Cubicle Styles and Panel System Designs

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Wondering how to buy office cubicles? Whether you’re outfitting a large business or adding a few panels, this task can be daunting. Panel systems are available in many styles and configurations, and most options aren’t easy to buy online. Fortunately, a little studying up front and help from an NBF design consultant can make the process painless.

Closed-Off Cubicles

Traditional cubicles are your best option if your employees need private space for quiet, focused work. High-walled cubicles provide privacy so employees stay on task. You can even find universal cubicle doors for workers who need quiet. With the vast majority of working Americans confessing at least 1 aspect of their physical workspace that makes them unhappy, providing a touch of privacy to employees is an effective way to boost morale.

Open Concept Desk System

If your employees are more of the creative, collaborative types, an open concept panel system may work better for their needs. Benching systems are commonly used in open concepts and may include low panel walls. These cubicles break down physical barriers between employees, allowing for more opportunities to share ideas.

Blend of Both

A little of this, a little of that. Most businesses have both introverts and extroverts, and that calls for cubicles of all shapes and sizes. If you want to create a workspace that works for every employee, opt for a mix of open and closed concept cubicles. Alternatively, you may add collaborative touchdown areas throughout your office to accommodate employee interaction away from their workstations.

Call Center Cubicles

If you’re outfitting a call center or workstations with a rotating schedule of employees, consider call center cubicles. These units are generally positioned in a straight row with minimal desk surface space since call center employees do not typically require much room.

Read our complete guide to cubicles here and check out our tips on cubicle etiquette!

Private Offices & Workstations

How to Use the Art of Feng Shui to Create a Comfortable & Productive Cubicle

Do you feel good when you sit in your office? Is your office a place of productivity, focus, and success? Or is your office uncomfortable, cluttered, and a source of stress?

Organizing your office with some simple principles from the ancient practice of feng shui might help set you on the right path to success.

Feng shui (fung-shway) literally translates to “wind-water” in English. An ancient Chinese practice, feng shui is the act of placement, arrangement, and organization to help harmonize positive energy and deflect negative energy. By using some simple tips and practices from feng shui when creating your workspace, you’ll create a place where you’ll love to work.

Many people in today’s workforce spend much of their day in small cubicles. It’s a challenge to keep these tight spaces clutter-free and organized. With some alternative feng shui techniques, you can still achieve a positive work environment. Here are some quick fixes to get the positive energy flowing in your small office.

Face the Door With a Mirror

A large belief in feng shui is to always face the direction of the door or entrance. This can be very hard to do in a cubicle office. If you have to sit with your back to the entrance, place a mirror so you can see the door. This will deflect negative energy and make you feel more secure.

Don’t sit in line with a door or entrance. Not only is this position distracting, but it invites negative energy from outside your cubicle.

Create Power and Personal Space

Work placement should be at the farthest corner opposite the entrance or door. This position is the best for power.

Add a chair mat or area rug to your immediate workspace. This addition defines an area of personal space and helps create a sense of security.

Keep Your Entryway Clutter-Free

Never have items or clutter block an entrance. The first step into your office is the first impression that the outside world has of you.

Place storage on the same wall as the entrance. Keeping filled bookcases and filing drawers out of a visitor’s line of sight makes your office seem more open and less cluttered.

Add Green Energy

Add plants to your office space. Green plants bring the energy of new beginnings and wealth.

Stay on Top of Clutter

Keep overall clutter to a minimum. Organize papers and file items away from sight. A clutter-free space gives you a clutter-free mind.

5 Things to Consider When Outfitting Your Office with Cubicles

Looking for office cubicles? Whether you need a few workstations or to furnish an entire building, calculating what type of panel systems will fit into the area can be tricky. Fortunately, National Business Furniture offers complimentary space planning services to make your work easy. Before calling your NBF account executive, gather the following information.

