How Coworking Office Design Will Evolve in 2024

The coworking industry is changing. Amid the hybrid and remote work revolution, operators have found that their spaces are no longer just the preserve of hotdesking freelancers and ambitious start-ups.

Indeed, with large firms giving employees more flexibility and remote companies using coworking offices as part of their strategy, operators have seen an influx of corporate and “digital-first” members. Unsurprisingly, some coworking providers recorded excellent booking and membership numbers last year, and 2024 looks set to bring more success.

With changes afoot, it begs the question: how will coworking office design evolve in the next 12 months? Will coworking operators need to modify their spaces to meet new demands? In this blog, we offer our predictions by looking at recent surveys, market trends, and expert observations.

Read on to learn more…

How Changing Demand Led to a Record-Breaking Year

According to data from Leesman, corporate businesses need 30-40% less office space than they did before the pandemic. This is largely down to the shift towards hybrid working, which typically involves employees splitting their time between the home and office.

Now, large companies are taking advantage of coworking spaces as part of their flexible working approach. As Mark Dixon, CEO of coworking provider IWG puts it, employees are now “working from home for a day or two each week, alongside collaborative time spent at a nearby flexible workspace and the occasional visit to corporate HQ.”

IWG’s deal with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (amongst others) also highlights how the market is changing. IWG provides NTT’s employees with access to thousands of coworking facilities worldwide, which forms part of a “hub and spoke” set up. This means NTT’s employees can base themselves in coworking spaces close to home (spokes) and go to the company’s HQs (hubs) when required.

This increased demand from large firms contributed to IWG’s success in 2023, which saw the company gain record revenue. WeWork also enjoyed success despite filing for bankruptcy in the USA and Canada, recording its biggest month ever for bookings in London, where it has 36 locations.

Coworking Office Design Trends We Expect to See in 2024

With records being broken, it’s clear that coworking is here to stay. That said, coworking providers will recognise the importance of adapting to changing demands, which could mean significant office design changes for some.

With this in mind, what do we expect to see in coworking offices in 2024? Here are some predictions…

Related content: Office Design Trends 2024

Enhanced Meeting Facilities

According to coworking industry publication Deskmag, one in three operators planned to enhance their meeting space facilities in 2023. This move aligns with the increasing use of coworking spaces for collaborative sessions, as outlined above in the IWG example.

As not every meeting is the same, expect to see operators offering plenty of variety in 2024. For example, their facilities may include traditional conference rooms for private meetings, huddle areas with whiteboards for brainstorming, and hospitality inspired lounges for a Starbucks-style alternative.

Spaces with meeting room options will also appeal to members who engage with clients in person. This means they can speak to them in private to uncover hidden needs, build a rapport over coffee, and demonstrate commitment by bringing them into a professional environment.

For more ideas, check out our blog: 10 Coworking Furniture Ideas to Attract Guests

More Private Offices

Deskmag also reported that 44% of operators planned to offer more private offices in 2023. While private offices cater to freelancers and small businesses, it’s possible a growing demand from corporates looking to set up spokes has contributed to this statistic.

Whatever the case, the trend towards more private settings will likely result in design and layout changes to some coworking offices. While hotdesking options will of course still be prevalent, we may see more bookable rooms for deep work tasks and larger private spaces for teams.

Often, teams like to make these private spaces their own in terms of branding, furniture, and configuration. Therefore, we expect to see coworking providers offering a high level of personalisation to entice new businesses.

New Amenities and Perks

IWG CEO Mark Dixon also says that customers now treat access to spaces like a gym membership, with greater demand for facilities, social programmes, amenities, and perks. This trend towards a hospitality-style model may increase competition amongst coworking providers, with those offering desirable amenities likely to see plenty of footfall.

According to business.com, one amenity that could grow in demand is in-house childcare. For those who want to find the perfect balance between parenting and career growth, this could be a deciding factor in which space they choose.

Some businesses are already thriving by offering a combination of childcare and work settings for busy parents. Take the popular Jaego’s House in London as an example, which provides a space where “children can play and adults can work, workout and unwind.” The facilities include a soft play, fitness studio, quiet working “Study”, and an on-site cafe.

Related content: How to Improve the Workplace Experience for Employees

Spaces for Community Building and Skill Sharing

In an interview with BBC Worklife, Flexjobs CEO Sara Sutton discusses how fully remote companies are also using coworking spaces as part of their strategy. As a way of offsetting negative aspects of remote work like loneliness, Sutton says firms are covering coworking costs for employees so they can access nearby spaces.

In addition to loneliness, employees also feel a lack of career progression is a negative aspect of remote work. In fact, 45 percent say they find it more difficult to grow their career away from a physical office.

To address these issues, it’s possible we’ll see operators investing more in spaces that cultivate community spirit and assist career development. For example, auditoriums are ideal for community events and knowledge workshops due to their lecture room style setup. Likewise, breakout spaces for breakfast networking are great for connection building and career development, as people naturally tend to gather around food and drink.

Thanks for Reading!

With corporate and digital-first employees now working alongside freelancers and start-ups, it’s undoubtedly a good time to be a coworking provider. This is evidenced in IWG’s skyrocketing revenue for 2023, and even WeWork managed a strong finish to the year despite well-documented problems overseas.

The key to more success in 2024 will lie in catering to the needs of both new cohorts and traditional members like freelancers. To do so, we predict many operators will go out of their way to provide a heightened experience that supports productivity, wellbeing, and career progression.

Indeed, with the prospect of new amenities, tailormade offices, a choice of meeting facilities, and community spaces, it’s a great time to be a coworker too. Features like these may even tempt some employees to jump ship to companies offering a more flexible approach to work.

Could you be one of them?

Written by Chris Sparham

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