AOI Experts: The Importance of Privacy in the New Workplace Design

With many businesses and employees returning back to the workplace, we want to discuss how important will privacy be in the new workplace design? Will open and collaborative areas be important? We are here to assist with floorplan redesigned, strategizing how to best use your office space and understand what your team needs to be successful. These are just some of the questions many business owners are navigating as we slowly return back to the workplace. With that said, here are some trends that Affordable Office Interiors is seeing for the path back to the office.

Redesigning Collaborative Areas

Finding creative ways to redesign open areas will play a huge role in encouraging safe collaboration for teams when working together. Finding simple solutions to use existing furniture will be key in saving companies money but ensuring employees are safe and feel comfortable returning to the office.

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“Benching and open plan environments will need to be revamped to provide defined, and safe spaces.” Jessica Platt – Vice President

Creating Privacy with Larger Areas

Another big trend that we will see in 2021 will be creating larger workstations to allow people to work 6 feet apart. Also, open areas will have to have furniture spread out to give employees a sense of safety when they are working in the office. Room to walk around, work together and collaborate but also for having garbing a cup of coffee or eating lunch with their team.

“I think that there will be a push for larger workstations, that allow for 6 feet of separation between the employee’s. Collaborative areas will have to be larger to accommodate for proper spacing for social distancing.” Ron Shaw, New Business Development,

Importance of Daylight Views

Being able to have access to daylight views is key in feeling productive and efficient while working in the office. This will still be true when returning to the workplace. Providing window views and areas that feel spacious help your team do their best work and feel safe in 2021.

Soji Task Chair with Jive Bridge Base Table

“There is a difference between privacy and separation. We have learned prior to COVID-19 that employees can complete their job functions better with views and light from the exterior of the building, as well as, being able to get up and move around while they are working. These needs did not disappear because of the pandemic. Lower panels but with glass to provide separation will be a must. Actual visual and sound privacy are not always attainable and can affect the access to light. Collaboration and opens spaces are needed now more than ever.” Nicole Wynkoop, Director of Design,