The pandemic and global shutdown have led to a change in the way people work in and perceive offices. Currently, 26% of US employees are working remotely, and over 36 million Americans are predicted to work remotely by 2025. As a consequence of the rise in remote work, there has been a reduction in the number of employees present daily in the office. This has resulted in empty office spaces, downsizing, and return-to-work mandates that strain employees and leaders. This post will explore how coworking office spaces can assist in this regard and why including collaborative furniture is essential.

Coworking Office Space

Coworking spaces, which emerged in the early 2000s, provide a flexible workspace that several companies can utilize. These shared workspaces were originally popular among self-employed freelancers and web designers who sought an alternative to crowded coffee shops, distracting home offices, and costly business centers.

Coworking spaces aim to minimize expenses by sharing overhead costs such as utilities, maintenance, secretarial staff, and cleaning services. Additionally, coworking spaces can facilitate cost-sharing for high-priced resources like 3D printers or digital interactive display walls, which several companies often need. Due to the decreasing number of employees present in the office daily, many companies are experiencing a reduction in the required workspace. Coworking spaces can be an ideal solution to fill this void.

Although coworking spaces are commonly viewed as a solution for companies, they can also benefit individuals. According to a recent survey conducted by ServiceNow and ThoughtLab, many remote and hybrid employees are experiencing significant stress and isolation. Coworking spaces provide these individuals with the opportunity for in-person social interaction that is often lacking when working from home. Moreover, these shared workspaces are becoming increasingly popular, meaning that individuals who enjoy the reduced commute associated with remote work will likely find a coworking space nearby.

Furniture to Include

To optimize the utilization of coworking spaces, they should have multiple zones. These spaces serve different purposes, with some individuals using them as a respite from noise while others seek collaboration opportunities. Additionally, companies may require large meeting rooms or breakout spaces, while companies and individuals may need individual workspaces for focused work.

Coworking spaces should have acoustic furniture or individual workstations to cater to individuals requiring concentrated and detailed workspaces. Acoustic furniture, designed to minimize overall noise, can facilitate focused work. Moreover, some items like acoustic privacy pods are designed to eliminate distractions, allowing individuals to work in a quiet, uninterrupted space.

Ergonomic furniture, such as adjustable-height desks and ergonomic chairs, can offer comfort that may not be attainable at home, reducing the strain of prolonged sitting and improving productivity. In addition, incorporating flexible furniture, often referred to as soft architecture, enables coworking spaces to adapt to the changing needs of their users. 

Furthermore, while ergonomic and flexible furniture is essential, coworking spaces are primarily chosen for their ability to facilitate collaboration and interaction. Therefore, including a communal table that supports and encourages teamwork is imperative.

Collaborative Furniture

To facilitate various types of collaboration, providing a diverse range of collaborative furniture options in a coworking space is crucial. Here are some examples of collaboration activities and corresponding furniture arrangements:

• For breakout sessions, where smaller groups can plan, strategize, or brainstorm, it is essential to have comfortable seating and furniture that can be easily rearranged.
• Meetings can benefit from conference-style tables that can also double as individual workspaces. These versatile furniture pieces are available in sit, stand, or adjustable height varieties and can be combined or separated to accommodate varying group sizes.
• Furniture with built-in plugs and ports is essential to ensure that people can stay connected while working. Small group meeting tables with screens are ideal for remote collaboration and team training, while acoustic meeting pods provide a quiet space for small or virtual meetings.
• Socializing is a crucial component of coworking spaces and can help combat the isolation that often comes with remote work. Collaborative furniture for social interaction should be both comfortable and easily rearranged. Comfy lounge seating mixed with easily movable seating and laptop tables can encourage relaxation while allowing for productivity.

Although coworking spaces may not suit all businesses, the principles outlined in this post can be adapted for office designs. Creating a flexible space that caters to the needs of a mixed team can benefit not only coworking offices but any workplace that values a modern workforce.

Find our selection of collaborative furniture for the modern office at  https://www.manasotaofficesupplies.com/desks/collaborative-desks/