Whether you’re setting up a new office, remodeling your old space, or moving to a new location, you’re going to need some office furniture. There are a plethora of choices available to you, there’s no doubt about that. There are high-end, mid-range, budget, used and refurbished options in most areas. One type that you may […]

When you begin your business, moving into your first bricks and mortar space is a huge step.  Sometimes in order to achieve that step, you must make sacrifices, such as much less overall square footage in office space in order to keep down the monthly overhead. Running a business out of a smaller than expected […]

Cubicles or offices with doors? This debate has been going on since cubicles were introduced in the 1960s. Cubicles were originally designed to be moveable and flexible, with everyone sharing windows and sunlight. But what happened was that they became standardized and bolted into place. “Cube Farm” became a negative term. Then came the “open […]

How small is too small? Businesses used to assume that each worker needed 500 to 700 square feet of work space to be productive – but those days are long gone. Today, office managers assume that they need less than 200 feet per worker – and many make employees get by on much less than […]

Is it worth cost cutting when it comes to cubicles? There are many differences between cubicle manufacturers, and of course, you get what you pay for. As with any other type of office furniture, there’s a tremendous difference between an affordable cubicle and a cheap cubicle. By looking for affordable cubicles instead of just “cheap”, […]

Does your office feature a graveyard section? More and more offices, hit with the recession, have become home to empty stretches of commercial square footage – barren corridors abandoned as employees clump together in different parts of the floor. There’s a silver lining to the phenomenon of the cubicle graveyard,however; as need to maximize floor […]

When going from a open office layout or blended layout to a new cubicle style office, there are certain things that will have to change in regard to office etiquette. The feel of an office that is filled with cubicles is much different than one that holds traditional offices or is an open plan, and […]

It’s interesting to note the ways that architecture and office cubicles mimic each other. In April, dezeen.com published an article about the construction underway in the central business district in Shanghai near the Hong Qiao Airport. The new edifices are described as having “optimized forms”. This means the designers have found the sweet spot between […]

It’s been a few weeks since the first post in this series, so it’s high time we returned to our tour of the best Systems Furniture at NeoCon 2013. We’ve put together a collection of very modern concepts for your enjoyment. This week’s theme is workstations that were designed around office task chairs. Hocus Pocus, […]

At NeoCon 2013, systems furniture is really showing off its curves. We’re spotting this trend all over the place from full sized workstations to small occasional work areas. In a world where office footprints are all squares and rectangles, this isn’t the best way to fit the most people into the smallest possible area. However, […]

Last week, we gave the office furniture companies that design cubicles a bit of a hard time about lacking true imagination. Well, we take it back – at least partly. We forgot about this little BusinessWeek slideshow from way back that showcases some pretty sweet concept cubicles that various manufacturers created to give the cube […]

People are always griping about how ugly the cubicle is. What a boring design! They stifle creativity! Who would want to work in one? Can you believe some poor sods have to go sit in one of those day after day? Well, we agree that cubicle design, while functional, does often lack imagination. There are […]

Last week we partly debunked the idea that the average square footage per office worker is shrinking quite as fast as employers wish or assume. But it is still true that cubicles are getting smaller. Pam Huff writes for bizjournals.com about just this trend from the perspective of a Tampa Bay office furniture dealer. Kevin […]

That’s the attitude Bob Bessette brings to work every day. He used to be a manager with a corner office and a door that shut. Now, he works in a cube as an “individual contributor”. Bob doesn’t believe it’s the size of your cubicle or whether the fabric panels are grey or beige that determines […]

Kyle McCarthy at Smart Living Network draws an interesting parallel between the ubiquitous office cubicle and childhood memories of being put in “timeout”. He says working within the confines of those four foot tall partitions makes him feel trapped in perpetual stasis. He points out that the cube can make employees feel claustrophobic while stifling […]

Did you see the article in Business Week last month about “The Artisinal Cubicle”? We thought there might actually be such a thing. A hand crafted, distinctive cubicle made from all natural materials and built to some exacting standard that no other cube on the market could match. We imagined that these workstations were only […]

