Coworking Spaces // Trends Shaping Up for 2022

Happy New Year! The year 2022 is finally her and like most industries, coworking spaces also got a hit from COVID-19. However, as businesses rise from the COVID 19 ashes, we now share with you the trends shaping up the industry for 2022

While the global coworking spaces market was worth $9.27 billion in 2019, it came down to $8.24 billion in 2020.  The main reason behind the decline is the economic slowdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

However, as people become wary of the new work trends brought about by the pandemic, coworking spaces are  now making a comeback and are now poised for an emerging hybrid work model.

Hopefully, things are getting back to normal now, it can be expected that the market will recover in 2022. Infact experts are even assuming that the coworking market might reach an amount of around $11.52 billion in 2023.

With this in mind, here are some of the biggest coworking trends shaping the industry in 2022. 

A rise in the number of corporates in coworking

This was a trend we saw prior to the pandemic. And the pandemic might have propelled it further as  large enterprises now seek to reduce their rent costs. 

Moving forward, companies that implement hybrid work arrangements will increasingly leverage flexible workspace solutions, including coworking spaces.

Employers will likely turn to coworking to de-densify and decentralize their office space and support employees that prefer working closer to home.

This is will be as a response to the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally changed the way people work, and as a result, altered the role of the corporate headquarters as well.

This is manifesting itself in a variety of ways, as exemplified by decisions made by the likes of Pinterest, BP Plc., Dropbox, Fujitsu, and plenty others.

Pinterest paid $89.5 million to terminate a lease for what would have been its new headquarters in San Francisco; BP Plc. announced plans to sell its headquarters in central London. Dropbox launched Dropbox Studios to provide their remote employees with access to workplaces closer to home, Fujitsu also announced it would slash its real estate footprint by half in less than three years.

It’s important to remember that despite the fact that companies are ridding themselves of their office space, the office is far from dead. The concept of the office is evolving, and a key component of that evolution is increased flexibility and agility

Rise in field-centric coworking space

To survive in a highly competitive environment, coworking spaces need to be different. In 2022 we are going to notice that some coworking spaces claim themselves as dedicated to a certain industry niche or group of entrepreneurs. 

A field-centric coworking space is a perfect place for people of similar occupations to share ideas, collaborate, be productive, and come up with revolutionary solutions.

Green Tech

Green eco-friendly environments are listed among the current workspace design trends. I am pretty sure that the majority of your members/prospects share the ideas of nature preservation and environment protection.

So, they will be much happier to join a coworking space performing the same social mission.

You can start with minimizing the usage of plastic at your workspace, utilizing sun energy, substituting all items with those that can be recycled, and getting a second life. 

Bring lots of living plants to reduce the stress and anxiety of members at work, encourage well-being and sustainability, refresh the air, and decorate the premises.

Popularization of Hybrid Coworking Spaces

This coworking trend is not new, but it definitely going to expand in 2022. Hybrid coworking spaces are “drop-in” spaces that appear in hotels, stores, and restaurants.

Facility owners want to take advantage of the shared economy and earn more money. So, why not transform a restaurant into a coworking space in the daytime and back into an entertainment facility at night? Or you can combine gym and coworking to create a wellness-oriented facility.

The cost of hybrid coworking spaces is low for the members, they are free from membership fees but still can enjoy perks like free unlimited coffee and discount for lunch and specials.

Health-focused Designs

Members spend most of their days at the coworking spaces. It’s quite natural that everything they touch should be quality, safety, health, and well-being centered. 

This is especially important in the 2022 post-pandemic environment when following severe hygiene rules is a must.

If you still don’t have a single standing desk in your workspace, consider buying it as 70% of your competitors already provide this furniture solution.

Supplying members with ergonomic furniture is only the first step, move further, and organize yoga classes, meditation rooms, or even fully-fledged gyms.

Community  and Well-being will still be a priority

In 2022, community will still remain at the centre of any coworking space. The sense of community is what makes a vibrant coworking space.

Coworking is about getting the job done at the first turn. However, as new workspaces appear on the map, entrepreneurs have wider choices and are getting more demanding. 

If you offer just a comfortable workplace, they can easily change you for the competitor who offers the same set of amenities. It’s quite another ball game when you invest in community building, run educational and well-being events. 

Members feel happy to be around people with similar interests, network, make friendships, partnerships, and collaborations. They will never leave your coworking space easily because of the emotional bonds they developed with your help.