Ahoy there! It’s great to have you here today as we discuss one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your entrepreneurial journey – choosing the right coworking space. Here’s how to select a coworking space?
In an era where work is no longer confined to cubicles or kitchen tables, the coworking revolution has emerged as a powerful movement—one that reshapes how we work, collaborate, and thrive. But with options sprawling across every corner of a city, the question arises:
How do you select the right coworking space?
The answer is not just about choosing a location with fast Wi-Fi or free coffee. It’s about crafting an environment that supports your deep work, fuels your creativity, connects you to aligned minds, and evolves with your business.
This guide unpacks the 18 most essential considerations to help you make that choice wisely.
Why Coworking Space Matters More Than Ever
Your workspace is not just a backdrop—it’s a system that shapes your daily rhythm, your creative output, your mental clarity, and even your professional identity.
Whether you’re a solopreneur refining your startup, a creative building something original, or a remote team anchoring operations, choosing the right coworking space can mean the difference between friction and flow.
Let’s break down the layers of what truly matters when you’re evaluating coworking options.
1. Location: Choose the Center of Gravity, Not Just Geography
The old mantra “location, location, location” is still valid—but now, it’s contextual.
- Is it close to where you live?
- Is it well-connected by public transport like Namma Metro or arterial roads like the Outer Ring Road?
- Is it close to potential clients, collaborators, or inspiration zones like art districts, cafés, or startup hubs?
Coworking in Bangalore, for instance, differs wildly based on the neighborhood. A space in Basaveshwaranagar or Nagarbhavi offers community serenity and affordability, while one in Koramangala or Indiranagar might be more network-intensive and chaotic.
Choose based on your workstyle.
✦ Tip: Walk the neighborhood. What cafés, parks, vendors, or community vibes exist? Your surroundings often shape your mental space.
2. Amenities: More Than Just Wi-Fi
The utility layer of a coworking space goes far beyond free tea or plug points. You’re looking for a human-first ecosystem.
Ask:
- Is the Wi-Fi enterprise-grade and redundant?
- Are ergonomic chairs standard, or just decorative?
- Are there soundproof zones for deep work and phone booths for confidential calls?
- Is there a creative studio, podcast room, or theater for presentations?
Coworking brands like Work Theater offer podcast studios, recreational zones, and themed work pods—perfect for creatives and knowledge workers who thrive in intentional spaces.
✦ Deep work is impossible in an environment that constantly nudges you toward distraction. Prioritize spaces that protect your focus.
3. Community: Who You Sit Around Matters
Coworking isn’t just about desks—it’s about energy exchange.
Some spaces attract:
- Bootstrapped SaaS founders
- Indie developers and UI designers
- Social entrepreneurs
- Therapists, writers, or consultants
Before you decide:
- Visit the space during working hours
- Attend one of their events or workshops
- Chat with existing members
Ask: Would you be inspired, challenged, or drained by this group?
✦ A curated, kind, and ambitious community amplifies your trajectory. A mismatched one stifles it.
Learn how coworking boosts productivity through social accountability and designed serendipity.
4. Culture: Rituals, Routines, and Energy
Culture isn’t posted on a wall. It’s felt.
Some spaces are structured, quiet, and goal-oriented. Others are casual, conversational, and fluid. The question is: what environment helps you thrive?
Check for:
- Morning huddles or weekly demo days?
- Wellness routines, community meals, or ambient music policies?
- How people use common areas—is there intentional interaction or silent retreat?
✦ You’re not just choosing a space; you’re choosing a ritual.
Read how coworking sets rhythm in your work-life design.
5. Flexibility: Your Life Will Change. Will Your Space Adapt?
Does the coworking space offer:
- Hourly, daily, or monthly passes?
- The ability to switch between hot desks and private cabins?
- Options to expand as your team grows?
Hybrid teams, solo founders, and consultants need different arrangements across weeks or months.
✦ The ideal coworking contract feels like a second skin—not a straitjacket.
6. Design and Layout: Function Meets Flow
From acoustics to natural light, ventilation to zoning, coworking space design impacts everything from cognition to collaboration.
