Deciding what’s 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 represents roughly 2–3% of total office inventory in major markets and continues to grow as landlords and operators add product (JLL). Operators report strengthened utilization, with average occupancy in the low‑to‑mid‑80% range and private offices running higher than open desks as hybrid work stabilizes (Workthere 2024 Flexmark). Pricing has generally risen year over year in the high‑single‑digit range globally, with the U.S. comparatively flatter on average (Instant Group 2024). For small businesses, these shifts mean more choice—and more need to balance cost, productivity, and community value.
Remote work has plateaued at a level far above 2019. Earlier sources tracked a much smaller pre‑pandemic share of home‑based work (historical telework statistics), but as of 2025 U.S. employees perform roughly 27–30% of paid workdays from home, with typical policies clustering around 2–3 WFH days per week (WFH Research). The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that roughly one‑third of employed people did some or all of their work at home on an average day in 2024 (release published 2025) (ATUS). Office attendance has stabilized well below pre‑pandemic norms, commonly around half capacity mid‑week in large U.S. metros (Kastle).
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?
“I 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.”
Michelle Y. Talbert, Esq., founder of Her Power Space
Below is an evidence‑based guide to both options—integrating current data on adoption, productivity, safety, technology, and small‑business economics—so you can make a decision that fits your team and bottom line.
Pros of Continuing to Work from Home
Structured hybrid and home‑based work can improve focus, expand talent reach, and reduce facility costs when implemented intentionally.
- Controlled environment with limited exposure— Home setups reduce exposure to circulating respiratory viruses and give workers control over ventilation and hygiene. Current public health guidance emphasizes staying home when sick, improving indoor air, and practical masking options during surges (CDC).
- Less data risk with a home network— Shared networks can be risky if poorly segmented or configured (see earlier reports on insecure shared Wi‑Fi) (CNET). A home setup lets you implement strong defaults—separate guest SSIDs, patched routers, and device hardening—aligned to CIS Controls v8.1.
- Flexible work hours— Flexibility remains a top worker preference and supports focus time when paired with clear norms (e.g., core hours, right‑to‑disconnect expectations) (Buffer 2025) (CIPD). Many firms report improved retention when flexibility is offered (WFH Research).
- Time savings— Eliminating the commute reallocates meaningful time toward work and personal activities, which workers associate with higher self‑rated productivity and well‑being (WFH Research).
- Increased productivity and performance— Rigorous studies show context‑dependent effects. In randomized and quasi‑experimental settings, fully remote increased output by 13% in a call‑center experiment and by about 4.4% under work‑from‑anywhere for patent examiners, while broader syntheses find hybrid (2–3 home days) tends to be neutral‑to‑slightly positive on performance (CTrip RCT) (WFA study) (WFH Research).
- Profitability— Many remote‑capable SMBs reduce or right‑size office footprints as hybrid becomes standard, lowering rent and facilities costs per employee. Employer surveys and business indicators show persistent hybrid use and plans for less space than 2019, with a minority of firms reporting any telework in a given week concentrated in knowledge sectors (SWAA employer reports) (Census BTOS). Earlier telework savings analyses exist here, but current decisions should focus on your actual lease, utilities, and utilization data.
Michael Gardon, the founder of CareerCloud, believes working from home will continue as a strong trend. “The reality is, workers very often report increased productivity,” Gardon says. “It’s a reflection of a timeless principle — 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.”
Cons of Continuing to Work from Home
Remote work isn’t universally optimal. Without deliberate practices and tooling, challenges can undermine performance or well‑being.
- Boundaries— “Unplugging after work” consistently ranks as a top struggle for remote workers. Organizations counter this with explicit quiet hours, delayed‑send defaults, and outcome‑based management to avoid always‑on expectations (Buffer 2025) (CIPD).
- Lack of privacy— Home arrangements can expose workers to family/roommate interruptions or inadequate ergonomic setups, which degrade focus and comfort compared with professional environments.
- Multiple interruptions— Domestic noise, deliveries, and caregiving demands can introduce different disruptions than in an office, reducing deep‑work time if not mitigated with norms and space design.
- Lack of meeting space— Hosting clients or running multi‑participant whiteboarding sessions is harder without bookable rooms, large displays, and stable connectivity—one reason many teams schedule in‑person or coworking days for collaboration.
Best Practices if You Decide to Continue Working from Home
If you choose a remote‑first or hybrid approach with home days, set up guardrails and tools that protect focus, security, and balance.
- Stick to a schedule
Establish core collaboration hours and explicit “no‑response” windows. Use delayed send and do‑not‑disturb defaults, document team SLAs for channels, and evaluate by outcomes rather than availability (CIPD).
- Improve your office setup
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.
- Upgrade your internet connection
High‑quality video and cloud tools require reliable bandwidth and low latency. Shop for the best internet providers in your area and secure accounts with phishing‑resistant MFA or passkeys where available (Okta).
- Consider a separate home line
For call‑heavy roles or areas with spotty mobile service, a dedicated VoIP/landline can improve reliability and call quality for customers.
