The coworking space amenities worth investing in are the ones that support how your members work, from fast WiFi and ample power to well-equipped meeting rooms and secure access. Trendier perks can still earn their place, but only if people actually use them.

Picture this… A sunlit coworking lounge. Hammock chairs swaying gently in the AC breeze. Kombucha bubbling on tap. A wall of vibrant succulents, and just out of frame, a lonely nap pod gathering dust. Sounds dreamy, right? But is it practical?

When finding new ways to differentiate your coworking space, it's tempting to chase the latest trend in office perks. But before you install a meditation dome or commission a mural made entirely of recycled mouse and keyboard parts, ask yourself:

"Are these amenities truly serving my members, or just my marketing?"

Here's how to separate the crucial from the kitschy, so you can invest in amenities that not only look good, but also drive retention, member satisfaction, and that all-important ROI.

Crucial vs. Kitschy Coworking Space Amenities

Coworking space amenities are the facilities and services a space offers beyond the desk itself, and not all of them are created equal.

Crucial Coworking Space Amenities

Crucial amenities are necessary for your space's daily function. They are expected or used widely by your members, and have a measurable, positive impact on your business's success.

Some examples of crucial coworking space amenities include:

• Fast, reliable WiFi
• Ergonomic furniture
• Proper lighting & air flow
• Secure access control
• Ample power outlets
• Well-equipped meeting rooms
• Up-to-date equipment
• Clear signage & instructions

If you run a coworking space, none of the items listed above should shock you. These are the non-negotiables. Without them, you're not really a coworking space, and you're likely losing members to the coffee shop next door.

Beyond the basics, crucial amenities can also be shaped by your environment, your members, and the industries they work in. For example, in walkable neighborhoods or dense cities like San Francisco, bike racks and lockers might be expected. In car-centric areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, where commutes are long and public transportation is limited, ample free parking (or a partnership with a nearby garage) could be essential. And if all your competitors offer free phone booths, that might become a necessity for your space too.

"Kitschy" Coworking Space Amenities

Kitschy amenities are flashy add-ons that may look cool or photograph well, but don't meaningfully support your members or your business.

Some examples of kitschy coworking space amenities include:

• Foosball tables (that no one plays)
• Beer taps that require ID checks and liability waivers
• Furniture that looks cool but feels awful
• Abandoned putt-putt courses
• Dusty arcade machines
• Adult-sized ball pits (yes, really)

While these features can spark curiosity, they rarely deliver long-term value if not aligned with your members' actual needs.

Every square foot and dollar counts, and prioritizing the wrong amenities can eat up your budget and space while offering minimal ROI.

Know Your Audience: Member-Centered Decision Making

Different members have different needs, and understanding those needs is key to choosing the right coworking amenities. Inscribed on the Temple of Apollo is the Ancient Greek Golden Rule of "Know thyself." Inscribed on the forehead of every coworking space operator should be the industry equivalent: "Know thy members."

Create Ideal Member Profiles

Remote freelancers may crave quiet nooks and phone booths. Tech employees often look for standing desks and second monitors. Startups gravitate toward collaborative zones and whiteboards. And enterprise teams typically need private offices and enhanced security.

To meet these needs, start by creating ideal member profiles (or “avatars”) based on the people already in your space, or the ones you want to attract. Think about their roles, routines, goals, and pain points. Are they early birds or night owls? Do they spend most of their day on calls or in deep focus? The more detailed the profile, the better equipped you'll be to offer amenities that truly serve them.

Back Them Up with Real Feedback

Next, back up those assumptions with real feedback. In other words, find out what your members actually want (and don't want).

• Surveys can be a quick, anonymous goldmine of insight. Send them out regularly, and if needed, incentivize with free credits or giveaways.
• One-on-one conversations or small group chats can help uncover the story behind a simple response. These can happen:

• Formally: during tours, onboarding, renewals and exit interviews.
• Informally: while they grab coffee or settle in for the day. Slip in a question or two about what they like, don't like, or wish the space offered. Even a casual chat about their daily routine can be revealing.

• Usage tracking is valuable too. As the old adage goes: numbers don't lie. If you can measure how often people are actually using different areas of your space, you can start to answer many of coworking's big 21st-century questions, like: Are they really using that podcast studio?

