If you’re weighing up whether an open plan office layout is right for your workplace, you’re not alone. It’s one of the biggest decisions businesses face when designing their workspace, and there’s no shortage of passionate opinions on both sides of the debate.
At Slouch, we know that the right office layout can make or break workplace productivity. Whilst our ergonomic desk chairs are designed to keep your team comfortable in any configuration, we wanted to share our insights on creating an office layout that truly works for everyone.
Just what is an open plan office layout?
Instead of being in partitioned-off cubicles or booths, an open plan office layout sees all the staff working together in a shared space without any physical barriers.
This approach to office design has evolved significantly since its early days. What started as a way to simply fit more employees into less space has become the norm because of its ability to foster collaborative workplaces.
Sound intriguing? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of whether an open plan workspace could be right for you.
The benefits of open plan offices
Here’s what you could stand to gain from opting for an open plan office design.
It’s better for communication and collaboration
When you remove physical barriers between team members, you also remove barriers to communication. Instead of having to trail down a corridor to find someone, you can simply walk over to their desk or even simply turn around.
In fact, that’s why tech companies are said to have been some of the first to adopt open plan working because of the collaborative nature of.
You get more from your space
Without the need for individual workspaces for every team or employee you can really bring down your overheads on space. If you’re renovating your empty office building in a Cat B fit out you’ll also find you require less structural elements like walls, doors and other structural elements.
More natural light for all
With fewer walls blocking the way, natural light can penetrate deeper into the office space which studies show can positively affect employee wellbeing. Maximising natural light also means less dependency on electric light which also happens to be one of our most cost-effective green office ideas if you’re trying to be more eco-conscious.
Easy to change as you grow
One of the real advantages of an open plan office layout is that you can change it at will. Reconfiguring to add room for new starters is as simple as moving furniture around – no need to knock down walls or rebuild anything. This flexibility means your office can evolve alongside your business, whether you’re expanding teams or creating new collaborative spaces.
The challenges of open plan layouts
As you can see, there are some pretty big advantages to taking an open approach to your office design. However, if you’re thinking about going with this style of working it’s only fair to know about the challenges it can present, too.
It can be a distracting environment
From phone calls to loud conversations, music and even footsteps, sound travels easily in large open spaces. The downside of a collaborative ‘all for one’ environment is that the noise can be a big office distraction for staff who need peace to concentrate. Luckily, there are lots of ways to combat this like noise-cancelling headphones.
Finding privacy can be tricky
Some tasks require privacy, whether it’s a sensitive phone call or focused work on confidential projects. In an open plan layout, finding this privacy can be tricky unless it’s specifically planned for in the design.
Ensure you have booths and breakaway spaces planned into your work layout to counter this.
You’ll need to think about health considerations
Health in the workplace isn’t just about having a first aid kit anymore. Since the pandemic, we’ve all become more aware of how office design affects wellbeing. In open plan workspaces, this means thinking smart about:
Increased air flow – Install proper ventilation systems and ensure windows can be opened to keep fresh air circulating during the day.
Create personal space – Make sure there’s enough room between desks so people aren’t breathing down each other’s necks.
Enable natural movement – Make sure people have enough room to stretch and move around to prevent feet from swelling or bodies getting stiff and sore from sitting all day.
Ensure shared spaces are clean – With people working more closely together, it’s crucial to ensure it’s properly cleaned and sanitised to reduce the spread of germs and keep your team healthy.
Plan robust sickness policies – Making it easy for people to work from home when they’re under the weather, rather than bringing bugs into a close-knit shared space.
These considerations might mean your open plan needs a bit more square footage per person than you initially planned for – but it’s worth it to keep your team healthy and happy.
At Slouch, we’ve made sure all our office desks have smooth, scratch-resistant surfaces that are easy to keep clean because we know these practical details matter.
Tips for making open plan work for you
- Make changes that will help absorb noise – Install sound-absorbing panels on your walls and ceilings, and add soft furnishings like rugs and curtains throughout the space. These work together to soak up sound before it can bounce around the office.
- Plan spaces for private work – Set up privacy booths for confidential calls and include different-sized meeting rooms to suit various team needs, from one-to-ones to full team gatherings.
- Position collaborative teams near each other – This creates natural working hubs where teams can easily share ideas and solve problems together without disturbing other groups.
- Make the most of natural light – arrange desks near windows where possible to give employees better focus and boost wellbeing. Research shows natural light improves both mood and productivity.
- Don’t forget about storage – It’s often overlooked in open plan designs, but you’ll need a mix of personal and shared storage to keep the space clutter-free. If you’re tight on small, check out our small office storage ideas.
Create an office space that really works
Whether you choose an open plan design or another layout, the key is creating a workspace that supports your team’s needs. Quality furniture plays a crucial role in making any office layout successful – after all, comfortable people are more productive people.
So if you’re searching for well-designed office furniture that can adapt to any layout to keep your team comfortable and supported, browse our range of ergonomic chairs and desks or drop us a line at [email protected] if you need more information.
