Pros and Cons of Using Office Cubicles In Your Next Office Design
Office cubicles are commonly used to create organized workspaces. They provide privacy to an employee without completely cutting them off from the rest of the office. Cubicles are also cost-effective because of their reusability.
Picking out just the right office furniture can be a challenging job for any office manager. Pleasing EVERY worker is impossible. Millennials prefer an open office where they can collaborate and socialize with coworkers.
Older generations appreciate an office cubicle, giving them a place to concentrate and call their own.
But are office cubicles the enemy of the younger generations? According to one study, about half of open office workers can’t stand the noise.
Meanwhile, another 40 percent don’t appreciate the lack of visual privacy. Plus, it’s speculated that the benefits of an open office don’t outweigh the costs, so you must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of selecting office cubicles carefully.
But let’s see the pros and cons of using office cubicles. Office cubicles offer privacy, reduce distractions, and improve organization by creating dedicated workspaces. They efficiently utilize office space and promote focus. However, cubicles can feel isolating, limit team collaboration, and sometimes contribute to a less engaging work environment. Balancing cubicles with open areas can enhance productivity and satisfaction.
Follow these pros and cons of using office cubicles in your next office design
Office Cubicle Pros
The original success of the office cubicle was because it provided a cost-effective means for each employee to have a private workspace. Privacy continues to be a key advantage of the cubicle system.
Other advantages include:
· Quieter workspace
· Wall space for employees to post calendars, memos, etc.
· Ability to have shelves for holding binders and supplies
· Fewer distractions from coworkers
· Improved productivity with a better ability to concentrate on focus work
Office Cubicle Cons
The new open office trend has dealt a big blow to the popularity of cubicles. Many people now claim that office cubicles are somehow dehumanizing or soulless. Of course, it’s the office culture that promotes these feelings, not the cubes themselves!
Even so, cubicles do have some drawbacks:
· Difficulty accessing team members
· Reduced communication & collaboration between employees
· Need more square footage than desks alone
Here’s how to come to a decision
The decision of whether to use office cubicles in your next office design depends on the nature of your business and the types of tasks your employees are doing. For example, a call center would not do well in an open office because it would become too noisy. On the other hand, workers in a more collaborative business, such as web development or advertising, would benefit from tearing down cubicle walls to facilitate constant communication about projects.
Consider these factors about your business:
· Do employees need to work together with coworkers and different departments?
· Does your staff get along?
· Which is more important in your business, focus or creativity?
The best of both worlds
The good news is that you can get the best of both worlds with a bit of careful planning. First of all, consider getting low-wall office cubicles instead of high-wall ones.
This will improve your employees’ ability to talk with one another during work, even if they can’t see one another while sitting at their desks. Yet, privacy and quiet will still be good. You could also consider grouping employees with similar responsibilities together in cubicle clusters. This will allow employees to work together when necessary.
No office layout — private offices, cubicles, or an open office space — is going to be perfect for every one of your employees. Instead of thinking about it in that way, consider what choice is the best fit for your company as a whole. Ask yourself what the company goals are and what environment will best help your employees achieve those goals.
At ROSI Office Systems, we understand that choosing the right office furniture in Houston and office cubicles for your next office design can be overwhelming. Especially if you don’t know what your options are.
Office cubicles come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. We carry both new office cubicles and remanufactured office cubicles as well. If you’re looking at an office redesign, contact ROSI Office Systems for a free consultation.
We’ll help steer you in the right direction with our decades of expertise and well-stocked inventory.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking to purchase office cubicles for your office, create a checklist of the above points to help you determine your needs. Instead of buying on impulse, first understand what you need and in what quantity.
The decision-making doesn’t stop there, though. If you have determined that you need cubicles, other questions arise:
- What type of cubicles do you need?
- How much will you be spending on the purchase?
- What options do you have locally?
There is also the question of whether you should opt for new or used cubicles. ROSI Office Systems provides a wide range of new and certified pre-owned cubicles. Our support team is also available for you 24/7 and will help you with planning, choosing, and designing the right set of cubicles for you. We also provide transportation and installation services.
Talk to ROSI about office furniture today, we’ll answer all your questions.
John Ofield is a recognized expert in the office furniture and office cubicle industry, with over 40 years of experience. As the founder of ROSI Office Systems, he specializes in space planning, custom cubicle designs, and high-quality commercial furniture. John’s expertise helps businesses enhance productivity and collaboration. He is also dedicated to mentoring entrepreneurs and redefining workspaces to inspire success.