Shared desk or private office: which is right for you?
When looking for a flexible workspace, you may be deciding between a shared desk and a private office. Both provide an equipped place to work, but the right choice depends on your tasks, team size, and required level of privacy. This guide explains the differences to help you decide.
What is a shared desk?
A shared desk is a seat or desk in a space used by people from different companies and fields. You choose an available place and start working without renting an entire room. It generally suits individuals, freelancers, and business owners who need a place to work away from home or cafés.
Benefits of a shared desk
A shared desk costs less than an enclosed office, suits individual and everyday tasks, offers opportunities to meet people from different fields, and provides a more organized environment than public places. It can also be used when needed without a long commitment. However, it may not suit confidential calls or frequent client meetings.
What is a private office?
A private office is an independent, enclosed room reserved for one person or team during the booking period. It provides greater quiet and privacy for work, calls, and client visits. It suits small teams, consultants, and companies handling sensitive information or requiring an independent space.
Benefits of a private office
A private office offers greater privacy for calls and information, better quiet and concentration, room for the team to work together, a professional place to welcome clients, greater control over how the space is used, and fewer open-space interruptions.
When should you choose a shared desk?
A shared desk may suit you when you mostly work alone, rarely make private calls, need a workplace for a few hours, want an affordable flexible option, benefit from having other people around, and do not need to welcome clients in the space.
When should you choose a private office?
Choose a private office when you work with a small team, need long periods of concentration, make client calls, handle private data, welcome clients or partners, hold short internal meetings, or need an independent space without fitting out a complete headquarters.
What about a meeting room?
If you only need a meeting, interview, or presentation, you may not need a private office for the whole day. A meeting room is better because it is equipped for attendees and organized sessions. If your team will work before and after the meeting, a private office may be more practical.
How do you choose the right workspace?
Ask whether you work alone or with a team, need private calls, will welcome clients, how many hours or days you will use the space, how much quiet you need, your available budget, and whether you require a screen, printing, or other facilities. If cost and individual work are the priority, choose a shared desk; if privacy, focus, and client visits matter most, choose a private office.
Choose the space that fits how you work
There is no single option for everyone. The choice depends on your work, attendance, and privacy needs. BDC private offices provide independent equipped space for small teams, with flexible options subject to time and availability. Browse the spaces and set your attendance and usage period before sending a booking request.