Making sure your coworking space is the right size is a crucial aspect of the setup process. You don’t want to overpay for the space, but you also don’t want to run out of space or be unable to accept enough people to generate enough profit.
Consider the amenities you have available.
Start by identifying the features your coworking space will need to have before deciding on a layout and color scheme. Other coworking spaces can serve as inspiration. Offices, break rooms with tables, and any other form of workspace you plan to incorporate will likely take up most of the space. Conference rooms, video conferencing booths, break rooms and printing facilities are all necessary elements of a business meeting space plan .
If you have reception space, don’t forget to include a kitchen or pantry and bathrooms. It’s not uncommon for coworking spaces to include a bar or lounge, bike storage, a treatment room or even a bike room.
Getting the right amount of space for your needs
This ratio can be used to estimate the amount of space needed for each area of your coworking space. While there is no right or wrong way to do this, you can get an idea from standard office measurements. Traditional workstations require 75 to 95 square feet per employee. Consider a 100-square-foot kitchenette with no seating and private offices and conference spaces of 120 to 150 square feet.
Coworkers should have 100 to 250 square feet each, on average. As daunting as these numbers may be, a little arithmetic can go a long way.
Organize your space
To streamline the process, consider three key factors: private or collaborative space, target audience and additional facilities.
Private or collaborative space
It’s important to think about the type of coworking space you want to create by calculating the size of your room. Will it be more focused on private or collaborative work? You’ll need fewer common rooms and more emphasis on private workstations if you’re aiming for more private work. On the other hand, if you’re working with multiple people, you’ll need additional common areas where the amount of space available for each individual increases.
Focus on the public
In addition, you’ll need to consider how much space a typical member will consume, which means analyzing your average user. If the average person only carries a laptop and maybe a pad of paper with them, they won’t mind working in a smaller space.
For developers who need room for multiple monitors or painters who need to have their creative materials within easy reach, each workstation needs to be larger. For a high-end or opulent atmosphere, you’ll need additional space for each member.
Additional Features
Don’t forget to think about the extras you’d like to see in your coworking environment. If there are lockers available for members, make sure they have enough capacity.
Do you want a small kitchenette with all the essentials, or would you prefer a dining area? How much do you need to use conference rooms and/or phone booths? Each of these items will contribute to the total amount of space available.
Finalizing the project
Monitor the use of each piece of equipment in your workspace as soon as it is in place. Keep a record of how many offices are occupied, how often meeting rooms are rented, and how many members use the kitchen as your business grows.
Of course, no two coworking spaces are the same, which is why this market is growing. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a “perfect layout” and it is up to you to design your own.
By keeping your customers in mind, thinking about expansion and considering your budget, you can design a space that meets their needs.
