After 10 years of coworking, countless community dinners, and a truly chaotic number of post-it notes, we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a space feel like home. Spoiler alert: It’s not the free coffee (though, yes please). It’s not the Wi-Fi speed (though also yes please). It’s something deeper – a mix of connection, care, and a really good playlist in the reception area. So if you’ve ever wondered what actually makes a coworking space great, here’s everything we’ve figured out the fun way: by living it.
It started with a vision
Ten years ago, TLR started with a vision: build a place where people could get work done and feel like they belonged. Not a sterile room full of swivel chairs. Not a startup bro echo chamber. Something else. Something warmer, messier, friendlier. More… human.
Now, after a decade of countless international potlucks, volley games, padel tournaments, and TGIF talks, we’ve learned a few things.
And no, it’s not just that the coffee machine deserves more respect than it gets.
So if you’ve ever asked yourself: What actually makes a coworking space great? – here’s what we’ve figured out.
1. It’s not about the space. It’s about the people.
We know, we know. The space is lovely. Natural light, beautiful floors, rooftop hammock – yes. But here’s the truth: without the people, it’s just a nice room.
The magic of TLR comes from who walks through the door. The member who brings in banana bread just because. The one who gives a presentation that sparks five new collaborations. The newbie who shows up terrified and leaves two months later with best friends and a podcast.
The real coworking happens in conversations. Over coffee. Over ping pong. Over, “Wait, can someone with keys let me in this Bank Holiday Monday?”
2. No one actually wants to network. They want connection.
We stopped using the word “networking” a long time ago (except ironically). What people actually want is to feel seen, to be useful, to learn something new – and maybe to get a client or collaborator along the way.
So we host family dinners, business breakfasts, board game nights, and the occasional hike-turned-existential-crisis. Because when you connect authentically, the rest follows naturally.
3. Your body needs to feel good too.
You can’t write that pitch if your back’s in a knot and your eyeballs haven’t seen daylight in 7 hours.
So we’ve made wellness part of the workday:
Weekly rooftop yoga led by Dan, a longtime TLR member with the chillest energy this side of the Mediterranean.
Ice baths with Ben, our Wim Hof-certified founder (yes, there will be screaming).
Pilates with our dear Sarah, as well as a pull-up bar, a hammock, and more sun than your screen-tired eyes knew they needed.
And if that’s too much… you can always just go pet someone’s dog. Because yes, we’re pet friendly.
4. No one has their life perfectly together. And that’s fine.
At any given moment, someone at TLR is landing a new client, someone else is reinventing their career, and someone is wondering how they ended up with six open Notion boards and zero progress.
This space works because we drop the pressure to perform. You don’t have to be “crushing it”. You just have to show up. That’s enough. That’s where everything begins.
5. Automation is great. But kindness is better.
Yes, we have a chatbot named Ken (aka the World’s Fastest Community Manager). Yes, he sends your confirmation emails, updates the calendar, and knows exactly when we’re closed for public holidays.
But no one has ever said, “Wow, Ken changed my life”. (He would love it if they did, though.)
The thing that really matters? The human welcome. The way Carlos remembers your name. The way Carmen senses when you’re having a rough day. The way Ben will tell you the ice bath “isn’t that cold today” (it is).
So, what makes a great coworking space?
It’s the same thing that makes anything great:
People who care.
People who listen.
People who believe that work doesn’t have to be isolating, lonely, or transactional.
TLR works because you make it work. Whether you’ve been here for a week or a year, whether you’re popping in for a day pass or leading a workshop in the kitchen – you’re part of the story.
And 10 years in, we’re still writing it. Together.
* If you would like to join TLR, check out our various subscription offerings here: https://tlr-coworking.com/subscriptions/. Our ‘Friend’ subscription, for example, is only €50/month and includes access to all TLR events and social gatherings, including the monthly TGIF! If you’d like a subscription with more office hours, you’re welcome to book a free trial day!
