You may not believe it at first, but your employees are aware of how well your office reflects your company’s vision and ideals. That’s according to Miami-based architecture and interior design firm Alvarez-Diaz & Villalon, whose post earlier this year about using your office space to enhance your workplace and attract talent is, in our […]

Open office discussions have been going on for a long time. Not every business is Google or Facebook; just because you’re interested in an open office concept doesn’t mean you want a common area with picnic tables and bean bag chairs. In fact, there may be situations where you want to transition away from a […]

The breakroom is no longer an afterthought. As companies have moved toward a more employee-focused philosophy of operation, the breakroom has emerged as an opportunity for engagement and connection. It is no longer the domain of faded furniture, old coffee and yellowish fluorescent lights. Industry experts have encouraged companies to go all-out in the breakroom, […]

We’re one quarter into 2017 and, if you’ve been keeping an eye on office trends, you know what’s happening. If not, don’t worry; that’s a job we enjoy taking on. Now, we know that office furniture isn’t really seen as a “beautiful” thing, but there is a certain amount of elegance to the way that […]

Imagine yourself on a job interview and you’re getting a tour of your prospective company’s facilities. The cubicles aren’t so inspiring, but they’ll do. The reception area was Spartan, yet refined. HR’s offices were, well, HRish. But then you round and a corner and the person giving you the tour of the premises says, “Aaaaand […]

Think of your office as a work of art. It’s difficult, we know; work is often so stressful that art is probably the last thing on your mind. But there are also amazing days when you feel at home as you implement new ideas and gain credibility with your coworkers and bosses. While art and […]

Deciding on the type of furniture that best suits your office space in terms of size and shape is only part of the equation. It must also provide your employees with a productive and comfortable place to work. In the past, that meant a private office with a solitary desk, chair and extra storage furniture. […]

In today’s modern world, careers of every kind are making offices their home base. An office is where you will spend the majority of your working hours, making it an area which should be personal, functional, and efficient. Whether your office is an entire room or a small cubical, having it operate at its full […]

Creating a space where your staff and visitors can feel comfortable, confident and engaged is one of the most important things a business needs to consider. It’s great having plenty of room but if you are not using it effectively and maximizing potential you could be losing out on a number of levels. Are your […]

An ongoing debate continues between the use of cubicles versus the open work space in an office environment. While the open office plan has become all the rage among many businesses, it may not foster the best work environment. It seems that 70 percent of U.S. offices have no or low partitions. These open floor plans are causing more […]

Deciding on the type of furniture that best suits your office space in terms of size and shape is only part of the equation. It must also provide your employees with a productive and comfortable place to work. In the past, that meant a private office with a solitary desk, chair and extra storage furniture. […]

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 […]

When you are outfitting your new office, there are a lot of things to consider. What color scheme do you want? What sort of design plan do you want? Modular furniture, which is furniture that comes in parts that you can put together in different ways, give you the chance to change your mind easily about […]

A lot of people get very excited about doing up the interiors of their homes, yet leave their office space untouched. However, if you come to think about it, people actually spend more time at work than they do at home.  Let’s say you work a 9-5 job, that’s already 8 hours in an office. […]

From selling wholesale supplies to working in retail, your office is an important part of your business’s productivity and success. Today, the use of Feng Shui has become a popular option in design and decor. While this ancient Chinese practice creates a stylish design, it also helps balance energy to enhance creativity and productivity. If […]

If your company is ripe for a workplace redesign, it’s a perfect time to get some expert advice. Rearranging the office causes a certain amount of unavoidable disruption. You want to make sure the results are worth the hassle—and that employees will end up more satisfied than they were before. Create a Buffet of Choices […]

First cubicles reportedly died, but it appears that now office desks and even the workplace itself are in danger. A couple of recent articles that appeared on Haworth’s Trends Wall have rung yet another death knell for the modern office as we know it. While rumors of the death of the cubicle are still proving […]

Is daylighting on your list of LEED improvements during your next office remodel? San Diego is definitely one area of the country where business owners can expect to see substantial energy savings by inviting more natural light into the workspace. According to Gregg D. Ander, FAIA, “daylighting helps create a visually stimulating and productive environment […]

