It’s estimated that the average person spends one-third of their life at work, or the equivalent of 90,000 hours. With so much time spent in the workplace, the design of your office environment really matters.
Organizations are continually searching for ways to optimize their office layouts to boost productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being. Chances are you’ve heard of the open office design — or worked in one yourself. This layout removes walls and partitions to create a more collaborative, flexible space.
However, while open offices have their advantages, they also come with challenges that can impact focus and privacy. In this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of open office design and discuss strategies for creating a balanced atmosphere where employees can thrive both individually and as a team.
What is an open office concept?
Offices weren’t always the open, collaborative spaces we’re familiar with today. In the early days, office layouts were designed to reflect corporate hierarchy — rows upon rows of desks in a large room, supervisors watching from enclosed offices. Privacy was minimal, but so was collaboration. Then, in the 1960s, we saw the rise of cubicles, which aimed at giving workers more personal space while still keeping a similar layout. While cubicles offered a little more privacy, they also left employees feeling isolated and boxed in.
Around the same time, a new office concept emerged as a solution to these issues. The open concept office looked to break away from cubicles and private offices, instead creating shared spaces where employees could interact more easily. The goal was to remove physical walls and barriers to encourage collaboration, communication, and a sense of community in the workplace.
Open office layouts continued growing in popularity over the following decades, especially as companies in creative and tech sectors embraced the idea that flexible, adaptable workspaces could lead to greater innovation. Today, the open office layout is a common feature in modern workplaces, though it’s not without its critics. While it encourages collaboration, it can also bring challenges like noise, distractions, and a lack of privacy, which has sparked countless debates about whether this design truly meets the needs of all employees.
The benefits of open office design
The open space office design has become a go-to for many businesses, and it’s not hard to see why. Beyond its trendy and sleek aesthetic, it offers practical benefits that make a difference in how people work. Research shows that about 70% of U.S. offices now use some form of an open layout, which goes to show that the concept has reshaped how companies think about workspace design.
Here are some of the advantages that make this design so popular:
Cost-effective
One of the biggest draws of open office design is how cost-effective it is. Without walls and cubicles, companies save on construction and materials during the initial construction phase. Plus, you can fit more employees into the same space, cutting down on real estate costs.
Better communication
In an open space office, conversations happen more naturally, without the need to set up meetings or send emails for a quick question. This encourages more direct communication and reduces the time spent waiting for responses, which can improve teamwork and efficiency across the board.
Stronger collaboration
When people are working side by side, it’s easier to share ideas and collaborate. You don’t have to wait for a scheduled meeting to bounce ideas off each other — collaboration can happen spontaneously. In many cases, an open office floor plan can make employees more likely to engage in team projects, leading to more creative and innovative solutions.
More flexibility
If there’s one thing we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that employees want more flexibility, and open office designs naturally support this. Whether it’s accommodating a hybrid workforce or reorganizing teams, open layouts offer the adaptability that today’s businesses require. This means that companies can adjust their spaces without major disruptions, and this space efficiency makes it easier to pivot when necessary.
Modern aesthetics
While this may seem subjective, a sleek, open office looks modern and professional in the eyes of many, making a great first impression on clients and visitors. If your office’s appearance is an important factor in your business, or it’s important to you personally, an open office space will have a strong appeal. A well-thought-out space gives the impression that the company values both functionality and style.
Sense of democracy
Open offices level the playing field by having everyone work in the same space, no matter their position. This fosters a more inclusive atmosphere, where employees feel like part of the same team instead of being divided by titles or roles. It encourages open dialogue and makes it easier for people to connect and share ideas, regardless of hierarchy.
Increased transparency
With fewer physical barriers, managers can easily see how teams are working, spot areas that need support or improvement, and provide feedback in real time. Additionally, knowing that their work is visible to the entire team can help employees stay more accountable and motivated.
The disadvantages of open office design
While open office layouts offer many advantages, they’re not without their downsides. For some employees, the lack of physical barriers can introduce new challenges that impact their ability to focus and work efficiently.
Here are some of the main disadvantages of an open-concept office design:
Noise levels
One of the biggest complaints about open offices? The noise. Conversations, phone calls, typing — it’s all out in the open. Without walls to contain sound, the office can quickly become overwhelming for anyone trying to concentrate. For those who need peace and quiet to get work done, the open office design can feel like a never-ending battle against background chatter. Read more about office soundproofing and how it can benefit your teams.