As a manager or business owner, you have a vested interest in keeping employee morale high. But you also bear responsibility for keeping the office facilities and furniture in good condition. Allowing employees to eat at their desks can lead to a number of problems: Stained upholstery or cubicle panel fabrics from sticky spills and […]

The trend of executives moving out of offices and into cubicles is continuing apace in a world where every aspect of corporate culture is under scrutiny. Businesses that want to leave behind the traditional hierarchical approach to management (at least in appearance) are seeing what it’s like to live in a cube farm. The idea […]

Open plan office environments are all the rage right now. That’s supposed to be a good thing for space efficiency and collaboration. But doing away with cubicle panels can create an atmosphere where people feel that they have no privacy at all. Teknion has decided to remedy this situation with a screen that employees can […]

That sounds like the beginning of a riddle. But the answer is, “When it’s a Me Space”. That’s a fancy way of saying you get a cubicle that doesn’t share walls with any other cubes. Instead, each one is a free-standing mini-office. This British design from PearsonLloyd gives you the best of the cubicle world […]

Does it seem that the business environment is moving more and more toward wireless communication and away from standard cabling? The fact is that there’s still plenty of demand for panel systems that allow companies to incorporate traditional cabling and power distribution. But this doesn’t mean office owners are satisfied with just running wire through […]

If you ask the average employee whether they’d rather have an office or a cubicle, you can guess what the response will be. Offices are highly prized even among the most egalitarian of workers. Walls that go all the way up to the ceiling and a door that actually closes are seen as marks of […]

It’s always fun to spot a brand new word in office design. The term “cubicle-scaping” is a good example. I first saw the term this week on Twitter by a user named Jenna from Michigan. She’s trying to landscape and decorate her cubicle with plant life. It’s a noble endeavor and one that more people […]

It’s unlikely they get quite as creative as one data manager in NC. Bill Taylor spends a few minutes each day over a period of about 6 weeks replicating famous paintings on a whiteboard in his cubicle. It’s good to know he’s not working on these for too long at a stretch. Otherwise, he might […]

Arnold’s Office Furniture has put together another great roundup post. This time, the topic is products that can turn your cubicle into a fitness center. I blogged about the Sit-to-Walkstation treadmill desk back in 2010. It hasn’t become a fixture in very many offices – and the steep price tag is probably one big reason. […]

It’s not just TV that gets Nielsen ratings. Cubicles get their turn in the spotlight as well. The Contract brand report awareness survey for November 2011 looks at office furniture through the eyes of design and architectural firms. The top 5 winners in the furniture systems category reads like a “who’s who” of the biggest […]

We’re headed across the country again in this second post on the NeoCon East office furniture show. This time, let’s take a journey through Inscape System. This “Inscape” workstation and panel solution is designed to help employers “Escape” from wasted space and confusing office furniture specification. Like many popular cubicle brands, the goal of this […]

Last year, we looked at one programmer’s opinion about whether IT workers prefer offices or cubicles. But now there’s more extensive data available from a survey conducted by Computerworld. Author Cara Garretson reveals that not all tech employees have the same desires when it comes to their office setup, but there are some definite trends. […]

This week, let’s dig into the Allsteel research library archives again for a look at workstation ergonomics. Allsteel compares its Reach™ workstation with a traditional workstation in this white paper. The paper starts with a review of the basics. For example, workstations should have plenty of leg space and drawers that are easy to open […]

Some of the best quality cubicles have wide raceways to accommodate data cables and electric wiring. But will the advent of wireless systems make systems furniture a thing of the past? Allsteel cosponsored a tech report on how going wireless impacts facility design and furnishing decisions. They determined that cubicle raceways will remain useful for […]

Although Herman Miller’s Canvas collection evokes the idea of painting, it’s really about sculpting your office environment. This line of office furniture is designed with the idea that you should be able to use the same basic components to erect a huge variety of workstations. It’s like Lego for your office – but without all […]

“Cal-li-brate good times, come on!” Can you sing it with Kool & The Gang? That should be the AIS theme song for this cubicle line. These freestanding office furniture pieces might very well be the ticket to bring good times to your office space once again. In fact, AIS advertises Calibrate as being able to […]

