Hybrid and work from home arrangements are rapidly beginning to replace the conventional office set-up, fuelling a surge in demand for co-working spaces. According to the Global Co-Working Growth Study 2020, an estimated 5 million people worldwide will be based in co-working spaces by 2024, signalling the widespread popularity of flexible working practices. Affordable and practical, co-working spaces offer businesses and entrepreneurs different working arrangements based on their needs and preferences. There are 2 key types of co-working space arrangements, namely the flexi desk or hot desk, and the dedicated desk.

Difference between Dedicated Desk and Flexi Desk

A dedicated desk, as the name suggests, can be permanently reserved for one individual to use every day. 

A flexi desk or hot desk on the other hand can be used by anyone, allowing people to choose any place in the co-working facility.

Advantages & Disadvantages 

Many business owners find themselves in a dilemma over whether to choose a hot desk or dedicated desk, especially in terms of how either option could benefit the company and its employees. The table below broadly elucidates the advantages and drawbacks of both work arrangements. 

FLEXI DESK		DEDICATED  DESK
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
Offers flexibility by allowing more people to be accommodated with ease. A great option for people with random and varied work routines.	Can get disruptive and chaotic. There can be more employees than usual on some days, leading to all preferred workstations being occupied.	Every team or individual gets to enjoy a personal space in which to store valuables and other work-related equipment.	More expensive than flexi desks, and thus suitable for businesses on a roomy budget.
Boosts collaboration by allowing workers to move around and interact with different professionals.	Little to no privacy. Can be discomfiting for employees who cherish their personal spaces.	Seated together, teams can enjoy enhanced coordination and collaboration.	Offers significantly less flexibility. Certain individuals might be inconvenienced if the workstation doesn’t suit their work style.
Typically based on a flexible-term rental, it is an affordable option that allows a desk to be rented on the days it is needed.	Frequently transporting and setting up tech equipment can get difficult.	A familiar and personalised work setup might work better for some employees, enabling better productivity.	Limits cross-departmental interactions with other professionals in the co-working space.
Offers variety and dynamism to people and businesses that may feel reinvigorated and inspired when working in different environments.	The random seating arrangement could upset the hierarchy between subordinates and management. Could also disrupt communication and coordination among teams that work together.		There may be a limit on the number of workers a business can accommodate, making it harder for scale-ups and growing companies.
Aesthetically a better option as not having a permanent desk would discourage employees from leaving clutter.

While both dedicated desks and flexi desks constitute sensible workplace solutions, businesses adapting to post-COVID work patterns may find the latter more beneficial. By providing more spontaneity and agility, hot-desking presents an excellent option to companies looking to support flexibility and enhance innovation while saving costs.  

GO Bermondsey’s co-working space in London offers businesses a number of options including flexi-desks. With its delightful heritage exterior and sleek contemporary interiors, this charming co-working space promises utility and aesthetic value in equal measure. Additionally, businesses are free to decide whether to book for as much as five years, or as little as an hour, making it an ideal option for start-ups, scale-ups, freelancers, and digital nomads who do not wish to be bound to traditional lease agreements.