Why Hot Desking Deserves More Respect (And Why We’ve Always Believed in It)

Recently we read a great piece on the Nexudus blog titled “Why Hot Desking Deserves More Respect.” And honestly? We couldn’t agree more.

In a world where “flexibility” is often just a buzzword, hot desking sometimes gets unfairly dismissed as second-best — something temporary, unstable, or less professional than a fixed desk. But that completely misses the point.

At Area, hot desking isn’t an afterthought. It’s the heart of what coworking is supposed to be.

Hot Desking Is the Original Coworking Spirit

Before coworking became polished, branded and corporate, it was simple:

Freelancers, creatives, remote workers and small teams sharing space, ideas and coffee.

That’s hot desking.

It’s flexible, yes — but it’s also dynamic, social and human. You don’t sit in the same bubble every day. You move. You see different faces. You naturally interact.

And that interaction? That’s where community happens.

Community Doesn’t Happen by Accident

One of the strongest points in the Nexudus article is that hot desking encourages organic connection. You’re not boxed into one fixed territory. You’re part of a shared environment.

We see this every week at Area.

Someone changes seat.
Someone overhears a conversation.
Someone asks what you’re working on.
A collaboration starts.

That’s not random. That’s design.

We’ve deliberately dedicated a large proportion of our space to hot desks because we believe coworking in Madrid shouldn’t feel like renting a silent corporate office. It should feel alive.

Hot Desking Builds a Stronger, More Diverse Community

At Area Coworking in Delicias (Arganzuela), our community thrives because of diversity:

  • Freelancers

  • Designers

  • Consultants

  • NGO workers

  • Remote employees

  • Startups

Hot desking keeps that mix fluid. It prevents silos. It stops the space from fragmenting into mini private offices.

And importantly — it keeps coworking accessible.

Not everyone wants (or needs) a fixed desk. Flexibility makes coworking more inclusive, especially in a city like Madrid, where creative and independent professionals make up such an important part of the ecosystem.

It’s Not “Less Than.” It’s Just Different.

There’s sometimes an assumption that a fixed desk is the “serious” option, and hot desking is transitional.

We don’t see it like that.

Hot desking is:

  • Lighter

  • More adaptable

  • More social

  • Often more creative

And in many cases, more aligned with how modern work actually functions.

You still get structure. You still get routine. You still get your favourite spot by the window if you’re early enough 😉

But you also get movement — and movement keeps energy fresh.

Why We’ve Designed Area This Way

We could have filled Area with rows of permanent desks and locked in long-term stability.

But that wouldn’t reflect our ideology.

Coworking, to us, is not just about providing a workspace in Madrid. It’s about creating a shared environment where people feel part of something bigger than their laptop.

Hot desking keeps the space breathing.

It keeps conversations flowing.
It keeps hierarchies flat.
It keeps the original coworking vibe alive.

And that’s something we’ll always defend.

If you’re curious about experiencing this kind of coworking in Madrid, come try a free day with us. Sit where you like. Move if you feel like it. Have a coffee. Start a conversation.

That’s how coworking was meant to be.

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