1. Install Space

Although selecting workstations that fit into your office may seem easy enough, you should consider several factors when determining which panel or benching system to order, including add-ons and footprint creep. Before you call for design services, measure the entire space you intend to outfit with new workstations. Write the measurements down and obtain CAD files if possible. Providing CAD files or room measurements will allow your NBF professional space planner to accurately determine which workstations are needed and how they should be configured in your office, taking into account factors that you may not have considered.

2. Team Size and Usage

Whether you're outfitting a space for a few employees in a small office or dozens in a large open area, selecting the best desking system requires considering the everyday needs of your people. Do your employees thrive on team-based collaboration, or do they need peace and privacy to get the job done? Does your team require a lot of filing and storage space, or will simple work surfaces do just fine? Be prepared to share your team size and usage expectations on your call so that your NBF account executive can accurately determine the most efficient use of your office space.

3. Style and Colors

Whether you want to evoke a certain emotion in the workplace or stay on-brand, NBF offers hundreds of color combinations in every style you could want. Consider your style and color combination needs ahead of time to ensure a seamless and timely panel selection process that won't slow down your timeline expectations.

4. Timeline Constraints

Speaking of timelines—sooner is usually better. Whether your timeline is flexible or you need your workstations ASAP, communicate it with your NBF account executive as early as possible. They can ensure your expectations are realistic and your project can be completed when needed.

5. Budgetary Needs

Everyone deserves a beautiful office, no matter the budget. Be sure to work out your budgetary constraints before you call so that your NBF account executive can determine what furniture will be possible for your business. We'll gladly work hard to stay within your means.

How to Buy Cubicles & Panel Systems

Cubicles are hard to buy. A desk is a desk, and a chair is a chair, but panel systems come in a vast range of sizes, styles, and configurations. How are you supposed to know how many panels you need to make a 6x6 cube? Why should you have to consider every possible accessory and wire management option available? That's what NBF account executives and design services are for, so don't sweat it—we've got you covered.

Before You Call

Before you call your NBF cubicle expert, gather the following information and write it down.

1. Determine Your Install Space. Your NBF account executive will need to know the exact overall measurements of the space you're looking to outfit. This will allow us to correctly determine how many cubes of what size you can comfortably fit within the area.

2. Consider Your Team Size and Usage. Not only will your account executive need to know how much space you have to work with, but he or she will also need to account for how many employees will be using the space. For example, if you need to fit 6 employees in a given space, they may each be able to have large workstations; however, if you need to fit 10 people in that same amount of space, the size of each workstation may be smaller. Usage will also help your account executive determine how open or closed concept the cubes should be.

3. Select Your Styles and Colors. A good first impression is everything, and we want to help you make one! Get a good idea of what you want your new workstations to look like before you call so that your account executive can best support your wants and needs.

4. Set a Timeline. Short or long, your timeline is valuable. Determine exactly when you want your new cubicle installation to be completed so your account executive can adequately time when the order must be placed for it to meet your needs.

5. Work Out Your Budget. Your account executive won't be able to begin the process of finding the perfect workstations until he or she knows your budget constraints. Talk with your team ahead of time and determine the amount you have to work with so that you're prepared to discuss affordable options with your designer.

Let Us Handle the Work

Now that you have all the information you need upfront, you're ready to call National Business Furniture for a quote and complimentary space plan. To get started, call us at (866) 422-5873, and we'll pair you up with an account executive in your area or with one of our in-house project managers. Our team of account executives is scattered across the country to provide in-person assistance to customers in nearly every state. With years of experience in space planning and industry expert knowledge of the best commercial furniture options, an NBF account executive is the best possible tool for outfitting your workspace with the furniture you want at the price and in the timeline you need. Check out our space planning page to learn more about our free design services.

Sit Back and Enjoy

The size and customization of your order will determine how long it takes for your new cubicles to be shipped, delivered, and installed. Fortunately for you, we'll take care of it all. Once you have a dedicated NBF account executive handling your project, we'll be in constant communication with the status of your order.

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