Making the Most of Your Coworking Office Space

Have you ever wondered, “How do I stay focused at work?” In a traditional office, you're often surrounded by colleagues from the same field, limiting your exposure to diverse ideas and perspectives. However, coworking spaces are a melting pot of professionals from various industries, backgrounds, and experiences. This diversity is not just refreshing; it's a catalyst for innovation. In a coworking space, you're not just sharing a desk with a stranger; you're sharing ideas with a potential collaborator, mentor, or even a future business partner.

Below, the experts at Urban Office explore how coworking spaces help professionals stay focused at work. Our locations in Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, TX, are open for tours, and our community team is happy to discuss your needs. Contact us today to learn more.

Layout & Space Planning

A coworking space's layout and spatial planning are crucial components to creating the right space for productive work. A good layout serves multiple functions: it promotes efficient workflow, minimizes distractions, allows easy travel to and from the desk to the meeting room, and supports the well-being of all occupants.

Open & Private Spaces

The open-plan vs. private-space debate is one of the most well-discussed discourses in modern office design. While both layouts have advantages and disadvantages, the UK boasts the highest number of businesses with open-plan office space worldwide. As of 2023, 49% of UK employees worked in open spaces. Proponents of the open workspace cite increased opportunity for collaboration and greater floor space flexibility as crucial benefits to the work environment.

In contrast, private office spaces lower the number of distractions, promote concentration, and maintain employee personal space. Ultimately, the ideal coworking space design should offer both open spaces and private office areas, balancing the diverse needs of businesses and individuals to create the right space for everyone.   

The Right Lighting

Access to proper lighting is essential to fostering a positive and productive office environment, benefitting workers in every aspect of work life. One study found that working in an office with ample natural light is the number one attribute of an optimal office space. The advantages of light-soaked coworking spaces are vast. Adequate lighting improves mood levels, reduces stress, enhances well-being and creativity, increases safety, and decreases eye strain. However, task and ambient lighting are also crucial for focused work. Task lighting offers additional light for individual workstations, whilst ambient or general lighting creates a comfortable and inviting office atmosphere, which is critical for productivity and well-being.

Sense of Community

One of coworking's biggest strengths is its ability to foster community and a sense of belonging in the workplace. Design plays a significant role in facilitating this. When members feel comfortable and valued in their workspace (by creating functional space and including ergonomic chairs, for example), they're more likely to engage with others, collaborate on projects, and build lasting relationships.

Additionally, design elements that encourage interaction, such as dedicated social space, can create opportunities for casual conversations and spontaneous collaborations within the office group. These features significantly improve office morale and relationship building, Whether this is shared kitchen spaces, lounge areas, or recreational finishings like a pool table. This is advantageous for day-to-day work and the networking events for which coworking is prized. Conference rooms and event space design encourage members to actively participate in summits and meetings by including collaborative tools.

Inspiration & Creativity

Anyone who’s ever been in a vibrant coworking space knows how inspiring they can be. They’re even more inspirational when soaked in natural light, have large windows overlooking the views of Houston, Austin, or San Antonio, and are filled with color and greenery. When employees have access to spaces that promote creativity and innovation, they are more likely to generate fresh ideas, solve problems effectively, and finish their tasks. This is particularly essential in creative industries but is also true for legal, financial, and IT businesses.

Focus on Work Productivity With Urban Office LLC Today

Ultimately, coworking space design is a critical factor for workplace productivity and success. By carefully considering factors such as layout, acoustics, lighting, furniture, and color psychology, coworking spaces can create environments that are functional, inspiring, and conducive to productivity.

Urban Office is a modern, flexible space concept where members have a private office with shared amenities. Our membership agreements include coworking space technology that can take your business to the next level. Contact us today to learn more about what we offer for professionals throughout Houston, San Antonio, & Austin, TX.