Gig Economy Business: Setting Up A Successful Coworking Space

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When you decide to tap in to the gig economy by establishing a coworking space, your first task is to create an effective and nurturing environment. The freelancers, budding entrepreneurs and independent contract workers who frequent your facility seek a place to focus on work that has the amenities of an office and the opportunity for social interaction. Let their goals be your guide as you choose the furnishings and decor for your new establishment. From quiet, private desk and work areas to large spaces for meetings and socializing, the furniture you install sets the tone for concentration, collaboration and continued success.

Private Offices and Work Stations

About one-third of the coworking space should be dedicated to places where your customers can work individually, without interruption. This configuration is ideal for computer coders, writers on a deadline, and those who rent space from you to escape the hub-bub of working from home where kids, chores and ringing phones cause constant interruptions. If your coworking business has an open floor plan, position the quiet work area at the back, far from the entryway and other areas where there is foot traffic and where people congregate. Furnishings don't have to be fancy, but should include:

• Traditional wood desks for private office spaces with doors. The people who rent these need to talk on the phone, dictate notes, or possibly have one-on-one meetings in a private space. The desk chair should be nicely upholstered, and an armchair should be included in the furnishings for visitors.
• Computer work station desks which may be freestanding, positioned in clusters or separated by dividers. Choose a style with sleek, contemporary design lines accompanied by an ergonomically comfortable office chair with rolling casters.
• Study carrel desks for your coworking space drop-ins who only need to stay an hour or so at a time to get their work done. These small desks with high sides can be lined up along a wall or butted up against each other like the layout in a library.

The Big Table(s)

Depending on your management style and the atmosphere you decide to create for your coworking space business, tables will be important furnishings. Your setup may include:

• A conference room table and chairs in a space your regular customers can reserve for meetings.
• A dining table, or two, where your coworking space customers can relax with each other over a cup of coffee and snacks.
• A printer stand and office machine stands to hold equipment that your customers may use as part of the fee for renting space.
• A collection of four to six work-height tables, all the same size and color, that can be used separately for small groups or pushed together in various configurations for larger collaborative working groups.

Comfort Furnishings

In the gig economy, people can get lonely working on their own without the interaction of coworkers they would have in a traditional workplace. Part of the appeal that will draw customers to rent coworking space from you is the opportunity to be around other people who are also making it on their own. Enhance that appeal by setting aside an area furnished with:

• Comfortable sofas and armchairs arranged in one or two areas of the office space where folks can gather to visit or discuss projects they're working on.
• A coffee table and end tables to set phones, files and beverages while relaxing.
• Floor lamps and tabletop lamps to add a soft, cozy glow to the casual seating areas.

With a well-balanced collection of office furniture and comfortable seating, your new business as owner of a coworking space will answer the needs of workers in the trendy, new gig economy while making you an appreciated and successful business person in the community.

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19 July 2016