Cubicle Furniture Ideas
When brainstorming cubicle furniture ideas, the first thing you need to realize is that there are no truly bad ideas when it comes to designing a workstation. Most people who have sat in a cubicle have disliked one or two things about the design that they personally wished were different. However, many of these people also assumed that cubicles have to be built a certain way and that the things they disliked about particular workstations were innate to cubicle construction and therefore not subject to change.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Far from being generic, cubicles offer a tremendous creative freedom. This is because any cubicle you look at consists of only two basic components–panels and a desk. The way you arrange these basic components, and the way you accessorize them, determines what type of work space you will have. Once you understand the basic principles of design, and once you learn a few basics about cubicle panels, you can create whatever type of work environment you like.
The first step in developing cubicle furniture ideas is to understand two basic terms: panel-mounted design and free-standing design. Panel mounted systems connect desks directly to panels, creating an integral enclosure. Free-standing systems mount panels around the desk area much like the walls of an office enclose traditional desks. Panel-mounted systems are obviously more stable and compact. Free-standing systems allow individuals to rearrange interiors, swap out desks and filing systems, and treat more like a personal office.
We recommend that you work with your space planner when deciding if you want panel-mounted or free-standing systems. While free-standing systems offer a great deal more decorative freedom, they also take up more floor space. If you want to create a collaborative environment that dynamically changes as the organization grows, it might be a good idea to consider using floor-to-ceiling panels to create private cubicle offices that can be periodically refurnished from time to time. Private office partitions can also be moved with you and reconfigured very quickly in a new location without the need for drywall construction.
If you opt for panel-mounted systems, there are just as many cubicle furniture ideas that you can come up with if you remember a few things about panels. To begin with, not all panels are covered in fabric. Many are made from laminate or wood veneer, allowing you a full range of design options ranging from contemporary to highly traditional. There are also panels made from a variety of glass types. Some are so translucent that they only allow diffused light to pass into the interior. Others are completely transparent and allow for complete visibility from the outside. Keep in mind that you do not need an all glass panel to lighten the interior. You can save a great deal of money by using glass inserts to create window like openings in workstation dividers without having to purchase an entire panel made from glass.
If you want a highly focused and private work space, you can also incorporate acoustical panels into your cubicle furniture ideas. There are a variety of materials we use in our factory to construct partitions that block out surrounding noise. Your space planner can advise you on which materials will best fit your office workflow needs and your budget.
Don’t assume that all cubicles are created equal. At Cubicle world, any cubicle furniture idea is something we can work with, produce, and install at a price you can afford. Call us today, and let’s talk possibilities.