Choosing the right size cubicle for your office

Choosing the right size cubicle for your office

Office cubicle design, appearance, and their very personality have evolved significantly over the years, from stark, maze-like environments to welcoming and productive workplaces. Co-working spaces, desk sharing, and virtual offices are all the rage in today’s corporate world. Indeed, a thoughtfully designed cubicle space inspires creativity, collaboration, and even enjoyment to be at work.

Office cubicles as we know them first appeared in the late 1960s to suit office workers’ changing needs while offering privacy and personalization. New York City’s Federal Reserve Bank was the first office to use the cubicle scenario, arranged in simple pods of four work spaces. Modern cubicle design includes varying heights, shapes, sizes, built-in storage, and ergonomic features.

Size also matters when it comes to adding cubicles to your office and ultimately your particular needs will determine final selection. To that end, here are some things to consider for your next office renovation:

Standard office cubicles

Today’s traditional office cubicles come in a wide variety of layouts and sizes, and can be very spacious. They are typically designed for one person but have enough space for an extra chair and desk space for equipment such as computers and file organization. I-shapes and U-shapes are common and are typically available in sizes from 6’x6’ to 8’x8’.

Modular office spaces

One common criticism of cubicles is loss of privacy for office functions including human resources or financial services when private information is involved. A solution to this is modular offices, which are essentially high-walled cubicles (typically about 12’) with doors and a larger footprint than standard cubes. The walls are often glass or a type of paneling and often used for executive offices.

Call center spaces

Highly active call centers demand agility and small footprints and this is where call center cubes come in, with just enough space for one person and shorter walls and panels. Popular call center cubicles often include glass panels and come in sizes from 2’x5’ to 5’x5’.

Fitting it all in

Before deciding on cubicle sizes for your office, be sure to consider work surface, panel thickness, manufacturer, and ability to cluster to a specific layout. For example, a 9’x12’ option works well for middle managers or workers with more than one computer system or other equipment while 6’x6’ is a popular choice for admin and telephone support.

For more information on sizing cubicles for your office, contact Office Furniture Direct at (503) 546-1546 or officefurnituredirect-pdx.com.