For the fit-out of your open-plan office, choosing the most suitable furniture for your teams is essential. This way of collaborating brings two major dilemmas: fostering a welcoming atmosphere while preserving privacy, then encouraging exchanges while keeping noise in check. The lighting, equipment and decoration of such a space should not be overlooked either. Here are our tips to successfully fit out your open-plan office.
Choosing the furniture for an open-plan office
The open-plan office is still a workspace like any other, and the office furniture should be chosen methodically. The ideal is to find a proper balance between comfort and ergonomics. We often recommend the sit-stand desk, which helps counter sedentary behaviour by letting users change posture throughout the day thanks to its different height settings.
You’ll also need to consider every accessory that comes with the desk. Connection cables or power sockets, for example. The desk must be perfectly functional and offer all the features your teams need.
Design should also be factored in to create pleasant spaces, because the welcoming feel of an open-plan office also helps boost creativity! The design of the desks also expresses the company’s identity and strengthens the sense of belonging among the teams. Finally, to improve well-being throughout the day, office chairs and armchairs play an important role. The seat must be optimal, the height must be adjustable and armrests are often necessary. This helps prevent back pain and the feeling of tiredness caused by discomfort.
Designing an open-plan layout that suits everyone
Each employee benefits from the storage they need: a simple pedestal with drawers for those with few supplies to store, or a low or tall unit with shelves, recesses and drawers, better suited to binders, folders, trays and other essential office items.
By combining several suitable storage options and installing desk screens, the creation of an open-plan office delivers greater well-being for employees. It significantly contributes to output, focus and motivation. Lastly, beautiful large artificial plants placed in strategic spots of the office help decorate it. This natural touch delivers a visual effect that is often much appreciated. Plants can also help separate the work and relaxation zones.
Providing privacy and reducing noise in the open-plan office
To properly fit out an open-plan office, you need to offer your employees privacy, especially to help them focus. The One Twenty modular partition is suited to creating an isolated, comfortable and soundproofed workstation or even a rest nook thanks to its poufs. Acoustic panels and thick, comfortable floor coverings also help effectively reduce the noise level (softening voices and footsteps, etc.).
Desk screens are often used in open-plan offices. Their texture absorbs sound waves to significantly reduce noise. Their opaque composition also strengthens employee privacy.
Another innovation has recently joined open-plan offices: phone booths, also known as acoustic pods. A true bubble of privacy, they are the perfect equipment for taking a call or having a video meeting. This allows for fully confidential exchanges and, above all, avoids disturbing other colleagues to keep the open-plan office quiet.
Improving visual comfort for your employees
Each employee should have an ideally adjustable lamp on their desk to avoid eye strain. Successfully fitting out an open-plan office also involves installing LED panel lights on the ceiling, in addition to individual lamps. This truly brings well-being to all employees.
In short, you can successfully fit out your open-plan office by offering each employee comfortable and practical furniture, privacy and good lighting. Keep in mind, however, that the most important element in an open-plan office is finding effective ways to reduce the inevitable noise in a large open workspace.
