Office work, these days, bears little resemblance to that of our predecessors. Millennials, reportedly, tend to stay in jobs an average of five years, and according to research, most would prefer to work at home or in coworking spaces rather than commuting to an office.

Office and workspace trends

Shared office space aside, remote working and virtual offices are a growing trend. As communications and cloud technology continues to improve, we should expect to see continued movement in this direction.

Coworking spaces allow companies to grow without investing in new office space and equipment. This delivers value straight back to the bottom line and supports teamwork, networking, and employee comfort. They provide an affordable way for freelancers and entrepreneurs to have access to professional office amenities without eating up their entire operating budget.

In general, coworking has revolutionized the way we work; this is something we can all generally agree on. But if we know what the advantages are – budget-friendly, space-saving, collaborative – what does the future hold?

What the experts say about the future of coworking

According to several experts, more of the same – but, with an increased focus on interdisciplinary interaction and increased flexibility.

Christa Freeland, one of the founders of Switch Cowork, offers that coworking is popping up in areas you wouldn’t expect, such as at the gym, in a restaurant or within office supply stores. This provides options for customers to work when they need to work. It also provides an opportunity for these businesses to make use of space they wouldn’t normally be using during slow times of the day.

Bjorn Rosinus, CEO and founder of Endeavour Innovative Workspaces, cites the ongoing need for collaboration and economy, spurring a shift away from long-term leases and the embrace of more flexible, shared solutions.

Najeeb Khan, innovation strategist and founder of 1For, cites the growing adoption of AI and automation as an arbiter of coworking need. When it is not required that an employee be present for repetitive daily tasks, employees will spend more time networking and collaborating – which is what a coworking space delivers. Khan also offers that coworking will be a preferred option to commuting and a viable alternative to telecommuting that puts teams in touch with each other in a way they simply can’t when working from home.

Matt Poepsel of The Predictive Index cites sociopsychological factors as a driving force in the future of coworking. Some of the indicators that contribute to this thought include the need for a flexible lifestyle, the proliferation of freelancers, and the isolation that is often felt by people who work at home. Poepsel points to the need that most people have to seek interaction as well as the rejuvenating aspects of connection. The role of technology also plays into his summation as advances in this direction, he says, will always run counter to our socially-driven human nature.

So, is coworking here to stay? We say yes! Through its many incarnations and missteps, its original intent remains the strongest: that of providing a place to work for those who would otherwise be stuck in solitary. Its other advantages are truly their own reward.

Lakeside Office Suites in Weston, FL, provides virtual office packages, on-demand meeting rooms, flexible office space, and—yes—coworking spaces that fit your needs and your budget. If you are still not sure about coworking but want to give it a try, contact us to book a free coworking day.