Many offices these days don’t want to be locked into a single office design. Because needs are constantly shifting, the cubicle office is becoming much more common when used office furntiture will not do. Cubicles greatly decrease the cost to the business owner and allow changes to be made quickly and easily to the cubicle furniture layout. Many products are available and it should be easy to find something that will meet your needs.
Office cubicles were first conceptualized in the 1960’s and have since become the most common design for the modern office. Not many changes have been introduced with cubes, yet year after year more new cubicles are put into the market. Whether you are searching for used cubicles or new ones, it’s always good to research before you purchase.
The main feature of the cubicle design is the movable walls or separators. These walls are made of different materials according to the needs of the office and the budget. The main wall is made of wood, aluminum or steel and covered to achieve the final look. Some walls are fabric covered, while others feature a finish of steel or cork board.
Wall styles are available in different thicknesses and designs. Wall thickness varies from two to four inches, with each having pros and cons. Thicker walls give more room for running electrical wiring and look more permanent. However, they are heavier and harder to move. Because of that, most offices choose a thinner material for the standard cubicle furniture layout. Executive spaces and conference areas which are probably more permanent can be designed with thicker options.
Walls can also be purchased that will adjust in height. Some spaces may only need minimal privacy and a shorter wall is preferable. If the needs of the occupant change, it’s easy to add another panel to increase the height. A call center, for example may need a shorter walled cubicle, whereas a web development company may prefer higher walls for more of an office feel.
Once a wall style has been chosen, the interior is selected. Again, the options are completely interchangeable and flexible. Because cubicle furniture is not stagnant, each space can be customized to the occupant’s needs. Desks and shelving are mounted directly to the cubicle wall using a bracket system. Adjustments take minutes and each employee can have the exact work environment that best suits their own working style. Employees who feel comfortable in their space are more productive as well.
In dealing with the new work place rules regarding disabilities, cubicles are uniquely designed to address these issues easily. Businesses are required to make sure that their office is accessible to those employees who may have a disability. In the past, accommodating this need might have been quite an expense as special furniture had to be ordered to meet the specifications of each employee. Luckily, with cubicle furniture, there is no added cost. Each piece can be easily lowered, for example, to accommodate a person who uses a wheelchair. The same pieces are adjusted for every worker, regardless of their disability, so no special orders are needed.
Cubicles have been used for office flexibility for decades and the uniquely flexible design should continue to offer reduced costs for companies for years to come. Cubicle furniture is not only comfortable and portable, but much cheaper to install and maintain. Employees have the ability to design their work space around their own unique needs, keeping the workplace relaxed and productive.