The Pros and Cons of Open Desking Configurations

Open desking configurations are one of the hottest furniture trends of 2013. This innovative furniture style is rapidly replacing office cubicles of the past as the modern style and ergonomic efficiency are top notch. Top office furniture manufacturers like Herman Miller, Global Total Office, Hon, and Mayline all offer open solutions to meet the needs of any specific space. That being said, it's important to take note of the pros and cons these new stations have to offer before purchasing.

Pro: Modern Style

Open desking offers a modern alternative to cubicles of the past. The cutting edge looks are sure to improve your corporate decor while impressing your valued clientele. It's no secret that office products with modern style have been a huge hit this year and open desking configurations are a huge contributor to this trend. Top selling lines combine industrial features like frosted modesty panels and metal legs that are truly impressive in the workplace. If you're stuck in an outdated office in need of a renovation, an open furniture layout will definitely spice things up by breathing life into your work floor!

Con: Privacy

When compared to cubicles, open concept office furniture layouts offer less privacy as they lack the high dividing walls. Businesses such as call centers have found problems with open configurations as the face to face layouts tend to interfere with productivity. Back to back designs are highly recommended by industry professionals in this instance but do take up more space. If you're looking to maximize your office square footage to accommodate as many employees as possible, a traditional cubicle configuration may be preferred as the high walls will add more privacy during those important phone calls and meetings.

Pro: Open Feel

One of the biggest benefits to any open furniture layout is of course the open feel. Cubicles and traditional wood desks for office areas can tend to look a bit closed off. Open furniture promotes team interaction and can greatly improve group productivity. Interior design and decorating businesses are loving these layouts as they also make any room seem far larger when compared to cubicles of the past.

Con: Noise

The open feel does have one major down side. The noise created by a busy work floor definitely increases with these new office solutions. To resolve this, modesty panels are available but will raise the cost of your configuration. If silence is golden, open desking may not be the best option for your needs and budget. This is why cubicles for privacy will always be around. Meeting with a furniture specialist will provide excellent insight on design capabilities that will help keep the noise to a minimum.

Pro: Room for Growth

The modularity of these cutting edge furniture solutions offer far more versatility that cubicles of the past. Top lines like the e5 series from Mayline include an extensive range of components that leave plenty of room for growth in the future. While most manufacturers are phasing out older cubicle collections, the popularity of open desking as these same brands bolstering the offering of solutions that will surely improve your growth potential in the future. This money saving feature provide businesses the ability to add on rather than replace existing workstations.

Con: Cost

Those on a strict budget can typically find used cubicles at discounted rate. Unfortunately, open furniture solutions are simply too new to be found on the used market. Cutting edge products will always come with a higher price tag than products of the past and when it comes to open desking there's no exception. These high tech workstations for office use can be outfitted with a wide range of modern upgrades that drive prices up. Features like glass panels, wardrobe cabinets, pedestal cushions, and power options are all considered upgrades that can strain the average office makeover budget. While purchasing a new open furniture layout is an excellent long term investment in terms of productivity and efficiency for your business, the initial cost can be a bit hard to bear. Out of the box solutions are available however from brands like Global Total Office that will help you to maximize your budget potential.

Pro: Versatility

Perhaps the biggest benefit to a new open style workstation for multiple users is the long term versatility. Need to add a station for a new employee? You got it! Want to add storage for improved organization?  No problem! The cutting edge furniture of the future also offers awesome power capabilities including charging stations and improved routing for easy access to your electronics when needed. The ability to easily spec layouts and additions saves companies time and money when compared to used cubicles and furniture solutions of the past. Rest assured, the potential for this new style of modular office furniture for business use is simply limitless.