How to Choose the Right Coworking Space

What Does the “Right Coworking Space” Mean for You?

The right space depends on your space, privacy, and scheduling needs.

A coworking space gives you a ready-made office without the long commitments of a traditional lease. At its core, coworking is a form of office space sharing that gives businesses access to professional facilities without taking on the responsibility of managing their own space.

The right model depends on how you work. Hot desks suit occasional use, dedicated desks offer stability for daily users, and small private offices provide privacy without the obligations that come with a commercial lease. Quiet rooms and bookable meeting space matter if you spend much of your day on calls. If your team is hybrid, flexibility usually matters more than square footage.

The aim is to choose a workspace that supports your workflow rather than one that becomes a fixed cost you struggle to justify.

How Do You Match Coworking Models to Your Working Style?

Consider how often you need a desk, how much privacy you require, and how predictable your routine is.

Coworking spaces typically offer hot desks, dedicated desks, and private offices. These offerings are common across several types of coworking spaces, so consider comparing various coworking spaces for rent to find the one that matches your working pattern.

This table compares coworking models by privacy level, usage patterns, and which professionals benefit most from each option.

Membership tiers build on these options with day passes, part-time plans, or meeting room credits. Part-time plans can reduce costs further by giving you a limited number of days per week in the space without paying for unused time.

What should different membership types cost?

In most UK cities, hot desks sit at the lower end of monthly pricing, with private offices costing more due to guaranteed space and privacy. When comparing options, it helps to look beyond the headline monthly fee and consider how often you will use the space and what is actually included in the membership.

Additional costs such as meeting room credits, guest access, printing, storage, or out-of-hours use can materially affect the total cost of a coworking membership, particularly for teams that use the space frequently or host clients.

Coworking monthly costs comparison (2025). Hot desk and dedicated desk represent midpoint of typical pricing ranges. London hot desk: £300-500, dedicated desk: £400-700. Rest of UK hot desk: £160-200, dedicated desk: £200-300. Private office reflects central London pricing at approximately £900 per desk versus £379 in other UK cities. Source: Optix UK Coworking Market Report 2025.

Which Amenities Matter Most in a Coworking Space?

Prioritise the amenities that support your daily routine, not the features that only look good on a tour.

Reliable WiFi, good lighting, and quiet spaces aren't perks. They're essentials that determine whether you can actually get work done. Quiet zones and phone booths help you handle calls or focused work without distractions.

Meeting rooms deserve close attention, especially if you host clients. Practical checks such as screen quality, availability, and acoustics often mirror the considerations you would make during a well-prepared office visit.

Everyday facilities also matter. A clean kitchen, good coffee, secure storage, and useful extras such as bike racks or showers can make long days easier. Premium amenities only add value if you use them often.

Choose a space where the essentials feel effortless and the extras genuinely support your work. Review coworking space for lease in your target area to compare amenity options and find the right fit for your needs.

How Important Are Community and Networking When You Choose a Coworking Space?

Some coworking spaces host regular events and networking sessions, while others create quieter environments with occasional interactions. If you value a livelier environment, look for signs such as scheduled events, shared breakout areas, and visible collaboration between members. If you need focus or handle sensitive information, a calmer environment may suit you better, often reflected in quieter zones, fewer organised events, and clearer separation between work areas.

The membership agreement often signals how the operator sets expectations around shared space and behaviour. Many spaces rely on a straightforward coworking agreement that outlines access, shared responsibilities, and day-to-day rules for using the space. Details such as guest policies, meeting room access, noise guidelines, and event use can help indicate whether a space prioritises collaboration or a quieter working environment.

The most reliable way to assess community fit is to spend time in the space and see whether it supports how you work day to day.

How Can You Test a Coworking Space Before You Commit?

The best way to test a coworking space is to spend time in it. A short trial or visit shows you far more than a brochure.

Day passes or trial days reveal noise levels, WiFi performance, and how busy the space feels at peak times, often highlighting issues that are easy to miss on a tour but hard to live with every day.

When touring, look at meeting room conditions, the availability of phone booths and how visitors are welcomed. These considerations often follow the same logic used when evaluating any well-run office environment. Most operators offer day passes or short trials specifically to help businesses avoid committing to the wrong environment.

Shorter commitments also let businesses test different locations before committing long term. A team looking for a well-connected base might consider IWG's Glasgow coworking location for easy access to transport and clients, while a business prioritising value and adaptability outside the capital may prefer a coworking space in Manchester.

Speaking with staff or current members can show how the space operates. After visiting two or three spaces, compare them using a simple scorecard so your decision is based on practical factors rather than first impressions. Look at noise levels, WiFi reliability, and meeting room access. Consider how well the space supports your typical working day.

How Do You Evaluate a Coworking Space Location?

When assessing location, it helps to break value down into a few practical considerations:

Daily Access and Commute

Look for strong transport links, practical parking or safe cycle routes. A location that is easy to reach usually leads to better use of the space.

Local Amenities and Convenience

Nearby coffee, food, gyms, and everyday services can make the working day smoother, and mixed-use areas often provide this level of day-to-day convenience.

Neighbourhood and Impression

The surrounding area shapes client experience. In practice, the differences seen in high streets vs shopping centres often influence visibility, access, and first impressions. For example, a client-facing business may value the impression created by an IWG coworking space in Birmingham, where central positioning supports accessibility and professional presence.

Local Business Environment

Creative districts may suit design or media teams, while central districts often appeal to corporate roles. Suburban areas can work well for hybrid teams.

Choose a location that reduces friction and feels practical for your daily routine.

What Should You Know About Coworking Contracts?

Most coworking agreements are simple, but it is still worth checking how the terms work and how easily you can change or leave.

Many memberships use a short licence or service agreement rather than a commercial lease. This often contrasts with a more complex full repairing and insuring lease, which carries broader responsibilities, and is one reason coworking is often chosen by small teams that expect their space needs to change within the year.

Review the minimum term, notice period, deposit rules, and how meeting rooms or guest access are managed. Overlooking these terms can leave you paying for space that no longer fits how you work.

A good operator will also allow you to adjust your membership. Ask how easy it is to add desks, move into a private office, or reduce your plan if needed.

Coworking pricing is often all-inclusive, but check for charges such as meeting room overages, printing or storage to avoid surprises.

When Does a Coworking Space Make Sense?

Coworking works best during periods of change, while a dedicated office suits stable, long-term needs.

Coworking makes sense when you need flexibility, predictable costs and a fast setup. A leased or owned office becomes more practical once your needs stabilise.

Coworking also works well when your team size changes often or when you want a single monthly fee that covers essential services. It is effective if you rely on meeting rooms but do not need your own every day.

Some businesses also consider serviced office space for rent at this point, especially if they want more control without committing to a long-term lease.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a coworking space typically cost in the UK?

Prices vary by city, membership type and amenities. Hot desks are usually the least expensive, while private offices cost more due to guaranteed space. Always check what is included, since many providers bundle WiFi, utilities, cleaning and meeting room access.

Is coworking more cost-effective than leasing an office?

Coworking can be more cost-effective in the short term or if your team changes frequently, but offices are typically more cost effective in the long-term if your team is stable or you need a fully private environment. Coworking removes setup costs and long commitments. A leased office may become more economical once your team size is stable and you need the same amount of space every day.

Can you mix hot desks and private offices?

Many operators allow a mix. This is useful if a small core team needs consistent space while others visit occasionally.

What should you check in a coworking agreement?

Review the minimum term, notice period and what the monthly fee covers. Check guest access, meeting room limits and any extra charges.