Technology is rapidly evolving, and employers are realizing that
the traditional workspace needs a little facelift to keep up with the
times. Having pre-assigned work desks, chairs, offices, and cubicles are
no longer required to foster collaboration, efficiency and employee
satisfaction. That’s where collaborative workspace furniture comes in.Many
companies have already adopted a less rigid work environment where
employees are allowed to work away from their desks, and whenever
necessary, even from home. Read on to learn about ways you can modify
your office design to boost overall performance and embrace
technological advancements with more flexible and collaborative
workspace furniture.
Top Collaborative Workspace Furniture Options
Acoustic pods
More and more offices are moving away from cubicles and embracing
the open office plan. CEOs are giving up their private offices, managers
are among their employees – everyone works in the same space, together.
But having an open office means there is more noise than usual, and
more distractions.A great workaround to deal with office noise is
the acoustic pod. It provides privacy, doesn’t take up much space, and
is made of high-level insulation to eliminate outside noise. The
acoustic pod is built within an existing room and can be easily accessed
for quick meetings or for uninterrupted focus sessions. Whether that
specific room needs a tiny acoustic pod for 2-4 people or a bigger one
that accommodates 10 or more people, these pods are easy to set up and
are customizable to your company’s needs.
Lounge areas
Lounge areas are great for when an employee is looking for a few
hours in an informal work environment. Sitting on a comfortable sofa
with a laptop for an hour or two might allow your employees to be more
productive due to the change of scenery.If you choose to
incorporate a lounge area in your office, you need to make sure there
are plenty of outlets available since your employees will be carrying
their laptops with them. You should also consider having a few tables on
wheels that can be moved around and used as needed.
Collaborative work desks
Working together is a huge contributor to a company’s success,
which is why collaborative workspace furniture is an absolute must in
any office. Large work desks are generally plain without the features
necessary to make working together a breeze.If you’re upgrading
your office furniture, you should invest in collaborative workspace
furniture such as large worktables equipped with power outlets, task
lighting, adjustable height, and data sockets. There are even some
worktables that are split in two to allow for different heights to
accommodate employees with varying sizes.
Upholstered booths
Different employees have different styles of working: some might
thrive in an open work environment, some in private pods, and some in
café-style booths. If you give your employees different workstation
options, they can alternate and choose ones that work best for them.Upholstered
booths don’t only have to be for individual use, however. They’re good
for team projects and even for casual meetings. Just like any other
workstation, they require electrical outlets, USB ports and large or
small work surfaces.
Freestanding media unit
A freestanding media unit can be placed pretty much anywhere in
your office. It’s ideal for small-sized meetings and presentations, and
it allows everyone involved to easily hear and see what is being
presented.This type of unit is generally equipped with an outlet
and data port and is made to accommodate small or medium sized screens.
If you want to give your employees a space to meet quickly and have
short presentations, the vertical freestanding media unit is the way to
go.