An open office features employees working in spaces that aren’t separated by walls or cubicles. Individual employees may get assigned desks, but everyone is otherwise free to roam the workspace. According to Statista, the global office furniture market is expected to be worth around $85 billion in 2026. Should you visit office furniture stores to purchase pieces that allow you to establish an open office layout? Make your decision after learning about the pros and cons below.

The Pros

Let’s start by highlighting the advantages of open office layouts. Many businesses utilize them because of their positive effects on employee communication. It’s easier to get your point across when you can talk to a fellow employee face-to-face instead of over email or a company group chat. Speaking directly to your co-workers also ensures your tone is conveyed clearly, preventing potentially troublesome miscommunications.

Employee collaboration also gets a boost from establishing an open office plan. With everyone working in the same space, opportunities to collaborate become more obvious. Instead of one department trying to resolve a problem by itself, it can reach out to other workers for help. Challenges can be conquered faster when everyone’s working in the same space.

You should also consider an open office plan because it’s easily customizable. You can always move office furniture around if you believe the workspace needs a refresh!

The Cons

Before you visit office furniture stores in search of items needed to establish an open office layout, you should recognize the possible drawbacks of that plan. The biggest drawback of an open layout is the noise level. Your employees will have to adjust to the louder noises in their shared workspace, which may take some time.

Some employees may also lament the lack of privacy in that setting. They may feel more comfortable knowing no one can easily distract their work. Addressing concerns may be difficult if there aren't private areas to speak, too.

Deciding if an open layout makes sense for your office can be challenging. You can make that decision easier by weighing the pros and cons detailed here. No matter what your decision is, we can provide the furniture you need. Contact our team at Commerce Office Furniture today to learn more!