Most coworking spaces offer two kinds of desk membership. A hot desk lets you sit at any free seat in the shared area. A dedicated desk is the same desk every day, kept for you. Neither is better, they simply suit different weeks.
A hot desk may suit you if…
- you come in two or three days a week, or your schedule changes a lot;
- you work from a laptop and carry everything you need;
- you like changing your view and sitting near different people;
- you want the lowest monthly cost.
A dedicated desk may suit you if…
- you come in most days and like a routine;
- you use a large monitor, a docking station or other equipment;
- you want to leave notebooks, a plant or a spare jumper at your desk;
- you prefer a quieter area with the same neighbours each day.
Questions to ask before choosing
- Is there always a free hot desk at busy times, such as Tuesday to Thursday mornings?
- Can I lock anything away overnight, for example in a locker or pedestal?
- How many meeting room hours are included with each plan?
- Can I switch plans later, and how much notice do I need to give?
If you are not sure, start on a hot desk for a month and keep a note of how often you come in. Many people move to a dedicated desk once their routine settles.