This summer, the Industrial Designers Society of America announced that the Herman Miller Locale concept won the International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) in the Office & Productivity category. While more than two dozen awards were handed out, this one has high relevance for businesses that are interested in improving the bottom line. How Locale Came […]

The lines between technology and architecture are beginning to blur. “Smart” and interactive office walls are now being added to the wish list of forward-thinking businesses around the world. Vertical space has long been dedicated to artwork, wallpaper, and simple white boards. But it’s time to put this real estate to real use. Here are […]

For a solution called “Quiet Spaces”, the new architectural offering from Steelcase is certainly making a lot of noise in the office furniture industry. This manufacturer has created many notable designs for the “cubicle era” and continued its success with the transition to workstations for the open office after the walls started coming down. Now, […]

In its quest to reduce unused office space, the GSA recently put together quite an interesting workspace utilization report. The agency has since taken its own advice, reducing office space by 50% and getting rid of six leases totaling $24 million dollars. Below are highlights from a couple of the case studies covered in the […]

If your small business is looking for a coworking space to supplement your existing office footprint, it’s time to examine some pros and cons. Although this isn’t as serious a decision as leasing or building your own office, it will still have repercussions for your employees. Love and Hate for Coworking Spaces Across the web, […]

Mobile, remote working has become increasingly popular in the last two decades as more businesses realize that employees can be widely distributed and still accomplish a full day’s work. However, there are still few substitutes for a properly equipped office. Companies that want to fully engage their staff always ensure that ergonomic needs are met […]

The NeoCon 2014 Editors Choice selections are featured here for our final blog post in this series. This is certainly office furniture for the discerning eye. The pieces range from thoughtful to dramatic to whimsical. The only underlying theme this year seems to be the people-centric nature of the furnishings. It’s about more than how […]

It’s week #2 in our tour of NeoCon 2014 Gold winners. This time, we’ll browse a selection of supporting office furniture—those items that fill the spaces between desks. While these don’t get as much attention as cubicles or traditional workstations, they serve an important role. First up are the new storage systems. File & Mobile […]

Is it about time your company had a thorough office remodel? This is a great opportunity to bring your work environment and furnishings up to date technologically and ergonomically. You can even do a complete rebrand for a trendier image. But even well-intended changes don’t always go over well with workers—unless they have some input […]

The physical office building is one of a company’s greatest assets and investments as well as a substantial source of liability. If the facility is well designed, properly maintained, and used to its fullest potential, all is well. But when it is in disrepair, the workplace can become unpleasant or even hazardous. If space is […]

Last week, we took a look at what the “Digital Natives” in Generation Y expect from a user-friendly workspace. This week, we’ll put together a sample collection for the modern office environment—the all-important lounge area. Don’t let the name fool you. Serious work can be performed here if the furnishings support the way younger employees […]

Gen Y workers, with their high-tech smartphones, internet savvy minds, lightning fast texting skills, and “always connected” attitude are now being referred to as Digital Natives. These office employees have a different set of needs and expectations for their work environment compared to older peers. As offices are redesigned and refurnished over the next ten […]

Will it meet or exceed our expectations? According to a LinkedIn survey that was turned into a charming infographic by Needa Shredder (yes, they sell shredders), workers have certain expectations for what things will look like in 2017. Among the items they think will be obsolete are Rolodexes, fax machines, and cassette tapes. That’s probably […]

Does going to the office make your employees feel blue? They might feel differently if they had a Haworth workspace equipped with Bluescape. This product is the result of a joint effort by Obscura Digital and Haworth. It’s a good example of the kind of “intelligent office design” that’s been sweeping the office furniture industry […]

Selecting startup office furniture is something of a balancing act. Brand new businesses need to attract excited, energized innovators who don’t mind putting in long hours at work. This means the office furniture really needs to be good quality. At the same time, funds may be a little tight. It doesn’t make financial sense to […]

As many workers have noticed and bemoaned the fact, the typical call center center cubicle is on the smaller side compared to other individual office workstations.  Since employees don’t generally have files or paperwork and really only “need” room for a phone headset and computer, companies tend to pack them in like sardines. There’s a […]

Environmental psychologists study how people live in the physical world. They investigate the psychological implications of sensory experiences from how color influences mood to how furniture should be placed. What they tell us can help create a workspaces that make employees feel secure, calm, and capable —  so they can accomplish their best work. Here […]