- Switch things up
Use tools that sustain focus and reduce meeting load: accountability partners via Focusmate; curated alternate workspaces with Codi; and AI‑assisted collaboration like Slack AI, Zoom Workplace, and meeting copilots highlighted in Microsoft’s Work Trend Index to summarize discussions and action items.
These practices often cost less than maintaining a full‑time office footprint—and many teams blend home days for deep work with occasional coworking for collaboration. Note that average flex office occupancy sits in the low‑to‑mid‑80% range and desk rates have risen globally, though U.S. pricing is comparatively flatter; plan bookings in advance for peak mid‑week days (Workthere) (Instant Group).
Pros of Returning to Coworking Spaces
Coworking can deliver better collaboration infrastructure, professional meeting rooms, and community—especially valuable for roles that benefit from knowledge sharing, mentorship, or when home setups are constrained.
A few key benefits of coworking include:
- Resource coordination for small businesses. Coworking hubs often connect members with training, mentoring, and financing programs through local partners and national organizations—e.g., resource hubs at the U.S. Chamber, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and SCORE. See programs curated by chambers such as those being funneled alongside SBA and SCORE.
- Get plugged into the local scene. Coworking spaces serve as hubs for community and serendipitous interactions that support learning and visibility. Experience research shows home often excels for deep focus, while offices and third places (including flex/coworking) score higher for collaboration and connection (Cushman & Wakefield XSF). Many occupiers also plan to expand flex usage over the next few years to support hybrid collaboration and cost flexibility (JLL) (CBRE).
- Improved motivation. Members frequently report higher motivation and reduced isolation relative to working alone at home, attributing gains to routine and social energy in professional settings (Deskmag Global Coworking Survey). Many operators provide quiet zones for focus plus collaboration areas, letting workers choose the best setting by task.
- Increased collaboration. The diversity of a coworking space, such as interacting with a software engineer one day and an SEO specialist the next, can help small businesses create efficiencies and facilitate innovative ideas that come from cross-functional collaboration. Utilization data show private offices/suites run higher occupancy than open desks, reflecting demand for enclosed rooms to collaborate without sacrificing focus (Workthere).
Cons of Returning to Coworking Spaces
Shared environments require updated expectations and risk management for health, security, and operations.
- Uncontrolled environment with risk of exposure— While operators emphasize clean‑air and illness policies, you still share air and surfaces with others. Follow current CDC respiratory virus guidance and verify the space’s ventilation/filtration approach aligns with EPA/ASHRAE recommendations.
- Different interactions with new social distancing rules— Etiquette in shared spaces has evolved: book rooms thoughtfully, manage noise, and expect stronger access control and visitor management. Cyber hygiene matters too—ask about segmented Wi‑Fi/VLANs and secure printing consistent with CIS Controls v8.1.
Best Safety Practices to Return to Your Coworking Space
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.
- Ask questions
Confirm the operator’s clean‑air program (ventilation, filtration, and portable HEPA as needed) aligned to the EPA Clean Air in Buildings Challenge and risk‑based modes in ASHRAE Standard 241. Request a written Emergency Action Plan that meets OSHA 1910.38.
- Be proactive
Share your requirements: MERV‑13 (or highest compatible) filtration, documented filter changes, visitor management, role‑based access, and clear sick‑policy communications aligned to CDC guidance (CDC).
- Promote revised spatial guidelines
Right‑size rooms to actual attendance, manage flow, and ensure pathways and exits remain code‑compliant. Post occupant loads and keep egress clear per life‑safety norms (NFPA 101).
- Ensure cleaning schedules are updated regularly
Follow current guidance: routine cleaning is usually enough; disinfect when someone is sick or during higher‑risk periods, using EPA‑registered products as appropriate (CDC cleaning and disinfection).
- Maintain social distancing norms
Those who choose to return to shared workspaces should continue to promote social distancing and safety protocols, such as wearing masks and keep track of the latest updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Coworking spaces like WeWork have already updated their approach to their shared spaces, and many operators now formalize clean‑air programs (EPA challenge) and infectious‑aerosol readiness modes (EPA) (ASHRAE 241), alongside enhanced access control and flexible layouts that support hybrid work.
The Bottom Line
As of 2025, hybrid work has settled into a stable equilibrium: about 27–30% of U.S. paid days from home and office attendance commonly around 50–60% mid‑week in major metros (WFH Research) (Kastle). Coworking/flex now accounts for roughly 2–3% of global office inventory with average occupancy in the low‑to‑mid‑80% range (JLL) (Workthere). For small businesses, this environment supports right‑sizing leases, mixing home for focus with coworking for collaboration, and leveraging AI‑enabled collaboration tools to keep distributed teams productive.
Profitability considerations now extend beyond rent. Many remote‑capable SMBs cut overhead by shrinking footprints while maintaining neutral‑to‑positive productivity and stronger retention with flexibility (SWAA). At the same time, location‑dependent SMBs near downtown offices still face structurally lower foot traffic—many North American downtowns operate at roughly 70–80% of 2019 activity—so hours and offerings may need to shift toward mid‑week peaks or neighborhood locations (School of Cities). Ultimately, choose the mix of home and coworking that matches your roles, tasks, and cost profile—and validate with your own utilization, output, and customer metrics.