NeoCon may be over for the year, but there are still so many great designs to explore! This week, let’s look at some novel furniture systems. These three companies each take a very different approach to defining workspaces: Inscape The Inscape system is designed to see your business through thick and thin. You can actually […]

NeoCon is in full swing for 2011, and there are some interesting entries in the commercial interiors product category for the Best of NeoCon award (BON). Well known names like HON, Allsteel, and Teknion are prominently featured entrants for their innovative cubicle designs. But today let’s take a look at some of the contenders from […]

The Stride collection from Allsteel provides a highly flexible off-modular panel system to create workspaces that can be reconfigured again and again. By adding, removing, and rearranging components, the overall layout can be adapted as needed – and individual workstations can be customized to meet employee preferences. For example, you can specify a “sit to […]

With a call center or other workplace where employees are constantly on the phone, there’s no getting around the fact that you need a panel based system. Nice, tall panel walls are also very important for workers who need a high level of concentration to do error-free work. However, there are other workplaces where a […]

The coolest artists and architects always seem to be the ones who can take everyday objects and materials and help you see them in a new light. Francesca Bonesio and Nicolas Guirad do just that with their 37.2 collection. Here’s a “production cube” or cube office that is made entirely of steel and plywood. The […]

Like most high-end cubicle and office chair manufacturers, HON offers several categories of fabric choices for customers. There’s a “core” set of textiles including 180 options for seating and 90 fabrics for systems furniture. Beyond this, there are 200 additional options provided with standard lead times (and HON’s limited lifetime warranty) in the “Select” line. […]

Our culture has reached the point where eco-friendly options no longer place an extra strain on the average business owner’s budget. The relevant technology and manufacturing processes/supply chains have become mature enough that sustainable office furniture is now within the reach of every employer. Maxon’s Parallel cubicles are an example of value priced panel systems […]

There’s a short video on cubiclefilms.com that features some functional and attractive cube accessories. Steelcase consultant Chondra Turner clearly explains and demonstrates the usefulness of each tool. There’s a fully articulated monitor arm that lets workers move their flat screen about at will without taking up worksurface space. The whiteboard hidden inside the cubicle wall […]

When you buy cubicles, this investment will last for years. Why not make sure you get exactly the look you want with custom fabric?

Can a call center cubicle be truly indestructible? Read up on the latest product from EQA and make your own decision.

If you are having trouble figuring out the best workplace layout, lease office furniture while you try different arrangements. Then, buy once you know what you need.

Cubicle sales were down significantly in 2009 along with the whole office furniture market. Things are looking up now, but cubicles may be losing ground in other ways.

Wholesale cubicles don’t all have to look alike. You can customize them at the macro level and the micro level. Here’s how.

Are you preparing to buy office cubicles? Here’s a tongue in cheek look at the top faux pas to avoid when dealing with an office furniture vendor.

Do you have a large suite of modular office furniture? San Diego based Cubicles Office Environments has technicians on staff who can handle maintenance and repairs.

Are you wondering what office furniture manufacturers are up to these days? Here’s a quick look at cubicle company news from some of the industry leaders.

Check out these green Italian cubicle workstations. They are fully recyclable and provide both collaborative and individual workspace configurations.

Your can make call center cubicles more comfortable if you know what features employees value most. Start with these two areas.

Cubicles, partitions, screens, panels, dividers – all of these have benefits in space planning. Check out Teknion’s Lyft solutions to see new ways to use partitions.

Are you looking for local office furniture stores? San Diego has plenty – but they don’t all offer the same goods and services.

A curved cubicle panel may be just the thing to keep your office area from looking like just another cube farm. Check out these options from various manufacturers.

Modular cubicles and walls don’t just save money compared to built in options. They also produce less waste and consume less energy over their life span.

Are you wondering what to look for in contemporary office furniture? San Diego office environments can benefit from a blend of high quality materials and sleek designs.

A new cubicle is like a new car – it doesn’t stay in pristine condition for long. Here are some tips for keeping workstations looking their best for as long as possible.

Haworth cubicles combine classic lines and plenty of variety/flexibility with the Premise collection. This panel system allows employers to build a multi-dimensional environment.

