The Pros and Cons of Flexible Workspaces

The modern office space is a living, ever-evolving space, and it should be designed to promote success in every area of your business. Redesigning with new layouts and organizational ideas can work wonders for your team’s overall productivity. Flexible workspaces—unassigned work areas spread throughout an office—are just one example of a layout that works well for many businesses. There is no “one-size-fits-all” with office interiors, so we’ve rounded up the pros and cons of flexible workspaces.

Flexible Workspaces Pros

Flexible workspaces are one of the best options when it comes to giving your team autonomy and freedom within their workday. Many individuals don’t like to feel confined to a particular area or seat, and creating flexible working areas allows them to take a customized approach to selecting the setting that works best for them on a given day. Not only is this great for encouraging better discussion with peers, but the flexible nature of ottomans and mobile storage peds with cushioned tops also allows employees to create semi-private huddle spaces on the fly. This can help accommodate those who identify as neurodiverse, who may be more sensitive to environments of high stimulus, and who need quiet or lower stimulus areas to converse with peers.

Flexible Workspaces Cons

A setback to the flexible workspace layout is that they are often optimal in open floorplans, which may sometimes result in limited privacy. The good news is there are many options for flexible privacy options such as removable, portable screens and dividers. But if you have your heart set on creating an environment with mobility and flexibility in mind, work with a professional office space designer to help create privacy options within the open workspace. If these privacy options aren’t enough for certain employees, perhaps give your team the opportunity to request their own permanent desks.

Are Flexible Workspaces Right for Your Office?

Now that you’re familiar with some of the pros and cons of flexible workspaces, it’s time to determine whether they’ll make a good fit for your team. Overall, this office layout is incredibly effective for many different industries and teams because a flexible layout can accommodate various unique preferences and needs. Take note that each space within the floorplan offers separate, quiet areas for ultimate focus and productivity.

Flexible workspaces are a leading way to promote a more comfortable, relaxed and productive working environment. If you’re looking to incorporate a more open layout within your environment, let our team of talented designers help get your project started. We have a collection of furniture options, such as our Compel Dot Ottoman and our Compel Nifty Table, that can help you achieve the amount of flexibility you need. Our large inventory of in-stock items includes a wide variety of sizes and styles. We encourage you to schedule an appointment to visit our Chicagoland showroom or shop online to see what we have in stock.