Why are Office Cubicles Making a Comeback?

The office cubicle – it used to be seen as a default office addition, not a creative solution that supported the needs of employees. But after many design iterations, office designers, business owners, and even staff are coming full circle to embrace the benefits of this tried and true office arrangement. But why now are office cubicles trending with top offices across the US? As it turns out, there are multiple reasons why cubicles work for today’s ever-changing work environment. 

Let’s review some of the top reasons why it’s a good time to take a new look at office cubicles and the reason for their resurgence in modern office design. As you’ll see the benefits are equally spread out over the staff, management, and bottom line. 

1. 1. Encourages Office Productivity: There’s no doubt that COVID changed the workspace landscape and our overall approach to work and office time. Today’s post-pandemic workforce is looking to maximize their time in the office. In this way, office cubicles offer the respite from working at home with family distractions. It offers a more focused environment than the open concept office design which has been shown to breed distractions among employees. 

2. 2. Maximizes Space Better than Formal Offices: Cubicles initially were introduced as a solution to the disconnect and formality of private offices, while maximizing office space with modular privacy walls. This provides a happy medium between the open office space and the outdated feel of private offices. 

3. 3. Offers Employees More Privacy: Work can be sensitive, and it can require an environment where you can let your mind wander, write furiously, or make many back-to-back phone calls. All of these tasks are much easier if Ray from accounting isn’t sitting across from you humming and cracking jokes. Nothing against Ray, but there are many times when employees want to be in their own space to hunker down and get their work completed.

4. 4. Supports Hybrid Work Flexibility: After the work-from-home era of the pandemic, hybrid work has become an established part of many businesses. This means that office spaces need to be more flexible and support a constantly changing in-office work team. Cubicles are a natural solution for this challenge because they can be used by anyone who needs a private workstation. That’s particularly true with today’s work environment where laptops remain with the employee and files are stored in the cloud. 

5. 5. Helps Ease Health Concerns: The coronavirus has taught us the importance of airflow to minimize the virus load in the air. When offices cut up an open floorplan into very small offices, these can facilitate greater risk for germ spreading. Cubicles create natural spacing between co-workers and fulfill social distancing recommendations. 

6. 6. Saves Time and Money: While there are many perks for employees, one that business owners will appreciate is their cost-effective nature. Cubicles can be extremely budget-friendly and because they are modular in design, they can be changed with little expense or labor. It’s easy to add new cubicles into a pre-existing design or downsize when needed. 

7. 7. Nurtures Employee Well-being: Modern cubicles are designed with ergonomics and comfort in mind, supporting employee well-being by offering a space that can be adjusted to individual preferences. 

8. 8. Facilitates Greater Support Spaces for Employees Who Need It: Whether it’s personal preference, neurodiversity, or a condition like anxiety and PTSD, there are a number of reasons why employees need private space that feels less overwhelming than an open floor plan. Allowing employees to have their own space to concentrate and focus can send the message that you are accommodating their needs and providing the space for them to do their best work. 

9. 9. Helps with Noise Control: In open offices, noise can be a major distraction. Cubicles help to buffer conversations so that there’s not the cacophony of voices that can happen in more open spaces. This is especially helpful for businesses which require significant time for phone calls and teleconferences. It also helps with facilitating deep concentration for employees who require greater focus time. 

10. 10. Encourages Better Collaboration: While open offices can lead to too much noise, cubicles offer a middle ground where employees can collaborate easily without the chaos of an entirely open floor plan. The physical boundaries that modular panels create allow for more private meeting time in a more structured setting.

11. 11. Creates Consistent Work Flows: Each cubicle can be outfitted with the items every employee will need for maximum productivity. This can include monitors, phones, charging docks and shelving for personal items. This can help every employee stay organized and ramp up and close up work each day. 

12. 12. Allows for More Personalized Spaces and Employee Investment: You may opt for some cubicles to provide hotdesking flexibility with spaces in rotation among several employees who are on hybrid work schedules. However, for employees who are in the office more regularly, it can be beneficial to provide a space for them to personalize with the accessories that enhance their workspace. Whether it’s family pictures, art, or a tiny houseplant, having a little space to call home at the office can make staff feel more secure and comfortable.  

13. 13. Makes Office Cleanings Easier: Did you know that cubicles are designed for easy cleanups? They’re made of durable materials which don’t stain or scratch easily. Instead they allow for a cleaning staff to wipe down and disinfect surfaces. In contrast, open air offices can be more challenging to clean due to the various items covering the communal desks. 

14. 14. Sends a Message of Team Unity and Equality: Open workspaces can sometimes lead to unexpected segregation among employees. Friends may stick together and new workers may feel like intruders in such a free form environment. However, cubicles have an order about that which creates harmony and organization. No one cubicle is better than another. This sends the message that everyone on the team is equally valued. 

15. 15. Quick and easy installation: Unlike private office spaces, cubicles don’t require construction or alterations to a building’s lighting or HVAC. Once selected, they can be installed in a matter of days rather than weeks. And when you need to expand your staff, additional cubicles can quickly be added on at your convenience. 

Cubicles hold significant potential to transform an office space. Today, more than ever, cubicles can bring style, functionality, and organization to a workspace. Whether you have a blank canvas of an office space or are ready to change up the look and flow of your current space, cubicles are an easy office upgrade that are one of the most cost-effective improvements. 

With so many choices on the market today, reach out to Extra Office Interiors. We’ll listen to your needs and help you choose options that will fit your space and staff. Once you see the new designs on the market today, you’ll never think of cubicles as just boring gray panels. Instead, you’ll see them as the customizable and strategic tools for enhancing privacy and productivity. If your office is in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or New York, reach out to get the conversation going.