Benefits of a Modern Office Cubicle

Cubicles have revolutionized the way people work for decades; however, they have garnered a rather unfavorable reputation as old-fashioned and superseded by the forthcoming open office design. Yet, the cubicle offers quite a unique set of benefits that a pure open office design just cannot provide. So instead of erasing the idea of the cubicle completely, check out these benefits on why they may be perfect for your team.

What Makes a Modern Cubicle Modern?

Usually when the word cubicle is mentioned, the idea of grey fabric panels and 3 walled faceless squares come to mind. Contrarily, the modern cubicle is anything but this. With variety of colors, partition sizes, partition materials and configurations, cubicles nowadays can liven up any office atmosphere with these additional bonuses.

Cost Efficiency

Investing in ultramodern partitions beats investing in walls for an office any day. Especially in the midst of the go green era, cheaper recyclable materials make cubicles the cheapest they have ever been.

Space Utilization

Gone are the days of the boxy, space consuming standard cubicles. Now, cubicles take up less space than before with sleeker designs and they come in all different configurations and sizes to custom fit the space you have.

Why Should I Invest in a Modern Cubicle?

For starters, productivity is sure to rise for your team if they take advantage of the separation that modern cubicles provide. With an open office plan, visual and auditory distractions are a huge impediment to task-oriented productivity. Focus can be easily broken and difficult to re-obtain, so it may be wise to consider a nice up-to-date cubicle for the remedy.

In addition to resolving output issues, modern cubicles provide all the privacy needed for handling confidential tasks or viewing e-mails without worrying about wandering eyes. One of the most valued elements of job satisfaction is employee privacy and a modern cubicle is just the thing to provide it. It serves the purpose of a small personal office so each individual can feel relaxed in their own space.

Another feature that the modern cubicle provides, perhaps just as important as anything else is the sense of egalitarianism. Traditionally, higher-ranking members of a team would be secluded in a plush space while everyone one else seemed to be packed into condescending cube farms with an inherent sense of insignificance to their organization, however modern cubicles are designed to make everyone feel like they have meaningful position in their company. This will definitely increase your team’s overall morale.

These are just but a few of the many benefits that come with using modern office cubicles. Consider having these benefits and getting to enjoy much more.

Cubicle by Design has office designing specialists with over 25 years of experience who are able to advise you from the earliest stages of change and assist you throughout your decision making process. Contact us for more information.

We often neglect to acknowledge the paramount importance of the office cubicle. Yet, it is difficult to identify another piece of office furniture, which has had a greater impact on the efficient use of office space or on the workforce at large. The cubicle has transformed the ways in which employees function both independently and interdependently with colleagues, fueling personal creativity and productiveness while encouraging necessary interactivity within the office. The history and evolution of the cubicle reflects the corporate responsibility to respond to the ever-changing economy, while providing their employees with optimum comfort and encouraging productivity in the office.

1960s

Herman Miller (an accomplished designer) collaborated with Robert Propst (an esteemed inventor and artist) to assemble a design, which would solve issues regarding office furniture and efficient use of space in the office. Propst envisioned a workspace that offered both privacy and room to interact. These proposed workspaces would be organized into rows. However, after much trial and error, and taking into consideration customer feedback, innovators realized the greater practicality of organizing these panels into a cube formation—hence the birth of the cubicle!

1970s

During the Energy Crisis of the 1970s businesses downsized and offices became more tightly packed. However, with the cheap production and a new tax deduction, there was a dramatic increase in cubicle sales between 1977 and 1997. There were still a few kinks to smooth over.

1980s

In the 1980s, the image of the cubicle shifted. Companies merged and shrank. Consequentially, cubicles were shrinking by twenty-five to fifty percent in size. As companies downsized further, employees with private offices were relocated into cubicles. This made for a more oppressive and disheartening working environment. Demoted employees were discouraged by the lack of lighting and creative atmosphere in the cubicle. In response to public discontent, businesses felt pressure to expand employee personal workspace. In 1994, the average cubicle space was extended to about ninety square feet. The importance of a flexible workspace, which encourages movement and innovation, became apparent. The cubicle continued to modernize.

Today

Through the years, like most products, the office cubicle underwent numerous experimental phases. This process of trial and error, and responding to public response, has helped the cubicle to evolve into the quality product it is today. To remedy the mundane plainness of the cubicles of the past, today’s cubicles offer brighter fabric options that create a more uplifting working environment. There are now an abundance of additional features like lighting options, which are tailored to the specific needs of employees. Particular configurations, designs, styles, colors, and sizes are selected to best suite a specific workspace—after all, no two workspaces are the same!

Today, employee comfort is of utmost concern. Optimal space and frequent movement is strongly encouraged. More than ever, employees embrace their cubicles by decorating and personalizing their space. Rather than viewing their cubicles as purely restrictive, today’s employees tend to focus on the cubicle’s potential. The office cubicle, when utilized effectively, minimizes distraction, and maintains space for privacy and personal expression. The modern cubicle encourages an interactive, yet focused working environment.