If your budget is practically non-existent, even a set of deeply discounted used cubicles might be out of your grasp. In that situation, you need to get inventive and figure out a way to build your own really, really cheap office cubicles. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Cardboard This time honored […]

Cubicles were once a futuristic and positive idea, taking the chaos of open offices and turning it into an orderly universe with space for each worker to call their own, including expanded desk space, storage space, wall space and so on. Sadly, this utopia turned into a dystopia, as costs of office space rose and […]

The original cubicle came into being in the late 1960s, and at first office workers rebelled. For high level execs used to spacious offices they didn’t at first see the value of an enclosed workstation.  However, mid-level employees accepted the idea of their own space as a step up in many cases as cubicles improved.  […]

More and more companies are outsourcing their customer service to larger telecommunications firms and VoIP companies, and these in turn are searching for better ways to maintain employee morale and efficiency in an increasingly challenging field. When employees are exposed to excessive noise, they can’t concentrate, and when they are on the phone, excessive noise […]

Working in a San Diego cubicle installation can do wonders for productivity – but could be rather hazardous to your employees’ health. Be a good office manager or CEO, and make sure your worker bees stay fit as well as focused with these tips! Make sure they move it, move it. Surprise – sitting in […]

There’s often a disconnect between space planners and actual users, and this is even more apparent when it comes to cubicles. While cubicle sharing seems like a no-brainer to planners and facility managers in cases with limited workstations, the workers who have to physically exist in the shared space can sometimes find it difficult. How […]

A small business expanding from an entrepreneurship into a slightly larger setting often requires an expansion in office space – the home office or a single room in local building stops being sufficient. However, with square footage at a premium, affording as big a space as would be preferred isn’t always an option. Being able […]

The Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute has published an article in which Steelcase answers the question, “What will the future of the office look like?” As usual, the office furniture leader has no problem being the industry oracle. They’ve been right on the money with many of their previous predictions (probably because they have a […]

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 […]

Today’s guest post is from S. Arefin, a small office customer relationship management specialist who works for an online CRM company, the CleverTim. Arefin shares advice about the “big 3” factors that make your office space effective and enjoyable. Do you work solo in a small home based office? Do you have just a few […]

Last week, we gave some bragging space to Steelcase. But Herman Miller did even better, bringing in its own collection of awards at NeoCon 2013. The company’s booth and showroom was recognized as the best place to visit in the entire convention. You can see HM’s “Living Office” concept page here and even download the […]

Are you looking for fast and easy ways to improve your workspace design for better functionality? The Daily Worth gives you several quick tips for how to “Make Your Office Space Work for You”. Unlike other advice columns that are all about helping your office or cubicle express your personality, these solutions are about helping […]

On this blog, we usually focus on workplace décor and furniture tips that are intended to make employees feel comfortable. But there’s something to be said for taking a long look at how your office design impacts clients and other visitors as well. Duncan MacPherson at Pareto Systems offers insight into this topic in his […]

Do you enjoy gazing at beautiful office design photos? It’s a great way to end your workweek. You can go home on Friday imagining that your own office will be magically transformed over the weekend, like Cinderella’s pumpkin being turned into a coach to take her to the ball. Sure, the bubble will burst on […]

According to a Haworth white paper entitled “How Our Prehistoric Past Influences Modern Office Environments”, a lot of what we intuitively sense is good office design stems from our past living on the savannas. While a lot of employer focus on the quality and design of office furniture (which is important), they may neglect other […]

That’s a question explored in Sodexo’s 2012 Workplace Trends pamphlet. It reveals some startling statistics about how nebulous concepts like employee engagement really do impact the bottom line. In a survey of 50 global employers, research group Towers Watson found that firms with highly engaged employees improved their operating income by almost 20 percent over […]

What lengths would you go to if you needed to court a really splendid job candidate for a high level position? Do you take those candidates out to dinner at a fancy restaurant? Do you invite them to go on a fishing trip to catch blue marlin? Do you recreate your office space to make […]

At Cubicles Office Environments, we always look forward to seeing the great office furniture designs that are debuted at NeoCon. But we don’t have to wait a full year to feast our eyes on office designs if we cast a wider net. If you want to tour fantastic, award winning spaces from Moscow to St. […]

