An open office layout isn’t the most attractive setup. It brings everyone together in an obvious way, which can be loud, messy and disorganized. The noise and clutter can limit a person’s ability to be creative and imaginative, and there’s not much privacy to handle important phone calls or discussions. So why would anyone choose an open office layout, let alone be advocates of it?
Just as everything has its disadvantages, they have their advantages, too. When those perks outweigh the cons, the option is worth considering. If you have a business that can thrive off a little less privacy and a lot more noise, an open office layout may suit your employees and your operations.
Here are some of the main reasons why we are in support of the open office layout.
It’s Cost Effective
That it is. Rather than having to pay for individual cube spaces and workstations, you can be economical with your office furniture. Each employee can have a workstation assigned to them, but you also have the option to put together long tables with chairs for brainstorming and collaboration rather than separate meeting areas.
It Accommodates Growing Personnel
A growing business is great. Yet as your company expands, you need to accommodate this growth through more employees. Employees need desks, chairs and computers. If your current space doesn’t allow for more cubicles, then you have to move onto another floor. Depending on the personnel, multi-floor offices may not be efficient and can lead to disconnects in the workplace.
It Offers a Flexible Design
Cubicles are not attractive. They only offer some privacy, and you’re limited to what you can do when you have rows of panels to work around. An open office layout is flexible. Chairs and desks can match for harmony, and you can diversify the workplace by setting up areas for collaboration with tables, comfy chairs and accent lighting.
It Looks Busy
Startups, in particular, need to look busy, and an open office layout can help with that. In other words, open office floorplans are photogenic. When a client or other industry professional walks in and sees employees handling calls, making copies, scrambling to the fax machine, etc. it gives the image that the business is thriving. This is helpful when taking editorial photos and gaining publicity for a new business.
Open office layouts have pros and cons that businesses need to consider. While moving to an open office floorplan can be intimidating, most employees learn to appreciate the setup. It’s less dividing and more cohesive, promoting teamwork and togetherness. If you still can’t decide but see benefits to both layouts, a semi-open floorplan may meet your needs best.
