Types of Coworking Spaces: 7 Options Explained

By Matt Herzberger · Updated October 2026

Coworking spaces aren't one-size-fits-all. Most offer a mix of seven types of space, from a seat at a shared table to a private office with a door that locks. Here's what each one is, who it's for, and how to choose.

The 7 types of coworking spaces at a glance

1. Hot desk (open seating)

A hot desk means you don't have an assigned seat: you pick any open table, couch, or desk each day. It's usually the lowest-cost membership, and it's where most people start coworking.

Best for: freelancers, remote workers, and anyone who comes in a few days a week and doesn't need to leave things set up. Trade-off: you pack up at the end of the day, and your favorite spot may be taken.

At Union Hall, this is our Coworking Membership: open tables and couches, with 24/7 access.

2. Dedicated desk

A dedicated desk is a desk in the shared space that's assigned to you alone. Same desk every day, with your monitor, files, and setup left in place.

Best for: people who come in most days and want a routine without paying for a private room. Trade-off: you still share the room, so calls and conversations happen around you.

At Union Hall: Dedicated Desk, with a storage locker and 24/7 keypad access.

3. Private office

A private office is an enclosed, lockable room inside the coworking space, for one person or a small team, with the shared kitchen, meeting rooms, and amenities still included.

Best for: confidential calls, client meetings, therapists and consultants, and teams of 2–4. Trade-off: higher cost, and usually a minimum term.

At Union Hall: private offices from 70 to 320 sq ft at two Amarillo locations.

4. Team suite

A team suite is a larger private office built for a small company: several desks behind one door, sometimes doubling as a training room.

Best for: growing teams who want their own space without a commercial lease.

At Union Hall: our 320 sq ft Team Suite at the Olsen location.

5. Virtual office

A virtual office gives you a professional business address and mail handling, with no desk at all. Mail is received at the space and scanned or held for you.

Best for: home-based businesses, new LLCs, and anyone who doesn't want their home address on invoices and filings.

At Union Hall: Virtual Office & Mailbox, a real Amarillo street address with same-day mail scanning.

6. Meeting and conference rooms

Most coworking spaces rent meeting rooms by the hour, for members and often non-members too, with a screen, whiteboard, and Wi-Fi included.

Best for: client meetings, interviews, trainings, and remote teams getting together.

At Union Hall: meeting rooms for 5–10 people, bookable by the hour.

7. Day pass (drop-in)

A day pass lets you use the open workspace for a single day, no membership needed. It's the easiest way to try coworking.

Best for: travelers, occasional remote days, or testing a space before joining.

At Union Hall: a coworking day pass, booked online.

Types of coworking spaces by style

Beyond what you rent, coworking spaces also differ in feel:

• Community coworking: locally run spaces built around members getting to know each other, with events, a shared kitchen, and familiar faces. (Union Hall is this type.)
• Industry-specific (niche) coworking: spaces for one field, such as creatives, tech, healthcare, or makers, with specialized equipment.
• Executive-suite centers: mostly private offices with a front desk and a corporate feel, often run by national chains.
• Hybrid spaces: a mix of private offices and open seating, sometimes across more than one building. (Union Hall's two locations work this way: Duniven for coworking, desks, and meeting rooms; Olsen for private offices only.)

How to choose the right type

Ask yourself three questions:

1. How often will you be there? A few days a month → day pass. A few days a week → hot desk. Most days → dedicated desk or office.
2. Do you need privacy? Confidential calls or client sessions → private office.
3. Do you need to leave things set up? Yes → dedicated desk or office. No → hot desk.

From our experience: Matt, Union Hall's owner, has worked remotely for almost 13 years and was one of the space's first members. Most people who come to Union Hall start with open seating and move to a dedicated desk or office once they know how often they'll use it. Start small, and switch when your routine tells you to. [Optional: add a real member example, e.g. "one of our members started on a day pass and now runs a three-person team from the Olsen suite."]

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common type of coworking space?

Open seating (a hot desk) is the most common membership, and the usual starting point, because it's the most flexible and lowest-cost option.

What's the difference between a hot desk and a dedicated desk?

A hot desk means any available seat each day. A dedicated desk is the same assigned desk every day, where you can leave your things.

What's the cheapest type of coworking space?

A day pass has the lowest upfront cost; for regular use, a hot desk (open seating) membership is usually the cheapest monthly option.

Which type is best for freelancers?

Most freelancers start with a hot desk. If you're there most days or use extra equipment, a dedicated desk is worth it.

Which type is best for a small team?

A private office or team suite, so the team has its own room and can still use shared meeting rooms and amenities.

Can I switch between types?

At most coworking spaces, yes. At Union Hall, many members move from open seating to a desk or office as their needs change.

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About the author: Matt Herzberger owns Union Hall Workspace in Amarillo and has worked remotely for almost 13 years.

Type	What it is	Best for	Commitment
1. Hot desk	Any open seat, each day	Freelancers, a few days a week	Low: monthly
2. Dedicated desk	Your own assigned desk	Most days, a steady routine	Monthly
3. Private office	Lockable room for 1–3	Privacy, client calls	Higher: often a minimum term
4. Team suite	Larger office for a team	Small companies of 3–4+	Higher: often a minimum term
5. Virtual office	Business address + mail, no desk	Home-based businesses, LLCs	Low: monthly
6. Meeting room	Room rented by the hour	Meetings, interviews, trainings	None: per booking
7. Day pass	One day in the open space	Trying coworking, travelers	None: per day