If you’ve done much reading about workspace utilization, you probably know about seat occupancy sensors that measure how much time workers actually spend at their desks from day to day. It’s an important piece of data to use in determining whether to gravitate toward a shared desking situation. But the future is likely to offer […]

Of all the companies you would assume to be in favor of telecommuting, Yahoo is probably near the top of the list. But the new CEO of this mega-corporation is putting the kibosh on this practice. In the coy “We means You” language used by HR directors the world over, the head of HR at […]

Do you read the Building Operation Management magazine? If not, you missed this piece about “Factors that Impact Office Furniture Design”. The article starts with the assumption that your office furniture will be in service for 10-15 years. We’ve certainly seen plenty of furniture last a lot longer. That’s not surprising since we work in […]

Steelcase’s new “Workspring” initiative has us drooling. It kind of makes us want to go work in a meeting room at the Marriott instead of in our own office. The office furniture design firm and the hotel chain have collaborated to bring the first of many Workspring suites to life in a flagship location just […]

It’s always interesting to hear what one executive has to say to others about upcoming office design trends. Steelcase president Jim Keane shares his thoughts in Issue #63 of 360 Research about “Why CEOS Are Paying Attention” to the “Next Office”. As you might imagine, Chief Executive Officers are always looking for ways to make […]

Stephen Searer sees the agile or smart office as a burgeoning trend among the most forward thinking companies featured in this mouthwatering photo spread. These firms want to make the most efficient use of their space while supporting the way their employees choose to work. You’ll see naturalistic settings, highly confidential layouts, collaborative areas, lots […]

If you haven’t taken the time to browse the 2012 Contract magazine, you’re really missing out on some hot interior designs. The IIDA Latin America contest brings truly gorgeous concepts to the fore this year. While we’re used to seeing western European offices showcased, we don’t always get to see all the brilliant work that’s […]

Have you heard the phrase “distributed work” being tossed around in meetings in HR or Operations? This term refers to the concept of work activities that are spread out among individuals and teams working at different times and often in geographically disparate locations. You might think that this is so typical these days that there […]

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 […]

Are you confused by all the numbers that get thrown around about how much space you should allocate per office worker? Do the recommendations seem to have little association with the reality you see in your own business? You aren’t alone. If you want to understand what’s really going on, set aside 20 minutes to […]

Don King, VP of Sales at BiNW, has written a very insightful article about how the purpose of the office space has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. The days when gathering employees in one place because it was the only way to monitor and communicate with the workforce are long gone. Today, one […]

Have you seen this cute blog post by Turnstone about how to edit boring office furniture? The ideas range from adding panels and overlays to swapping out hardware and even putting on some “peg legs”. Imagine how much fun the office space would be if you let workers go to town personalizing everything! Of course, […]

Steelcase’s “Defining the Code” research paper suggests that businesses have a lot to learn about what it takes to be truly global employers. Understanding workplace cultures in different countries may lead to subtly or even radically different ways of designing the work environment. Everything from the office layout to the office furniture may need to […]

The Harvard Business Review doesn’t sound like the kind of place where writers would be riffing about bringing mobile workers back to the “Mother Ship”. It just goes to show you that today’s business professionals are likely more conversant with Star Trek than The Odyssey. That’s OK – a metaphor is a metaphor. Philip Tidd […]

That may seem like a strange question, but it’s one that Herman Miller explores in a recent research paper on “New Technologies, New Behaviors”. Once auto manufacturers realized drivers were going to slurp on a coffee or soda while on the road, they added cup holders to their vehicle designs for greater safety and efficiency […]

Haya El Nasser at USA Today wrote an article in October about the way office design can stymie or promote more physical activity. It’s all well and good to encourage employees to use the stairs rather than the elevator. But what if the stairs are hidden in musty stairwells behind heavy fire doors while the […]

Did you see the movie “The Lincoln Lawyer” with Matthew McConaughey? If you haven’t yet, don’t bother – it wasn’t that good. The only inventive thing about it was that the lawyer didn’t have an office. Instead, he worked out of a nice big Lincoln Town Car while being driven all over the city by […]

