Benefits of open-plan offices vs private workspaces

When you’re redesigning your office space or seeking new premises, should you prioritise private offices or open-planned spaces?

It depends.

What is an open plan office?

An open-plan office features a large, open floorplan where many staff work together in a shared environment. It typically includes rows of workstations with minimal physical barriers such as walls or other partitions.

The pros and cons of open-plan offices

Open-plan offices can:

• Maximise the available floor space, creating a cost-effective approach to your workspace
• Promote relationships, collaboration and problem-solving – the absence of physical barriers encourages spontaneous conversations and brainstorming ideas
• Enable flexibility – open-plan layouts can be easily reconfigured, creating a dynamic work environment that can respond to changing needs
• Increase transparency and trust by making managers and team members more visible and connected to each other
• Improve team cohesion, creating stronger bonds between team members and reducing turnover rates.

On the other hand, open-plan offices may:

• Be noisy and distracting
• Make it hard to do work that requires deep concentration and focus
• Overstimulate introverts or neurodiverse staff.

What is a private workspace?

A private workspace is an enclosed environment where you can close the door and work in peace. Often a status symbol, a private office offers a secluded space that can be personalised to reflect your interests or job requirements.

The pros and cons of private workspaces

A typical private office offers:

• Privacy for sensitive conversations, including staff management or budgetary discussions
• Sound insulation to reduce distractions and ensure private conversations can’t be overheard
• Opportunity to concentrate on demanding work
• Recognition of status within the company.

On the downside, a private office may:

• Limit spontaneous collaboration – senior staff must be deliberately sought out for their advice
• Be lonely – especially for more outgoing staff who thrive when there’s company.

So, which is best? Should you offer everyone a private office or is open-plan more suitable?

Thankfully, you don’t have to choose!

Creating the best of both worlds: a hybrid office plan

While both open-plan offices and private workspaces offer significant benefits, the optimal office design often lies in finding a balance between the two.

Hybrid models, which combine open areas with private zones, are becoming increasingly popular as they cater to diverse work styles and preferences. By offering flexible spaces, you can provide the collaborative environment needed for teamwork while also ensuring your employees have access to quiet areas for focused work.

You may choose to provide private offices for senior staff – but also encourage them to use collaborative areas when they’re keen for more engagement.

An excellent kitchen (or meals area) provides a chance for many different staff to mingle and spend time together, making it easy to say things like, ‘Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you for your advice on that project…’

Most staff, of course, will probably continue to work in an open-plan office, which can support a cost-effective, collaborative team culture.

To minimise the downsides of open-plan offices, you could create options for private, focused working when required – private workspaces or pods where such staff can go when they need to focus on a complex task or need space from talkative colleagues.

Ultimately, the best office design depends on your organisation’s specific needs, culture, and the nature of the work being performed.

By thoughtfully considering the benefits of both open and private spaces, you can create a workspace that supports your team’s success and drives your business forward.

How can we help?

At Growth Workplace Designs, we offer considerable experience supporting different organisations to work out the right mix of private and open-plan working spaces for their team.

If you’d welcome our expertise, please contact us to discuss your space.