Imagine you walk into the office on your first day of work. What do you expect to see?

A wide-open, shared workspace or a closed office layout with cubicles?

A large office space with people working on computers at big tables and standing desks. Photo by Proxyclick Visitor Management System on Unsplash

Open office layouts were a popular choice in the 1990s and early 2000s, and they're still used today. Now, many companies offer hybrid options: some days you work from home, some days you come in.

When you're working in-person, does an open office layout appeal to you? Explore the pros and cons to figure out if it's ideal for you!

Open Office Layouts vs Closed Office Layouts

The overall office layout is where employees spend most of their time in the office. Most workplaces have larger rooms for meetings or breaks, but the main spaces are often either open or closed.

Open Office Layouts

  • Workspaces and seating are in a shared space without barriers

  • People work together at big desks or tables

  • Larger spaces to move around and collaborate

Open office layout with people working on computers at large shared desks in a bright room Photo by Arlington Research on Unsplash

Closed Office Layouts

  • Workspaces and seating are separated by walls or partitions

  • Each person has their own office or cubicle

  • More privacy and smaller spaces to work independently

Closed layout office with people working in separate cubicles and one of them in a glass-walled office Photo by Ewan Buck on Unsplash

Some office spaces, especially newer ones, are designed to be more flexible and mix elements of open and closed layouts to try to get the best of both worlds.

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Did you know?

Pros vs Cons of Open Office Layouts

Comparing the ups and downs of open office layouts shows why some people want to avoid them at all costs, while others feel energized and happy to work in one.

Pros

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  • Promotes teamwork: When everyone's together, you may feel more connected and it's easier to collaborate.

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  • More space and flexibility: It's easier for you to move around and choose where you want to work.

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  • Health benefits: Open space can let more natural light and ventilation in to improve your wellbeing.

Cons

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  • Lower focus and less productivity: With more noise and distractions, you may find it harder to get work done.

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  • Low to no privacy: You may feel like you're always being watched, causing stress and a sense of limited control.

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  • Health risks: If people are close together, illnesses can spread more easily.

Quiz: Employee Preferences

Which of these employees would likely enjoy working somewhere with an open office layout?

William: A creative product designer who likes to bounce ideas off others as he updates his designs.

A man with short hair and a beard smiling and wearing a business suit in an office. Photo by Carlos Gil on Unsplash

Helen: A detail-oriented editor who likes to spend most of her time outside of meetings diving deep into manuscripts.

A woman in a green dress with a gold bracelet and watch, long brown hair, smiling and clasping hands together near her chin. Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

Liwei: An organized project manager who gives everyone on his team clear roles and expectations so they can focus on meeting goals on time.

A man with short dark hair and a dark long sleeved shirt holding a clipboard and writing. Photo by TruckRun on Unsplash

Maya: An energetic office manager who likes variety and having lively discussions to get to know everyone at work so she can make positive changes.

A smiling woman with arms crossed in front of a whiteboard. Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com M on Unsplash

Quiz

Which of these employees would likely enjoy working somewhere with an open office layout? Select all that apply:

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Take Action

Like the employees in the quiz, you have unique preferences and priorities at work that affect whether you'd enjoy an open office layout.

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