An interview on SmartPlanet with designer Allison Arieff brings up a very interesting point: What are employers, office space designers and facility managers doing to improve workplace design for employees who don’t sit at a desk? Workers in service and hospitality industries who are on their feet most of the day seem to be ignored […]

Are you a startup business owner? Have you hired a few employees and leased your first office space? You know that branding your office is important for making your workers feel like part of your company’s team. Here are 3 cost effective ways to brand the workspace without going overboard: Distribute useful, high quality items […]

Are you renovating your office? Here are five ways you may be able to boost your LEED certification rating: Lighting – Install energy efficient LED lights and use infrared motion detection and timers that turn lights off when a room is unoccupied. Surfaces – Make sure every surface coating/covering from paint to carpet is low […]

Of all the research into office space usage over the past decade, Herman Miller’s studies have delivered some of the most surprising results. According to their data (collected by placing weight sensors in chairs to determine when they were occupied), a typical workstation is only in use 40% of an average workday. Even accounting for […]

The Facility Management Journal offers a very helpful diagram in its P&G case study showing a variety of office configurations. Each one features a blend of modern workstations and conference areas (as opposed to private offices), but the way they are set up shows how layout can support different types of teaming. “Consistent” teaming, where […]

…But don’t overdo it. That’s one takeaway message from a recent article by Global Office. This advice applies to companies where potential clients are likely to get an office tour. It’s great to have an innovative, eye-catching lobby, a stunning conference room, and a great view. But there comes a point where spending more money […]

What does the future hold for office design? Steelcase believes it has some of the answers. Considering that this is the largest manufacturer of office furniture in the world, they probably have some pretty good insight. After all, they’re betting the future of the company on it! Steelcase recently talked with the Commercial Investment Real […]

Allsteel’s library of white papers contains a wealth of thought leadership on the topic of work. The company’s research includes information on what it is, how and where we do it, and what tools, technology, and practices ensure work gets done in the most efficient manner. For an insightful and detailed look at the newest […]

Sometimes, a startup business needs to host a meeting with a client or a potential investor but the office just isn’t the right place. Perhaps you leased the cheapest office location you could find and that fact is painfully obvious. Or, maybe you still work from home and you don’t want others intruding into your […]

In the most recent edition of Steelcase’s 360 online magazine, you’ll find an article that talks about how to create space for the individual in a work world that stresses, “There’s no I in TEAM.” With such a sharp focus on collaboration, some employers seem to forget that workers also need space for themselves. There […]

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 […]

Trend Office Interiors has a great resource available right now listing 8 mistakes office furniture buyers make – and how you can avoid these pitfalls yourself. The article covers a lot of ground from initial space planning to furniture selection and more. For example, it’s important to select furniture with future growth and restructuring in […]

There’s a good post up right now at the CORT Office Furniture Rental blog about how to make an office move go smoothly. A business only moves when relocation is preferable to the alternative. Some reasons you might move include the following: Long term cost savings with a better commercial lease agreement Access to a […]

Are you a new business owner? You won’t want to miss this guest post by Shane Mac over at Venture Beat. Shane bucks the trend of “experts” telling everyone that the days of the physical office space are coming to a close. He argues that, while a remote workforce may be OK for well-established companies, […]

Darren Fleming has written a fascinating piece for the Ottawa Business Journal about the connection between outdated office furniture and high office lease expenses. Darren points out that a company with 10 year old furniture may be paying far too much for office space. That’s because older workstations are designed for use with older technology. […]

Carpet may be the last thing on your mind when you’re setting up a new office. But it’s really a foundational aspect of workplace design and office space planning. Floor Daily has an excellent trend prediction piece online for 2012. It provides an overview of what business owners and office designers are looking for right […]

Does riding herd on a bunch of messy employees make you feel like you’re the parent of teenagers who never want to clean their rooms? Wallace Imen at The Globe and Mail sums it up perfectly with his 4 categories of employees and how they tend to keep their desks. He makes a good point […]

Here’s another follow up on my guest post at Ergotron about designing the sit-to-stand office. It has to do with the sitting part as much as the standing part. Workers still do need well made, ergonomic office chairs for those times during the day when they need to rest their weary legs and feet. All […]

