Blog:

Are Office Environments with an Open Floor Plan Best for Business?

Office environments can have a major impact on the productivity of employees, their job satisfaction, and the general well-being of them at work. Therefore, it’s important for businesses to consider how their office environment will be laid out when they begin to think about finding the best space.

Many companies opt for an open floor plan with large, communal desks and spaces instead of cubicles or closed, individual offices. If you’re considering an open office, here are a few pros and cons to consider.

Pro's of an Open Floor Plan:

• An open floor plan encourages collaboration and improves communication between employees
• Open spaces can foster creativity and brainstorming
• It creates an environment where it is easy to bounce ideas off your team or discuss an issue
• There will be less feeling of isolation and more of a team mentality
• Fun, social areas with couch areas and large spaces can be wonderful for group activities

Cons of an Open Floor Plan:

• The temptation to socialize can be overwhelming and may cause lower productivity
• An open floor plan may make it difficult to focus for many team members who get distracted in this type of space
• A lack of privacy may be an issue for team members who work in positions such as Human Resources and may handle sensitive information

An open floor plan can be a great solution for an office environment that requires constant communication and teamwork. It may, however, not be an ideal situation for those team members who handle confidential information or need a quieter work environment to produce their best work. Hopefully this list of pro’s and con’s will help you and your team decide on the best office environment for your needs.

If your business needs an office environment with an open floor plan, all closed offices or some combination of the two, LB can customize your space and build it out to suit your needs. Call us today at 847-381-9080 to learn more about our Chicagoland office spaces.