More distractions
Office distractions are one of the biggest productivity killers, and in an open office, they’re everywhere. A quick chat with a coworker or someone passing by your desk can easily pull you out of your workflow. While collaboration is one of the goals of the open-plan office layout, the price to pay is often not being able to focus on deep work.
Reduced productivity
While we’re on the subject of productivity, studies show that open office layouts can actually hinder it. Research across dozens of studies points to consistent challenges, with employees in open spaces struggling to maintain focus. Data shows that workers in open offices face significant drops in concentration, making it harder to stay on task and complete work efficiently. It’s clear that without proper acoustic management or designated quiet areas, productivity often takes a hit in open environments.
Health concerns
Everyone’s caught that bug in the office and let’s face it — open office designs don’t help. With everyone working so closely together, germs have an easier time spreading. It’s no surprise that open offices can lead to more illnesses circulating through the team, especially during cold and flu season. The pandemic only amplified concerns about shared spaces, forcing businesses to reconsider how to create safer, more spread-out work environments.
Lack of privacy
While the goal of an open plan office design is to encourage communication and collaboration, it often comes at the expense of privacy. The lack of private spaces can be uncomfortable and distracting. In response, many companies are now adding modular office pods or dedicated private areas like nursing pods to give workers a place to go when they need a break from the open space.
How to design a balanced open office space
Despite its potential drawbacks, a well-planned open office design can transform the way your teams interact and get things done. The trick is creating a space that balances collaboration and privacy, so employees have the flexibility they need to thrive.
Here’s how to design an open office that works for everyone:
Use zoning to organize the space
Zoning is your secret weapon for a functional open office. When planning your new space, prioritize designated areas, like quiet zones for focused work, collaboration hubs for team projects, and social spaces for breaks. That way, your employees will be able to choose the space that fits their task, cutting down on distractions and boosting productivity.
Implement acoustic solutions
Noise is the number one complaint in open offices, but smart sound solutions can turn that around. Think acoustic panels, carpets, and ceiling fixtures to dampen the noise. Even plants or dividers can help break up sound. Or, for a more cost-effective option, consider adding soft music or white noise machines to create a calm backdrop that makes it easier to focus without modifying the space too much.
Add designated social spaces
Your employees need social breaks to decompress and recharge, and having designated spaces to do that is incredibly important. When you carve out a spot for casual chats or coffee breaks, like a break room, a mindfulness office, or even a backyard pod for a quick breath of fresh air, you give employees a place to relax without pulling focus away from the work zone. These areas keep conversations where they belong and allow for much-needed breaks without disrupting productivity.
Provide private spaces
Privacy is important, even in an open office where employees are encouraged to collaborate and share their work. Creating enclosed spaces like office phone booths or small meeting rooms gives employees an option to retreat without leaving the office. Quiet zones help balance the openness, giving employees a sense of control over their environment while still being part of the collaborative atmosphere.
Offer ergonomic furniture
Comfort is non-negotiable in any office to ensure workers stay comfortable, healthy, and happy. Consider adding ergonomic and functional office furniture like standing desks, adjustable chairs, and supportive workstations that allow people to move and work in ways that suit them best.
Talk to your employees
What’s the best way to make sure your open office works? Talk to the people who use it. Regular feedback from your employees will help you fine-tune the space and address any concerns. You can use email surveys, casual check-ins, or team meetings to reveal what’s working and what needs improvement. Plus, when you involve your team in the process, you create an environment that feels supportive, dynamic, and values employees’ needs.
Find your focus with Thinktanks
Taking care of your employees’ comfort and well-being isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s how you unlock a more productive and engaged workforce. Sure, open offices are great for creativity and teamwork, but if you really want to get the most out of your workspace, your team needs to have the option to balance collaboration with focus and privacy.
From soundproof office pods to nursing pods, Thinktanks’ pods are perfect for when your employees need a break from the open setup — giving them a chance to concentrate, hold private conversations, or recharge whenever they need it.
If you’re looking to take your office to the next level, consider pod solutions. Not only will your team thank you, but you’ll see the benefits in how they work and thrive. Give your employees the space they need to focus, and watch your business reap the rewards.
Contact us for a quote today!