Look for:
- Quiet zones vs. collaborative lounges
- Visual flow: Is it cluttered or calming?
- Presence of greenery, textures, breakout corners
- Scent, lighting temperature, color psychology
✦ The best coworking spaces are designed for neurodiverse work styles—not just aesthetics.
Explore how neuroscience-based coworking design improves deep focus and creative flow.
7. Pricing: Understand the Real Cost of Focus
Coworking plans range from ₹300/desk/day to ₹25,000/desk/month. But what are you really paying for?
- Hidden fees (power backup, printing, meeting rooms)
- Security deposits or lock-in periods
- Long-term discounts vs. daily flexibility
Cheap plans that destroy your focus are expensive in opportunity cost.
8. Noise Levels and Acoustics
If you’re someone who does deep thinking, runs client calls, or creates content, ambient noise can kill your output.
Ask:
- Are phone booths truly soundproof?
- Is the space open-plan or acoustic-buffered?
- Are events and quiet zones scheduled separately?
9. Tech Infrastructure: Invisible Yet Foundational
Coworking should support—not hinder—your tools.
- Is the internet stable under load (say, 100+ users)?
- Are routers mesh-distributed or centralized?
- Do they provide backups, IP whitelisting, or static IPs for server access?
For creators: Is the AV setup plug-and-play? For traders: Is connectivity latency-tested?
10. Security and Access Control
- Are there access cards or biometric systems?
- 24×7 CCTV surveillance?
- Is there night access for late-working founders?
If you’re storing gear or confidential data, this is critical.
11. Accessibility and Parking
For team members, clients, and vendors, physical accessibility shapes their experience.
- Is there basement or off-site parking?
- Elevators, ramps, wheelchair-friendly washrooms?
- Bicycle storage?
12. Meeting Rooms and Event Zones
Most plans cap usage.
- How many hours per week are included?
- Can non-members be invited?
- Is there whiteboard access, AV gear, or stage lighting?
✦ A great boardroom is a strategic weapon for sales calls, pitches, or team ceremonies.
13. Privacy Options
Even in open layouts, you need:
- Phone booths
- Quiet rooms
- 1:1 cabins for therapy sessions, coaching, or confidential client work
14. Sustainability Features
Increasingly, businesses (and clients) care about:
- Solar usage
- Rainwater harvesting
- Energy-efficient ACs or motion-sensor lights
- Low-VOC paints and non-toxic materials
15. Reputation and Online Reviews
Google reviews, LinkedIn posts, YouTube walk-throughs, and word-of-mouth carry signals.
But don’t trust just stars—read the actual comments:
- Are people praising the vibe, the culture, the hosts?
- Or just the infrastructure?
16. Hospitality and Staff Support
Your experience is shaped by how the team treats you.
- Are community managers proactive?
- Is tech support available instantly?
- Do they genuinely care about your work?
17. Networking and Events
A quality coworking space doesn’t just offer events—it curates the right ones.
- Knowledge sessions?
- Wellness mornings?
- Fundraising clinics or pitch nights?
- Creative showcases?
Explore how coworking fuels local business ecosystems through curated connections.
18. Mental Wellness Anchors
The modern knowledge worker is fragile under invisible stress.
- Does the space have green nooks, yoga rooms, nap zones?
- Is the community emotionally safe and inclusive?
- Do people greet each other or stay guarded?
Read how coworking spaces help solve urban loneliness.
Final Takeaways: Find the Space That Aligns with Your Rhythm
The perfect coworking space is not just about ticking boxes. It’s about resonance. It’s a place that energizes your mornings, anchors your workflow, and expands your possibilities through design, community, and culture.
Revisit this checklist, tour the spaces, speak with members, feel the flow—and then choose the space where your best self shows up effortlessly.
✦ Because when you select the right coworking space, you don’t just rent a desk—you design your future.
As always, keep pushing boundaries, seeking new opportunities, and most importantly, having fun along the way. Remember, entrepreneurship is a journey, not a destination, and it’s the experiences and lessons learned that truly define your success. So, go out there and make your mark, my friends!
Startups like to work from Work Theater, our co-working space in Bengaluru.
Learn more about our coworking space on Think Remote.
