What is hot desking and what are the benefits?

Better your business
Estimated read time: 3 mins
Last updated: 06/10/2025

Hot desking: What is it and what are the benefits?

Let’s face it, the days of personal work cubicles and assigned desks feel like a thing of the past in some offices. The modern workplace is more dynamic, more inclusive. Enter hot desking: the concept that continues to shake up workspaces across the country.

But what exactly is hot desking, and why should you care? Join us as we dive into the world of hot desk offices, giving you the definition, advantages, disadvantages and more. Who knows, it could be the change that revolutionises the way your organisation and people work.

What is hot desking?

Hot desking is a flexible workspace arrangement where employees don’t have a permanently designated desk. Instead, they can choose an available desk on days when they’re actually in the office, or different desks for different types of work throughout the week.

It’s a simple idea that creates a more dynamic work environment, where everyone can sit at a desk that suits them and their work. Without the rigidity of assigned spaces, offices and coworking spaces can be much more flexible to the needs of your organisation and your weekly schedule.

Has hot desking always been a thing?

Not quite. The traditional 9-to-5, five-days-a-week office routine was regimented, and so was the seating arrangement in these workplaces. The idea of people squabbling over desks is easy to imagine if people tried to work this way in a hot desk office.

But times have changed. The rise of hybrid a

 

nd remote working, largely driven by the pandemic, means people and organisations need more flexibility in their workspaces. Employees may only come in one, two or three days a week, so there’s no need for permanently assigned desks. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 28% of professionals in Great Britain split their time between home and the office as of autumn 2024.

Hot desking aligns perfectly with this shift in working patterns. It gives employees the freedom to choose where they sit and when, while organisations benefit from more adaptable workspaces.

What are the advantages of hot desking?

Some might see hot desking as a workspace trend that’ll come and go. But we think it’s here to stay, with several benefits that can help boost productivity and happiness at work. Here’s how:

  • Flexibility – For employees, there’s no pressure to fill a seat every day. They can come in when they need to, sit where they want, and next to whom they want. For your organisation, you’ll have a workspace that can meet the needs of your entire workforce, whether it’s mostly hybrid, remote or office-based.
  • Collaboration – Hot desking ultimately brings people together – people that might not otherwise have the opportunity to interact. Since every desk is open to everyone, employees across different teams and departments can meet and mingle. It’s a great way to break down silos and spark creativity.
  • Cost-effectiveness – A hot desk office could help you save on overhead costs, too. Instead of paying for a fixed desk for every employee (whether they’re office-based or hybrid), your organisation could work in a smaller space without sacrifice. Just think, where could you invest the savings?
  • Tidy desk, tidy mind – Hot desks are designed to be left clean from one person to the next. Don’t underestimate the power of sitting down each morning with a tidy workspace in front of you – not evidence of yesterday’s tasks that you didn’t quite get around to. Less clutter can help free the mind to focus on work.

Are there any drawbacks?

Of course, no system is perfect. Hot desking can come with its own set of challenges. The lack of a personal desk might make some employees feel like they don’t have a set ‘home’ at work. There’s also the possibility of distractions in busier areas – particularly if certain teams need peace and quiet, while others need energy and communication.

But don’t worry, these issues are manageable. Solely office-based workers could always get a hot desk assigned to them permanently. And zoning systems can make sure different styles of work don’t clash too much.

What types of organisations could benefit from hot desking?

Hot desking won’t work for everyone, and that’s okay. But it is incredibly effective for companies, organisations and individuals that need flexible, cost-effective workspaces. These include:

  • Startups and small businesses
  • Bigger companies with a large hybrid workforce
  • Organisations with multiple office locations
  • Individuals and freelancers using coworking spaces

Find a hot desk office or coworking space with Work.Life

Hi, we’re Work.Life. We like to think we offer a better way to work with our private offices and coworking spaces. Whether you’re looking for an office with hot desks in London, Manchester or Reading, our workspaces are designed to give you and your people the energy and flexibility needed to do what you do best.

Book a tour or book a space online to find workspaces created with happiness at their core.

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