Coworking has come a long way over the last decade.
What started as an affordable alternative to traditional offices has evolved into something much bigger. Today's coworking spaces are places where businesses launch, freelancers build networks, start-ups grow into established companies and ideas are shared over a cup of coffee.
As the way we work continues to change, so do our expectations of the spaces we work in.
At Boaz Studio, our workplace interior design approach is centred around creating healthy, sustainable workplaces that people genuinely enjoy using.
The rise of hybrid working has changed the role of the workplace.
For many people, home offers convenience, but it can also be isolating. Coworking spaces provide something that's much harder to replicate at home: connection.
Whether it's meeting other business owners, sharing ideas over lunch or simply working alongside other people, these everyday interactions can make a real difference to creativity, motivation and wellbeing.
For growing businesses, coworking also offers flexibility. Teams can expand without committing to long leases, and organisations can access meeting rooms, event spaces and shared facilities as they need them.
The best coworking spaces feel less like offices and more like welcoming communities.
That doesn't mean sacrificing functionality. Instead, it means creating a variety of spaces that support different ways of working throughout the day.
A successful coworking environment might include:
People rarely spend an entire day doing one task, so why should they spend it in one type of space?
Cornwall has one of the UK's highest rates of self-employment and a growing community of start-ups, creative businesses and social enterprises. At the same time, many people work remotely for organisations based elsewhere in the country.
Well-designed coworking spaces give these businesses somewhere to connect, collaborate and grow without leaving the region. They also reduce the need for long commutes, breathe new life into existing buildings and create stronger local business communities.
We spend a significant part of our lives indoors, which makes the quality of our environment incredibly important.
Natural light, good ventilation, comfortable temperatures and supportive furniture all influence how people feel throughout the working day. Poor acoustics, harsh lighting or uncomfortable seating can have the opposite effect, leading to fatigue, distraction and discomfort.
Material choices matter too.
Low and no VOC paints, finishes and adhesives help improve indoor air quality, while natural materials such as timber, cork and wool create spaces that feel warm and welcoming. These choices don't just reduce environmental impact—they contribute to healthier workplaces too.
Biophilic design also has an important role to play. Incorporating planting, natural textures, views outside and organic forms helps strengthen our connection with nature, creating calmer, more restorative environments where people enjoy spending time.
One of the biggest strengths of coworking is its ability to evolve.
A room that hosts workshops during the day might become an evening event space. A growing business may need two desks this month and ten next year.
Designing for flexibility means choosing adaptable furniture, movable layouts and spaces that can serve multiple purposes without constant refurbishment.
Creating spaces that can change over time reduces waste, extends the life of the fit-out and helps operators respond to changing demand.
Sustainability is becoming an expectation rather than a nice-to-have.
Many of the businesses choosing coworking spaces today care deeply about environmental responsibility, and they increasingly expect the spaces they use to reflect those values.
We need to think beyond recycled materials.
We need to be specifying products that last, sourcing locally where possible, selecting suppliers with strong environmental credentials and creating interiors that remain relevant for years rather than following short-lived trends.
Even if your organisation has its own office, there's a lot to learn from the coworking model.
People increasingly value flexibility, choice, comfort and community. They're looking for workplaces that support different tasks, encourage collaboration and contribute positively to their wellbeing.
Those principles apply whether you're designing a dedicated headquarters, a shared innovation hub or a small studio.
Check out our workplace design guide.
Successful coworking spaces do much more than provide desks. They offer a variety of environments that support different ways of working, from quiet areas for focused tasks to collaborative spaces, meeting rooms and informal breakout areas. The best coworking spaces also foster a sense of community, making it easy for people to connect, share ideas and feel part of something bigger.
The design of a coworking space has a direct impact on how people feel throughout the day. Maximising natural light, specifying low and no VOC materials, improving indoor air quality, incorporating biophilic design and providing ergonomic furniture all contribute to healthier workplaces. These decisions can improve comfort, reduce stress and create spaces where people genuinely enjoy spending time.
Biophilic design is about strengthening our connection with nature. In a coworking environment, this might include natural materials, planting, views outside, daylight and calming colour palettes. Research suggests these elements can help reduce stress, improve concentration and create more welcoming places to work, making them an important part of healthy workplace design.
Flexibility is key. Businesses grow, technology evolves and the way people work continues to change. Designing adaptable spaces with modular furniture, movable layouts and multi-purpose rooms means a coworking space can respond to future needs without requiring a complete refurbishment.
A sustainable coworking space is designed to last. That means choosing durable materials, specifying products with low environmental impact, reducing waste, sourcing locally where possible and creating flexible spaces that can evolve over time. Sustainability also includes supporting healthy indoor environments through low and no VOC materials and thoughtful material selection.
Coworking spaces play an important role in supporting local economies. They give freelancers, start-ups, remote workers and growing businesses somewhere to connect, collaborate and develop without leaving the region. Across Cornwall and the South West, well-designed innovation hubs and shared workspaces can help retain talent, strengthen business communities and breathe new life into existing buildings.
