The concept of coworking is not new. It appeared in the 90s in the United States, where the emergence of the internet and the digital economy was already well established. The definition of this concept is simple: offer a shared workspace, where each user, whether they are an employee, a freelancer, or an entrepreneur, will have their own workstation. The primary idea behind this form of work is to share a common space to enhance creativity, exchange ideas, and encourage collaborative work among various coworkers.
Since then, coworking has experienced a fast development. From only a simple meeting room with the bare minimum, it has evolved. It now offers a range of services: private offices, cafes, rest areas, gyms, printers, high-speed internet, and other spaces dedicated to relaxation. A current and diversified offer that meets the current needs of workers, who are looking for greater flexibility, and above all, a better quality of life.
Coworking is not just an American work model. It has managed to win over the entire world and is gaining more and more popularity in France. You have likely seen it if you’re in the major French cities. Welcoming spaces are popping up all over Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and even Lille. They provide an alternative for those who are used to work from home, in traditional offices, or for those who juggle between different offices and cities, especially since an event we all know: Covid-19.
The arrival of Covid-19 marked one of the most significant turning points in the history of coworking. Many companies were forced to revise their practices by adopting remote work. This work mode has therefore established itself as a hybrid solution, giving employees the ability to oscillate between working in the company and from their home or any other place like coworking spaces. This newfound flexibility has allowed them to maintain their productivity, while preserving their health and well-being.
Space redesigns, flexible subscriptions to adapt to new working conditions: coworking players have thus begun to reinvent themselves to keep up. Today, this trend is far from being a passing fad, it is more than just a workplace. Like the traditional office, it’s like a second family for its coworker, a support network, and a catalyst for the wildest innovations.
Differents types of coworking spaces
If you have already looked into coworking spaces, you have undoubtedly noticed that there is a multitude, with severals offerings. Here, we are not going to talk about subscription plans (yet), but about the variety of spaces offered. Indeed, because each coworker does not have the same needs as their neighbor, coworking spaces, in addition to open spaces (open offices), offer private offices, meeting rooms, and also common and hybrid spaces.
So that you can navigate all of this, we have specially created a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages for each type of space:
| Type of Space | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Open Spaces (Open Offices) | Collaboration
Exchanges Economical |
Noise
Lack of privacy |
| Private Offices | Confidentiality
Quiet Concentration |
Higher cost
Less interaction |
| Meeting Rooms | Professionalism
Equipment Flexibility |
Must be booked in advance |
| Common Hybrid Spaces (Cafeteria, etc.) | Conviviality
Relaxation Networking |
Not suitable for intensive work |
Coworking spaces with ready to use operated offices
Significant innovation in the world of shared work, the operated office has been specially designed to meet the needs of businesses. This solution combines the flexibility of coworking with everything that makes a traditional company office unique: confidentiality, general services, personalized email addresses.
This arrangement allows businesses to have a tailor-made workspace, whether it’s for all their employees or only a portion of them. Companies can also benefit from a range of additional services inspired by the hospitality industry, present in many large groups.
| Benefits of Serviced Offices | Disadvantages of Serviced Offices |
| Flexibility of spaces and contracts | Higher costs compared to traditional coworking |
| Confidentiality and dedicated space for the company | Fewer networking opportunities compared to a traditional coworking space |
| Premium services (catering, cleaning, security, etc.) | Less customization of the space compared to a traditional office |
Serviced offices position themselves as a hybrid solution, ideal for companies looking for a balance between flexibility, premium services, and dedicated workspaces. If you’re interested in this solution, we recommend checking out Hiptown, Covivio, or Ubiq.
Open coworking spaces
If there’s one space that characterizes coworking, it’s the open spaces. These open spaces, as their name suggests, are work environments without any partitions where several people work together, side by side without physical barriers. In theory, this concept facilitates communication among colleagues, encourages collaborative work and stimulates creativity. Generally, the workstations are rented fully equipped so that employees can be directly immersed in a work atmosphere. Everyone is free to choose where and how they wish to work, thus encouraging their comfort and productivity.
If you’re looking to work in an open space, you’re lucky because all coworking spaces offer this type of environment! You can find them at Morning, La Cordée, or even WeWork, our favorites.
Advantages and disadvantages of coworking
Attracted to coworking? Know that it has many advantages for those who wish to test a new way of working.
