Best Practices for Building Connections in Coliving

Coliving is more than just sharing a space - it's about creating genuine connections. To make this happen, focus on these key practices:

• Host Group Events: Plan activities like potlucks, workshops, or game nights to encourage bonding.
• Design Shared Spaces Thoughtfully: Include open kitchens, versatile seating, and areas for shared hobbies while balancing privacy.
• Use Digital Tools for Communication: Platforms like Slack and Zoom help with event planning, updates, and staying connected.
• Celebrate Diversity: Share skills, traditions, and cultural experiences to deepen relationships.
• Prioritize Clear Communication: Use simple language, respect cultural differences, and provide tools for feedback and conflict resolution.

Planning Group Events

Building strong connections in coliving spaces often comes down to hosting well-organized events that turn shared spaces into thriving communities.

Popular Group Activities

Hosting events that bring people together is a great way to create bonds. Here are a few ideas:

• Cultural potlucks: These allow residents to share their heritage through food, sparking conversation and connection. Organizing them around themes or celebrations makes them even more engaging.
• DIY workshops: Perfect for fostering creativity and skill-sharing. Offer projects with varying difficulty levels so everyone can join in, regardless of experience.
• Movie marathons and game nights: These create a relaxed atmosphere for socializing. To make them successful:
  • Let the community vote on movies.
  • Provide a variety of games to suit different preferences.
  • Ensure comfortable seating.
  • Offer snacks or light refreshments.

These activities create opportunities for residents to connect on a deeper level.

Getting More People Involved

One common challenge is ensuring events fit into everyone's schedules. To address this, plan events at different times and announce them at least two weeks in advance. Use apps and bulletin boards to send reminders and keep everyone in the loop.

"Beyond bringing everyone to the table, there's some work we have to do to ensure that people feel like they belong at that table."
– Maasha Kah, former global head of diversity and inclusion at Eventbrite

Making everyone feel welcome is essential. Here's how to create an inclusive environment:

• Use bilingual communications for event details.
• Offer diverse food options to accommodate dietary preferences.
• Plan activities that cater to both active participation and quieter, passive involvement.

Resident-led committees can also make a big difference. When residents take charge of planning, they naturally encourage others to join. These committees should:

• Gather feedback regularly to align events with community interests.
• Rotate leadership roles to prevent burnout.
• Celebrate successes to maintain enthusiasm.

The goal is to create events that offer real value - whether it's learning something new, networking, or simply enjoying a shared experience. Every activity should cater to the community's needs while remaining open and inviting to all.

Setting Up Social Spaces

Shared spaces, when thoughtfully designed, can turn a group of strangers into a close-knit community. These areas are more than just rooms - they are the heart of a coliving environment, encouraging connection and interaction among residents.

What Makes Shared Spaces Work

The best shared spaces are designed to naturally bring people together. For example, a single walkway from parking areas to living spaces can lead to more casual encounters. Similarly, routing foot traffic through common areas creates opportunities for spontaneous conversations.

Key features of effective shared spaces include:

• Open kitchens with multiple workstations to accommodate group cooking
• Versatile seating options for both intimate and larger gatherings
• Activity zones for games, music, or other shared interests
• Moveable furniture to adapt to various needs
• Interior windows that allow visual connections between spaces

Private vs Common Areas

While social spaces are essential, residents also need personal areas where they can recharge. Bittoni Architects' Centinela Avenue project in Los Angeles is a great example of striking this balance. It combines private spaces with soundproofed, street-facing bedrooms and lively communal areas, including shared kitchens, living rooms, and a rooftop deck with ocean views.

"To address these issues, thoughtful design ensures privacy, community engagement efforts foster compatibility and advocacy works to address legal and regulatory hurdles." – Josh Reyes, senior business development manager at Tripalink

To achieve a balance between shared and private spaces, consider these elements:

• Soundproofing solutions like rugs, upholstered furniture, and acoustic panels
• Defined boundaries between communal and private areas
• Comfortable personal retreats with features like large windows or private balconies
• Adaptable designs that can shift between social and quiet uses
• Inclusive design elements that make everyone feel welcome

The best coliving spaces understand the importance of both vibrant communal hubs and peaceful personal areas. By seamlessly integrating these elements, operators can create environments that encourage social connections while respecting individual privacy.

Building Clear Communication

Clear communication is key to thriving coliving spaces, especially in diverse, multicultural settings.

