Cubicles in an office were once a given, but that’s not so much the case anymore. Open offices are more aptly described as bench-style workstations or pods of connecting desks that allow seamless collaboration and discussion throughout the workday. Both options have positive and negative consequences, which can add to your confusion if you don’t know where to begin.
If you’re looking for an open office vs cubicle comparison, look no further. At Benhar Office Interiors, we live and breathe furniture design; we’ll use our years of experience to help you decide whether an open office, cubicle, or combination is right for you.
Differences Between Open Offices and Cubicles
Open offices and cubicles are two popular workspace design layouts. Hence, an open office vs cubicle comparison is appropriate for when you’re looking to pick the perfect one for your office.
While one isn’t necessarily better than the other, open offices have surged in popularity, particularly in modern start-up environments, to encourage employee agility and collaboration. Cubicles aren’t a thing of the past, though. Increased privacy and personalization can help highly specialized employees do their best work without interruptions in specific settings.
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Comparing Open Offices and Cubicles |
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Feature |
Open Office |
Cubicles |
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Privacy |
Limited privacy, but may allow for deeper focus |
More privacy, but can be isolated from other employees |
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Assigned Desk |
May have more flexible desk arrangements, but that’s not always the case |
Often assigned, allowing for more personalization |
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Collaboration |
Workstations may be arranged in pods, making it easier to talk across the desk |
May make it more difficult to collaborate, have to leave workstation to connect with coworkers |
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Noise |
Noise travels easier due to fewer walls and barriers |
Significantly quieter than open office set ups |
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Space |
More space to spread out but comes with the trade-off as less privacy |
May feel constraining, especially in tiny spaces |
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Variety |
Allows for multi-purpose spaces and diverse stimuli, creating more freedom to design an aesthetically pleasing office |
Repetitive and limits design possibilities |
Pros and Cons of Cubicles
Like anything, cubicles have advantages and disadvantages. We’ve spelled out the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision that fits your needs.
Pros of Cubicles
- Better for specialized employees, sensitive document handling, and those with frequent meetings
- Enhanced privacy
- More opportunities for employees to personalize their space
- Significantly less noise than open office settings
Cons of Cubicles
- Employees may feel isolated from broader culture without internal interactions
- Can be dated if they’re not thoughtfully designed
- Compact nature can feel claustrophobic for some personalities
Pros and Cons of Open Offices
Open offices have fewer barriers separating workstations, which can be both a positive and a negative trait. For this reason, you’ll have to think deeply about the pros and cons of delivering a balanced environment that serves as many people as possible.
Pros of Open Offices
- Adaptable to changing team needs and sizes
- More opportunities for organic interactions and collaboration
- Establishes a defined office culture
- Can be more cost-effective
Cons of Open Offices
- Can lead to more distractions
- Illnesses can spread easier
- May be less accommodating for neurodivergent, hybrid, and disabled employees
How to Choose The Best Office Design Layout
Get to Know Your Employees
Before making any decisions, consider the people who work there and the kind of culture you want in the office. Ask department heads what they love about their workplace and past work environments and what areas need improvement. Many Americans have gotten accustomed to working from home during the pandemic, so having a comfortable office can be key to attracting and maintaining the best talent.
Look for Inspiration
The best ideas come from the world around you, so it’s always a good idea to browse magazines, visit other offices, and note the spaces you’ve enjoyed in your daily life. Your office should be as unique as those who work in it, so it’s likely to blend many different brands and tastes. Creating a mood board can guide you toward a style that informs the best office layout for your needs.
Explore All Space Planning Options
Space planning is a delicate art. There are infinite ways to arrange furniture in a space, and you wouldn’t be doing your due diligence if you didn’t explore as many as possible. Furniture dealers and interior designers have hands-on tools that allow you to try on various floor plans and visualize different layout options before you make a final decision.
Browse our Office Design and Layout Planner.
Consult Experts
You’re an expert in your business; lean on experts when you can. Furniture dealers can take a lot of pressure off your plate by presenting options to decide between rather than designing everything from square one.
Create Your Ideal Workspace with Benhar Office Interiors
Now that you have a better understanding from this open office vs cubicle comparison, it’s time to consider your next move.
At Benhar Office Interiors, we’ve worked on countless projects across dozens of industries, and no project is the same––even if we’ve worked together previously. As such, we know no office design style is one-size-fits-all. Many workplaces have a combination of bench-style workstations and private offices. Your combination can be tailored precisely to what makes sense for you.