Coworking and flexible offices have become a durable part of the workplace mix. Earlier U.S. counts of coworkers (see prior estimates such as 1.08 million coworkers in 2022<\/a>) have since been overtaken by global expansion: the number of coworking locations worldwide surpassed 40,000 by 2024 (Statista)<\/a>. Flexible space now represents roughly 2\u20133% of total office inventory in major markets and continues to grow as landlords and operators add product (JLL)<\/a>. Operators report strengthened utilization, with average occupancy in the low\u2011to\u2011mid\u201180% range and private offices running higher than open desks as hybrid work stabilizes (Workthere 2024 Flexmark)<\/a>. Pricing has generally risen year over year in the high\u2011single\u2011digit range globally, with the U.S. comparatively flatter on average (Instant Group 2024)<\/a>. For small businesses, these shifts mean more choice\u2014and more need to balance cost, productivity, and community value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remote work has plateaued at a level far above 2019. Earlier sources tracked a much smaller pre\u2011pandemic share of home\u2011based work (historical telework statistics)<\/a>, but as of 2025 U.S. employees perform roughly 27\u201330% of paid workdays from home, with typical policies clustering around 2\u20133 WFH days per week (WFH Research)<\/a>. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that roughly one\u2011third of employed people did some or all of their work at home on an average day in 2024 (release published 2025) (ATUS)<\/a>. Office attendance has stabilized well below pre\u2011pandemic norms, commonly around half capacity mid\u2011week in large U.S. metros (Kastle)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With hybrid now the dominant model, small business owners are deciding how to blend home, coworking, and occasional office days. The practical question: which work setting best fits your specific roles and tasks while managing costs and supporting team culture?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI believe that once coworking spaces are permitted to reopen, it will be the more intimate and niche-focused spaces that will see the greatest influx of folks.\u201d <\/p> Michelle Y. Talbert, Esq., founder of Her Power Space<\/a> <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Below is an evidence\u2011based guide to both options\u2014integrating current data on adoption, productivity, safety, technology, and small\u2011business economics\u2014so you can make a decision that fits your team and bottom line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Structured hybrid and home\u2011based work can improve focus, expand talent reach, and reduce facility costs when implemented intentionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Michael Gardon, the founder of CareerCloud<\/a>, believes working from home will continue as a strong trend. \u201cThe reality is, workers very often report increased productivity,\u201d Gardon says. \u201cIt’s a reflection of a timeless principle \u2014 give good people freedom and responsibility, and the people step up. More and more companies are going to realize their people are more productive when they can have their own time, space and authority to control their life-schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remote work isn\u2019t universally optimal. Without deliberate practices and tooling, challenges can undermine performance or well\u2011being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you choose a remote\u2011first or hybrid approach with home days, set up guardrails and tools that protect focus, security, and balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n These practices often cost less than maintaining a full\u2011time office footprint\u2014and many teams blend home days for deep work with occasional coworking for collaboration. Note that average flex office occupancy sits in the low\u2011to\u2011mid\u201180% range and desk rates have risen globally, though U.S. pricing is comparatively flatter; plan bookings in advance for peak mid\u2011week days (Workthere)<\/a> (Instant Group)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coworking can deliver better collaboration infrastructure, professional meeting rooms, and community\u2014especially valuable for roles that benefit from knowledge sharing, mentorship, or when home setups are constrained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few key benefits of coworking include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shared environments require updated expectations and risk management for health, security, and operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you decide that going back to a shared coworking space looks best for your business, here is a checklist of five best practices for heading back to the office safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Coworking spaces like WeWork have already updated their approach to their shared spaces<\/a>, and many operators now formalize clean\u2011air programs (EPA challenge) and infectious\u2011aerosol readiness modes (EPA)<\/a> (ASHRAE 241)<\/a>, alongside enhanced access control and flexible layouts that support hybrid work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As of 