Divide and Conquer: How to Break Up a Large Open Office

If you’ve recently moved into a new office building, you’re likely to have a lot of large, open spaces that you’ll now need to somehow divide into areas that will create a good flow and accommodate specific uses. So how do you do it without building new walls? The right furniture can help.

Workstations

Partitions are excellent tools for creating a sense of privacy for employees who need it. Many sizes and styles are available, and many options, including those with a whiteboard surface, are mobile for easy transport. Panel systems are cost-effective, and their temporary-use design makes it easy for you to switch up the office layout whenever the need arises.

Breakrooms

Not everyone wants to chat with co-workers over their lunch break, and providing a peaceful reprieve can be essential for helping employees recover from a busy morning. Try adding private alcoves in your lunchroom so that employees may choose to get a little time to themselves if they choose. Many offices provide a separate quiet room or library for employees who want some peace and quiet.

Meeting Spaces

Don’t have enough designated formal conference rooms? No problem. You can create the illusion of a room without any visual barriers at all. Simply add a standing-height table or a collection of soft seating to a common area near your employee workstations, and you’ve got yourself a great impromptu meeting space. This is a great solution for teams with many ideas that need to be shared on the fly. Thoughtfully placed seating can also help break up a waiting room, as it clearly directs guests where to go as soon as they enter the room.

Waiting Rooms

Speaking of waiting rooms, seating isn’t the only thing that can help divide a reception area. Certain pieces of décor can help to create a visual separation of space. In particular, a well-placed area rug can help define one area from another, creating a good balance while directing guests where to go.

Design & Innovation

Employee Wellness

How to Divide a Room without Building Walls

Looking for a stylish and cost-effective way to divide your large workspace? The time of the closed-off executive office is ending; open-office floor plans have become more popular. Unfortunately, not everyone thrives in an open-plan work environment. So how do you divvy up floor space without building permanent walls? Here are a few simple and cost-effective solutions.

Modern Partitions

Partitions and room dividers are ideal for breaking up an open concept space. There are many options, including modern stand-alone room dividers. Don’t see the color or design you want on our website? No problem. You can place a custom order in the color, shape, and size you need. These stylish partitions are ideal for offices of any size, and they’re great for directing the flow of a room and creating a sense of organization. Read our complete guide to partitions, cubicles, and dividers to learn more.

Bookcase Dividers

Did you know that there are double-sided bookcases that can be used as room dividers? The biggest benefit to this type of room divider is that it has built-in storage units on both sides that can work to your employees’ advantage.

Place these bookshelves between workstations to give employees a little privacy while providing both parties access to the storage within the shelves. Although these units offer excellent utility in their design, they are best suited for larger offices when used as dividers since they are so wide and require extra floor space. These shelving units are also ideal for use in reception areas, as they’re great for displaying company awards and décor to guests.

Mobile Whiteboards

Mobile whiteboards offer superior practicality and versatility as a room separator. They can be used to separate a space and then reused at a workstation or in a conference room for taking notes. Because this type of divider is on wheels, it isn’t confined to a single purpose. Employees can use it to get a little privacy at their desk and then roll it into the boardroom during their next presentation. These multifunctional, cost-effective boards come in a wide range of sizes, just like traditional partitions.

Consider whether you need to muffle sound in your office space. Although mobile whiteboards provide great flexibility in some ways, they do not block out any sound, which may be a concern.

Workstation Privacy Screens

Looking to add more privacy to the existing cubicles in your office? We offer a selection of small screens that attach to the desks in your office. These cost-effective solutions allow your employees to get their work done in private without breaking your budget. Why buy an entirely new set of desks when you can simply add to your existing furniture?

Thinking of adding one of these divider options to your open workspace? Whether dividing multiple workstations or separating an office and a meeting space, thoroughly measure your entire workspace to determine what size partitions or bookcases you need to adequately divvy up the area. If you’re unsure what size dividers go with what size rooms and desks, call us—we offer free design services for just such reasons! Whatever your needs, our consultants can work with you to design exactly what you want for your space.

Office Eating: Productivity Through Nutrition

What we put in our bodies greatly affects how we function in our day-to-day lives—work life included. While some people eat well to stay fit or maintain their target weight, a healthy diet can produce other benefits as well. Eating well at work provides more energy, enabling employees to be more productive during the hours spent in meetings or at their desks. So what types of food should you eat at work to keep your brain sharp and your energy up? Here's what we recommend.

Breakfast

Put that doughnut down! Sugary foods with high fat content may look delicious, but they won't do much to elevate your job performance. Rather, these foods tend to tire you out, causing sleepiness and boredom that inhibits your ability to do timely and focused work. To combat this, make smart breakfast choices such as a banana or a cup of yogurt with granola and berries. And, yes, that cup of coffee is OK, too!

Lunch

Did you know that 30% of your risk for developing cancer stems from a poor diet? Compare that number to the 31% risk attributed to smoking and 15% attributed to hereditary causes. In fact, more than 70 diseases are associated with abnormal angiogenesis, the process by which new blood cells develop. Colorful plants—including certain fruits and vegetables—balance the angiogenesis process, reducing the risk of cancers and other diseases. So what can you eat for lunch at work to reduce your risks? Fostering intentional eating patterns now will prevent disease later, so be sure to incorporate lots of colorful fruits and veggies into your lunch via salads, sides, and snacks.

Snacks

Speaking of snacks, you can stay fueled throughout your shift by snacking on the right foods. Choices like almonds, low-fat popcorn, fruits, dry cereal, pretzels, string cheese, and veggies with hummus are all excellent sources of protein and healthy fats. These foods will provide a boost of energy to keep you going without slogging you down with sugars and unwanted fats.

Water

Drink as much water as you can! A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day, meaning a person who weighs 150 pounds should drink at least 75 ounces of water per day. Drinking plenty of water will keep you hydrated and energized, allowing for better productivity throughout each day.

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