Coworking vs WFH: Why a Hot Desk is Better for Freelancers?

What is a Hot Desk?

A hot desk is a type of shared work environment where workers share a work desk on a first-come, first-served basis. It is scalable, affordable, and offers all the benefits of having a professional office, including high-speed internet, meeting rooms, breakout spaces, and community events, without the commitment of a long-term lease.

Hot desks are more appealing for modern freelancers as they offer a flexible and collaborative workspace. This setup allows them to connect with other professionals, expanding their network and fostering a sense of community that can be missing when working from home. Additionally, the structured environment of a hot desk can help improve focus and productivity, separating work life from home life.

Coworking vs WFH: The Major Differences

Comparing coworking with WFH, freelancers must consider the effect of each option on focus, networking, balance, and costs, covered in detail below.

Productivity and Focus

WFH: Home offices are frequently associated with distractions, such as household chores, family responsibilities, or the lure of endless screen time. Without external accountability, it is difficult to stick to it.

Coworking: Hot desks cultivate a disciplined work environment, encouraging individuals to be highly efficient and focused from the moment they arrive, thereby optimising productivity and minimising wasted time.

Networking and Collaboration

WFH: Isolated working reduces the possibility of socialising with workers. Virtual relationships cannot entirely replace face-to-face relationships and pose challenges in networking.

Coworking: Hot desks in coworking setups boost networking and collaboration by bringing together businesses, startups, and other independent professionals under one roof, leading to fruitful connections and endless career opportunities.

Work Life Balance

WFH: The blurred lines between work and home can make it difficult for freelancers to disengage, often leading to overwork.

Coworking: A coworking space establishes a clear psychological boundary between work and personal life, enabling freelancers to achieve a better work-life balance.

Flexibility and Cost

WFH: Working from home offers the benefit of not needing a dedicated office setup or investment in infrastructure. However, prolonged periods of sitting and working without breaks can lead to increased stress, which in turn affects physical health and mental well-being.

Coworking: Hot desks offer a flexible and affordable alternative to a traditional office, providing a dedicated workspace that helps separate work from home life, promoting better mental well-being and a more structured routine compared to working from home.

Why a Hot Desk is a Better Option for Freelancers

Hot desks have some distinctive benefits that go beyond cost savings to freelancers who are considering coworking vs WFH, such as:

Developing a Professional Image

Credibility can be achieved by meeting clients in a professional coworking space. Unlike working from home setups, coworking spaces reflect reliability and professionalism and provide personalised branding options, inclusively.

Availability of Quality Facilities

Hot desks offer the benefits of accessing resources such as conference rooms, printing facilities, secure storage, and a high-quality coffee machine, which many WFH freelancers lack.

Stimulating Creativity

Collaborating with professionals from various industries generates new ideas and perspectives. Open sharing of knowledge and informal brainstorming can motivate freelancers to approach projects in innovative and creative ways.

Maintaining Mental Wellbeing

Loneliness is one of the most significant issues of WFH. Coworking spaces fight this by providing a social atmosphere. Hot desking provides freelancers with a sense of community and also independence.

Coworking vs WFH in Singapore: A Freelancer’s Perspective

According to a report by Colliers Singapore, flexible workspace demand increased by over 20% in the previous year, with hot desks gaining more recognition. As remote work becomes increasingly prevalent, many freelancers find themselves weighing the pros and cons of working from home (WFH) versus utilising a coworking space. While WFH offers unparalleled comfort and flexibility, it can also lead to feelings of isolation and a lack of clear boundaries between work and personal life.

On the other hand, coworking spaces, particularly those offering hot desks, provide a dynamic environment that can significantly boost productivity, networking opportunities, and overall well-being for independent professionals.

Ongoing and Upcoming Hot-Desking Trends in Singapore

The present hot-desking landscape in Singapore is defined by the lasting impact of the pandemic, which accelerated the adoption of hybrid work models and led to a greater emphasis on health, safety, and flexibility.

In response, coworking spaces now offer a range of services, including multi-location access and scalable team packages, to meet the evolving needs of both corporations and small businesses.

Looking ahead, the future of hot-desking in Singapore will be shaped by a continued focus on technology, sustainability, and community. We’ve listed some of the upcoming hot-desking trends below.

Smart Technology Integration

The use of AI and IoT for workspace optimisation, real-time occupancy monitoring, and automated environmental controls to enhance efficiency and user experience.

Industry-Specific Ecosystems

The development of niche-specific coworking spaces tailored to specific sectors, such as fintech, technology, and media, offers targeted resources and networking opportunities.

Sustainability and Wellness

A growing emphasis on green building standards, carbon-neutral operations, and amenities such as meditation rooms and biophilic design is promoting employee well-being and attracting environmentally conscious businesses.

Decentralisation

A shift away from the traditional Central Business District (CBD) as the sole hub, with more coworking spaces emerging in suburban and residential areas to reduce commute times and cater to a decentralised workforce.

Corporate Partnerships

An increase in large corporations partnering with coworking operators to provide flexible, on-demand workspace solutions for their employees, reducing their own real estate commitments and enabling dynamic scaling.

The Common Challenges Faced by Freelancers

To gain a deeper insight into coworking vs WFH, let’s review some of the common challenges freelancers face and how hot-desking setups in coworking spaces can resolve them, listed below.

Meeting Deadlines: In the house, anything can be a distraction. With coworking, the workplace environment keeps you on track.

Clients Meeting: It is unprofessional to host the clients in a living room. Coworking areas feature well-equipped meeting rooms and a reception desk.

Creative Blocks: People often work alone and can become uninspired. New ideas are generated through discussions and events in coworking spaces.

Such situations highlight why hot desk arrangements will always prevail over work-from-home arrangements for freelancers.

Ready to Choose Between Coworking vs WFH? Office Hub Has Something for You!

The coworking vs WFH discussion is not limited to the issue of convenience; it is also a topic of career advancement, efficiency, and overall well-being. Hot desks are a way for freelancers to establish a positive image, build a sense of community, and access the resources needed to be successful. As much as working at home may be comfortable, hot desking provides the motivation and organisation required to stay focused, network and be creative.

Ready to expand your business presence in Singapore?

Office Hub helps freelancers, startups, and established companies find the ideal workspaces that meet their personal needs. Contact us today to discuss our flexible solutions, which include hot desks, dedicated workstations, lockable private suites, managed spaces, sublets, and virtual addresses in prime locations, covering Raffles Square and Marina Bay.