2025, hybrid work has settled into a stable equilibrium: about 27\u201330% of U.S. paid days from home and office attendance commonly around 50\u201360% mid\u2011week in major metros (WFH Research)<\/a> (Kastle)<\/a>. Coworking\/flex now accounts for roughly 2\u20133% of global office inventory with average occupancy in the low\u2011to\u2011mid\u201180% range (JLL)<\/a> (Workthere)<\/a>. For small businesses, this environment supports right\u2011sizing leases, mixing home for focus with coworking for collaboration, and leveraging AI\u2011enabled collaboration tools to keep distributed teams productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Profitability considerations now extend beyond rent. Many remote\u2011capable SMBs cut overhead by shrinking footprints while maintaining neutral\u2011to\u2011positive productivity and stronger retention with flexibility (SWAA)<\/a>. At the same time, location\u2011dependent SMBs near downtown offices still face structurally lower foot traffic\u2014many North American downtowns operate at roughly 70\u201380% of 2019 activity\u2014so hours and offerings may need to shift toward mid\u2011week peaks or neighborhood locations (School of Cities)<\/a>. Ultimately, choose the mix of home and coworking that matches your roles, tasks, and cost profile\u2014and validate with your own utilization, output, and customer metrics. Deciding what\u2019s best for your business Coworking and flexible offices have become a durable part of the workplace mix. Earlier U.S. counts of coworkers (see prior estimates such as 1.08 million coworkers in 2022) have since been overtaken by global expansion: the number of coworking locations worldwide surpassed 40,000 by 2024 (Statista). Flexible space now […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":345,"featured_media":347429,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[21563],"tags":[],"post_author":[],"yoast_head":"\nPros of Continuing to Work from Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of Continuing to Work from Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Best Practices if You Decide to Continue Working from Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Establish core collaboration hours and explicit \u201cno\u2011response\u201d windows. Use delayed send and do\u2011not\u2011disturb defaults, document team SLAs for channels, and evaluate by outcomes rather than availability (CIPD)<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Invest in ergonomic seating and monitor height, lighting, and an external keyboard\/mouse. Provide stipends where possible; better ergonomics measurably reduce fatigue and help preserve focus on home days.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
High\u2011quality video and cloud tools require reliable bandwidth and low latency. Shop for the best internet providers<\/a> in your area and secure accounts with phishing\u2011resistant MFA or passkeys where available (Okta)<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
For call\u2011heavy roles or areas with spotty mobile service, a dedicated VoIP\/landline can improve reliability and call quality for customers.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Use tools that sustain focus and reduce meeting load: accountability partners via Focusmate<\/a>; curated alternate workspaces with Codi<\/a>; and AI\u2011assisted collaboration like Slack AI<\/a>, Zoom Workplace<\/a>, and meeting copilots highlighted in Microsoft\u2019s Work Trend Index<\/a> to summarize discussions and action items.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nPros of Returning to Coworking Spaces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cons of Returning to Coworking Spaces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Best Safety Practices to Return to Your Coworking Space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Confirm the operator\u2019s clean\u2011air program (ventilation, filtration, and portable HEPA as needed) aligned to the EPA Clean Air in Buildings Challenge<\/a> and risk\u2011based modes in ASHRAE Standard 241<\/a>. Request a written Emergency Action Plan that meets OSHA 1910.38<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Share your requirements: MERV\u201113 (or highest compatible) filtration, documented filter changes, visitor management, role\u2011based access, and clear sick\u2011policy communications aligned to CDC guidance (CDC)<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Right\u2011size rooms to actual attendance, manage flow, and ensure pathways and exits remain code\u2011compliant. Post occupant loads and keep egress clear per life\u2011safety norms (NFPA 101)<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Follow current guidance: routine cleaning is usually enough; disinfect when someone is sick or during higher\u2011risk periods, using EPA\u2011registered products as appropriate (CDC cleaning and disinfection)<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Those who choose to return to shared workspaces should continue to promote social distancing and safety protocols<\/a>, such as wearing masks and keep track of the latest updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nThe Bottom Line<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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