In the quest for the ideal coworking setup, professionals face a key decision: open desk or private office? We’ve gathered insights from entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders to help you decide what’s best for your workflow, privacy needs, and overall productivity.
1. Open Desk: Ideal for Collaboration and Energy
Open desks offer a flexible, community-driven environment where collaboration and creativity thrive. They’re often more budget-friendly and great for freelancers, startups, and remote workers looking to network.
“Sitting at an open desk introduced me to people from diverse industries. One chat over coffee reframed how I approached a campaign. If you feed off energy and connection, open desks are a treasure trove.”
— Ben H, Founder & Owner, Dealmemo
“I prefer an Open Desk when I need flexibility and to be more social, especially for bouncing around ideas or collaborating. The dynamic space sparks creativity.”
— Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen
2. Private Office: Designed for Focus and Privacy
For professionals needing quiet, structure, or confidentiality, private offices are ideal. Whether you’re handling sensitive information or making frequent client calls, this setup offers control over your space.
“Closing the door gave me mental clarity and let me focus without interruptions. It felt like a sanctuary.”
— Ben H
“It’s essential for focused tasks, sensitive writing, or recording content related to health and emotional wellness.”
— Doreen Nunez, Founder, Mommy Rheum
“Private offices provide the privacy and quiet needed for focused work or confidential meetings—especially for professionals like therapists, advisors, or developers.”
— Alex Cornici, Writer, Insuranks
3. When to Choose Both: Mixing for Flexibility
Many professionals benefit from mixing both options depending on the day’s tasks. Quiet time for planning or calls? Book a private office. Need creative fuel or to meet new people? Grab an open desk.
“I like to mix both depending on the task. It keeps my workflow balanced and adaptable.”
— Nikita Sherbina
“Having the flexibility to switch between the two was the real game-changer.”
— Ben H
“Urgent projects? Open desk. Creativity and inspiration? Private office.”
— Emma Johnson, Marketing Director, boulies
4. Make the Choice That Matches Your Business
Ultimately, the best choice aligns with your work rhythm, team size, and industry. Whether you’re a solo creative or leading a growing company, matching your space to your business needs boosts both productivity and comfort.
“Solo entrepreneur? Enjoy the freedom of an open desk. Need more focus or running a small team? A private office gives you the control to make it your own.”
— Justin Belmont, Founder & CEO, Prose
“For freelancers and startups, the community of an open desk is invaluable. But teams handling sensitive data will benefit from the structure of a private office.”
— Shehar Yar, CEO, Software House
TL;DR:
- Open Desk = Networking, affordability, collaboration.
- Private Office = Privacy, deep focus, professional space.
- Mix = The ultimate flexibility for modern work.
✨ Tip: Evaluate your typical day. Are you on Zoom calls, writing content, collaborating, or analyzing data? Let that guide your choice.
Special thanks to Featured for their continued help in the creation of this blog post.
Check us out here: Phoenix Coworking Prices – Coworking on 15th Ave and text/call for more information! (480) 382 – 6508