What are coworking spaces?

May 25, 2025

Coworking spaces are more than just shared office space, they are dynamic working environments that provide flexibility and encourage a sense of community. Basically, a coworking space consists of open working areas where various businesses, entrepreneurs and freelancers can work side by side without being bound to long-term and inflexible office leasing contracts. These spaces offer numerous services and amenities, among them high-speed internet, printers, conference rooms, and freshly prepared coffee drinks.

Unlike conventional office solutions, coworking spaces enable companies and freelancers to adjust their office space to fit their current needs – whether to accommodate team expansion or to secure adequate, temporary workplaces for the lifecycle of a project. This flexibility, in combination with an inspiring environment, boosts creativity and productivity. Some space providers, such as Unicorn Workspaces, also include a Barista-style coffee flat rate and IT support in their standard services, making the work day even easier.

For rapidly growing startups or larger teams with frequently changing needs in regards to space, coworking spaces provide a cost efficient and flexible solution. They can avoid paying the high overheads associated with traditional offices, plus they can network and participate in the open exchange of ideas with other users of the space. Being centrally located within urban areas makes the spaces easy to reach and many companies are appreciative of this accessibility.

Overall, coworking spaces are the response to modern working requirements, fulfilling the demands for flexibility and versatility, while simultaneously fostering an inspirational working environment.

Coworking space: how does it work?

A coworking space is a flexible solution for office space, since workplaces are commonly rented on a monthly basis. By creating dynamic workplace layouts, these modern working environments can satisfy the needs of various business models and working methods.

In their approach, Unicorn Workspaces brings flexibility and community to the forefront, with layouts designed for users to engage in their work without spatial constraints. The seamlessly integrated infrastructure, featuring hi-speed internet, comprehensive IT support and access to well-equipped meeting rooms ensures that users can focus entirely on their work.

Another key aspect is the building of communities. The shared work areas encourage interaction and offer the opportunity to network with other startups and businesses. This can lead to the forming of supportive networks, providing fertile ground for interesting collaborations with other professionals.

Unicorn Workspaces operates locations in German cities such as Berlin and Munich, as well as in Lisbon, Portugal. Each space provides inspiring surroundings, promoting both creativity and productivity.

The all-inclusive approach is not only advantageous for companies in regards to budget planning, it also allows them flexibility in arranging their surroundings to best suit their way of working. The personal assistance given to users and the open-minded company philosophy of the space provider make these flexible office spaces a perfect solution for forward-thinking businesses.

4 advantages of coworking spaces

Coworking spaces have become the preferred choice for dynamic companies and creatives because of the numerous advantages they provide.

1. Office space without the confines of commitment

One prime advantage is having flexible accessibility to modernly equipped workplaces, which allow users to work comfortably and productively without requiring long-term commitments. This is an important distinction, especially in city centers. Each company can reduce their overhead and still have access to high-quality office resources.

2. Socializing & networking

One of the most attractiveaspects of a coworking space is the lively community of professionals within them, presenting valuable networking opportunities. Interactions within the community open up the potential for partnerships and the exploration of innovative, inspiring ideas. The harmonic mixture of professionalism and a collegial atmosphere is beneficial for both well-being and productivity.

3. Improved work-life balance

The flexibility in regards to working hours presents another immense advantage, by no longer limiting the interactions of users or team work to conventional office hours.

4. Services at the offices

Topping it off are the services and amenities offered by coworking spaces such as IT support and attractive, versatile communal areas that can boost the productivity of users as well as offer them a place to unwind.

Coworking spaces: 3 issues to consider

There are three issues which should typically be taken into consideration when searching for a flexible office space solution.

1. Noise levels

The presence of ambient noise and being distracted by other users can impede concentration in open coworking spaces. This can be especially noticeable in areas with a high occupancy rate, where noise levels can quickly rise. As a solution to cope with background noise, Unicorn Workspaces provides phone booths for their users to conduct calls confidentially and without interference.

2. Data protection

Protecting sensitive information is especially critical in shared office areas. Users should ensure that others cannot gain access to the content on their laptops while they are away from their workplaces.

3. Privacy

A coworking space offers a myriad of opportunities for networking. However, some may prefer the somewhat more isolated atmosphere of a traditional office, where contact to outside companies is kept to a minimum. At Unicorn, companies always have the option to remain within their own private office space areas if desired, allowing everyone to have the amount of privacy they want and need.

Who can benefit from a coworking space?