Apps and Tools for Connection

Digital tools play a big role in keeping coliving communities connected and well-informed. Platforms like Slack are widely used, with 42% of users noting better information flow in their communities. Many coliving spaces set up specific Slack channels for:

• House announcements: Sharing updates and community news.
• Event planning: Coordinating group activities.
• Maintenance requests: Reporting and tracking facility issues.
• Skills exchange: Organizing workshops and sharing expertise.

For video calls, Zoom is a go-to choice for virtual events and meetings. As one G2 Reviewer shared: "Zoom allows us to interact with our co-workers when someone cannot come onsite due to illness or other obligations. It also enables us to schedule brief webinars and Lunch and Learn sessions to help educate employees."

Setting clear communication guidelines can further strengthen these digital connections.

Rules for Better Communication

Building an inclusive community starts with thoughtful communication practices. Dr. Patty Goodman, associate teaching professor at Northeastern University, highlights: "Effective cross-cultural communication is essential to preventing and resolving conflict, building networks, and creating a satisfactory work environment for everyone involved."

Here are some practical tips for better communication:

• Use simple language: Avoid jargon or idioms that might confuse non-native speakers.
• Practice active listening: Pay attention to speakers and confirm understanding.
• Respect cultural differences: Be mindful of varying communication styles and customs.
• Provide translation support: Use digital tools when language barriers arise.

To minimize misunderstandings, many coliving spaces implement structured communication practices, such as:

1. Weekly community meetings: Regular check-ins to discuss updates and concerns.
2. Cultural exchange sessions: Monthly events where residents share elements of their culture.
3. Feedback channels: Anonymous suggestion boxes or online forms for raising issues.
4. Mediation resources: Designated community leaders trained to handle conflicts.

These strategies help create a space where everyone feels heard and valued, no matter their background or language.

Sharing Skills and Traditions

Exchanging skills and traditions helps turn casual interactions into meaningful connections by embracing diversity. It adds depth to group events and shared spaces, transforming everyday moments into opportunities for learning and bonding.

Resident Teaching Sessions

These sessions offer a platform for residents to share their expertise while benefiting the entire community. Here's how they typically look:

How to make them work:

• Schedule regular sessions with rotating leaders.
• Build a shared online library of learning materials.
• Encourage informal practice groups to continue learning after sessions.

These activities create stronger community ties and naturally lead to broader cultural exchanges.

Learning About Each Other

Once skills are shared, the next step is celebrating cultural heritage. Here are some ways to bring residents closer through their traditions:

• Community Meals Program: Residents demonstrate and share traditional recipes, creating a delicious way to learn about each other's backgrounds.
• Festival Celebrations: Organize events around various cultural festivals, giving residents a chance to stay connected to their roots while sharing them with others.
• Cultural Exchange Nights: Host monthly themed evenings where residents explore heritage through music, art, or storytelling. As Mayank Pokharna, CEO of Fllat.com, puts it:

  "If your local neighborhood becomes your friend, the living experience goes to the next level."

Tips to keep participation high:

• Make events casual and inviting.
• Focus on genuine experiences, avoiding stereotypes.
• Encourage open dialogue and questions.
• Include hands-on activities to keep it interactive.
• Preserve shared traditions with photos and recipe collections.

The key is to align these activities with residents' interests and schedules, creating natural opportunities for connection without making participation feel forced.

Conclusion: Keeping Communities Strong

The approaches mentioned above lay the groundwork for building resilient and connected communities. In coliving spaces, creating meaningful bonds often hinges on turning diverse experiences into shared strengths. From planned gatherings to open communication, these methods help forge lasting relationships.

Coliving.com analyzed data from 1,700 communities and found that structured programs resulted in a 4.9/5 satisfaction score across 14,000 reviews.

Here’s how specific focus areas impact community life:

Serving over 97,000 members across more than 360 cities, Coliving.com connects individuals with communities that match their interests, reflecting the increasing demand for purposeful shared living.

To ensure communities thrive long-term, successful coliving spaces often prioritize:

• Setting up regular feedback systems to keep guidelines relevant
• Recognizing and celebrating both individual and group milestones
• Establishing traditions to mark key events
• Balancing planned activities with natural, unstructured interactions
• Creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard

As coliving continues to grow, the ability to adapt to evolving needs while fostering strong connections will remain key to its success. These practices help create spaces where relationships truly thrive.