Free Desk vs. Fixed Desk: How Co-Working Users Should Choose

Thanks to the advantages of co-working — more flexible, more convenient, and with more controllable costs — some startup teams and freelancers are gradually taking a liking to reserving a desk in a co-working center: rent it and use it right away, with a workstation of their own. Popular co-working spaces today such as WeWork, UrWork, KrSpace, Nash Space, and Mengxiangjia mostly offer users a variety of options, including free desks, fixed desks, and private-room desks. However, when renting, individuals or companies often find themselves torn between choosing a free desk or a fixed desk — in fact, both have their pros and cons.

Today, Yihang shares the pros and cons of free desks and fixed desks to help you make a wiser decision. These points also apply when planning internal office space and booking seats within your company.

What is a free desk?

As a “non-fixed” workstation that no one owns exclusively, it is ideal for building typical social areas — everyone can sit anywhere and communicate openly.

1. Advantages of free desks:

1. Renting a free desk is more economical than a fixed desk. For teams whose work is mostly remote, choosing a free desk is an economical and efficient solution;

2. Wide choice of space — you can adjust the area where your desk is located according to temporary work arrangements. For negotiations, you can pick a desk by the window, where sunlight and scenery help create a calm, pleasant atmosphere; for data consolidation or information entry, it is advisable to find a desk farther from the aisle, which both keeps materials private and reduces interruptions.

3. In addition, free desks serve a client group with greater mobility, which means the office space is composed of people from different industries every day. This imperceptibly encourages everyone to create an environment for interacting and socializing with other teams, and individual social skills can also improve.

4. Compared with fixed desks, free desks don't hold items left by others. After work, users clear their desks and leave, so free desks retain no clutter and the overall space is cleaner and tidier.

2. Disadvantages of free desks:

1. Because it's first come, first served, if you want to work in a specific area, you must arrive early. Especially for large collaborative teams that need everyone working at adjacent desks, being scattered around seriously affects efficiency.

2. Free desks are generally placed in open office areas, so compared with a private workspace, there is more surrounding interference, which may cause unnecessary distraction.

What is a fixed desk?

A team or individual can use the same desk every day, thus forming a fixed working area.

1. Advantages of fixed desks:

1. Users can arrange their desks according to their own work habits and aesthetics — for example, placing green plants or figurines to create their own exclusive workspace.

2. No need to fuss over choosing a seat every day, and no fear that your desk will be taken by others. From sunrise to sunset, the fixed desk quietly waits for you.

3. Fixed desks are often located in more private areas, and their design usually involves more considerations — such as soundproof screens — making it easier for you to concentrate on work.

4. They allow members of the same team to keep desks close together to promote teamwork — a big advantage over free desks.

2. Disadvantages of fixed desks:

1. You cannot choose another location or a desk with a different configuration; your exclusivity determines the monotony of your work environment.

2. You lose the chance to meet more new people or teams — for example, awareness and learning across different industries, and social interaction beyond your usual circles.

3. In terms of rent, an exclusive desk is more expensive than a free desk. This is something companies hoping to cut costs should note.

Finally:

Regarding the choice between the two, we recommend weighing the pros and cons according to job functions, combined with your own working habits and budget. As long as you fully consider which favorable factors are more effective for the individual or the team, the dilemma of choosing between a free desk and a fixed desk will be easily resolved.