Are you struggling to afford even cheap office cubicles for your workforce? Here are some tongue in cheek, “out of the box” ideas to consider.

The best cubicles aren’t always the most expensive – but they do need to feel expansive. Here’s one cube worker’s perspective.

Have you seen the OfficePOD? It offers a way for employers to create an office cubicle system for a widely dispersed workforce that e-commutes from home.

Innovation doesn’t always equal complexity in the field of office furniture products. Check out this Italian designers whimsical yet practical ideas for the workplace.

Can an expandable panel take the place of a traditional workstation dividing wall? Cubicles delineated with an accordion style panel would be easy to reconfigure.

With office furniture sales in a tight economy at stake, cubicle manufacturers need to really understand the needs of their client base. Are they succeeding?

Do your office cubicle systems make it easy for employees to find what they need, when they need it? If not, your company could be wasting untold labor hours.

Modern cubicles may look even more futuristic a few years from now – it all depends on what high tech gadgets get incorporated into new designs.

Modern office cubicles have actually improved a lot compared to the boring boxes of 20 years ago. Find out what manufacturers are doing differently now.

Small cubicles are a source of many complaints from workers; but that might be because they haven’t thought about the advantages of tiny workstations.

Now, packing up your cubicle system can take less time than packing a suitcase. Find out about the innovative Japanese design for The Folding Office here.

Does employee morale increase when individuals are allowed to customize their workstations? Guest writer Susan Koole Huls from Herman Miller offers insights.

Your choices for glass cubicle dividers are more varied than ever with options available from every leading office furniture manufacturer. See an overview here.

Teknion cubicles aren’t always traditional, but they still manage to capture classic design features. Here’s an overview of the District collection.

Steel frames for cubicles are typically powder coated to make them abrasion and corrosion resistant. Find out more about that interesting process here.

Is your company just getting off the ground? Knoll cubicles with desk mounted screens like the highly mobile Upstart collection are one option to consider.

Here’s a new use for the technology developed since the advent of the computer. Cubicles can be monitored for usage throughout to day to improve space planning.

Is a cubicle wall blocking sunlight from reaching your workspace? Here’s one possible solution that doesn’t involve buying new furniture.

Executive cubicles can confer high status if you take care to set yours apart from the rest. Here are a couple of suggestions.

Office cubicle walls need to be kept from shifting or tipping over. How do you accomplish this? Find several strategies here.

Check out the cool cubicles and workspaces at the link in this blog to get ideas for ways to spice up your office environment.

Have you seen the Initiate line of HON cubicles? Here’s an overview of the features you can expect from these high-end workstations.

6×6 cubicles would have seemed unthinkably small at one time. Can they really be comfortable for workers? Find out here.

Are you planning a new office environment? Check out these popular cubicle configurations for some good ideas.

Are you interested in finding low VOC or VOC free cubicles? Check out Greenguard for companies/products that supply this type of furniture.

Do you know that it’s now easier than ever to buy a “green” office cubicle? San Diego’s government website has the scoop.

Consider branding your workspaces with customized cubicle panels. Herman Miller has a program that makes it easy.

Did you know that steel cubicle partitions once played a heroic role in saving an airline passenger from certain death?

Are you looking for cubicles but not yet prepared to buy? Leasing fully furnished office space is a potential option to explore.

While human cloning is still the stuff of science fiction, office furniture cloning has been taking place for quite some time. Cloning companies mimic an OEM office cubicle’s design to create knock-offs of the original product for business owners who want to save some cash. It’s kind of like buying a faux Coach bag – […]

Have you ever started work at a new company and found yourself the butt of a practical joke? The comments raged fast and furious over on Flickr when a user posted a photo of a tiny cubicle design created for an intern’s first day of work. This miniature workspace is wedged between a column and […]

A lot of office furniture manufacturers advertise their products as being simple to install. How do you know when this is really true? When they post the instructions online for everyone to see. Check out the Verse panel system setup information for Maxon cubicles to see what really easy installation looks like. There are literally […]

