Why Coworking Continues Growing in Popularity

It’s not difficult to understand how coworking spaces exploded in popularity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But now that the pandemic has been over for some time, and many people are back in the office, coworking spaces are still growing.

Why is this the case? And will coworking spaces eventually become the new norm for working?

Coworking Space Availability

Half of the equation can be explained by the availability of coworking spaces. After all, assuming there’s ample demand, having more coworking spaces available means more people get to take advantage of them – and there are more varieties of locations to choose from.

The Farm SoHo, for example, has multiple locations in and around New York City. If you want something close to where you live, you can probably find it. If you want something with very specific amenities, you can probably find that too. In fact, if you live in a big city, chances are good that there’s at least one coworking space that meets all of your needs.

According to Lucas Seyhun, founder of The Farm SoHo, “we saw an explosion of demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, but never really slowed down afterward. The coworking phenomenon is here to stay, and we’re here to keep helping people get access to the workspaces they need.”

Coworking spaces do tend to vary in the following categories and more:

Location. Many people choose to work at coworking spaces because of how convenient they are, but that convenience is limited by location. With multiple locations in every big city, it’s not hard to find something within walking distance or within a reasonable commute.
Amenities. Different coworking spaces offer different amenities. You can usually find the standard offerings of free internet, coffee, and certain office supplies, but not every space is suitable for hosting big events or regular meetings.
Style. Coworking spaces differ by style as well. Some people prefer rustic, cozy amenities, while others prefer sleek, modern designs. This is largely subjective, but with the availability of coworking spaces, you can almost certainly find the perfect fit.
Culture/expectations. There are also different cultures and expectations to consider. For example, one common motivation for seeking a coworking space is meeting new people and networking, but some coworking space cultures are more extroverted and collaborative than others.

The Evergreen Benefits of Coworking Spaces

The benefits of coworking spaces were quite clear during the explosive growth phase of remote working; people needed a physical location where they could work at least some of the time, without having to go into the office. But most of the benefits of these types of spaces are evergreen – meaning, indefinitely significant.

Office expense reductions. One of the most obvious benefits of a coworking space is it has the potential to reduce your office expenses. Instead of paying thousands of dollars a month for an office lease in the middle of a busy downtown area, you can pay a much lower amount to get occasional access to the resources you need – and avoid spending money on resources you don’t need. This may not be suitable if you have a large team and all those team members need access to the same physical space, but for many businesses and individuals, this is more than acceptable.
Private, quiet workspaces. Coworking gives you access to private, quiet workspaces. Depending on the space and the arrangement you have with them, you may or may not have your own office – but you can count on a relatively distraction-free environment in which you can focus on your work. If your home environment is distracting, or if you hate working in coffee shops, this is a godsend.
Meeting rooms and tech. Some people use coworking spaces so they can get access to the meeting rooms and technology they need. If you have a big presentation to make to investors, or if you just need extra resources that your office doesn’t have, this could be a good fit.
Networking potential. Networking is huge for almost any business or career. The more people you meet and connect with, the more your network will grow. And there are a few better places in the modern era to network than a coworking space, where you’ll meet and work with likeminded people every day.
Flexibility. Finally, it’s important to recognize just how flexible coworking spaces are. If you only need one temporarily, that’s fine. If you’re using one as a semi-permanent replacement to an office, that’s also fine. There is no single “right” way to use a coworking space; it’s up to you.

The Future of Coworking

It’s hard to tell what the future of coworking spaces will look like, but it seems certain that coworking spaces, in concept, are here to stay. Already, millions of people rely on coworking spaces on a regular basis, and the number of coworking subscribers is likely to grow as interest in remote work continues ballooning. If you’ve never tried a coworking space before, now could be the perfect time to dip your toes in the water and see if you can find a good fit.