Coworking spaces are especially ideal for freelancers and digital nomads looking for a dynamic and flexible work environment that’s been designed with their needs in mind. Startups and rapidly growing businesses can also profit substantially from these types of shared working areas. Companies who experience an unforeseen expansion can simply and quickly find an appropriate office space solution for their growing workforce. Moreover, the flexible usage agreements that Unicorn Workspaces offers makes it easy to scale and adapt office space to quickly respond to changing needs.

However, it’s not only smaller businesses that have coworking spaces trending upwards. Many larger companies are housing their project teams in coworking spaces – where their teams benefit from the creative, inspiring environment as well as the cost-efficient access to first-rate office resources. In a professional and productive atmosphere, the Barista-style coffee flat rate encourages casual interaction among the employees of many different companies, which can lead to the development of new ideas and the creation of promising partnerships.

For those who are self-employed or freelancing, utilizing a coworking space can greatly help to escape the isolation of working alone at home. Not only do they encounter a modernly equipped workplace and an environment that supports their professionalism, they can also benefit from an improved work-life balance. In a coworking space, users profit from the comprehensive service package offered, which includes a modern technological infrastructure, IT support and cleaning services - so they can devote more of their focus to their core business tasks.

Pricing and contract options

Coworking spaces offer a variety of pricing and contract options designed to accommodate the individual needs of businesses. Prices normally vary according to factors such as the location, equipment and time period of the usage agreement for the rented offices. The options demonstrate a high level of flexibility, from the hourly usage of a single desk to monthly packages for team offices. The range of options reflects the philosophy of places like Unicorn Workspaces, which are committed to providing all of their users with suitable and integrative working environments.

The usage agreements usually include short-term cancellation policies, often on a monthly basis, and therefore don’t require entering into long-lasting commitments. This is a pivotal advantage for startups and rapidly growing businesses who rely on flexibility to handle their growth swiftly. Moreover, by including services such as IT support and cleaning, the coworking space contributes to a company’s efficiency.

In particular, the all-inclusive approach of Unicorn Workspaces deserves a mention for simplifying financial planning by already including all ancillary costs in the usage price. The centrally situated, urban sites of Unicorn’s workspace locations ensure that businesses benefit from the superb reachability and surrounding infrastructure, adding to the overall value for money of the spaces.

5 tips for choosing the right coworking space

When choosing a coworking space that will best fit your needs, take the following factors into consideration to ensure that the space can accommodate both practical and personal working requirements.

Location is perhaps the most critical factor: a centrally situated location with good public transportation connections ensures easy reachability and reduces commuting time. Unicorn Workspaces selects locations that are advantageous to their users, operating in vibrant cities with well-developed infrastructure such as Berlin and Lisbon.
Another important factor is equipment. Which amenities and services are required in order to work efficiently? Coworking spaces which offer comprehensive services, such as flexible team offices and an all-inclusive package featuring IT support or a Barista-style coffee flat rate can make the working day considerably smoother.
Also pay attention to the terms of contract. Make sure they include the appropriate flexibility to swiftly react to changes, as many startups and growing companies often have to do. Short-term cancellation notices and flexible contractual terms protect companies from entering into long-term commitments and additionally aids their planning security.
Atmosphere should not be overlooked, either. A pleasant working atmosphere encourages creativity and productivity. A space where community and inclusion is appreciated aligns itself positively with the values of many of its coworkers.

Finally, the availability of personal assistance. Unicorn Workspaces places great value on offering our users personal assistance and acting on their behalf in an efficient and fair manner. The approach to personal assistance should play a role when choosing a workspace, as it’s an aspect that significantly contributes to the satisfaction of users on a daily basis.

The future of coworking

Coworking spaces are designed to function for the future, because they respond to changing work patterns, especially in regards to having a flexible workplace that allows for location-independent work. In a world that’s increasingly leaning towards digitalization, coworking spaces provide the ideal conditions for fostering synergistic working procedures. According to experts, the demand for flexible office arrangements will continue to grow as both startups and businesses recognize the many other advantages of coworking that go beyond cost-efficient rental methods and the provision of a creative working atmosphere.

These modern types of office spaces aren’t only serving a basic functional purpose, they are transforming the working methods of the professionals working within them. They encourage networking and collaborations, laying the grounds for a dynamic, creative community that accelerates innovation. In particular, Unicorn Workspaces enables companies to concentrate on the most important aspects of their business by providing customizable team offices and comprehensive services, including a top notch IT infrastructure and a Barista-style coffee flat rate – plus many other conveniences to ensure a more efficient and pleasant work day.

