Coworking is about so much more than the actual work. It’s a place where people can meet, socialise, get creative and enjoy everything else that makes modern life worth living. The last thing that you want your coworking space to be is a pale approximation of regular office space.

After all, the whole point of coworking is to offer people the flexibility to enjoy working how they choose, enjoy being alongside like-minded people, and hopefully cut the cost of any overheads. So here are five simple ways in which you can make your coworking space a little more enjoyable.

1. Get Competitive

There’s nothing like play for letting off steam. So make sure that your coworking space is packed with plenty of ways for indulging in a little play to mix things up. We’re not just talking about those omnipresent table tennis tables and table football games. The office sweepstake has long been a great way of livening things up.

2. Focus on the community

While you’ll want to get the actual job done, coworking is primarily about the community of people within the space. As such, you’ll want to make sure that there are actually areas where the sense of community can actually be cultivated. It could be something as simple as a large community table. Don’t make the mistake of tucking away the community table in the corner, but put it front and centre and make sure that no one tries to work there. The community area is often the kitchen, so make sure that you encourage this with lots of comfy seating.

3. Don’t let it become a grind

Coworking should be an escape from the grind rather than just a more flexible way of doing work. This is why many coworking spaces have taken severe steps to stop coworkers from getting too target-focused. We’ve seen plenty of coworking environments that have even taken clocks off the wall so as to limit the chances of everyone becoming slaves to time. After all, you’ll probably be a lot more creative when there are no nagging time limits. If you think that there are still problems with the work-life balance, then consider this disappearing office in the Netherlands!

4. Be Flexible

Don’t let your coworking space be stuck in place. After all, the chances are that lots of coworkers will pass through the doors and the environment should change to meet the demands of everyone. This is why many coworking spaces have benefited from introducing moveable furniture. Such furniture gives everyone the flexibility they need to work where they want, how they want. Don’t forget that even walls can be made moveable through screens so that people can get a little privacy should they need.

5. Don’t forget nature

Chances are that your coworking space will be located deep in the heart of the city. While the urban space can be stimulating, it can also suffer from a lack of nature. As such, it can be a great idea to add a touch of greenery to your office space. There are many benefits of having plants in office spaces, and it’s a relatively cost-effective way to improve the overall feel of the place. Just remember to take good care of the plants as no one wants to work around a bunch of dead flowers!