Over the last few years, demand for flexible working has skyrocketed. 14% of UK working adults now work exclusively from home. When it comes to hybrid work, the numbers are even higher.
Whether this is from people working both from home and an office or enjoying the flexibility of working across a range of locations, hybrid working continues to grow in popularity.
However, at the same time, full-time office work with dedicated desks doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. For 46% of workers, travelling exclusively to work is still the norm.
The statistics paint a clear picture. Remote working is going to become an increasingly valuable asset for workers and businesses alike.
But full-time home working is far from the default setting either. Different companies and workers want different options and it’s important to get the right setup for you and your team.
One of these options is to rent a desk in coworking spaces.
Dedicated desks give you the best of both worlds. You’ll get a desk to yourself in a professional environment without the need for a full-time fixed office.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Five benefits of dedicated desks
With a dedicated desk, you’ll get a permanent office space without the hassle or overheads. That involves a desk environment that’s only yours, as well as a business address.
Unlike hotdesking, you won’t have to work from different desks every day. This means you can make the space your own. Here are some of the main benefits of this approach:
1. Create a work-life balance
For remote professionals, it can be difficult to separate work time from personal time when everything happens in the same space.
Dedicated desks can provide a clear boundary between work and home. This can help manage stress and switch off from work mode when the day is over.
This is opposed to regular coworking. This can offer employees the freedom to work flexibly. However, it doesn’t always ensure a consistent, set place to work on a day-to-day basis.
2. Increased focus and productivity
Home working comes with many distractions. It can be difficult to focus on work in the same space where you relax.
Another great reason to consider a dedicated desk in a coworking environment is to avoid these potential distractions and improve productivity and focus time.
With a dedicated desk space, you can leave the house and enter a professional environment that’s only for work.
And, as opposed to simply working in a coworking space, you can rest assured that when you enter that environment, you’ll have a set space to work from.
This makes it easier to block out distractions and get on with what you need to do.
3. Balance comfort and professionalism
While some workers thrive in hot desking environments, it’s not for everybody. Some workers prefer their own desk space that they can personalise, feel at home in and return to every day.
In this case, renting a dedicated desk is the perfect option as they let remote workers make the space their own. This will enable you to maximise comfort without sacrificing the benefits of a thriving professional environment.
4. Networking and collaboration opportunities
Coworking spaces with dedicated desks offer remote professionals an unrivalled opportunity to meet new people and make connections. This is because they are full of flexible and remote workers from industries of all shapes and sizes.
This synthesis of different people and ideas makes coworking-based dedicated desks a unique experience. That’s because you can combine the energy of a flexible coworking space with a consistent working space of a dedicated desk, which helps a worker benefit from the best of both worlds.
5. Flexible spaces that work for you
The flexibility of a dedicated desk in a coworking space is especially vital for those who frequently work remotely. For workers like these, they can rest assured that even if they’re often out of the office, they can head into the office and work from a set place, if and when the need arises.
This all comes at a lower price point than simply having a dedicated office. With a coworking desk, you only have to adhere to a single flexible subscription, which you can cancel at any time.
This makes it easier to move offices or add desks if you’re growing your team. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for remote professionals, freelancers, and small businesses alike.
Do you need a dedicated desk?
There are many different ways to do remote work: home working, hotdesking, coworking spaces and, of course, dedicated desks. Different workers will have different preferences and it’s important to make sure you’ve got the right fit.
Here are four ways to assess whether a dedicated desk is right for you:
1. Evaluate your work tasks
The type of remote work you do will make a big difference to the place you choose to work.
If you often require a desktop monitor or frequently engage in online meetings, then a dedicated desk could provide the stability and professionalism you need.
But if your remote work primarily involves a laptop and flexible tasks, you might find hotdesking is better suited for you.
2. Consider privacy and confidentiality
Remote work often means handling sensitive information outside of a traditional office, making privacy a key concern.
With a dedicated desk, you have an environment that can support the handling of sensitive data with less risk of unwanted attention than in a fully public space.
However, if your work requires high levels of confidentiality, it might be worth considering whether a private office or secured home office could offer better security.
3. Evaluate the need for a fixed setup
While having a dedicated desk in a coworking space might be ideal for some remote professionals, it might not be necessary for everyone.
If you’re planning on working from home some of the time, you might find that your own desk isn’t necessary. In this case, a hotdesking membership could be a more cost-effective and flexible solution for your remote work model.
4. Assess flexibility and mobility requirements
Remote work often comes with the advantage of being able to work from virtually anywhere. If you find yourself travelling a lot or changing your work scenery often, a dedicated desk might be too stationary for your needs.
Instead, a flexible office and coworking membership could provide you with a variety of workspaces and office amenities wherever your travel takes you.
Making the most of your dedicated desk membership
Once you’ve decided on the right membership option for you, the next step is simple: Start working and make the most of what your membership offers. Here are four ways to do that:
1. Personalise your workplace
Having a space to call your own is the best thing about using a coworking-based dedicated desk. That’s why you should strive to make the most of it.
There are plenty of ways you can personalise your workspace. Many people choose to add pictures and other personal items to help make the place feel more homely.
You can also add additional work amenities to suit your needs. This includes a desktop monitor, storage space, as well as your own mouse and keyboard.
2. Make use of the service and amenities available
It’s not all about the desk. A dedicated desk subscription gives you access to the full range of facilities that your chosen centre offers.
That includes the use of meeting rooms and private booths, as well as amenities like tea and coffee-making facilities. As well as this, many coworking spaces will also offer full access to the hotdesking lounge area. That’s perfect if you fancy a change in scenery.
There’s also the potential to make use of these spaces as day offices. Despite the name, these can be booked for hours at a time, rather than a full day. These are excellent choices for fixed coworkers who need to work on projects that are either private or potentially sensitive.
3. Network with other members
There’s nothing quite like a coworking space for networking. Whether you’re using dedicated desks or hotdesking in the lounge, every person you meet is a new opportunity.
Take the time to introduce yourself and strike up a conversation. You never know what might become of it.
4. Take advantage of the flexibility
The whole point of dedicated desk coworking spaces is to be as flexible as possible. There are plenty of different areas and spaces for remote workers, small businesses and freelancers to work in.
Make sure to make the most of this flexibility. Take advantage of meeting rooms, private booths, breakout areas and sofa spaces in your own workspace.
Find dedicated desks for remote workers with Regus
If you’ve decided that a dedicated desk is for you, there’s nowhere better to turn than Regus.
As a member, you'll enjoy the security of a locker where you can store your belongings overnight or during the day. You’ll also have access to break-out areas, kitchens, and printers among other facilities.
These additional amenities make your workday more convenient and productive.
Furthermore, you won't need to worry about overheads such as cleaning, utilities or security. These are all taken care of, allowing you to focus on your work.
An added advantage is having your own business address, which lends professionalism to your remote work setup. The contracts are also flexible, allowing you to move or add desks, or even grow into your own private office as per your needs.
If you’re ready to rent a desk, then why not get a quote today? Get in touch with one of our office space specialists to secure your dedicated desk today.