Open vs. Private Office Space: Which One Is Better?

When considering which plan will best suit your company’s workspace requirements at a coworking space, whether you should get an open office space or a private office, the decision is made by considering several factors. These include price, nature of business, workspace specificities, and functionality. 

Workspaces are more than just offices and choosing the right one is paramount to enhancing worker efficiency and productivity. The right workspace is a reflection of the company’s culture and values. Its design and infrastructure are trademarks of a company’s overall identity. These places should be ergonomic, efficient, and productive and inspire creativity and innovation in workers’ daily routines. 

A Brief Introduction To a Space

Open office spaces are expansive open-layout spaces that have no segregations or cubicles that separate one worker from the other. Such spaces have big flex desks that accommodate more than one employee and allow people to sit, communicate and innovate together. Companies like Google and Facebook were the first to adopt this style of an office plan under the guise that will allow people to interact and brainstorm to achieve common goals for the good of the company. 

Despite their easy, collaborative set-up they do have some pros and some cons as well. In this piece, we will take an objective look at open and private offices so that you are well-informed to make the best decision for your workspace.

Advantages of Open Office Spaces

The top three benefits of working out of open-plan office space are discussed below,

• Collaborative 

The most popular benefit of working from an open office space is that it allows workers from different departments to sit together and exchange ideas in a productive and harmonious environment. The accessibility that an open-plan office space offers its workers allows them to collaborate and work with a better understanding of cross-functional business processes at a company.

• Growth Oriented

These spaces are highly business growth-centric as they allow founders to scale up or scale down easily without having to worry about rental agreements. This type of office also offers a great deal of flexibility and therefore, they can be arranged to best fit a company’s workforce’s needs.

• Cost-Effective

Open-plan offices can be set up at a very affordable price as they don’t require expensive pieces of furniture in a large amount. The per-head is cost effective when businesses are set up within open offices.

Suggested Read: Top 5 Reasons Renting A CoWorking Space is Ideal For Business Growth

Disadvantages of Open Office Spaces

Due to the spacious layout and the free-flowing work space situation, these spaces do come with a certain degree of problems that are common to their open-layout facility. 

• No Privacy

Open offices come with limited privacy and exclusivity as they offer a common place of work to all their workers and expect everybody to get along. The lack of privacy is a huge problem in companies as people who need to hold meetings and store confidential files need a separate space for all this. 

• Constant Distractions 

In an open office space workers have to work in an environment that is prone to constant interruptions and distractions. Some people can’t work well under the constantly prying eyes of their coworkers and managers. They find comfort in the secluded confines of a cubicle and therefore, open office spaces are not an ideal choice for everyone and every type of company.  

• Shared Resources

In an open office space, one big desk space is shared by multiple employees. Common charging points and light fixtures can become a point of constant tussle between workers if they don’t see eye-to-eye on every logistical aspect of open office space. 

Disadvantages like the above-mentioned ones can be counter-productive in achieving high worker efficiency and reducing friction between employees of one company.

Private Office Space

Private office spaces are a modern form of the most common type of workspace solution. These spaces offer every employee a separate exclusive space to work from or they group together one department and all their employees in one space. This type of setup maintains a well-segregated and fully functional office space which gives workers the right amount of autonomy in their workspace situation that keeps up their productivity. 

Advantages of a Private Office Space

Private office spaces offer workers plenty of privacy and a distraction-free environment to complete their day’s tasks without being limited to no hassles. 

• Privacy

The amount of privacy private office spaces offer encourages employees to work at their own pace. Without constantly being spied on or competed with. The exclusivity of private offices separates a company from the prying eyes of its competitors. Within a co-working space and ensures that ideas and opinions are shared in a safe and secure environment. 

• No Distractions 

By renting out a private office space within a coworking space, businesses get the authority to limit the number of interruptions and distractions their employees experience throughout the day. 

• Productive

The previous two advantages build up to this third one. The fact that private office spaces offer privacy and are limited to no distractions. Is the reason why such workspaces boost the productivity of their workers. When employees know that they are not being monitored. And no one will interrupt their schedules with impromptu discussions. That turn into gossip sessions or loud noises then they are likely to perform better.

Also Read: Why Private Office Space Providing A Secure Working Environment

Disadvantages of Private Office Spaces

The disadvantages of working from a private office space are limited however they are the opposites of all the benefits of open office space. 

• Non-Collaborative Work Environment

Private offices don’t foster an environment that is conducive to collaboration. As these places emphasize segregation and keep employees working in only their respective departments. There is seldom any new idea that sprouts from the minds of the employees. As they don’t interact with each other enough to have an input in the overall business processes of the company. 

• Heightened Feeling of Isolation

A private office keeps workers separate and isolated behind enclosed cubicles. This type of work culture is not appropriate. or a lot of people as it makes them feel alienated and isolated. This reduces worker motivation, productivity, and satisfaction. 

• Redundant Office Routine

Private office spaces offer nothing new for their employees. As every day in such spaces is similar to the one before. So these spaces are known for their redundant routines. Other than this, the overall costs of maintaining a private office are also much higher than an open office space. 

In Conclusion

Now that you have enough information on both types of office spaces. You are well-equipped to make just the right decision for your organization. If you are a startup in its initial stages with limited resources. Maybe you should go with an open office space which will an economical option. And promote collaboration and innovation between employees for the business’s growth. However, if you own a bigger corporation or an MNC and want the utmost privacy. And an expansive space all to your company. Then the best option for you might be a private office space solution.

TecHub Pakistan is a modern co-working space which provides people the option of both private offices and open office spaces. Their setup is ergonomic and efficient and people who are on the lookout. For the perfect space to conduct their business should consider TecHub.