Did you know that a Google search for cubicle Feng Shui delivers over 69,000 results? There’s even a “for Dummies” article on the topic. That’s a testament to all the office employees who are looking for alternative ways to make their workspace more inspiring. So, if you want tips for ways to improve the flow […]

In January, the Marketplace worktable was recognized by iF for design excellence. This modular bench is a core element of collaborative Teknion systems furniture environments. Now, it takes its place among the prizewinning products featured at the Hannover Exhibition Center. Each item was selected for inclusion based on exacting criteria for function, ergonomics, safety, branding, […]

Do you have to cope with spending 40+ hours a week in cube farm? You’ll enjoy these helpful “survival” tips compiled by Darlene – a blogger from San Diego. Cubicles don’t have to create the cramped, uncomfortable work environment depicted in Dilbert cartoons if you and your coworkers make an effort to get along. A […]

Christmas came early for Planet Earth last year when one office furniture corporation made its most recent waste-to-landfill announcement on December 18th. Haworth cubicles are now “greener” than ever. The company’s U.S. locations went from producing 4.6 million pounds of landfill-bound waste to zero pounds in 2009. Global facilities in Shanghai, China and Pune, India […]

Modern cubicle manufacturers offer a lot of visual interest in their product designs. They incorporate colorful fabrics, glass panels, lovely wood veneers, and more. However, if your company has old fashion grey fabric panels, the view from inside your workstation may be pretty dreary. Changing your cubicle’s vista from dull to interesting may be up […]

Ethospace is a Herman Miller systems furniture option for businesses that care. You can express a lot about your organization’s core values with the furnishings you choose for the work environment. Partnering with HM says quite a few things about your company’s “ethos”. Eco-Responsibility This is where the Ethospace collection really shines. If you are […]

Buying all new cubicles isn’t the only improvement you can make to your office environment. This cunning group of coworkers has figured out how to upgrade an existing workspace to make it feel much cozier. Employee Stewart Douglas didn’t expect to come back from vacation and find himself the recipient of a “Total Cubicle Makeover”. […]

Business owners who are serious about purchasing some of the sturdiest office furniture on the market will be interested in investigating Maxon cubicles. Steel and aluminum are combined to create a panel system that can double as ceiling height walls in the Empower collection. These panels are 3” thick and can be stacked over 10’ […]

Are you planning the finish details for a set of AIS cubicles? Vista is one of the choices you might consider if you want neutral tones paired with an interesting texture. This surfacing option is part of the Birdseye collection by Guilford. It features pale, open weave fabric with darker threads woven through for contrast. […]

There is no question that Light in Motion (LIM) is an innovative, practical addition to the modern office space. Last year, this Haworth cubicle LED task light took home the silver at NeoCon. Now, the lighting system has been honored with the iF product design award for 2010. It has also been a finalist in […]

There’s one thing you can always count on when you buy an Allsteel cubicle – it will feature all metal, sturdily welded construction and come with a lifetime warranty. The Concensys collection, an entry level panel system, is no exception. Allsteel advertises this product for the budget and space conscious employer. This panel system has […]

The next time you are in the market for a Teknion cubicle cluster, check out the free space planning tool on the manufacturer’s website. This lets you see various configurations and sort cubicles by size or product. Besides diagrams, there are also plenty of photos with clearly labeled components. The drop-down sort fields allow you […]

Sometimes, modern plastic laminates and grey steel just don’t give your workspace the feel you are looking for. When this happens, you can turn to Knoll cubicles in the Reff line for a solution. They are bringing back the most basic of furniture materials – wood. These quality veneer products come in 18 different finishes […]

When most people talk about telemarketing cubicle art, they are referring to a print or poster you can put in your cube to make it more visually interesting. However, there is another kind of artwork that has to do with the modern, enclosed workstation. Simon Currell is a British artist who brings his creative talent […]

The Verse collection of Maxon cubicles is a grow-as-you go dream for the DIY office manager. These ultra simple panels can be integrated with the manufacturer’s modular Series 1000 & 2000 desks, but they are also intended for use with any system. Just slap together a few panels and use them to wrap your existing […]