How a Podcast Studio Became a Zoom Room

One of our own spaces opened in early 2020 with a podcast studio. On trend at the time, but it rarely got used. Our members didn't need a recording space; they needed a secluded place for virtual meetings. So we rebranded it as a "Zoom Room": comfortable, private, and well-equipped with lighting, acoustics, and green screen. It hit the sweet spot: more practical than a phone cube, more affordable than a private office, and people actually use it!

With Deskworks, you can spot trends in real time and turn underused perks into your next MVP (most valuable perk).

Amenities That Drive Business Outcomes

Amenities can offer more than just comfort, convenience, or a cool vibe: they can solve real business challenges and directly impact your bottom line. Here are a few examples:

These aren't just perks. They're differentiators. Prospective members are likely comparing your space against several others. The right amenity might tip the scale.

When Instagram-Worthy Amenities Earn Their Place

Quirky features can work when they tell your brand story, spark conversations, and foster community, like a vintage surfboard turned standing desk in a laid-back, beachside coworking space. Yes, aesthetics sell. That eco-friendly moss wall, the Zuckerberg-inspired pingpong table, or the coveted espresso robot might get someone through the door. But then what?

If it takes a 10-minute tutorial to use, breaks every other week, or barely gets used, it's probably not worth it. No one wants a cereal bar full of stale cornflakes.

Cost vs. Value: A Framework for Decision Making

Every amenity falls into one of three tiers, and each tier deserves a different level of investment:

• Must-Haves: Essential amenities your coworking space needs to function and compete, such as reliable Wi-Fi, ergonomic furniture, quiet zones, and good coffee.
• Nice-to-Haves: Features that elevate the experience and support member well-being, identity or workstyle, such as standing desks, wellness rooms, outdoor workspace or local art.
• Experimental: High-concept or niche amenities that may be fun or buzzworthy, but need testing to determine if they're worth it for your community, such as VR booths, community gardens, massage chairs, or tofu-making classes.

For any amenity you're considering, ask yourself:

• What does it cost to install and maintain?
• How often is it used?
• How much space does it take up?
• Does it improve satisfaction or retention?
• Does it generate revenue?

From there, keep a close eye on ROI to make sure you're not throwing money at dust collectors.

How Deskworks Tracks Amenity Usage

Coworking space management tools help you track amenity usage, identify peak times, and automate member feedback, so your decisions are based on data instead of guesswork. Deskworks measures how your coworking amenities are used in three places:

• Check-ins. Deskworks' patented Intelligent Network Check-in automatically tracks usage and syncs it with your billing, so you know who is using the space and when without anyone recording it by hand.
• Bookings. Meeting rooms, phone cubes, and other reservable spaces run through desk and meeting room bookings, so every reservation is on record.
• Reports. Tools like Deskworks give you actionable insights through reports that track full-time occupancy, on-demand utilization, and customizable revenue breakdowns. You can see exactly which services are generating income, and how that changes over time.

Thinking about a content studio? Know how your current media room is performing first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in a coworking space membership?

Most coworking memberships include the basics members need to work comfortably, such as reliable WiFi, workspace (desk, office, etc.), power, and access to common areas. From there, plans can vary based on things like 24/7 access, private storage, mail handling, meeting room hours, or other premium services. Reservable spaces can also be sold by the hour or included as a monthly allotment.

Should coworking spaces charge extra for amenities?

It depends on the cost and scarcity of the amenity. Perks that cost very little to provide and improve the overall member experience often make sense to bundle into membership. Higher-cost or limited resources, such as meeting rooms, podcast studios, printing, storage, or premium access, may make more sense to price separately or include as a set monthly allowance. Our guide to coworking membership plans covers how to structure both.

What are the downsides of coworking for members?

Common coworking complaints include noise, lack of privacy, unreliable WiFi, too few power outlets, and confusing wayfinding. Each points to something operators can address through better space design and amenities: quiet zones or phone booths for calls, private spaces when needed, reliable connectivity, power within easy reach, and clear signage throughout the space.

Make Every Amenity Count

In the end, it's not about having more amenities. It's about having the right ones. Trendy amenities may get people through the door, but purposeful ones keep them coming back. Before you buy that espresso-fueled robot barista, remember: the best amenity is one your members actually use. Choose features that fit their needs, support their work, and enhance their experience. That's when your ROI really starts to climb.

Ready to find out what's working, and what's just collecting dust?

Deskworks gives you the data you need to make smart, member-focused decisions. Track usage, identify high-performing perks, and see where underused space could earn more with coworking management software built for operators.