How to Make Your Office Cubicles Work for You
We asked a group of people in Charlotte, NC and Columbia, SC, "What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word ' cubicle'?"
Here are some of the responses we received:
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claustrophobia
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bullpen
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desk in a box
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not a real office, and
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stand on my toes to talk to my coworkers
The most humorous response we received was, "whack a mole."
What comes to your mind when you think of the word cubicle? Are you a disgruntled cubicle dweller? If so, you're not alone.
More often than not, people in Charlotte, NC and Columbia, SC have negative feelings about office cubicles. But, did you know the modern office cubicle no longer has to be a sad, dim, and noisy cubicle-grey box? There are now contemporary cubicle options that can make your world a bright and cheery breath of fresh air. And, if you're stuck in one of those sad, grey boxes, we have some tips to make them more enjoyable.
How Have Today's Cubicles Changed?
The top buzz words heard within the office furnishings industry today are: "collaborative," "open," "sustainable," and " ergonomics." And if you notice, they are opposite the responses from our test group mentioned above. This means cubicles are on the way out, right? Well, not really. In fact, cubicle systems are more "in" than ever. But, they aren't your daddy's old office cubes.
1. Flexibility
Contemporary office cubicles are being merged with modular office furniture creating a much more user-friendly and flexible cubicle design. So, rather than rows of identical cubes or private offices, office environments are organized by function and set up much like a home.
These contemporary office cubicle plans often use benching systems -- completely open units with low or no walls and fully movable pieces. They are sleek and simple work surfaces supported by legs with movable storage and minimal division between users. Higher quality office cubicle and benching systems, like AIS' Oxygen, Calibrate, Matrix, and Divi lines, can include café height surfaces, seated height privacy panels, and soft seating. These features create easy spaces for collaborative conferences, idea-sharing, and the use of hand-held devices.
2. Privacy
Now that we have a modern cubicle systems with all this open space, what do we do when we need peace and quiet or a private meeting?
Your office designer will plan the space with adjacencies in mind so similar sound and privacy needs are grouped together. You can opt to have a sound masking system installed to muffle noise in either specific areas or throughout the office. Or, commercial partitions, constructed most commonly in glass, Plexiglas, metal or wood, can be used to create both visual and audio privacy. You can also choose and arrange beautiful, movable, sound barrier partitions from brands like like Peter Pepper. And, mobile privacy panels can come to your rescue if you seek cost effective yet functional and aesthetically pleasing privacy solutions.
3. Color
And that dusty ol' grey, it's a thing of the past. In Charlotte, NC and Columbia, SC the modern cubicle is available in a rainbow of color choices, including pure white, island aqua, sunshine yellow, tangerine, and everything in-between, including the traditional neutrals -- and grey, if you must. Some organizations use color to identify special areas, like soft blue accent panels in areas denoted as quiet zones or yellow accents for management personnel, for example.
4. Sustainability
Once you've identified your color preferences, you can add a bit of "green." Office cubicles are now available with a high-recycled content. So, whether you opt for classic cubes or a contemporary open style, knowledgeable dealers can you help select eco-conscious manufacturers that carry the solution best fit your business needs. Choose an eco-friendly, reconfigurable benching cubicle system, and it will last for years to come. This gives you the best bang for your buck -- keeping money in your pocket and junk out of landfills.
Today's cubicle market strategy is about focusing on the company's most valuable assets: its employees. Instead of the employee working around the office cubicles and being stifled by its limitations, cubicles are designed to work around the employees.
If you want to see what's available for your business, give us a call, or send an email today. We provide office cubicles to businesses located in both Charlotte, NC and Columbia, SC and surrounding areas and we'll be happy to show you!