Most coworking companies are actively ensuring that their workplaces are sustainable. Green energy and resource-conserving renovations form part of the strategy to reduce the ecological footprint. At the same time, the expansion of social engagement, in regards to inclusivity and wellbeing measures, is being pursued. By continually addressing the needs of their users, coworking spaces have positioned themselves as progressive, future-oriented workplace providers that are becoming an increasingly important component of the modern working world.

Coworking space: what is it & how does it work? Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What’s it like at a coworking space?

A coworking space is a flexible working environment which gives users the possibility of having a single desk or a complete office, depending on their needs. These spaces are particularly designed to foster a productive atmosphere that meets the requirements of those working in teams or working individually. By sharing resources such as meeting rooms, IT services or the cozy communal areas, synergies can develop that encourage interaction with others and initiate creative ideas.

The flexible contract terms that users receive when opting for a coworking arrangement allow them to adjust their office space at any time to respond to changes in their requirements. This is especially attractive for startups and businesses who are seeking uncomplicated terms that can accommodate their growth. Moreover, providers such as Unicorn Workspaces place great importance on providing an inspiring atmosphere with comprehensive office services and coffee drinks prepared by onsite baristas – making the workday more enjoyable and productive.

Another advantage that shared office spaces provide is the presence of strong communities which often form within these spaces. These communities not only present opportunities for networking, they also offer the chance to share expertise and experiences. Altogether, this is what makes a coworking space much more than just a place to work – it’s a place where new ideas can be conceived and collaborations are driven on in a dynamic atmosphere.

Who are coworking spaces well-suited for?

Coworking spaces offer great solutions for many types of working needs. In particular, startups and rapidly growing businesses benefit from having flexible and swiftly adjustable office structures. These flex office options allow them to quickly react to market changes. Established companies utilize these spaces to help creative projects flourish outside of their usual office settings. Freelancers also feel comfortable in coworking environments and appreciate the opportunities to network and share knowledge within an inspiring atmosphere. Coworking spaces in bustling urban areas such as Berlin, Hamburg or Cologne are attracting professionals who value flexibility, community, and a healthy work-life balance. Space providers such as Unicorn Workspaces offer not only team offices but many additional services as well, such as Barista-style coffee drinks and IT support to ensure a pleasant and smooth working day. The implementation of resource-saving technologies and an inclusive environment makes these work locations even more attractive for tech-savvy and sustainability-oriented users. With a positive attitude towards the sharing economy and a strong focus on community, coworking spaces have become an excellent choice for those who appreciate a dynamic and versatile working environment.

What’s included at a coworking space?

Within a coworking space, users encounter many amenities which have been provided to add inspiration to their workday while simplifying it. The spaces are usually situated in prime city locations and feature team offices as well as individual workspaces designed for flexible usage. Users can expect among the standard offerings ergonomic furniture, quick internet connectivity, and well-equipped meeting rooms and event spaces. However, that’s certainly not all: these spaces often provide comprehensive office services including printers and IT support. Another plus are the communal areas that are available for networking or relaxing and contribute to the overall creative atmosphere. Many coworking spaces also offer coffee drinks free of charge, and Unicorn provides a flat rate service for coffee drinks freshly prepared by their onsite baristas. All in all, the difference is in the details, and that’s what makes coworking spaces much more than simply places to work – instead, they’re dynamic settings for sharing ideas and knowledge and engaging in productive collaborations.

What features should a coworking space have?

A well thought-out coworking area provides the essentials that the modern working world requires. Careful planning results in equipment and furnishings that are both functional and inspirational, and allow the space to accommodate flexibility and promote creativity. A coworking space should have well-designed spatial layouts that allow for team work and collaborations as well as areas that afford users a calm place to relax and retreat. The technical infrastructure should be highly reliable, with fast internet connections maintained by knowledgeable IT support. The first-rate facilities, such as Unicorn Workspaces provides, feature secure networks and an array of conveniences including printing services and office cleaning services. An ongoing sense of community within the space also plays an important role, and the Barista-style coffee flat rate enriches this even more while adding a bit more convenience to the working day. Flexibility should also be taken into account by providing adjustable rental conditions which enable expanding companies to manage their fast paced growth and fulfill the needs of dynamic teams as well. By eliminating long-term contractual commitments and presenting a transparent cost model, coworking spaces have become the perfect alternative to conventional offices. Ultimately, it’s not just about having a place to work at. Instead, it’s the well-balanced combination of equipment, service, and community that will continue to ensure the future-oriented development of modern working methods.