AIS systems furniture options are noted for their simplicity, flexibility, and budget conscious style. This doesn’t keep the manufacturer from relying on high quality materials and sturdy construction methods. Many of the company’s components carry a lifetime warranty. Here’s an overview of a few of the top selections from AIS. AO2 This second generation Action […]

Not all Herman Miller cubicles are rectangular, and not all of them actually use panels either. The Resolve collection by Turkish designer Ayse Birsel is a perfect example of how workspaces can be reinvented in unlimited ways. This happens when assumptions are tossed out so novel ideas can flourish. What does a busy office environment […]

Knoll currently has an interesting white paper on call centers available in its “sector focus” library. According to the data in this paper, there are approximately 78,000 call centers in the U.S. Some 2 million employees work in these environments. The nature of the work (which could reasonably be described as uninspiring and stressful) often […]

The Align series of Allsteel cubicles offer you the opportunity to “align” the look of your workspaces with the rest of your office environment. That’s because this collection has the kind of aesthetic appeal you would be happy to display everywhere from your reception area to your executive offices. Align furnishings are available for each […]

Have you ever seen how we get things done here in San Diego? Cubicles may take hours to install for other people, but the guys in this video handle the entire job in just over 1 minute. OK – that’s using time lapse film techniques! Still, it’s pretty cool to see a whole office environment […]

Controlling noise levels in your telemarketing cubicles presents significant challenges. When employees are exposed to excessive noise, they can’t concentrate. If they are on the phone, they may have to struggle to hear the person on the other end of the line. Even worse, the customer may hear the buzz of multiple conversations in the […]

Most of the top office furniture manufacturers now offer high-end cubicle environments that take aesthetics to previously unseen levels. However, sometimes you just need a sturdy and reliable system that focuses on getting the job done. UniGroup Haworth cubicles deliver brand-name quality and value without a designer price tag. Less is More The UniGroup collection […]

OK, so this is more of a gross fact than a fun fact about cubicles. Del Mar office spaces are often plagued with uninvited guests called dust mites. These tiny arthropods feed on flakes of skin that humans shed on a daily basis. Dust mites tend to accumulate in bedding because that’s where people spend […]

Do you cherish creativity in your employees just as much as you value productivity? Herman Miller systems furniture allows you to craft a workplace atmosphere that inspires both with their My Studio Environments collection. A studio is more than just an office – it’s where new ideas are born and innovative imagination is allowed free […]

Teknion systems furniture is now showcased in two eco-friendly buildings in California. The company’s newest construction project in Santa Monica joins the existing San Francisco location in taking home the gold for being green. Both showrooms have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the gold level. That means the buildings meet […]

In 1964, Robert Probst invented the concept of the cubicle. San Marcos, CA was incorporated just one year prior to this turning point in office furniture history. Some 30 years later (in 1994), San Marcos became a chartered city. A review of the charter offers an intriguing glimpse into those topics the city council thought […]

When you are shopping for new office cubicles, you want a product that is cost effective and highly adaptable. Ideally, the brand you select will give you multiple configurations, easy assembly, integration with technology, and customization options for individual employees. AIS cubicles in the DiVi collection go a step further by allowing you to update […]

Call center cubicles are what you make of them. They can be dingy, grey cells that separate apathetic workers from each other. Or, they can provide the foundation for vibrant, personalized workspaces that promote creativity and collaboration. Of course, it is possible to go too far and create chaos instead of productivity. Good taste and […]

Are you gearing up for 2010 by revamping your office space? This is a great time to look into new cubicles and panel divider systems. Here’s a brief overview of popular collections from 3 top companies along with what makes them worth considering. Allsteel If you need flexibility in creating workspaces for different personalities and […]

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to pop open the windows at work? It sure would be nice to let a breath of fresh air waft through the office and along the rows of cubicles. Vista, California is actually not a bad place to try this. With daytime temps averaging between 68 […]

One of the most common complaints about cubicles is that they make users feel isolated. Some work environments such as call centers have high noise levels that make sound-muffling partitions a necessity. However, in locations where phones aren’t ringing constantly employees can enjoy a more open atmosphere. Steel Case cubicles with low glass partitions are […]