spaces are built alike, they offer similar benefits to workers – an engaged work environment with plenty of opportunities to communicate and network. Not only do they offer access to a myriad of amenities, but they also do so in an economical fashion, prompting many companies to make the switch and bid farewell to their traditional offices.