Greater Flexibility
Gone are the days of assigned seats and the dreary office atmosphere. The layout of the place allows you to freely choose between a spot in an open space, a private office, or, if the company you’re employed by chooses to be domiciled in a coworking space, an office just for you. Also gone are the strict hours, at least for accessibility. A large part of coworking spaces offer 7/7 access to their community. This flexibility allows you to work on your projects whenever you want, in a pleasant work environment, whenever you choose. Because yes, several options exist, and you’re not obligated to anything. If you want to come and work for two hours on Mondays and Tuesdays only, that’s entirely possible. Coworking spaces offer options adapted to the needs of their users. There are options at all price points and for all desires.
Promotes Exchange
As a large part of the people who choose to work in a coworking space work from an open space, interactions are facilitated. You will see, you will be much more at ease to chat with them, whether from your spot or from one of the dining or relaxation areas available to you. This is one of the major assets of coworking: exchanges in convivial places. Cafes, pool tables, terraces, and even after-work gatherings: everything is set up to promote professional encounters and collaboration.
However, know that if you’re rather reserved or shy, or if you like to have your work space all to yourself, coworking may not be for you. Likewise, if you need to be in your bubble or frequently be in telephone contact with other people.
Who uses coworking spaces?
Coworking spaces are flourishing across France and the world. This unique space allows many people to work far from their homes.
That’s why coworking is mostly favored by freelancers, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, but also startups and small businesses. They all find a dynamic work environment where a spirit of help and sharing is present. They appreciate the financial accessibility of the locations as renting a space is much more affordable than a traditional office.
What industry is coworking better for?
Coworking spaces attract professionals from different sectors of activity, with diverse skills and expertise. The profiles most fond of this type of workspace come from the following fields:
- Marketing and Communication: Communication officers, copywriters and SEO specialists, digital marketing professionals, consultants, etc. They appreciate the networking opportunities and the stimulating environment that coworking offers.
- Media and Internet: Bloggers, content creators, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, journalists, influencers, etc. Often traveling to the other end of the world, it is essential for them to have a setting that reminds them of work.
- Tech and IT: Developers, UX/UI designers, experts in artificial intelligence, etc. Accustomed to working remotely, they highly appreciate the speed of internet connections and the technologies offered by coworking spaces worldwide.
These sectors are not the only ones represented. For example, many nutrition or personal development coaches occasionally use coworking spaces to take advantage of a more professional environment and benefit from the advice of experts from other sectors.
How to choose the right coworking space?
Numerous coworking groups and independent spaces have opened their doors in recent years. To navigate and choose the space that meets most of your criteria, it is important to consider the following points:
- Your needs: For your work to be done as well as possible, is it necessary for you to be set up in a private office or is a shared space enough? Do you need to have a permanent access to the space or only during office hours and days?
- The facilities: Printer, high-speed internet and wifi, meeting rooms, etc. Make sure that the coworking space you have in mind has the necessary tools for your work to succeed, such as kitchens, gyms or rest areas.
- Location: If you are hesitating between two coworking spaces, location is a determining factor. Indeed, you would probably prefer it to be in the heart of the city center (restaurants or cafes that you like), close to public transport, or your clients’ office.
- Subscriptions: Thorny but crucial question, make sure that the subscriptions offered coincide with the budget you have set up and that they are as flexible as you are. Also check that everything you need is included in the subscription or that the additional fees do not exceed your budget.
- Additional services: The atmosphere of the coworking space is like the company culture: it must be align with your personality and your way of working. If you like networking with other professionals, see if the space offers workshops, conferences, or after-work events. If you like having your gym on your workplace, check if there is a dedicated room or a relaxation area.
The future of Coworking
The coworking market has seen considerable growth since 2020, with flexibility given to employees. With the rise of remote working and digitization, coworking spaces are gaining popularity. They no longer just offer offices. With a revised business model, they become real places of life, networking, and training. Some spaces are offering more and more additional services that are found in traditional companies and are attractive to the community of digital nomads: free training programs, business domiciliation services. They are a major source of openness and diversity.
If we follow this progression, tomorrow’s coworking could look like a real innovation campus, where freelancers, startups, and large companies would collaborate hand in hand, in the same space. It could even directly integrate new services like coliving.
By combining life and work in one place, a flexible and community solution for the new generation of workers will be created. Many hybrid spaces would be designed. A double-edged solution that could be a perfect agreement between professional life and private life, or a total imbalance between the two.
Love changes of scenery? Look at that!
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