Last week, I had the privilege of guest posting at Ergotron – a company at the leading edge or office ergonomics. The topic of that post was “Designing the Sit to Stand Office”. As height adjustable workstations become the norm rather than an oddity, this is likely to change the way facility managers, architects, office […]

According to one study described in the Wall Street Journal blog, a little bit of talking in the background prompts the brain to think more creatively. While such a claim (like one about beauty) can only be tested subjectively, there does appear to be some evidence that a bit of a hubbub can shake up […]

Are you intrigued by the idea of making do with less office space but unsure what radical space re-allocation looks like in practice? Allsteel walks readers through the process with the example of real-life customer Deloitte & Touche. This firm had many private offices that averaged 300 square feet (half the size of an efficiency […]

This week, Herman Miller retweeted an interesting article published on fastcoexist.com about how one company is making it easier for employees to telecommute. Technology firm Plantronics has designed and constructed its new headquarters to encourage workers to stay away from the office – in a good way. The company is practicing “hot desking” (not providing […]

An article has been making the rounds recently about Steelcase “designing for the future of work”. The company is using the coworking concept to bring the feel of entrepreneurial enterprise into corporate spaces. According to Greiner and Grazziano at Steelcase, all signs point to a future where work areas are less closed off and more […]

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. […]

With the holidays coming up, it’s always interesting to see how many different celebrations are recognized at this time of year. In November, there’s Dia de los Muertos (the Latin American Day of the Dead), All Saints Day, Al Hijra (the Muslim new year), and Diwali (the Festival of Lights). Then, December holds Bodhi day […]

LEED certification can be achieved by retrofitting an existing office space. However, getting a fresh start in a new office environment makes certain LEED points easier to accumulate. Huitt-Zollars, Inc. in Dallas recently took advantage of their relocation to grab for the gold. They actually ended up just 3 points shy of reaching platinum rating. […]

Today’s guest post is by Erik Braunitzer of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, leading agents for Bronx Rentals. Enjoy! With many technology companies finding rapid growth in the online world, their infrastructure and resources must also expand. Many Chief Executives are looking towards highly contemporary and collaborative design. Apart from choosing a paint & carpet color, […]

DMI just celebrated its 100th year in business at NeoCon 2011. That means the company began back in the days when Wells Fargo was still hiring stagecoach drivers to make deliveries. These days, the company is taking advantage of automotive transportation, modern logistics, and lean supply chain management to ship product faster than ever. General […]

Some of the most interesting “Best of NeoCon” entries aren’t physical furnishings at all. Instead, they are software technologies that are designed to enhance the workplace. Here are a couple that might improve how businesses go about office space planning and furniture selection: 20-20 Visual Impression This 3D office layout and furniture design software tool […]

Blogger sjennings at Arnolds Office Furniture always has great photo roundups showing offices that meet specific criteria. Recently, this included a set of truly tiny offices. Some were cluttered and cramped, while others were pretty cute. The post included some helpful tips for using a smaller office space wisely. Be sure to check those out […]

As we continue exploring the free office environment resources provided by Steelcase, you won’t want to miss their white paper about the true value of space and the value of what you put in it. The cubicle manufacturer advocates installing workstations on the ceiling of your office space so that employees can hang upside down […]

Sometimes, it makes sense for a business to lease satellite office space rather than having all employees report to a central location to work. This might be true when a significant percentage of workers (or the customer base they will be serving) lives in an area that is a long drive from corporate headquarters. For […]

Steelcase always has thought provoking insights in its well-researched white papers. Have you read the one about how employees organize their workspaces? It’s worth a look. The writers postulate that people typically display one of six basic “patterns” of work. Some appear messy while others are strict about structure. However, it may be a mistake […]

Today, we have a guest post by Susan Black from SofasAndSectionals.com. Here, she shares some food for thought for first time office owners: Decorating any office or workplace can seem a rather foreboding task on the surface, particularly if inspiration is somewhat lacking from the onset. That being said, the positive effects that a well […]

That’s not an idle question for certain congressional representatives. Arnold’s Office Furniture blogger “sjennings” reveals that many politicos on the hill use their offices as a crash pad most nights. Many own houses or apartments elsewhere (such as in their home state) and don’t want to take on an additional lease in D.C. Others are […]

Steelcase believes that many private offices are far behind the times when it comes to accommodating today’s high-level workers. Too often, productivity is stymied by a workspace that is designed to isolate rather than integrate. Perhaps you’ve seen some of the following layout and furniture flaws in private offices at your company: Guests are seated […]

Steelcase makes a compelling case for benching in the workplace as an alternative to both cubicle and desk style workstations. The most obvious difference between benches and cubicles is the fact that there are no panels involved. If you want to create a very social working environment and assigned tasks don’t tend to require a […]

According to a recent press release from Ethosource, Fall of 2011 is going to be all about conservation – of space, that is. This means the most critical factor of office space planning is about designing with the right furniture and the right placement for maximum functionality. This may include: Dedicated workstations for full time […]

Steelcase has gone home from Chicago this year with more than just memories. The cubicle manufacturer was awarded the gold in the Office Accessories category – beating out 3 competitors. The other entries in this section were all variations on the whiteboard. There were mobile whiteboards, giant whiteboards, and even green (eco-friendly) whiteboards. That was […]

HON recently put together a new software tool that lets you look at different Voi desking designs instantly based on 6 different user-selected criteria. You can pick the footprint, storage capacity, and location (private office, open plan, etc.) to fit each area of your office environment. HON’s main selling point for this laminated worksurface solution […]

An office layout should be about making efficient use of space and keeping employees happy, focused, and productive. That’s the approach the office space planning consultants at Cubicles Office Environments take to help you save money. But what would happen if you let employees be in charge of your office furniture layout? You can find […]

According to analysis published by Furniture Today, home office furniture is getting more compact. Even executive style desks – long noted for their imposing size – are being scaled back to a modest 54 inches. Retailers are dedicating less space to this category of furnishings on their floors, and so are end users. Suppliers are […]

If you’ve never used cubicle walls to build a “cabin”, check out this post. You might be able to create a brand new type of work pod.

Office furniture installation is fairly quick and painless if you buy your cubicles from a professional dealership. But there are some ways you can make it even easier.

Are you looking for a smaller office building to house your business? Office furniture doesn’t have to take up as much space when you do effective planning.

Are you using your available space efficiently by installing corner office furniture? San Diego companies that need to fit more workers into a small area should consider this.

Has it been a while since you redecorated your cubicle? Workstations deserve the same interior design flair as any other room in the office environment.

Do your employees complain about their cubicles? Workstation perks aren’t that difficult to provide for employees who deserve a little something extra.

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.

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.

Corporate office furniture such as conference tables may need to be re-invented to keep up with workplaces that no longer see the benefit in lengthy sit-down meetings.

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.

Looking for free office furniture resources? Here are 4 companies that offer free trial versions of their space planning software. Read reviews of each product.

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.

Find out how a professional office furniture consultant can cut your costs and save you time when you need new (or used) office furnishings.

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.

Here’s an overview of tips you can learn from HON Office Furniture. San Diego employers can combine this info with a free consultation.

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.

Do you need to put some workstations in storage? Cubicles are easier to assemble again later when you follow this advice.

Have you ever wondered if cubes with “off-module” capabilities are the best option? Learn about modular office cubicles here.

Do you dislike the typical cubicle layout because it makes it hard for employees to concentrate? Architectural walls offer an alternative.

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 – […]

Modern cubicles are a far cry from the original Action Office created by Bob Propst in 1968. Now, workstations are available in an enormous range of configurations and styles to suit any office design layout. Who comes up with these high-end office furniture concepts? Most designer cubicles are marketed as part of a collection that […]

When it comes to office space planning, business owners look to maximize the utility of their office real estate in lots of different ways. A recent article from the Wall Street Journal reveals that one approach employers are taking is install smaller cubicles. Design features and careful implementation can actually make this less of a […]

In a busy call center with lots of people sharing workstations in close proximity, creating a quiet atmosphere is out of the question. However, there are a number of ways to effectively address noise and make the volume level tolerable. Office design layout is one part of the puzzle. For example, large open spaces with […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

As the author of this article about office furniture in San Diego points out, business real estate in California is expensive. The less space employers have to pay a monthly lease for, the better. However, there is a fine line between being efficient and packing workers in like sardines. When employees feel crowded and undervalued, […]

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 […]